While Chihane and the others headed back to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi stayed behind.
Although their appearance had somewhat disrupted his plans,
it was also Chihane's appearance that had intimidated the Kage of the other villages.
In any case, Orochimaru no longer had any chance of competing for the position of Hokage back in the village.
Once Hiruzen returned, whether he let Minato Namikaze take over or remained in office himself would be entirely up to him.
For a consummate politician like Hiruzen Sarutobi, this was the perfect time to demand reparations.
With the strength Chihane had just displayed, he was sure the other villages' Kage would know better than to refuse to pay.
With that money, they could improve the village, and there would be ample funds to compensate the families of those Konoha had lost in the war.
As expected, I'm the Hokage who has contributed the most to Konoha!
Only someone like me, who does everything for the village, deserves to hold firmly onto the Hokage's seat.
Leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi aside for the moment, the focus returned to Chihane, Orochimaru, and the others.
After returning to Konoha, they made no further moves and simply went back to their respective homes.
But starting the next day, a different sort of rumor began circulating through the village.
Noon.
Ichiraku Ramen.
As the safest place in Konoha, especially during the lunchtime rush, it drew civilians and ninja from every corner of the village.
In the middle of a row of seats, two ninja chatted while waiting for their ramen.
"Hey, did you hear? Lord Orochimaru and the others barged into the Five Kage Council!"
One unidentified ninja spoke to another nameless ninja.
At the mention of that subject, the civilians and ninja around them immediately pricked up their ears.