The window of the Hokage's Office stood slightly ajar. The cold morning wind carried in the faint noise from outside, but it could not clear away the tobacco smell left from the night before.
Baishi tapped a freshly printed Red-Header Document with his fingertips.
"Notice of Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Decision Concerning Former Hokage Advisor Jiraiya's Serious Violations and Malicious Destruction of a Major Medical Facility, Resulting in the Escalation of the Incident."
The ink had dried. Every word carried a chill that brooked no argument.
Shikaku Nara stood across the desk, faint shadows beneath his eyes. He had personally overseen the General Affairs Section the night before as they organized and filed the meeting minutes and notice, ensuring every procedure was beyond reproach.
Baishi said nothing. He pushed the notice to the corner of the desk and picked up another file.
Codename: "Pulling the Snake's Fangs."
"Have the heads of the Discipline Inspection Department and Finance Department arrived?" he asked.
"They're waiting outside," Shikaku replied.
"Let them in."
The door opened, and two middle-aged ninja in Konoha's Standard-Issue Flak Jackets entered one after the other. The man in front, the head of the Discipline Inspection Department, had his hair combed meticulously. Half a step behind him came the newly promoted head of the Finance Department, looking somewhat uneasy.
They stopped three paces from the desk and bowed together.
"Lord Hokage."
Baishi raised a hand, indicating that formalities were unnecessary.
"Sit."
There were no spare chairs in the office. Neither man moved; they remained standing.
Baishi did not insist. He opened the "Pulling the Snake's Fangs" file and spread it across the desk.
"How is the inventory of Orochimaru's assets in the village and the Land of Fire progressing?"
The head of the Discipline Inspection Department stepped forward and reported