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"Welcome back to Konoha."
Kotetsu and Izumo were still guarding the gate.
As Kitahara Hitoshi and his team returned to the village, the two chunin quickly spoke up.
Strangely enough, Kakashi had already known they were coming back early in the morning and was waiting at the entrance.
"Kakashi-sensei..."
Sasuke and Naruto noticed right away that their teacher, masked as usual, had shown up.
"Yo."
"Your first time completing a mission independently. Congratulations."
"..."
"Kakashi-sensei, how do you even know how well we completed the mission?" Sasuke questioned.
"..."
"Well..."
What was he supposed to say?
Since Kitahara Hitoshi's group wasn't in Konoha, Kakashi had been keeping tabs on them through the village's live broadcast system. Even if he was in Konoha, he stayed connected to their private online group every day.
But that wasn't something he could just admit.
"Anyway, congratulations on completing your first independent mission."
"I've been waiting here. The Second Hokage already confirmed you'd return today."
"And he's prepared your reward."
"You can either rest first and report back in the afternoon, or come with me to the Hokage Office now."
"Since the Second Hokage has practically taken up residence in the Hokage Office, you can find him anytime you go there," Kakashi explained.
"Then… Grandpa Third…?" Naruto suddenly realized something.
The Hokage Office — wasn't that where the Hokage worked?
But who was Konoha's Hokage now?
"Eh..."
Kakashi let out a small sigh.
After all, despite Danzo's manipulations, it was still the Third Hokage who announced Naruto's status as a jinchuriki. That act had directly led to Naruto being shunned by the villagers.
In other words, the Third Hokage's decisions had caused Naruto's suffering.
Yet Naruto still believed he was a good man.
Naruto had been deceived far too thoroughly.
"The Third is getting old and can't stay in power indefinitely."
"Now he's been replaced by the Second Hokage, summoned through Impure World Reincarnation," Kakashi said. "There's so much to handle that the Second hasn't even had time to return to his old Senju home."
"..."
"When did being Hokage get this hard?" Sasuke asked in surprise.
Of course it was hard.
Because what he wanted to be was a Hokage who carried the weight of Konoha on his shoulders.
Not like the Third, who arranged missions for four different people and still ended up with poor results.
"So..."
Kakashi glanced over at Kitahara Hitoshi, who hadn't said a word.
Naruto and Sasuke's mission rewards were already prepared.
But for Kitahara Hitoshi... things were different.
The Second Hokage had vented in their small group chat about wanting to trap Kitahara Hitoshi somehow, so this time, his reward was something out of the ordinary — a Hokage alternate position.
Well.
Since Kakashi had personally seen how the Second handled village affairs and how overworked he was, he figured Kitahara would definitely reject the offer.
Being a good Hokage meant constantly being buried in paperwork.
You could be zoning out for one second, and suddenly there would be two more stacks of files on your desk.
No sane person would want that.
But this time, the Second had already set the trap. And Kitahara Hitoshi and the others had completed their mission flawlessly.
So...
Kakashi looked at Kitahara Hitoshi with eyes full of sympathy.
But then —
"Eh?!"
Kakashi froze.
"Where's Kitahara Hitoshi?"
He only just realized Kitahara had vanished from the village entrance.
He had definitely been here just a moment ago.
"He left while you were zoning out, Kakashi."
"Anyway, I'm going to take a hot shower."
"The conditions in Sunagakure were too miserable," Naruto said casually.
Sasuke and Naruto clearly had no intention of sticking around either.
"You still need to report your mission to the Second—" Kakashi reminded them.
"Wait a bit, Kitahara-kun will contact us with the details," Naruto replied.
"...Fine." Kakashi was speechless.
Did they really have to vanish as soon as they returned?
Kakashi was starting to wonder if he was just unpopular.
Actually, no.
Kitahara had seen Kakashi waiting at the village gate and figured that since he had returned, Kakashi would take care of Naruto and Sasuke, so there was no need for him to stick around.
As for the task — it was simple.
At both the Ninja Academy and the village library, the procedure for submitting completed mission reports was clearly outlined.
So even if it was their first time completing a mission independently, they would still be expected to write and submit the necessary documentation when reporting to the Second.
In other words, a paper report had to be prepared.
Every mission completed by a team in the village had to be submitted in writing. These reports included a description of the mission, evaluation from the jōnin leading the team, and summaries of each ninja's performance.
The team leader also had to evaluate each team member's contributions.
This system awarded direct rewards upon mission completion and also tracked a ninja's contribution points to the village.
When both strength and contribution points reached a certain threshold, the ninja could be promoted — for example, from chunin to jōnin.
It seemed like a hassle, but it ensured that ninjas remained motivated to complete their tasks — which was better for the long-term health of the village.
This model had been developed by the Second Hokage himself.
Which was probably why he was so tired now.
He worried that the Third Hokage's era had left records too sparse, so now he had to review mountains of materials just to catch up.
While lost in these thoughts, Kitahara Hitoshi arrived at his home.
Thump.
Instead of reaching for the doorknob, he raised his left hand.
The index and middle fingers pressed lightly together.
With a quick seal, his body vanished from outside the apartment and reappeared inside.
On the windowsill, a snow-white ninja rabbit sat silently, gazing out at the sky.
It used its tiny paws to wash its face.
Only then did it sense another presence.
The little white ninja rabbit had not expected Kitahara Hitoshi to return so soon and paused in surprise.
But Kitahara had already approached and embraced it.
He held the rabbit and pressed it gently to his face.
Its red little paws pushed weakly at his face, then gave up.
"I used to think you were like a piece of wood, all cold and indifferent."
"But now, you've given up resistance again."
"Honestly, I don't even know what you'll become in the future," Kitahara said softly.
Ninja Rabbit. Little White Rabbit.
What would it become?
Most likely, it would eventually return to being Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
"But..."
"Even though we haven't been together that long, it feels like something's changed."
Kitahara gently stroked its tiny claws.
"It's only been three days, but it feels like an eternity."
"I want to be with you more," he murmured.
"..."
The ninja rabbit blinked.
So it wasn't just imagining that feeling.
It wanted to move, but Kitahara gently set it down and walked into the bathroom.
The environment in Sunagakure had been harsh. There had been no chance to take a proper hot bath.
But there was a solution — stationing the Second Hokage there.
If he went alone, even an entire hidden village like Sunagakure would never lack water again.
After showering, he changed into clean clothes and walked out.
The humming of the washing machine could be heard from the balcony.
Kitahara Hitoshi took out a pen and began to fill out the mission report for the newspaper.
"If you're not bored, then accompany me to write the mission report," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
He thought it would refuse, but after speaking, it jumped onto the table by itself.
So Kitahara Hitoshi touched the little paw of the ninja rabbit with his left hand and began to write the details of the mission.
Shinobu watched Kitahara Hitoshi's handwriting.
His calligraphy wasn't messy—actually, it was a little too perfect.
But—
Crack.
When Kitahara Hitoshi continued writing with the fountain pen, Shinobu used both paws to hug the pen.
It stepped on the crane character he had just written for Shouhe, causing a typo.
Kitahara Hitoshi crossed it out and rewrote it.
Shinobu waited until he finished, confirmed it was correct, and then returned to his left hand.
"Oh…" Kitahara Hitoshi stared at its distinct fur.
It felt a little strange.
It seemed that after coming back this time, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's tolerance had improved significantly.
Because even with such a dull and dry task, it stayed with him.
Was it no longer acceptable to be left alone?
Kitahara Hitoshi and the others arrived back at the village at ten in the morning. By the time the report was finished, it was already noon.
Just in time for lunch with Shinobu Rabbit.
One thing he was happy about—it had learned how to open the refrigerator on its own, and Kitahara Hitoshi was in a good mood when he saw the food he had prepared was gone.
He was about to praise it, then remembered it was Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Was the ancestor of the ninja world now being raised like a pet, with the pet rewards becoming excessive?
But when he touched its head, it didn't hold its paws up in refusal.
Sixty-six… Ninety-nine.
Kitahara Hitoshi.
This ninja wasn't quite right.
It had become extremely clingy after just a few days of absence.
So after feeding it chakra, he got ready to submit the mission report and buy some materials on the way.
"If you're bored at home, you can come with me," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
The ninja rabbit said nothing.
Shinobu tilted its head, seemed to think for a moment, then disappeared—only to reappear tucked into the pocket of his shirt.
"Hey—"
Kitahara Hitoshi felt its paw press on the edge of his pocket.
So he opened the door.
Just as he stepped out—bang.
A figure flashed inside.
It was Hyūga Hinata, now wearing a green Chūnin vest.
But this was the black version of Hinata.
Because she wore a fishnet shirt beneath the vest.
"Ah…"
"So you really are here…" Black Hinata seemed to be in a good mood. Maybe she had heard he was back and came to meet him.
Otherwise, this much movement wouldn't make her chest rise and fall so noticeably.
"You didn't even tell me you were back in the village…"
Black Hinata seemed genuinely aggrieved.
But as she reached to pat Kitahara Hitoshi's chest, she suddenly stopped.
Her eyes met Shinobu Rabbit's.
"Um…"
Black Hinata suddenly took a step back.
"Why did you bring it…"
Black Hinata was a bit wary of Shinobu.
She folded her arms and stiffened.
But Shinobu looked at her coldly and without expression.
Black Hinata had to back off, keeping a distance of sixty centimeters from Kitahara Hitoshi.
Kitahara Hitoshi said, "I just got back. It was cooped up for a few days, so I took it out for a walk."
"And," he looked at Black Hinata, "you're always afraid of it too."
Black Hinata.
Black Hinata.
Oh, right.
She only had limited time outside—maybe one week per month. If she was scared of Kitahara Hitoshi's little white rabbit, wouldn't she be with him even less?
And it had changed now.
Kitahara Hitoshi had spent more time with the ninja white rabbit than with her.
What was the point?
Couldn't she even compete with a little white rabbit?
"Humph, fine…"
Hinata reached out toward Shinobu. "I won't be afraid of you."
But Shinobu moved its paws and stared at Black Hinata without mercy.
"…."
"It's looking down on me…"
Black Hinata was wounded.
"Well…"
"Take it easy."
Kitahara Hitoshi figured Black Hinata was disliked by Shinobu because of her Byakugan.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was from the Ōtsutsuki clan, with a pure Byakugan.
And their Byakugan far surpassed the Hyūga's, so Shinobu likely viewed theirs as inferior.
From a practical standpoint, the Hyūga's eyes… weren't even comparable.
But if the Tenseigan ever appeared, then maybe Shinobu would change its attitude toward them.
Shinobu Rabbit.
And perhaps for Kitahara Hitoshi's sake, the cold ninja rabbit shrunk itself deeper into his jacket pocket, silently signaling it would ignore Hinata for now.
Oh.
Sigh.
Seeing Shinobu's posture, Black Hinata came closer to Kitahara Hitoshi again.
"You were gone on this mission for days. I was worried you'd be gone even longer," Black Hinata said.
But then her brow twitched slightly.
"Wait a minute!"
She reached out and touched Kitahara Hitoshi's forehead.
To be precise, she removed his Konoha forehead protector.
She gave it a squeeze.
Black Hinata.
Kitahara Hitoshi.
He knew she had a habit of switching out his supplies.
Still…
"I feel like something's wrong with this forehead protector…"
"But I can't explain it."
She retied the forehead protector to Kitahara Hitoshi.
Feeling the coolness of her fingers, Kitahara Hitoshi asked a few casual questions.
Like how missions had been since she became a Chūnin, how training was going, and when she could rest.
This was always the tricky part with girls.
Even when you knew what you were saying was kind of pointless, not saying anything made them feel uncared for.
And then… it got messy.
"Training's been lighter," said Black Hinata. "But I haven't had any missions."
"My family won't let me take them."
She seemed a little down.
It made sense.
She was now a Chūnin, but also the next heir to the Hyūga clan.
So if there was a mission, it had to be carefully arranged.
If it wasn't necessary, they wouldn't let her go.
It was all about safety.
Understandable.
But staying locked away all the time wasn't good.
"If you want to take part in a mission…"
Kitahara Hitoshi said, "I'll be heading to the Hokage office to submit my report soon."
"Wait for me, maybe we can take the next one together."
"Together?" Black Hinata froze slightly.
"Yeah," Kitahara Hitoshi said. "It's been a long time."
"Okay…"
"I figured…"
Hinata hugged Kitahara Hitoshi and waited for him downstairs.
Meanwhile, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto had also arrived.
The group walked together to the Hokage office building.
Right now, the Hokage building carried a strange atmosphere. The Third Hokage wasn't dead, but hadn't stepped down either. And the current Hokage in the office was the Second Hokage.
Photos of all previous Hokage lined the building.
Naruto.
When Naruto arrived, his eyes locked onto the portrait of the Fourth Hokage on the wall.
He already knew that was his father—the one who had made his life so difficult.
Children and grandchildren? Chat group.
Namikaze Minato: Eh…
Namikaze Minato: Naruto is looking at my pictures now.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Isn't this pretty good?
Namikaze Minato: Uh, I'm worried that Mingbao hates me.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Then I can't wash it off.
Namikaze Minato:
Of course Minato knows… The Third Generation issue and the Second Generation's matter have already been handled, and Danzo took the fall.
But even if Naruto can accept it, it doesn't mean he can accept him.
Because...
Probably in Mingbao's heart, he, Namikaze Minato, is the one who brought trouble and pain to him.
Senju Tobirama: Minato, calm down.
Namikaze Minato: But Nidaime…
Senju Tobirama: Don't hesitate.
Senju Tobirama: Now that we've discovered what we can do for Naruto, we need to do it.
Senju Tobirama: But there are still things you have to face alone.
Namikaze Minato: In other words…
Senju Tobirama: Yes.
Senju Tobirama: That's it.
Kakashi is online.
Kakashi has gone offline.
Senju Tobirama:
Senju Tobirama: Kakashi, you're doing shit.
Kakashi is online.
Kakashi: Uh… I just wanted to say, we've arrived.
Senju Tobirama: Well, it's none of your business.
Kakashi:
Kakashi remembers Nidaime once offered him the Sixth Hokage position, but now that doesn't mean anything.
And now…
"Um..."
"I've finished reading the mission report."
"You all performed well."
"Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto—Kakashi recommended you both."
"I also took you into consideration."
"This time, defeating Sasori—even with some intel advantage—was mostly due to your own strength."
"Although it may seem a bit early..."
"You've reached the level of Jōnin."
"Combined with your mission contribution points to the village—"
Senju Tobirama said, "So..."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"I hereby promote you both to Jōnin of Konoha," said Senju Tobirama.
"Eh…" Sasuke and Naruto froze.
"We're..."
"Becoming Jōnin?"
"Yes," Tobirama said. "Your strength is already at that level."
"And this time your opponent was Sasori."
"His strength is Kage-level."
Sasuke.
Naruto.
"So I became a Jōnin?"
"Yes."
Tobirama explained it thoroughly, even though it had only been a week since the Chūnin Exams ended, and now they were promoted again.
Who would believe it?
No, there were no shortcuts—these two were clearly exceptional.
Sasuke is of the Uchiha clan, and Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son.
Even if their strength improved greatly, reaching the standard Jōnin baseline—like Yuhi Kurenai or Kakashi—should take more time. And Kurenai is still just a Special Jōnin.
So for Sasuke and Naruto to reach that level… they had to be exceptional.
"…"
Sasuke said, "Where's Kitahara Hitoshi?"
"We're Jōnin..."
"Then what about him?"
Because during the Chūnin Exams, Kitahara Hitoshi was already expected to show Jōnin-level ability.
So… now Sasuke suspects Kitahara Hitoshi might be beyond Jōnin.
So, he said it aloud.
"I don't think the Jōnin rank suits him..."
"His strength might already be Kage-level," Sasuke said.
Tobirama's record:
Tobirama's record: Uchiha Sasuke, this unlucky brat, I thought he could relax for once.
Tobirama's record: Turns out his judgment is still this sharp?
Tobirama's record: Kage-level? Just go for it!
Senju Tobirama: Hmm…
Senju Tobirama: At this moment, I agree with you.
Senju Tobirama: That guy definitely isn't just Kage-level.
Senju Tobirama: At least not only based on Sasori's scale.
Kakashi:
Kakashi suddenly felt a bit off, because that meant...
Now he wasn't even the standard measurement anymore.
Sasori had become the new standard for Kage-level.
So did that mean he, Kakashi, no longer qualified as a reference point?
Realizing this, Kakashi felt conflicted.
Indeed.
Recently, he found an opportunity to ask Kitahara Hitoshi about Obito's Sharingan.
Kakashi thought silently.
And outside the small group...
"Kitahara Hitoshi—"
Tobirama said. "Starting tomorrow, you'll begin working here."
"Even if I'm still Impure World Reincarnation, I can't just keep staying home," Senju Tobirama said. "So, I'm naming him Hokage candidate."
"Hokage... candidate?" Naruto blinked.
He had never heard of this concept.
"During wartime, the Hokage often leads from the front. If something happens, there has to be someone prepared to take over the village."
"So a Hokage candidate is chosen ahead of time."
"In other words," Kakashi explained, "if the Third retires..."
"Then Kitahara-kun becomes the Fifth Hokage!?"
Naruto shouted.
"Yes, that's about it." Kakashi nodded.
Sasuke and Naruto looked at Kitahara Hitoshi simultaneously.
"…" Kitahara Hitoshi.
Although he had expected something like this upon returning to report, hearing it directly still left him speechless.
He couldn't understand why Konoha wouldn't choose Tsunade and instead picked... a male Hokage.
Is it really that hard for Konoha to have a female Hokage?
Didn't they see how well Sand Village handled things?
But if Tsunade's personality remained like the original…
"I mean, you've got the strength—so why don't you show it?"
"What, trying to take it easy? Are you worthy of Konoha? Of the white rabbit you raised? Of me, the future Fifth Hokage, working so hard?"
Imagine original Tsunade getting mad at you.
Um...
It's actually kind of cute too.
But Kitahara Hitoshi said,
"I can accept the promotion."
"After all, there's no ninja in Konoha who doesn't want to be Hokage."
"And I'm no different."
"A ninja who doesn't dream of being Hokage isn't a real ninja."
The big pillar is silly.
Senju Tobirama.
Namikaze Minato.
Da Zhuzi Hanhan: How dare he lie with such confidence.
Senju Tobirama: Yeah, I think he's bluffing.
Namikaze Minato: Although Kitahara-kun is close to my Namikaze family, I can't defend him right now.
Namikaze Minato: Kitahara-kun, who panics so easily, really didn't even blink when he said that.
Senju Tobirama: I believe Naruto wants to be Hokage, and I believe Sasuke might aim for it too.
Senju Tobirama: But Kitahara Hitoshi? I doubt it.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Still, isn't it good he accepted?
Da Zhuzi Hanhan: Although Tobirama, you gave him such authority, if he becomes the Fifth, all of us former Hokages might get dragged back to work.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: But, isn't it kind of exciting?
Senju Tobirama: You're really calm about this.
And outside the small group...
"I sense your resolve." Senju Tobirama stood up and extended his hand to Kitahara Hitoshi.
"Starting today, the Book of Sealing will be open to you."
"And Konoha, I entrust it to you."
"…" Kitahara Hitoshi looked at Tobirama's outstretched hand.
He could feel the weight of legacy in that gesture.
Like the passing of a will—Senju Tobirama was genuinely entrusting Konoha to him.
And when Kitahara Hitoshi shook Tobirama's hand, the pocket of his uniform twitched.
His ninja rabbit poked its head out.
But as usual, it didn't cry, didn't speak, didn't move—just clung to the edge of the pocket.
It was silently warning: if Kitahara didn't wash his hands, it better not be touched.
"Since you agreed, I'll have you familiarize yourself with Konoha's intelligence records," Tobirama said.
"Not so fast," Kitahara Hitoshi replied. "A reserve means stepping in only at a critical time."
"So Nidaime, you better keep doing the job for now."
"I'm not getting involved just yet," Kitahara said.
"…" Tobirama.
"…" Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama: Good guy.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Good guy.
Namikaze Minato: Good guy.
Tobirama Record: The behind-the-scenes talk is so straightforward.
Tobirama Record: Senju Tobirama, I laughed so hard. Did you just invite a master to come back for yourself?
Senju Tobirama: Shut up. What do you know? I'm paving the way for Konoha's future development.
Senju Tobirama: If you were strong and clear-headed enough, then maybe I'd invite you back too.
Senju Tobirama: But do you deserve it?
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Tobirama, don't be so harsh on Izuna.
Senju Tobirama: Hmph.
"And this time, Impure World Reincarnation was tested at Sunagakure," Kitahara Hitoshi said. "Now that I've become the backup candidate like Nidaime, we in Konoha still have access to past generations of excellent Hokage."
"I suggest we bring them all out."
"Oh…"
Although Naruto didn't fully understand everything halfway through, there was one thing he grasped.
Second Hokage was the one whose face was on the Second Generation spot of the Hokage Rock.
Which meant the dead had come back.
And now Kitahara Hitoshi's proposal was to revive all the Hokage through Impure World Reincarnation... including the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. According to Nidaime, that was Naruto's father.
This was the same Hokage who sealed the Nine Tails into Naruto's body.
So Naruto became a Jinchuriki, just like Gaara.
Then…
He was ostracized by the village. And now, the man who had burdened him with so much was going to be resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation.
"…"
Sasuke understood. Or perhaps he thought of something else.
Back in Sunagakure, he didn't feel much. But now...
Impure World Reincarnation.
All the Hokage of the past, unearthed...
Then could the Uchiha clan, killed by Uchiha Itachi, also be unearthed?
Dad, Mom... and the rest of the clan...
Children and Grandchildren Chat Group:
Senju Tobirama: Look, brother, I was right.
Big Pillar Hanhan:
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Hmm... yes.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: I just said I might be pulled out to work again.
Big Pillar Hanhan: And the result...
Big Pillar Hanhan: Hahaha... Little Kitahara Hitoshi is really bold.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Interesting. Then I'll wait to be summoned by Impure World Reincarnation. Come on.
Cowardly as a Mouse - Onoki:
As the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage Ohnoki watched events unfold in shock.
If Kitahara Hitoshi became the Fifth Hokage, then the First Generation would truly be pulled out to work again.
Oh my.
A junior actually pulled a senior out to work and even ordered the First Hokage around...
What a terrifying man...
Clearly, it was wise not to fight him from the beginning.
Ohnoki felt again that his judgment had been correct.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...
Terumi Mei once again felt regret.
It was a shame that Kitahara Hitoshi agreed to the Second Hokage's proposal. This meant from today forward, he was officially the Fifth Hokage.
Then why didn't he come to Kirigakure?
Eh...
It wasn't that she hadn't tried hard enough, but that the Mizukage lineage had not been strong enough...
And because of that, Kirigakure missed its opportunity to revive and rise.
Terumi Mei was disappointed.
And the cause of that loss was... the former Mizukage hadn't been capable enough. So as the Fifth Generation, what could she do?
So, in her sigh, the change in the Ninja World quietly buried itself into version 5.8.
But.
"???" Sasuke.
"???" Naruto.
"=1tl…"
It was already evening, and Sasuke and Naruto were still in the Hokage office.
The two looked out at the bright lights through the window.
Then turned back to the large piles of documents before them.
Looking at the rows of words on the pages, both began to wonder if they had fallen into some kind of illusion.
Because they had already spent the whole afternoon handling paperwork.
They had sorted documents, processed miscellaneous tasks, separated the files into ones they could handle and ones they couldn't, and then handed those to the Second Generation.
After processing, Second Hokage returned them so the boys could learn from the experience.
It sounded great.
But…
Why was Kitahara-kun listed as the Hokage backup, while it was still the two of them stuck here doing the actual work?
As for Kitahara Hitoshi, he had come by that afternoon to report his mission, accepted the position of Hokage backup, and left.
But Senju Tobirama remained so busy that he hadn't even gone back to the Senju residence.
And Sasuke and Naruto hadn't returned to their bachelor pad either.
The two of them were still stuck in the Hokage office... sorting documents.
"Oh, it's time for you to eat.
"Whether I eat or not doesn't matter since I'm a reanimated body.
"But you two don't seem to be.
"Then I'll order food."
Tobirama clapped softly and an Anbu appeared instantly.
"Go get meals for three," Tobirama ordered.
"Uh... that's kind of embarrassing," Naruto said quickly.
"Yeah, I like rice balls..." Sasuke added.
"Then bring a portion of rice balls," Tobirama adjusted the order.
Anbu nodded and left.
"Um... Nidaime..." Naruto said uncertainly.
"I am Senju Tobirama, Konoha's Second Hokage. I want Konoha to grow stronger and never allow anything harmful to happen," Tobirama said.
"So..."
"You two are good kids, and I wish I could grow closer to you."
"Hmm..." Naruto and Sasuke were both taken aback.
"Then... let's eat together," Sasuke said.
"Yes," Tobirama nodded.
So the three of them sat down for a meal together.
But.
After dinner...
"You two are still young…"
"How are you already tired?"
"When I was your age, I was on the battlefield."
"At your age, didn't you sleep well?"
Tobirama had changed.
Sasuke and Naruto realized... they should not have eaten that meal. It was a trap to turn them into workaholics.
And in that moment, the Will of Fire that the Third Hokage had passed down, in the subtle influence of their teacher...
Sasuke and Naruto started to wonder — did they really want to become Hokage?
Hokage is a trustworthy and reliable presence, but… why is it so busy?
Why did Auntie forget to haggle the price when buying food, and then write it down as a formal transaction and submit it like it was an official task?
The next day, Kitahara Hitoshi woke up in the warmth of the morning sunshine.
Leaving Sasuke and Naruto in the Hokage office building was, in hindsight, a wise move.
Becoming Hokage is a noble calling, but… there are simply too many duties. So, finding reliable people to share the burden becomes essential.
Hopefully, Naruto and Sasuke can also grow through this experience, learn what it means to lead, and bear responsibility for the village.
Kitahara Hitoshi looked at the light filtering in through the window. It was bright, yet there was something cold and mysterious in the air.
Something felt off.
He got out of bed quickly and stared out the window.
It wasn't that the sun had not risen. It was that the moon had never left.
Could it be…
He hurriedly turned to the side of the bed. The little ninja was curled up, sleeping soundly at the foot.
Face down.
This sleeping posture was rather… unorthodox.
But it was still asleep.
Kitahara Hitoshi reached down and gave its small body a gentle shake.
Its eyes fluttered open, dazed and sluggish, but then immediately widened in shock.
In the next moment, it darted out the window like a spring-loaded shuriken.
Because… the moon hovering above the horizon at this very moment was terrifyingly close to the ninja world!
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