Hiruzen Sarutobi and his party returned to Konoha without further incident.
Incidentally, after Watanabe Ichiro treated him, Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him to the skies and expressed his hope that he would become head of the Medical Department.
Watanabe Ichiro did not refuse. Or rather, this was precisely what he had been after-
Using a particular strength to catch the Konoha High Command's attention, shorten Konoha's lengthy vetting process, and quickly enter its inner circle of power, allowing him to keep track of Konoha's every move.
Although Hatake Sakumo's grievous injuries had been unexpected, they had conveniently given Watanabe Ichiro a chance to show a little of what he could do.
Hiruzen Sarutobi met with Shimura Danzō, who had stayed behind in Konoha. Each heard good news from the other, but Hiruzen Sarutobi had also brought back some bad news.
"The Shadow Organization wants to visit Konoha sometime soon."
"Huh? What do they want to come to Konoha for?"
Shimura Danzō frowned, and both men's gazes involuntarily turned toward Watanabe Ichiro.
"Leaf Dragon, based on what you know about the Shadow Organization, do you think that man was its Shadow Organization Leader, Xihuo? And what deeper purpose might there be behind this move?"
Watanabe Ichiro sat off to the side, leafing through documents from Konoha's Medical Department as he answered without stopping.
"I spent about a year undercover in the Shadow Organization, so I know a fair amount about its people and operations. But the one person I know little about is its Shadow Organization Leader, Xihuo."
"From your description, I believe the person who approached you, Lord Hokage, was probably the leader himself. Instantly subduing the Raikage in his Tailed Beast Transformation, and appearing in the Land of Lightning-I think he's probably the only person who could do that."
"But