The Hokage's office door opened with a creak.
Kawadera Uchiha looked inside.
Sunlight shone brightly through the curved floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat with his back to the window, his features hidden in shadow. Though the room was bright and spotless, he somehow gave off an indistinct, elusive impression.
Within his mind, Kawadera Uchiha asked, "Second, you designed the layout of the Hokage's office, didn't you? Look at the Hokage sitting with his back to the sunlight in your design. Doesn't he look like a villain? Were you a villain too?"
Tobirama Senju looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "We have not met for three years. Why has Little Monkey aged so much?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was now in his forties. In the original story, he had been in his sixties when Naruto graduated.
"Stop worrying about whether your Little Monkey has aged. Worry about your ace fighter—me, that is. Your ace fighter is about to die. How are you supposed to influence Konoha then?"
Tobirama Senju said, "Little Monkey knows his limits. He will put Konoha's greater interests first."
"But I'm not part of Konoha's greater interests!"
After complaining, Kawadera Uchiha stepped forward. "Lord Hokage, you summoned me?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and revealed a standard, genial smile.
"Kawadera Uchiha, you took over the Intelligence Division in the Land of Waves at short notice and achieved astonishing results, even earning a promotion to jonin because of it. This proves you possess outstanding talent in intelligence work. The war in the Land of Waves has ended, but the Land of River remains unsettled, and Sunagakure is stirring. What worries me most is Sunagakure's poison. Our Spy embedded in Sunagakure has sent word that Chiyo has developed a new toxin. I am assigning you an A-rank mission. Lead a