Xia Yan's answer left both Hokage very satisfied, which counted as an achievement of sorts.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi saying that he had no objection whatsoever to Xia Yan's approach and would let him judge for himself, that also told Xia Yan where the Third Hokage stood.
His lack of objection was genuine, but he would also be watching Xia Yan's performance.
After all, judging by the attitudes both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze had shown so far,
neither seemed particularly familiar with the Senju Clan's current situation or Xia Yan's identity.
Whether that was true or false, all that mattered was that everyone believed it.
Thus, if Xia Yan really chose no one from his clan, that would be the situation most likely to cause problems.
But if he failed to exercise restraint and select the most suitable people, his days would not be easy either.
The Anbu was not Xia Yan's Anbu, after all. Apart from temporarily trusting him because of the information he had provided, Hiruzen Sarutobi was simply doing this to see how he would perform.
Still, at least this gives me something to report.
In the Anbu lounge, Xia Yan sat in a corner with Kakashi, propping up his head as he pondered the matter.
Whether Hiruzen Sarutobi's promise was a commitment, a handout, or an attempt to cover certain tracks did not matter.
What mattered was that Xia Yan could now go back and give Shōma Senju an answer. He had not forgotten what he had said that night.
Although he had promised to do everything possible, "possible" meant uncertainty: he could succeed or fail.
But Xia Yan still hoped to handle this matter well and make it a success. Now that he had a fairly good answer, he felt relatively reassured.
There was