The third-floor conference room of the Hokage Building.
When Nawaki pushed the door open, the Third Hokage was already seated at the head of the table, his pipe resting unlit on the tabletop.
Minato stood by the window and gave Nawaki a slight nod.
A man sat across the table.
He was in his early forties, dressed in a brocade robe, with his hair combed meticulously. His eyes and brows carried the shrewdness that could only be cultivated by twenty years in the Daimyo's Palace. A golden chrysanthemum-crested token hung at his waist—the mark of the Daimyo's Palace's chief attendant in the Land of Fire.
Two samurai stood behind him, neither having removed their swords.
Nawaki swept them with a glance and understood.
They had come to sound him out.
The Third Hokage cleared his throat. "Nawaki, this is Lord Akaba, chief attendant of the Daimyo's Palace. He represents the Daimyo and has come specifically to—"
"To see me." Nawaki smiled.
Akaba's expression did not change, but his fingers twitched.
"As expected of the Senju Clan head, so straightforward." Akaba rose and withdrew a roll of bright yellow silk from his sleeve. Unfurling it, he read, "The Daimyo's decree: Nawaki Senju, a young hero of outstanding talent, awakened to Wood Release, defender of the village, with illustrious achievements. You are hereby awarded three thousand taels of silver and twenty bolts of silk—"
Nawaki listened with a dazzling smile.
Three thousand taels of silver. The Daimyo's Palace spent more than that on tea in a year.
The meaning was obvious—this was not a reward. It was a calling card.
After Akaba finished reading the commendation, he rolled up the silk, then changed the subject.
"The clan head has accomplished much at such a young age, and the Daimyo is deeply pleased.