Uchiha Tokimitsu's training this time lasted five days, and he did not return to camp until nightfall.
Before he could even tidy up after returning, Staff Officer Nara Kohei came looking for him.
"Commander Tokimitsu." Still panting from his run, Nara Kohei said between breaths, "The village's Messenger Anbu arrived yesterday. Apparently, Lord Hokage has a new imperial decree for you."
"Yesterday?" Uchiha Tokimitsu raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled. "Why didn't you send someone to find me? What if this delay held up something urgent?"
Nara Kohei gave an awkward laugh. Don't know if he could say anything; even if he wanted to look for him, he would first have to find him and then make it through all those layers of blockades.
"What does the Hokage's decree say? Do you know?" Uchiha Tokimitsu set down his luggage without unpacking it and walked out of the tent.
"This... this subordinate does not know..." Nara Kohei answered with a bitter expression. How could a mere staff officer who handled miscellaneous work be involved in an imperial decree delivered by the Hokage's personal Messenger Anbu to the deputy commander of the Border Defense Force?
"What about Lord Kamon?" Uchiha Tokimitsu strolled toward the Main Command Tent where official business was handled. "Was there a decree for him as well?"
"Lord Kamon received a commendation order issued by Lord Hokage," Nara Kohei answered quickly.
"Oh..." Uchiha Tokimitsu fell into thought.
After returning to the Main Command Tent and taking his seat, Uchiha Tokimitsu sent Nara Kohei to summon the Messenger Anbu while he began reading the intelligence documents on his own.
During the days he had been away, Takigakure had gone mad, sweeping through its territory in every direction. They had repeatedly crossed the border into the Land of Grass in the process.