Even so, the Hokage's directly subordinate Anbu had a large number of members.
The minimum threshold was Chunin, while vice-captains and captains were all Jonin.
They were divided into six squads, with nearly twenty people in each squad. That made them a force of more than a hundred Chunin or above.
They would have been highly intimidating in any village.
Kitahara Kaede calmly followed behind the female Anbu assigned to hand her over.
The female Anbu had long purple hair. Although she wore a mask, judging from her bearing and movements, she probably was not unattractive.
If Kaede had to guess her identity, she was probably Uzuki Yugao, the beautiful female Anbu from the original story.
The reason was that she carried twin blades on her back.
There were not many blade users in the Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu, and even fewer of them were women. That basically confirmed that she was Uzuki Yugao.
Uzuki Yugao was very beautiful. Among the women in their twenties in the Hidden Leaf Village, she was probably second only to Kurenai Yuhi.
"Third Hokage-sama is inside." Her voice was undisguised, carrying a trace of coolness.
"Mm..." Kitahara Kaede nodded lightly, while Uzuki Yugao did not follow her inside.
However, the Kitahara Kaede Observation (^_-) Small Group focused all its attention on her.
Mainly the people from the Hidden Leaf Village.
Because...
The First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Fourth Hokage Minato were all very concerned about the Third Hokage.
Now that Kitahara Kaede had been summoned by the Third Hokage, how could they not take a look at him?
Pushing open the door, she saw the Third Hokage seriously reviewing documents at his desk.
There was one stack on the left, and another stack beneath his hand.
As though he had only just noticed her, he turned his gaze toward Kitahara Kaede.
"Ah, Kaede-kun, you're here."
The Third Hokage rose while supporting his lower back.
He seemed to struggle a little, yet he smiled with a benevolent expression on his face.
He did not look like a dignified Hokage, but rather a grandfather next door.
He seemed exceptionally kind.
However, Kitahara Kaede concluded that it was probably an act.
The reason was that the Hokage was not using the fountain pens everyone commonly used now to review documents, but a quill pen.
And the ink bottle for the quill on the Third Hokage's desk was empty.
Some of the ink stains in the empty bottle had already dried, which meant he had not been seriously reviewing anything just now, let alone finished one stack and started another.
He was merely putting on a hardworking and kindly appearance.
Kitahara Kaede knew that the Third Hokage had invested a great deal of effort in her.
But it was not out of concern. He wanted to instill the Will of Fire in her.
Yes.
After all, she was the only successful Wood Release test subject. Although Yamato had come before her, Yamato could only use Three Rooms and a Hall, so he was not truly successful.
And Wood Release was not only a weapon of the Hidden Leaf Village; it was also a weapon capable of suppressing the Nine-Tails.
If the Nine-Tails could be properly controlled, it could become the village's ultimate weapon, much like the One-Tail.
However, the Hidden Leaf Village had experienced the Nine-Tails being controlled by the Sharingan and the Nine-Tails attacking the village. Therefore... the Third Hokage had never considered turning the Nine-Tails into a weapon. Suppressing it was enough.
Thus, the person he naturally needed to focus on was not Naruto, but Kitahara Kaede.
Wood Release restrained the Nine-Tails.
The Nine-Tails was nothing but trouble.
That was the common view among the Hidden Leaf Village's higher-ups.
And how could they control Wood Release?
The answer was... the Will of Fire.
The Will of Fire guided you to protect the village and treat it as the most important thing.
To the point of giving everything for it.
Then... the Third Hokage's goal would be achieved.
Kitahara Kaede clearly understood that the Third Hokage had always shown goodwill and deliberately nurtured her feelings for the Hidden Leaf Village.
But some people were simply born unable to empathize.
People's joys and sorrows were not the same, so they naturally could not understand one another.
No matter how someone tried to brainwash them, it was useless.
Kitahara Kaede happened to be that kind of person.
Kitahara Kaede calmly analyzed the Third Hokage's actions.
Meanwhile, the small group became active.
Kitahara Kaede Observation (^_-) Small Group Hashirama Senju: So this is the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hashirama Senju: Sure enough, Danzo still looks like he has black hair, but this Third... hmm, Hiruzen has grown this old. Tobirama Senju: ... Tobirama Senju: Even if he has grown old, I still want him to come see me. Tobirama Senju: I want to ask him just how he managed the Hidden Leaf Village into this state! Hashirama Senju: Ah, I want to as well... forget it.
Hashirama Senju had originally wanted to question him too. He had heard quite a few secrets in this group.
The Uchiha Clan's extermination, everyone becoming orphans, and Danzo actually implanting Sharingan into himself and using Hashirama Cells...
He truly no longer had any confidence in the Hidden Leaf Village he had personally founded.
"Kaede-kun, how did it feel to leave the village this time?"
The Third Hokage wore a gentle expression, like a grandfather next door.
"It felt quite novel," Kitahara Kaede said. "But I also gained some valuable experience."
"Teacher Kakashi said that the Three Rooms and a Hall I created has great potential for development."
"Three Rooms and a Hall..." The Third Hokage smiled. "Well, your strength goes beyond that, but it is fine to promote Three Rooms and a Hall like this."
"That way, other people will not pay attention to you."
"It is a form of protection," the Third Hokage said.
That sounded reasonable.
But it was not entirely reasonable.
Kitahara Kaede possessed Wood Release, and anyone in the ninja world with a brain knew what Wood Release represented.
It represented power.
If you were weak, others might not fear you, and that would make you safe.
After all, if you were powerful and your enemies feared you too much, they would stupidly join forces to attack you.
It was like a hero slaying a dragon, only to return to the kingdom and be executed by the king.
You were too powerful, so the king feared you.
Then... what was unreasonable was this: since you were so weak, why not just abduct you?
So in truth, her safety was not guaranteed at all.
Kitahara Kaede merely ate the Third Hokage's food and normally completed the tasks he assigned her.
Thus, she said, "During this mission, a Rogue Ninja from Kirigakure appeared."
"And the Fifth Mizukage appeared as well."
"She took the Rogue Ninja Zabuza back with her," Kitahara Kaede said.
"Why would the Fifth Mizukage appear?" The Third Hokage hesitated.
"It seems these truly are troubled times."
"But now that you have returned safely, I can rest easy."
The Third Hokage continued, "Actually, I called you here because there is something troublesome I need to ask of you."
"I know that staying by Naruto's side has already been very difficult for you."
"But now, there is another urgent matter."
The Third Hokage placed both hands on his knees.
Kakashi should have told him about reporting the mission, so he remained quite composed.
"You also know that the Chunin Ninja Exams will begin in two weeks."
"Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, they take turns hosting the Chunin Ninja Exams each year."
"This is recognized throughout the ninja world."
"And this year, it is our Hidden Leaf Village's turn."
"Whenever our Hidden Leaf Village hosts the Chunin Ninja Exams, we always receive the most examinees."
"And this time, I have already received applications from other ninja villages."
"I hope you can take a look at this document."
The Third Hokage pulled a document from the materials at his side and handed it to Kitahara Kaede.
The document was wrapped in a yellow folder, with a secret designation marked on it.
This indicated that only the Hokage was permitted to view it, so the Third Hokage's action was quite winning.
Kitahara Kaede hesitated before opening the document.
Because if her guess was correct, this was definitely the troublesome matter.
But the Third Hokage was watching her now, so she opened it.
It was a dossier.
Kitahara Kaede Observation (^_-) Small Group Minato Namikaze: Otogakure? There was no such ninja village when I was the Fourth Hokage. Tobirama Senju: This is when we should @ Kakashi.
Before you continue