Muddled Through Somehow...

The next evening, in the cabin.

"Here."

Yukina looked at Chiba, who had lifted the gray cloth door curtain and entered looking somewhat weary, then handed him the scroll in her hand.

"This is..."

Chiba paused slightly, glanced at the scroll, and took it instinctively as he stepped inside.

"It contains every decision Captain Watanabe made today, all the intelligence materials he reviewed, the related materials for everything he reviewed, the changes in the Defense Force, and the intelligence reports gathered through reconnaissance."

Yukina rubbed her temples as she spoke, then sat down wearily. Her first day in office had clearly exhausted her a little.

That was right. Today had been Yukina's first day at the Defense Force. It was an order from the Third Hokage, and Yukina's letter of appointment even bore an addendum from the head of the Hyuga Clan. Though Yukina had been somewhat unwilling, she still had no choice but to take up the post.

Judging from how she looked now, the day had apparently worn her out.

"Tired?"

Chiba looked at the scroll in his hand, then at Yukina, surprise showing on his face.

Yesterday, he had asked Yukina to compile information on Watanabe Kenshin's execution plan and bring it back. Though Yukina had been quite surprised, she had agreed without hesitation.

Still, Chiba had not expected that on her very first day, Yukina would already begin organizing and bringing back intelligence for him.

At that moment, an inexplicable warmth surged through his heart.

He had assumed it would take some time before this scroll containing information on Watanabe Kenshin reached his hands. He had estimated that Yukina would need two or three days, perhaps even a week, to adapt to the work there before she could bring him this intelligence.

And seeing the weary