Despite the respectable height difference between the seated Minato and the still-standing Fugaku, the Uchiha nonetheless had to resist scowling or cringing in response to the sharp gaze being directed his way.
"You interrogated the Root operatives?" At least the Hokage's voice was mild in tone.
"Yes, and no," the police chief replied with a faint grimace. "Whoever trained them did something to them; the three we talked to are...empty. No fear, no anger, just... We tried the simpler genjutsu, but it had no impact, and I don't think the T&I people would have gotten anything if we had gone that far, either. There's nothing to break inside of them."
The Yondaime was doing a respectable impression of his stone visage on the Monument.
"Shikaku called in his Yamanaka teammate, who kindly spent half the afternoon helping us," Fugaku hastened to explain. "They still have minds that can be searched, and we got some very interesting information that is all in the file, but it will suffice to note that you could probably have the person who gave those orders executed for treason."
"I expected so," the Hokage muttered. "No, it's not that. The Root agents have been taught to be 'true shinobi', following the rules. They have killed their emotions."
"Making them the only people stupid enough to have taken the rules seriously," the Uchiha remarked scathingly, voicing for Minato his unspoken dislike of the concept. "Or just their leader, I suppose. But that is not what concerns you right now, is it?"
"Can these shinobi be effective long-term infiltrators?"
"We performed cursory searches of their homes," Fugaku replied slowly, thinking through his answer. "They seemed those of regular ninja, plain and practical, few ornamental objects or personal items, tools hidden in all the usual spots. But someone who knows what he is looking for would notice that the ornaments are generic and of no perceivable value, that there are apparently no actual personal effects, and that...well, if you want your home to scream 'ninja with no life', ask them for decorating tips."
"Point taken," the Fourth said. "I suppose, as long as going into deep cover isn't necessary, they can be effective spies. While we are on the subject of free thought and initiative, well, at least Shikaku was involved too. Good to know you don't need me to hold your hand."
Fugaku did scowl this time. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
"I forgive you." The corner of Minato's mouth twitched upwards momentarily. "I need the Military Police to go on high alert again tomorrow, for similarly vague reasons, if doable."