"By 'not under anyone's control,'" Minato asked carefully, "do you mean even the Hokage?"
His instincts were sharp.
Jin nodded without hesitation.
"Including the Hokage."
Minato did not react with offense.
Instead, he fell silent and began thinking.
He was no longer naïve. Not completely.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Because the Hokage's power is too great?"
Jin's tone carried quiet approval.
"Exactly."
"The Hokage is not just a position. In many ways, the Hokage embodies the will of the village."
"If the Legislative Council falls under the Hokage's authority, it becomes little more than an extension of the Hokage's will."
"Manipulate the structure slightly, and it becomes a cheering squad."
"If a corrupt Hokage seizes control of it, then the Council defeats its own purpose."
He paused.
"The Council doesn't need to stand above the Hokage."
"But it must stand outside the Hokage's control."
"Outside everyone's control."
"Only then can it remain fair."
Minato nodded slowly.
"I understand. Continue."
Structure of the Legislative Council
Jin folded his hands.
"I propose ninety-two formal members."
Minato blinked.
"Ninety-two?"
"Two permanent councillors.
Twenty clan councillors.
Twenty civilian shinobi councillors.
Fifty civilian representatives."
Minato listened intently.
"The Council convenes publicly once a month," Jin continued.
"Villagers may attend as observers."
"Any councillor may propose amendments or new legislation."
"But for a bill to pass, it must receive at least three-quarters approval."
"Only then will it be enacted and publicly announced."
Minato's expression grew more serious.
"And elections?"
"All non-permanent seats are annual."
"Clan, civilian shinobi, and civilian representatives."
"Elections held in March, June, and September."
He outlined the structure calmly:
Candidates volunteer.
Villagers vote to select fifty civilian representatives.
Those fifty elect the civilian shinobi councillors.
Civilian representatives and civilian shinobi councillors together elect the clan councillors.
"This ensures," Jin concluded,
"that the Council reflects the collective will of Konoha as much as possible."
Minato was impressed.
"And oversight?"
"Oversight Division retains authority to investigate Council members."
"If a councillor abuses power, Oversight collects evidence and transfers the case to Adjudication."
"Stripped of office. Tried under law."
"Power must never be immune."
Minato nodded repeatedly.
The structure was coherent. Balanced. Dangerous—in a good way.
Then he frowned slightly.
"There's one thing."
"Those two permanent councillors."
He narrowed his eyes.
"They sound like privileges."
Jin didn't evade.
"They are."
"One for Uchiha. One for Senju."
Minato blinked.
"You're reserving them?"
"Yes."
"The Uchiha and Senju founded Konoha."
"Granting each one permanent seat is not excessive."
He spoke calmly, but his reasoning was precise.
In time, Legislative Council votes would carry immense weight.
That permanent seat was insurance.
A safety line for the Uchiha.
Minato thought carefully.
"Not unreasonable."
"Ninety-two votes overall—two won't dominate."
He accepted it.
But then he hesitated.
"There's just one problem."
"The Senju…"
He lowered his voice.
"Lady Tsunade is the only one left."
"And she's not even in the village."
"Would she accept?"
Jin shook his head calmly.
"Whether she accepts is her choice."
"Offering the seat is our attitude."
"If she refuses, nothing changes."
The gesture itself was what mattered—legitimacy. Symbolism.
Minato smiled faintly.
He could see Jin's "self-interest."
But strangely—
That made him more trustworthy.
A man who values nothing—even his own clan—is dangerous.
Without small love, there can be no great love.
The Warning
Then Jin's expression turned serious.
"When you report to the Third, tell him I'm willing to decentralize Military Police authority."
"You may even mention the Three Divisions."
"But the Legislative Council…"
His eyes sharpened.
"Not a word."
Minato frowned.
"Wouldn't revealing it strengthen our position?"
"No."
Jin's voice was steady.
"People are different."
"I can design this system because I am not controlled by power."
"But Hiruzen Sarutobi…"
He exhaled softly.
"He loves the village. That much is true."
"But for years, he has been consolidating authority."
"At first, perhaps, to stabilize Konoha."
"But power reshapes people."
"Over time, he began stabilizing Konoha to secure power."
Minato's pupils tightened slightly.
"That's a heavy accusation."
"It's an observation."
"The Legislative Council limits Hokage authority."
"Hiruzen is not you."
"He will never willingly accept restraints on his power."
"So this plan must wait."
"Until you are Hokage."
Silence lingered.
Then Jin concluded calmly:
"For now, tell him only this—"
"I intend to involve many parties in revising village law."
"As for how much influence he gains…"
A faint smile appeared.
"That depends on how much he's willing to pay."
The game had entered a new phase.
And the board was far larger than anyone in the Hokage Tower realized.
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