Led by an Anbu guard, Uchiha Tokimitsu arrived at the Hokage's Office.
"Lord Hokage." Pushing open the door, Uchiha Tokimitsu politely greeted the Third Hokage. "Jonin Uchiha Tokimitsu has arrived as ordered to report."
He casually swept his gaze around the office. Besides the Hokage himself, the Two Advisors—Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu—were seated to one side.
Though no one else was visible in the room, Uchiha Tokimitsu could clearly sense several faint gazes lingering around him. They were likely Anbu Personnel responsible for the Hokage's protection.
"Tokimitsu-kun, you've had a long journey." The kindly Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen warmly greeted Uchiha Tokimitsu. "Take a seat first. Let me finish reviewing this document."
The Third Hokage treated every ninja this way—smiling, benevolent yet dignified. It was precisely this righteous and glorious image that had won him the support of most people in the village and throughout the Land of Fire.
Uchiha Tokimitsu nodded, casually found a chair, ignored the scrutinizing stares of the Two Advisors, and dropped into it.
After a moment, the Third Hokage set down the document and his pen, gathered the papers into a box, and an Anbu entered from outside to quietly take it away.
At that point, Uchiha Tokimitsu sensed that the faint gazes lingering around him had vanished as well.
The main course had arrived.
Uchiha Tokimitsu straightened up.
"I've read about your experiences in the Northwest Border Defense Force. You did very well." With a smile, the Third Hokage took out his pipe and unhurriedly packed tobacco into its bowl.
Uchiha Tokimitsu inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. He had no intention of saying anything yet, since he could not gauge the Third Hokage's intentions.
"From the border mopping-up operation, to fighting the Iwagakure Border Defense Force, to working with Sakumo to complete