Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of dry tobacco smoke.
"Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura jointly submitted objections. Seven more family advisers signed in support."
Nawaki tucked the scroll into his belt, tore open a meat bun, and took a bite.
"When did Tsunade's proposal get submitted?"
"Three days ago. She brought the medical scroll data from your Senju Trading Company and placed it directly on my desk." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a trace of bitterness. "The proposal was excellent—so good that I had no reason to reject it. But those two old geezers caught wind of it before I did and rallied half the council chamber that very night."
Nawaki chewed his bun without replying.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him and waited a few seconds.
"I want you to attend as an observer this afternoon."
"Observe?"
"Yes. As the head of the Senju Clan."
Nawaki stuffed the last bite of bun into his mouth and brushed the flour crumbs from his hands.
"Third Hokage, you want me to go support Tsunade."
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not deny it.
"Having you sit there will do more than ten speeches from me."
Nawaki glanced at the old man. Konoha's supreme leader sat on a stone bench in casual clothes, without the Hokage's grandeur or a crowd of Anbu around him. He had come all the way to the Senju Clan Compound early in the morning just to deliver a scroll—his posture was extremely humble.
"Fine." Nawaki smiled. "I happen to be free this afternoon."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and dusted off his pants. After taking a few steps, he turned back.
"Nawaki."
"Yeah?"
"...Eat more. You're still growing."
With that, he left without looking back.
Nawaki watched the old man's retreating back and finished his second meat bun.
Two in the afternoon. Konoha