"After we get back, I want to talk with you about whether Konoha still needs a Hokage."
Sasuke finished reading the secret letter, folded the paper, and handed it back to Kakashi's hands.
"File the original, mark it as a Hokage private inquiry, and do not list it as an urgent military dispatch."
Kakashi took the letter, and his gaze lingered on that line of text for a moment.
"Lady Tsunade did not use the public official document channel, which shows that she also knows this sentence cannot be brought up in a meeting."
"Of course she knows."
Sasuke tightened his reins, and his warhorse skirted the rubble on the mountain path.
"Whether a Hokage is useful or not is not decided by the Hokage."
Neji hurried over from the rear and handed the report of the Konoha Vanguard to Shikaku.
"A good number of people have already gathered at the village entrance, and the hospital and the Ninja Academy have also sent representatives. The Hokage Building wants the welcome ceremony changed to be held in the square."
Shikaku glanced over the list.
"Arranged by Lady Tsunade?"
"The Hokage Building says it is a spontaneous petition from the villagers, and the Joint Law Enforcement Department has verified that the ones who submitted the application first were the families of fallen shinobi."
Sasuke raised his eyes to look at the end of the mountain road.
"Return to the village by the original route. Do not take a detour, and do not drive away civilians. Hang the list of spoils of war on both sides of the convoy."
Kakashi asked, "Even the Lightning Release Armor scroll will be made public?"
"Only make public the name and the Sealed Storage Number, and classify the contents as top military secrets."
Shikaku added a line