Hokage's Office.
"Hm? Chiba isn't here? There's no way to contact him?"
Listening to the Anbu's report across from him, the Third Hokage raised his head in mild surprise, blinked, and spoke with some confusion.
"Y-yes."
The Anbu Ninja replying hesitated somewhat, but ultimately nodded and answered.
Just now, following Lord Chiba's instructions, he had delivered all the compiled adjustments for the village's various departments to the Third Hokage. After reviewing them, the Third Hokage had wanted to see Lord Chiba, apparently to ask him something. But when he went back, he found that Lord Chiba was already gone, and no one knew where he had gone.
He could not be contacted either.
Left with no choice, he could only return empty-handed to report back.
Honestly, as the assistant and attendant assigned to Lord Chiba, the Anbu Ninja felt that he had failed badly.
This document should have been Lord Chiba's first report—or rather, work arrangement—after taking over nearly all the powers of the acting Hokage. Yet at such a critical moment, when the Third Hokage needed Lord Chiba, he had been unable to find him. There was no doubt that this was quite serious.
It was also a grave dereliction of duty on his part.
The exchanges between the Third Hokage and Lord Chiba could now affect Konoha's future development. If the two missed the chance to communicate because of him, then at best it would be a serious failure of duty, and at worst it could affect Konoha's entire situation.
Moreover, the village was still in an extremely dangerous and sensitive period.
If things went badly, he would become a major sinner!
"I see... Did Chiba receive some news before he left the office?"
The Third Hokage's expression did not change. It was as though his need to