Elsewhere, in the Hokage's Office.
"Is that so? Lord Kazekage has already left the Land of Fire? Nothing happened, right? Not even the slightest thing?"
Looking at the Anbu Ninja reporting before his desk, Minato Namikaze set down the report scroll detailing the Kazekage's entire departure and asked.
"Nothing unexpected occurred. Lord Kazekage seemed intent on avoiding any points beyond our notice, scheduling the entire journey during periods when he could remain fully within our sight. It may be inappropriate to say so, but I can confirm that Lord Kazekage made no suspicious moves."
In response to his Hokage's question, the Anbu Ninja said this.
"Mm. No unexpected incidents is the best news. Go back and rest first."
Hearing this, Minato Namikaze nodded, a rare smile appearing on his face after so many days.
"Forgive my impertinence, Fourth Hokage, but... has nothing happened to the village?"
At this moment, unlike usual, the Anbu Ninja actually questioned him in return.
"For the time being, everything is stable. Aside from Chiba, there have been no accidents. Hyuga Yukina, the Defense Force's special advisor, is currently reducing everyone's defense assignments, eliminating the habitual overload and preparing for adjustments over the next few days and a return to normal."
What was even more surprising was that Minato Namikaze, as Hokage, answered the Anbu Ninja's seemingly overstepping and disrespectful question.
"Yes! Understood!"
Only then did the Anbu Ninja respond as he should have.
"Wait!"
However, just as he answered and was about to vanish, Minato Namikaze suddenly called him back.
"Do you have another order, Lord Hokage?"
The Anbu Ninja was not surprised. He merely knelt quietly on one knee and waited for his Hokage's new command.
"Help me convey an apology to the Third Hokage. This time, I had to trouble him again."
At