In a meeting room at the Hokage Building.
Konoha's senior officials, advisers, and clan heads had gathered together.
"...That's all we know about the changes in the Land of Night. What do you think?"
Hiruzen held a draft polished by Shikamon Nara and read it aloud, adding some thoughts of his own.
Compared with the Hidden Rain Village, Hiruzen was more concerned about the Land of Night's recent movements.
The stronger that neighbor became, the warier he felt as Hokage.
He had no intention of taking action, but precautions were essential.
He clearly remembered his teacher Tobirama Senju's warning: Konoha and the Land of Night were both friends and enemies. They had to cooperate while remaining vigilant.
That was what Hiruzen had done all these years. Cooperation was fine, but the moment the other side showed signs of trouble, he would watch its actions closely.
Now that power was changing hands in the Land of Night, Konoha might not need to send troops to test its response, but it still needed to take precautions.
They also had to step up intelligence gathering on the Second Shogun and learn about his abilities, personality, and methods as soon as possible.
Only then could they take the initiative in future dealings with the Land of Night.
"Hmph. The Land of Night must be desperate if it's giving such a high position to a seventeen-year-old brat. It's asking for trouble."
Before anyone else could speak, Uchiha Clan Head Uchiha Zhuiliu gave a cold snort and voiced his disdain.
"..."
The other officials and clan heads looked at the files detailing changes to the Land of Night's senior posts.
Rikuo Oda, seventeen, Jonin, newly appointed head of the Military Bureau's Special Assault Department.
The position was comparable to Konoha's Anbu, which answered directly to the