An Unexpected Arrangement

Was it only the Third Hokage? Chiba's eyes flickered as he entered the Hokage's Office with Hirohiko and Yukina, stopping before the Hokage's desk.

At that moment, beneath the bright lights of the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage sat alone behind his desk, puffing on his pipe as he studied the two scrolls laid out before him. From time to time, he exhaled a plume of smoke, seeming not to be paying attention to them at all.

"Hirohiko, Yukina, you came too."

The next moment, the Third Hokage spoke again, but he did not raise his head. His gaze remained fixed on the two scrolls, as if comparing them—or perhaps weighing something.

"Third Hokage-sama, did you summon us for something?"

Looking at the Third Hokage, Chiba did his best to calm himself and soften his expression.

"Look at this first!"

However, the Third Hokage did not answer. He handed one of the two scrolls to Chiba, signaling for him to examine it. Yet even as he passed it over, his eyes never left the other scroll, as though he had encountered some difficult problem.

"Yes."

Seeing the scroll offered to him, Chiba answered, took it, and spread it open to read.

Behind him, Hirohiko and Yukina exchanged a glance, a trace of understanding appearing in their eyes.

So something really has happened?

Kakashi and the others were called here earlier too. They were probably assigned a mission. Is this our mission assignment now? The same thought surfaced in both their minds.

This was...

As Chiba looked over the scroll, his hand trembled slightly, and his eyes flickered with it.

At that moment, the contents of the scroll were reflected in his eyes.

A map! Yes, the scroll contained a map. There were no words, no notes—only a red curved arrow,