All clan heads were around the table. Minato was at the end of it. There were also a few members of the elder council, and Shikaku feared them the most. Danzo particularly, though he was curious as to what Hiruzen would have to say as well.

There was distrust towards Uchiha Fugaku, who was clearly trying his best to ignore them. Shikaku felt sympathy towards him. They all had seen the Kyubi controlled by a sharingan, but Shikaku knew the Uchiha clansmen weren't at fault, and Fugaku couldn't take the blame.

Danzo was shooting looks at the Hokage. His wife was the jinchuriki, and Danzo probably knew it. The counsellor cleared his voice and Shikaku almost stopped breathing.

"I'd like to know which Uchiha clansmen is behind the event."

Fugaku paled. Most clan heads looked at him with mix of curiosity, disdain, and accusation. Minato decided to save his ass.

"It was not any member of the current Uchiha clan of Konoha. It was someone who both Fugaku and I thought was dead. We all thought he was. Fugaku cannot be blamed to the events of last night."

Poor Minato looked exhausted. He had barely slept in the last 30 hours. Kushina's labor had started before he went to bed, then he fought. As soon as the battle was over, he had been at the hospital with his family, and also visiting injured civilians and ninjas as a good Hokage had to. Plus, Shikaku had been there for the secret switching of the Kyubi from Kushina to both babies. And now he was stuck in this meeting that Shikaku knew would be a drag.

"But it was an Uchiha," Danzo added, insisting on the last name.

"A rogue Uchiha supposed to be death," Shikaku said. "He was from Konoha, but the clan has nothing to do with the killing intent he had the other night. And I must remind you that Fugaku was the one who stopped the Kyubi. You should all thank him instead of blaming his clan!"

"He did that to have his named cleared of suspects, that's all," Danzo added.

Other clan heads started talking and it became a loud noise of incomprehensible things. Some accused the Uchiha, some wanted to shut Danzo up. Shikaku firmly slammed in fist against the table.

"Silence!" Everyone stopped, looking at him. "The Uchiha clan is not to blame and Fugaku is one of the heroes of the village. That's the end of the discussion. We sent patrol after the masked man, and we'll find a way to have him pay for his acts."

Hyuga Hiashi immediately asked, "Who is that masked Uchiha?"

"Obito," Fugaku said. "Minato and I were sure he had perished, crushed by a rock. How he is still alive is a mystery we'll have to resolve. But his acts are condemned by my clan, that's for sure. I don't know why he did that, but I do not intent to rally to his cause."

Danzo frowned and turned to the Hokage. "Your former student?"

His tone was accusing, and Shikaku growled. Minato took a long deep breath. Shikaku sighed as well. Now that Fugaku's involvement was put aside, Danzo was after the fourth Hokage. With his knowledge from his previous life, Shikaku knew what Danzo was after: he wanted to become the fifth. But blaming Minato of putting the village in danger?

"Look, what I gathered as information is that he hates me and Kakashi, but he hasn't said why. I wish he did, because I'm as confused as everyone here, and I don't see anything that made him flip to the bad side. I haven't slept at all, turning every memory of conversation with him I once had in my head, trying to find the breaking point. I sincerely don't know what happened. We'll investigate on him to understand his motive when the village is back to its safe state. I already sent a few tracking teams after him, but… he has a jutsu similar to mine to travel from places to places I suppose, because I lost track of him quickly."

Fugaku nodded. Danzo didn't seem to be done yet.

"And how did the Kyubi escaped? How did Obito knew about it?"

"The seal was in its weakened state due to my wife giving birth. I knew the risks and had security around her. Obito was quite stronger than expected, but he had to fight to free the Kyubi. The tailed beast is back into a seal, and the fox even showed regrets of what he did to the village. I believe he was honest. He was totally controlled against his will by Obito. The Kyubi likes our village, and accepted to be sealed back to save the life of its jinchuriki. I've never heard of such thing before."

Danzo looked suddenly like he was going to puke. "You're believing a tailed beast? I've never seen such a weak Hokage. You should be dismissed from your functions for your sayings, and how you put the village at risk."

Shikaku shut the mouth of Danzo with a look.

"Minato has nothing to do with Obito's attacks, and saved the village from complete destruction by sealing the Kyubi back. I am aware of the precautions he took to limit the risks of the Kyubi freed and it made sense. Obito was just smarter than all of us reunited and there was nothing we could do to stop him. Now, the seal is back to his perfect safe state, so the chances of something like this happening again is very low."

"If it can be reassuring some of you, I did not have any intent of having children biologically considering the risks. This pregnancy just… uh… happened," Minato added, a little blush in his face. "Meanwhile, it doesn't pose any risks anymore."

Some would think that something happened to Kushina's reproductive organs making her infertile, or that Minato didn't want more children, but Shikaku knew the Kyubi was sealed into Minato's infants. They were boys. No risks of freeing a beast during childbirth. But Minato didn't want the village to know about their jinchuriki statuses. Letting the village think it was still Kushina was safer, because she was at least able to save her own life herself if she had to, and the absence of the seal would take any enemy by surprise. And anyone who knew her knew not to mess with her.

Minato looked at the clock. "Now that we know who was behind it and who is not to blame, you'll excuse me, but I have to end this meeting. My wife just gave birth to twins and one of them is not doing so good so I'd like to be with them and also rest."

Hiashi offered a sympathetic look. "Sure, take care of your boys and your wife. A rested Hokage makes better decisions. Is there anyone doing your interim in your absence? In case we need anything or want to report material losses and give a list of missing people?"

"I will take care of it," Shikaku said, not waiting to give any room to Danzo.

Everyone stood up. Danzo was the first out, looking very frustrated. Some men took a little bit of time before leaving, congratulating the Hokage, asking others about losses of men and trying to cheer each other up in the grief.

Once alone, Minato looked at his assistant.

"Can you tell me why you looked at Danzo with such disdain? He wasn't very pleasing, and some of his accusations were surprising, but I understand his sentiment of protection towards the village."

"I know why he wanted the Uchiha clan to stay back so he could accuse them, and I know he wants your head, and your position. Be careful with him, Minato."

"How? Why do you hate him this badly?"

"I can't explain. It's just something you'll have to believe me on. I know it's not the answer you want. But I just want to let you know, Danzo is the man in Konoha I trust the least."