Xuandou was stunned by what he heard.
Minato was famous for his good temper. For him to outright tell someone to leave, he had to be truly angry.
But hadn't he only asked a question?
An awkward look appeared on Kushina's face as well, and she said:
"Xuandou, why would you ask that?"
Xuandou mulled over his question again and again, only realizing the problem after a long while.
An unfamiliar, handsome young man was showing such concern for his wife, even asking when his child would be born...
Any other man would probably have counted as good-tempered for not beating him to death.
Xuandou hurriedly explained:
"Wait! Minato, you've misunderstood."
"I received intelligence that someone will take advantage of the weakened seal during Kushina's delivery to seize the Nine-Tails! I asked so I could confirm the timing!"
Minato froze.
Kushina froze too.
A moment later, Minato's expression softened, and he nodded apologetically:
"I see. I misunderstood. I'm sorry, Xuandou."
Xuandou muttered inwardly, Actually, you don't need to apologize. I've already seen every inch of your wife...
Minato pondered for a moment, then stood up:
"This is too serious. It concerns not just Kushina and the baby, but the entire village. I must report it to Lord Hokage immediately."
"I'll be right back!"
Before he had even finished speaking, his figure flashed and vanished on the spot.
He had probably used Flying Thunder God to leave directly.
Only Xuandou and Kushina remained in the room, staring at each other.
Now, whenever Xuandou saw Kushina, he couldn't help recalling the sight of her bathing that he had seen through the system.
Even though Kushina was dressed now, his mind was already filled with images of her naked and in a bikini...
Minato's sudden departure had caught Kushina somewhat off guard as well.
The atmosphere immediately grew a little awkward.
Fortunately, Kushina spoke first, breaking the awkwardness:
"As for when the baby is due, the hospital said it'll be in a month."
A month left?
Then I still have some time to prepare.
Xuandou nodded.
The two chatted for a little while longer.
A moment later, the air rippled slightly, and Minato appeared again.
Minato looked at Xuandou with a serious expression and said:
"The Third is taking this very seriously and wants to ask you about it in person."
Xuandou immediately nodded.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Getting Konoha High Command to take the matter seriously was undoubtedly the most effective approach.
Xuandou then followed Minato and Kushina to the Hokage's Office.
When they pushed open the door, several people were already seated inside.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at the head with a pipe between his lips.
Beside him were the two advisers, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Shimura Danzō sat in a corner, half his face wrapped in bandages, holding a walking stick.
As soon as Xuandou entered, Hiruzen spoke:
"Xuandou, you received intelligence that someone intends to seize the Nine-Tails?"
Xuandou nodded:
"Yes, Lord Third. And they have a stray Uchiha Sharingan in their possession."
Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly.
He knew that the Sharingan could control tailed beasts.
He paused, then asked:
"How many of them are there?"
"One."
"One?"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed deeply.
"Konoha has nearly ten thousand active shinobi, with barriers, the Anbu, and the Police Force providing layers of defense. Who could break in single-handedly?"
Utatane Koharu sneered as well:
"Do you even hear yourself? One person thinks they can breach Konoha? Do you think we're all blocks of wood?"
Xuandou frowned:
"It's not as though the Shinobi World's history has never seen shinobi whose individual strength could shake an entire village. Madara Uchiha, the First Hokage-which of them didn't turn the tide of battle single-handedly?"
"That was all in the past."
Mitokado Homura interrupted him unhurriedly.
"Where would you find such legendary figures in today's Shinobi World?"
Hiruzen spoke up as well:
"As far as I know, there is indeed no one like that in the Shinobi World today."
"Hmm... do you have any more information?"
After weighing his words for a moment, Xuandou decided to reveal more information to make his case more convincing:
"They belong to a mysterious organization in the Land of Rain called Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki?"
Danzo immediately spoke up at the name.
His tone carried disdain:
"That little organization in the Land of Rain was wiped out years ago by Hanzō and me working together. Their leader is already dead!"
"Besides, as I see it, this so-called Akatsuki was nothing more than a bunch of naive children clamoring to end war through peaceful dialogue. They are no cause for concern whatsoever."
Xuandou looked at him:
"Danzo, that organization hasn't disappeared. On the contrary, it has been growing in secret..."
"Enough!"
Danzo raised a hand to interrupt him.
"Do I need you to lecture me about something I handled personally?"
Xuandou took a deep breath and could only turn to Hiruzen:
"Lord Third, this person really is dangerous. We absolutely cannot let our guard down!"
Hiruzen sighed and looked at Xuandou:
"Then how do you think we should respond?"
Xuandou had come prepared, so he immediately said:
"First, we need to move Kushina to a secret location outside Konoha for the delivery, to keep the enemy from finding her."
"Second, evacuate Konoha's civilians. Even if the Nine-Tails is released, we'll have room to deal with it without causing mass civilian casualties."
"Third..."
"Enough!"
Danzo interrupted again.
"Do you have any idea how much manpower and resources evacuating the civilians would take? Do you know what it means for the jinchūriki to leave the village?"
"If the Nine-Tails leaves Konoha and the enemy takes advantage of our vulnerability to attack, can you bear that responsibility?"
Xuandou stared at Danzo, refusing to back down:
"What if the Nine-Tails really is released?"
"Who will take responsibility for the civilian casualties then?"
Danzo's gaze darkened:
"If the Nine-Tails really is released, the Anbu and Root will handle it. Konoha is not without means of dealing with tailed beasts."
"As I see it, you're simply trying to use this matter with the Nine-Tails to gain the Uchiha more say in the village!"
Xuandou's gaze turned cold.
"Danzo, I'm talking about the Nine-Tails, not fighting you for power!"
"Heh."
Danzo sneered.
"Then tell us, how is one person going to breach Konoha? With a pair of Sharingan?"
He made no attempt to conceal the contempt in his voice.
"Konoha is not a village that lets some unfounded piece of intelligence lead it around by the nose."
"And we certainly don't need you Uchiha ordering us around here!"
Fury flared in Xuandou's heart. His Sharingan activated instantly, three tomoe rotating slowly as a chilling surge of killing intent bore straight down on Danzo.
"Danzo! Do you dare say that again?"
Danzo's expression darkened, and he immediately pressed his hand against the ninja tool at his waist.
The atmosphere in the office abruptly froze.
"Ahem!"
Hiruzen coughed loudly and slammed a hand on the desk.
"Both of you, stop!"
He looked at Xuandou, his tone softening somewhat:
"Xuandou, I understand how you feel. But evacuating the civilians and relocating the jinchūriki involve too much to be decided with a few words."
"How about this? On the day Kushina gives birth, I will personally arrange for the Barrier Team to set up defenses, and the Anbu will stand guard nearby. If the enemy truly dares to come, Konoha is no pushover!"