I'll Be Going Now

"Smack!"

The doors to the Hokage's Office slowly closed.

This child... I have no idea what he is thinking at all!

The Third Hokage watched Chiba's retreating figure vanish beyond the doors. He took a light draw from his pipe, unable to suppress a sigh in his heart.

"Then, I'll be going now."

At that moment, Danzo's voice came from behind him, devoid of emotion, impossible to tell whether he was pleased or disappointed.

"Mm."

The Third Hokage nodded, granting his old friend permission to leave. No, rather than permission, it was more like an instinctive response—the same response he had given countless times long ago whenever Danzo said those words before heading home.

It was just that Danzo's familiar farewell had become so, so unfamiliar to his ears.

It was as if the person speaking was no longer Danzo.

You actually supported Chiba becoming a unit commander today. That doesn't seem like you, Danzo. You have never said a word about matters like this! And lately, I'm finding you harder and harder to understand.

Danzo, what exactly are you trying to do? As he watched Danzo leave, the Third Hokage narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through them.

At the same time, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura watched Danzo disappear through the door as well.

"Smack!"

The doors to the Hokage's Office slowly closed.

Did Danzo get persuaded by that child Chiba too? Still, I never expected him to agree to Chiba's final proposal. Although Chiba's final words made a great deal of sense, that reasoning alone could not justify carrying out such an appointment.

Hiruzen...

He might have his own considerations, but wasn't Danzo just like us in this regard? No, he had been even more opposed than we were to something like this