Kurenai Yuhi spotted Hiruzen Sarutobi strolling in and froze for a moment before hurriedly getting to her feet.
Might Guy and Asuma also glanced toward the door.
"Third?!"
Guy sprang straight out of his chair, thoroughly startled by the figure who had suddenly appeared behind him.
Asuma, meanwhile, gave his old man a disgusted sideways look.
"What are you doing here?"
Third slowly lowered himself into a chair.
"Don't be so distant. Keep drinking, and pour me a cup too."
Once everyone had sat back down, Izumi Uchiha brought Third a cup of tea. Just as she was about to leave, he called her back.
"Wait."
Izumi Uchiha turned around, her eyes filled with confusion.
Naruto had never told her or the other girls about the mess in Konoha.
In Naruto's eyes, those trivial matters would only make them worry. His women only needed to enjoy themselves and make him happy.
He would shoulder the rest himself.
So in Izumi Uchiha's impression, Third was still that indecisive old man.
"Is there something you need, sir?"
Izumi Uchiha asked politely.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, his face full of sorrow.
"Konoha has grown weaker with every passing year. What happened to that child Itachi truly pains me."
"News of what happened to the Uchiha Clan has spread. Every ninja village now thinks Konoha is easy prey, and they all have their eyes on our land."
After saying that, Third took an unhurried sip of tea, waiting for Izumi Uchiha to anxiously press him for details.
Instead, Izumi Uchiha tilted her head, looking even more confused.
"I know that, Lord Hokage, but I'm just a Genin now. I'm not even working as a ninja anymore. What's the point of telling me this?"
Third choked up, his forehead practically covered in black lines.
Shouldn't a