The man who entered did not bother with any extra pleasantries. With a cold expression, he swept his gaze across the ninja in the meeting room.
He knew perfectly well that anyone in the room could crush him with a single finger. Even so, he showed no fear and directly produced a sealed letter.
"This is a personal letter from the daimyo. Someone has reported the Third Hokage, and by the daimyo's decision, Konoha will hold another election for the next Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression instantly turned uglier than ever.
The letter he had sent out earlier had actually done nothing. War was practically upon them, yet that idiot daimyo actually dared to replace the commander at a time like this?
The heads of the major ninja clans exchanged glances, unable to suppress the smiles at their lips. Naturally, they were delighted to watch Hiruzen Sarutobi suffer.
But the envoy did not stop. Changing his tone, he actually smiled at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"However, with a great war approaching, rashly replacing the Hokage would be inappropriate. To verify whether the report is true, Lord Third may also participate in this election. The villagers will make their own judgment. If the report is merely baseless slander, then with your reputation, it should not be difficult for you to reclaim the Hokage's seat, should it?"
This was the compromise the daimyo had come up with.
It gave Mito an explanation and preserved her dignity, while avoiding an actual change of Hokage before the war. The step down had already been placed at Hiruzen Sarutobi's feet. If he could not beat the others himself, then the daimyo could not be blamed.
The expressions of everyone in the meeting room immediately turned strange. The envoy clearly failed to notice and was still waiting for Hiruzen