Minato Namikaze had just finished a meeting. Seeing that everyone else had already left while Hyuga Reiko, seated before him, showed no intention of leaving, he knew she had something to say to him.
"What happened, Reiko?"
Minato Namikaze asked softly, puzzled. The war on the front lines had largely calmed down recently, and there were not many war-related matters to handle, so the pressure on him had eased considerably.
"Minato, have you been secretly in contact with Uchiha Yū? Was the current situation even caused by your deliberate retreat?"
That single sentence abruptly changed the atmosphere in the room. Even Minato Namikaze, who was usually unflappable, revealed a grave look in his eyes upon hearing it. He suppressed his shock and quickly steadied himself.
As far as he knew, Hyuga Reiko was someone who rarely liked to think too deeply. Especially after becoming one of the Hokage's high-ranking officials, she cared only about the prosperity of the Hyuga Clan. As for Konoha's important meetings, she supported Minato Namikaze unconditionally.
But why had she discovered it at this time? Not even Jiraiya-sensei knew that he had secretly been in contact with Uchiha Yū, yet Hyuga Reiko had managed to investigate it in secret.
"What are you talking about? How could I possibly be in contact with him?"
Minato Namikaze denied what she had just said while observing her microexpressions, hoping to use them to discern Hyuga Reiko's true thoughts.
Yet in the next instant, Minato Namikaze shot to his feet.
"This is an envelope from Uchiha Yū. I intercepted it, and its contents are quite interesting."
The atmosphere turned icy. Minato Namikaze even clenched the hand hidden beneath the desk. If she truly revealed this secret, he had to make sure he subdued her immediately.
He had never imagined that