Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.
He picked up his pipe and took a deep drag. White smoke obscured his face.
"Bring them here."
Konoha Gate.
Three ninja in Kumogakure uniforms entered Konoha, led by an Anbu.
The ninja in the lead was about forty, with a short beard. A special sealing eyepatch covered his left eye.
Dodai, a Kumogakure jonin, had earned the Third Raikage's deep trust in his youth and held considerable standing within Kumogakure.
The two ninja behind him were his attendants on this trip, primarily responsible for security.
All along the way from Konoha Gate to the Hokage Building.
Dodai never stopped observing.
On Konoha's streets, villagers hurried back and forth without the slightest trace of fear on their faces.
The shops were all open as usual, and vendors' cries rang out incessantly.
There were even newsboys selling newspapers in the streets and alleys...
Dodai's brow gradually furrowed.
This wasn't right!
According to the estimates of Kumogakure's intelligence department, after losing Shimura Danzō and suffering a lightning raid on its border, Konoha should have been gripped by both panic and internal turmoil.
Why were Konoha's villagers so calm?
There were even...
People scrambling to buy newspapers?
"Newsboy! Give me a paper!"
A Konoha villager's voice came from nearby.
"What's today's front-page headline?"
"Lord Minamoto has already headed to the front!"
The newsboy's clear voice brimmed with boundless admiration and longing.
"With Lord Minamoto there, the border will be peaceful!"
Lord Minamoto?
That Uchiha Minamoto who executed Shimura Danzō?
Dodai paused midstep.
This Uchiha Minamoto's prestige within Konoha was even greater than he had anticipated...
He just didn't know whether his actual strength matched the publicity.
"Envoy."
The Anbu ninja leading the way stopped in front of the Hokage Building.
"Please."
Dodai came back to his senses, set