Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

On the shore, Hozuki Kaigetsu and Terumi Mei had completely different focuses.

They saw that the originally ferocious Three-Tails, after confronting Yagura for a moment, had its world-destroying aura recede like the tide, and its huge body lay quietly on the sea surface, and its huge single eye even... blinked.

It looks like a well-groomed, docile domestic pet.

"it's over?"

Hozuki Kaigetsu's voice trembled uncontrollably.

He had considered countless possibilities. Perhaps the Hokage would use a stronger sealing technique to forcibly suppress him, or perhaps Yagura would barely succeed after a fierce mental struggle.

He never imagined it would end like this... a peaceful ending that was almost eerily unsettling.

The man standing behind Yagura, Hiruzen Sarutobi, simply placed his hand lightly on the boy's head, and then it was all over.

There were no earth-shattering battles, no painful screams.

It's as simple as straightening a disobedient potted plant in the courtyard, something so natural and obvious.

"No."

Mei Terumi's breathing was a little rapid. Her emerald green eyes were fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi, and her voice was filled with awe and horror. "It's... beginning."

The destruction of the old era does not mean the automatic beginning of a new one.

Today, she witnessed firsthand how Hiruzen Sarutobi, through a method that transcended mere force and bordered on creation, personally ushered in a new era for Kirigakure and Yagura.

An era where even tailed beasts are curious about barbecue.

This gave her a more profound sense of dread than cutting through mountains with Susanoo or beating the Three-Tails with a Vajra staff.

In the center of the battlefield.

Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed Yagura's predicament, and a satisfied smile finally appeared on his gentle face.

Excellent. What was originally a serious political issue has been successfully transformed into a harmonious issue concerning people's livelihood.

This is progress.

He withdrew his hand and gently patted Yagura's shoulder, causing the boy's body to stiffen noticeably.

"How does it feel?"

He asked gently, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of the people on the shore.

Yagura opened his mouth, the words of loyalty and gratitude he had prepared rolled three times on his tongue, but in the end he couldn't say them.

His mind is now filled with Isogai's question about "108 ways to eat fish".

Looking at the boy's face, which was flushed red and filled with questions like "Who am I? Where am I? What should I do?", Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile deepened.

He turned to face the three people on the shore and said loudly, "It seems the integration has been very successful. Yagura and Lord Mitsuo have reached a preliminary and constructive consensus."

A constructive consensus?

Hozuki Kaigetsu and Terumi Mei exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of confusion in each other's eyes.

Does this refer to a consensus on whether sashimi or yakiniku (grilled meat) tastes better?

Only Hozuki Shio nodded heavily, writing in her notebook with an air of self-righteousness: "Conclusion: Food is the only bridge for communication between universes."

"As a qualified leader,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out again. This time, he was speaking to Yagura, and also giving everyone his post-lesson summary: "Not only must you possess great strength, but you must also learn to listen."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Hozuki Kaigetsu, who looked serious, Terumi Mei, who seemed lost in thought, and Hozuki Shio, who was already drooling.

"Listen to the voices of your colleagues, listen to the voices of your subordinates, listen to the voices of the people. Sometimes, what they ask for is not some grand blueprint, but perhaps just a hot pot of barbecue."

Yagura's body jolted violently.

He raised his head and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The other person's eyes were gentle yet profound, as if they could see through all his pretense and unease.

At that moment, Yagura suddenly understood.

The Hokage may have been talking about the Three-Tails, but in reality, he was also giving him some pointers.

He had always been too obsessed with imitating the elders, pursuing so-called maturity and composure, and using grand words to package his plans, while ignoring the most ordinary people in the village and their most basic wishes.

What they might really want isn't to revive the glory of Wuyin, but simply to have enough to eat and wear, and to be able to watch their children grow up in peace.

Just like this tailed beast that has been imprisoned for a thousand years, what it wants is not to destroy the world, but simply to know... what roasted meat tastes like.

A sudden realization flashed through my mind like lightning.

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Yagura suddenly lowered his head, and this time, his voice was no longer filled with confusion, but with unprecedented determination, "I understand!"

In his mind, Isobu's incessant chatter also stopped.

It seemed to have heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's words as well. Its enormous single eye, separated by the barrier of the spiritual world, quietly "looked" in the direction of the man in black.

"alright,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the enormous creature still lying on the sea surface, his tone as relaxed as if greeting a neighbor, "Lord Three-Tails, please forgive my poor hospitality. I will prepare a very generous gift for you in the future."

boom--!

The massive body of the Three-Tailed Isobu swayed in a human-like manner, creating a small ripple, as if...nodding?

Hozuki Kaigetsu and Terumi Mei on the shore were completely numb.

Is he... having a meal with a tailed beast?

Just how outrageous was this Third Hokage?

"Let's go back."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.

At his command, the Three-Tailed Isobu cooperated, transforming its massive body into pure chakra, which flowed slowly back into Yagura's body along the warm bridge.

Yagura closed his eyes, feeling that tranquil and profound power perfectly merge with him, and his heart felt more fulfilled than ever before.

When he opened his eyes again, the purple closed eye mark next to the hideous scar seemed to have gained a touch of vibrant life.

The group boarded the assault boat in silence.

The engine started, and the small boat cut through the calm sea, heading towards the Konoha fleet in the distance.

On the way back, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

Hozuki Kaigetsu wanted to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi about the future governance of the village several times, but seeing Hiruzen's leisurely enjoyment of the sea view, he swallowed his words back.

He felt that discussing financial budgets and personnel allocations in front of such figures was a desecration of the artistic atmosphere.

Thus, Hiruzen Sarutobi successfully avoided working overtime.

Mei Terumi had been secretly observing Yagura all along.

She noticed that this newly appointed perfect Jinchūriki had kept his eyes closed since boarding the ship, his brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed, and his lips were constantly moving, as if he were having a heated debate with someone.

Only Hozuki Shio approached without any hesitation.

"Hey, Yagura, does it like sweet or salty food? Can it handle spicy food?"