The air in the meeting room froze.
The department heads, who had been passing the buck over the budget moments ago, now stood as if paralyzed. They could neither leave nor stay.
Every eye fixed on the two figures before the Hokage's desk.
One was Tsunade, seething with rage.
The other was Baishi, the Fifth Hokage, seated calmly at the head of the table.
The edges of the report Tsunade had slapped onto the desk curled slightly, like a mouth making a silent accusation.
"You'd better explain this to me."
Tsunade kept her voice low, but the fury in it seemed to chill the room.
Baishi looked up from the report and glanced at the department heads, who had fallen deathly silent.
He raised a hand. The gesture was small, but it carried an authority that allowed no argument.
"Today's budget meeting ends here. General Staff Headquarters will compile and issue all decisions."
Given their reprieve, Takahashi and the others bowed and hurried out of the meeting room as though a beast were chasing them.
Shikaku Nara stayed. He walked to the door and closed it gently, shutting out any prying eyes.
Only three people remained in the meeting room.
Baishi did not look at Tsunade. Instead, he picked up the report and read it carefully.
"A ninety-three percent match."
He read the figure aloud, his tone as flat as if it meant nothing.
"Lady Tsunade, your technical work is as precise as ever."
The emotionless praise caught all the questions Tsunade had been ready to unleash in her throat.
She had not come for praise.
"Baishi, spare me the official talk!" Tsunade stepped forward and planted both hands on the edge of the desk. Leaning in, golden hair falling around her face, she said, "You knew all along Minato's