"You... you are?"
Chiba was slightly taken aback as he looked at the stern-faced middle-aged man before him, and instinctively asked.
"I am Nozawa Aso, the Fourth Hokage's new assistant, Lord Chiba."
In response to Chiba's question, this stern middle-aged man did not speak with the severity his appearance suggested. His tone was exceedingly polite and full of respect for Chiba.
A new assistant? Oh! Come to think of it, the new assistant should indeed have taken office by now. And judging by this new assistant, he was no pushover either. There had been no issues with the assistant work, and starting from scratch without anyone to help him, he had adapted to the job so quickly. Konoha truly was full of hidden talent! Hearing that, Chiba came to a realization, and this thought crossed his mind.
"Oh, so you're the assistant. May I ask what you need?"
Then, after that thought passed, Chiba asked.
They were already within Konoha's territory, and this man had arrived with the Hokage just now, so there was no need to doubt his identity. Chiba had no suspicions on that front.
And since the assistant had stopped him, there had to be something he wanted.
Perhaps it was Minato Namikaze's order.
"No, Lord Chiba, please do not address me honorifically. You may call me Nozawa or Aso."
At this, the stern expression on Nozawa Aso's face shifted slightly, and he hurriedly spoke.
"It doesn't matter. You're older than me to begin with, and your position is higher than mine now. It's only proper to use an honorific, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Chiba felt quite favorably toward Nozawa Aso for being so polite and courteous to him, an assistant who had already been dismissed. He did not dislike humble and well-mannered people. Being around such