Chapter 148: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Arrogant Before, Respectful After—This is Growth
It worked?
Akiyama Makoto was a little puzzled. What was Hinata thinking? Could it be that once he became someone she liked, she would just unhesitatingly continue to like him? That did fit her personality.
Oh, well. I won't think about it too much.
The affection level between him and all four girls had reached Level 3. From now on, he could also quickly improve their strength to deal with the possibly enhanced Chūnin Exams.
As for whether the girls would have conflicts among themselves, or whether they would gang up on him again, that was not something he needed to worry about right now.
Because Hiruzen Sarutobi had arrived.
His arrival was a matter of course. After all, he had awakened a bloodline power identical to Hashirama Senju's. For Konoha, this was a turbulent time, and Hiruzen needed more things that could boost morale. If it was confirmed that he possessed a bloodline on the level of the First Hokage, it would undoubtedly be another piece of good news for the village.
It was just a pity that he was destined to disappoint him.
Kurenai, who was sitting at the door having a staring contest with Tenten, flashed a look and said in a low voice, "Tenten, go and get the others. Lord Hokage is here."
Tenten was startled and quickly jumped up, turning and diving into the hospital room.
Immediately after, her irrepressible shriek was heard from inside. "What are you doing to my boyfriend!"
Ino and Sakura had snuggled into his embrace, both looking at him with deep affection. That was one thing, but Hinata, why were you still studying the number of his abs?
The girls, who had been immersed in the joy of the confession, went completely stiff and then shot up like springs. Just as a conflict was about to erupt, Anko opened the window from the outside. "Stop fighting!" she said. "Lord Hokage is here! Get out, quickly!"
The four girls looked as if they had been struck by lightning. Only then did Tenten remember the important matter at hand. She hurriedly pushed the other girls out through the window. The reason they didn't dare to use the door was that the sound of hurried footsteps could already be heard in the hallway.
Watching the girls flee in a panic, he straightened his clothes. As for the various feminine scents on him, there was nothing he could do about that. And weren't these the medals of his popularity? Why should he clean them off?
"Kurenai, why are you still here?" Hiruzen was slightly surprised to see her.
She replied calmly, "You may not know, Lord Hokage, but this child and I have a connection. I have acknowledged him as my sworn younger brother."
"Since he was injured, I had to take care of him. And after he awakened... that power, I have to watch over him even more to prevent him from being targeted by despicable people."
"Mm, you've done well."
Hiruzen pretended not to understand who the "despicable people" she was referring to were. He then said calmly, "I'll have my men take care of things here. You can go back and rest."
"You have to meet your new genin team tomorrow. Don't be too tired."
Kurenai nodded and took her leave. Leading a new team tomorrow was indeed a big deal. She just didn't know which ninja she would be leading. She thought of the people around Makoto—it couldn't be that much of a coincidence, could it?
Seeing her leave, Hiruzen waved his hand, and the Hokage's personal Anbu skillfully guarded all the passages. Only then did he politely knock on the door, waiting for a reply. This attitude surprised the Anbu members on duty. Even if he had awakened an incredible kekkei genkai, did the Hokage really need to be so respectful?
"Please come in."
He spoke, neither servile nor overbearing. Only after seeing that it was Hiruzen did he say with slight surprise, "Lord Hokage, what brings you here?"
Hiruzen showed the same kind smile as when he had first met him. "As a civilian, you were willing to sacrifice yourself to try and save Naruto, practicing your own Will of Fire. I naturally had to come and see if your injuries were serious."
Hiruzen was surprised to find that this was the first time he could calmly and peacefully discuss the First Hokage's Will of Fire with him. From his initial displeasure at him slipping from his control, to his recent attempt to use him as a useful banner, to today, where he had to face the possibility of what he said being true—this was the most powerful proof of his growing influence.
"Please don't worry, Lord Hokage. My injuries are healing very quickly. According to the doctor, even if I stand still, it will be very difficult for me to be killed in the future."
He made a joke, but Hiruzen said seriously, "Although you have an 'unconscious healing' similar to the First Hokage's, you can still be killed. Do not underestimate the enemy's methods."
"So, as a civilian, you can only hide in the rear in the future. You can just handle a little more danger than before."
As he said this, he tried to see a look of regret and unwillingness on his face. But his face was only calm, as if being weak was not a bad thing for him.
Left with no choice, Hiruzen could only change the subject himself. "Makoto, have you ever thought of becoming a ninja?"
"Perhaps you won't be able to reach the heights of the First Hokage, but you might become a powerful ninja no weaker than... the Sannin of that time."
Although his title as the "Strongest Hokage" was a bit inflated, his title as the "Professor" of ninjutsu was well-deserved. He had already guessed that his cells were now very active, and would become even stronger as he grew older. This meant he might have an affinity for Earth and Water Style, and might even be able to learn Wood Style in the future. Even if he couldn't, just with his talent for unconscious healing, it was enough for him to become a powerful ninja who would not fall easily on the battlefield.
"At that time, no matter how you want to practice your Will of Fire, no one will raise any objections. Perhaps... you might even become Hokage in the future."
Hiruzen chuckled. The grand prize of "becoming Hokage"—how many young people's eyes would light up at that?
But he remained unmoved. "Lord Hokage, I have no desire to become a ninja."
"I want to use my words to spread my ideals, not to use force to make everyone submit."
"I want to build a big family, and let everyone live in harmony, not in a hierarchy of status."
"These things cannot be achieved with the power of a ninja. In fact, becoming a ninja would hinder me from doing these things."
Hiruzen's smile vanished. He looked at him with a somewhat helpless expression. Was there really someone in the world who didn't want to be a ninja? That was the embodiment of strength!
Hiruzen had clearly misunderstood one thing. He indeed didn't want to be a ninja, but he had never said he didn't want strength. A "ninja" was just a job. With strength, he could do whatever he wanted. Why must he become a ninja?
"I understand everything else, but if you don't become a ninja and have no strength, how do you build a big family?"
Hiruzen had only asked casually. His next words almost made him choke.
"Simple, Lord Hokage. I'll just marry a few more wives and have a few dozen children. Wouldn't that form a big family?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Hiruzen coughed until his face was red. He stared at the person in front of him in shock. He realized that he seemed to have completely misunderstood what kind of person this guy was. He had been looking at the problem through the eyes of a ninja, but he had forgotten that he was an ordinary person. What he admired might be completely different from a ninja's life.
"You mean... like a noble?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. Can I not become a noble?"
"No, of course you can—"
Hiruzen's words caught in his throat. Such a good seedling, not becoming a ninja but a noble—it seemed that wasn't impossible either.
He felt that he probably couldn't count on him. Perhaps he could look forward to his children—even if he couldn't see that day, his successor should be able to see his children grow up. He just had to make sure he didn't leave Konoha.
However, he had been on unpleasant terms with him several times before, not to mention Danzō, who had almost had him forcibly captured and his memories searched. Looking back now, it was a good thing he had stopped Danzō. Otherwise, if the First Hokage's spirit found out that they had treated someone with the Unconscious Healing talent as a spy, would he not be so angry that he would reanimate himself and personally kill both of them?
But, how to make him stay in Konoha—
"To become a noble, you also need to accumulate fame and fortune, and it's best to have a certain degree of self-protection."
"How about this? On the day you come of age, I will write a personal letter to the Daimyō, recommending you for an honorary noble title. What do you think?"
He looked at Hiruzen's body, which was much more stooped than it had been half a year ago, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"Then I thank you, Lord Hokage."
Afterward, Hiruzen told him to rest more and not to be careless just because his injuries had healed, and then left the hospital room.
He then looked at a figure in the corner. "Yūgao, come with me."