Several hours later, an intelligence report was urgently delivered to Konoha.
In the Hokage Office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, holding the scroll that had just arrived.
His pipe rested on the corner of the desk, long since extinguished, its smoke completely dispersed.
His brows were tightly furrowed as his gaze moved slowly over the words. With every line he read, his expression grew graver.
After finishing the report, the Third Hokage passed the scroll to the others and said hoarsely, "Have a look yourselves."
Utatane Koharu took the scroll, unrolled it, and quickly scanned the densely packed writing.
Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly as she spoke in disbelief:
"Might Duy! Since when did he have this kind of strength?"
Mitokado Homura leaned over to read it as well. After a moment of silence, he said slowly:
"It seems we all underestimated him."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and leaned back in his chair, a trace of regret in his voice:
"Yes. I never imagined the Eight Gates would be so powerful. Still, trading his life for only the Seven Ninja Swordsmen simply wasn't worth it.
"But it has eased the pressure on the Hidden Mist Village front. The Uchiha Clan no longer has any reason to request reinforcements."
Utatane Koharu nodded and placed the scroll back on the desk, her tone carrying a hint of coldness:
"Exactly. With the Hidden Mist Village losing so much of its elite fighting strength, the pressure has decreased considerably.
"We can also use this opportunity to put the Uchiha Clan in their place and remind them that they aren't the only ones in the Leaf Village who can fight a war."
Mitokado Homura pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Still, we should make appropriate arrangements for a shinobi like