"Lord Hokage, we've won a great victory on the front lines! Konoha lost six hundred ninja, with a thousand wounded, while we wiped out over four thousand enemy troops. It's a crushing victory!" the messenger reported eagerly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze at the news, then beamed with joy. "Good! Good! Good!" The three emphatic words revealed just how elated he was.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance before congratulating him. "Hiruzen, under your leadership, Konoha grows stronger by the day!"
"That's right. Danzo hasn't let us down, either. He fought a brilliant battle!" Both of them wore broad smiles.
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved a hand. "Now, now, we can't put it that way. This victory belongs to everyone. It was only through our combined efforts—yours, mine, and those of all the villagers—that we achieved such a fine result."
That was what he said, but Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura could plainly see how delighted Sarutobi was. The two exchanged a look, then traded compliments with him.
The messenger listened quietly from the side, saying nothing more. It was best to keep a low profile at a time like this. He wasn't important enough to join in the bigwigs' mutual praise.
Once they were done, the messenger spoke up. "Lord Hokage, Deputy Commander Uchiha Kō asked me to pass along a message!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, then said seriously, "What does Kō have to say? Tell me at once!"
"Lord Hokage, Deputy Commander Kō said the war isn't over. In fact, it's only just begun. Our troops will hold their positions for now, but the enemy's Kazekage will surely lead an army against us next. Please send a Kage-level fighter to the front lines, or this battle may all be for nothing!" The messenger repeated Uchiha Kō's words in full.
Sarutobi Hiruzen