Just then, a figure suddenly darted out from the crowd, moving so fast that even the Jōnin could barely react.
By the time everyone gathered their wits, the figure was already kneeling on one knee before Shin Uchiha, gazing at him with fervent devotion, as though he were his eternal faith.
"Kojiro Shimamura greets Lord Shin. I hope you are well, my lord."
Shin Uchiha nodded casually and said:
"Shimamura, how have things been? Are you happy working here under Lord Hokage?"
Kojiro Shimamura answered respectfully:
"My lord, Lord Hokage treats me very well. However, I would still prefer to serve under you."
Shin Uchiha waved a hand and said:
"Serving Lord Hokage is the same as serving me. Whatever Lord Hokage tells you to do, just do it."
Although Kojiro Shimamura was a little disappointed by Lord Shin's words, he still obeyed:
"Yes, Lord Shin. I will follow your orders."
After Kojiro Shimamura stepped back, Kakashi, who had been standing nearby, also approached and greeted him:
"Lord Shin, you're here too."
Kakashi was also very respectful toward Shin Uchiha.
As a core member of the Hokage Faction, Kakashi knew at least a little about the strength of the man before him.
Even setting everything else aside, Lord Shin had solved his Sharingan problem, allowing his strength to improve rapidly. That alone was a debt of gratitude he could never fully repay.
Besides, others might not know certain things, but how could he not?
Lady Tsunade, one of Konoha's Sannin, formerly Konoha's Princess and now the Fifth Hokage, had an ambiguous relationship with the man before him. She had even borne him two children during her term as Hokage.
It was almost as though Lady Tsunade had taken the Hokage position just to rest during her pregnancies and give birth.