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

The embers of the banquet cooled completely in the pre-dawn sea breeze.

The deck of the Konoha flagship still retained a faint, wonderful aroma of charcoal and sauce.

Last night's revelry left the most obvious traces—many Hidden Mist ninjas, those warriors who once struggled in the blood mist, whose eyes were always filled with vigilance and numbness, were now lying haphazardly on the makeshift blankets.

Some people were holding half-empty sauce bottles, while others had suspicious oily sheen on their lips and a satisfied, almost silly, sleeping look on their faces.

The snoring sounds rose and fell, even and deep.

This was a tranquil peace that the Blood Mist Village hadn't experienced in decades, a peace completely devoid of any defenses.

One of the Kirigakure chunin was the first to wake up. His head was still a little fuzzy from the hangover, and he subconsciously reached for the ninja sword at his waist, only to find it empty.

He sat up with a start, looking around warily, only to see his colleagues sleeping in all sorts of unguarded positions, and several Akimichi clan ninjas nimbly cleaning up the mess.

Nobody cared about him.

The aroma of meat permeating the air was like a long-lasting tranquilizer, making it impossible for him to relax his tense nerves.

He was stunned for a long time, and finally smacked his lips, actually tasting a hint of the sweet aroma of the roasted pork belly from last night.

So he scratched his head and lay back down.

……

On the top floor of the flagship, in the Hokage's private bedroom.

"Ring ring—ring ring—"

A crisp, mechanical ring broke the silence inside the cabin.

The sound seemed somewhat out of place aboard a magnificent steel behemoth.

On the bed, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelids struggled to move.

He struggled to open his eyes a crack, and what came into view was the familiar, metallic-looking standard ceiling.

He was silent for half a second, then let out a fatalistic groan in a voice only he could hear.

"Sigh... another day of having to get up early for the sake of peace in the ninja world..."

These words are profound and poignant, imbued with a leader's sense of responsibility towards the people.

If you consider his current status as Hokage, it would be enough to move anyone who hears it to tears.

Unfortunately, what he really was thinking was: My bed... my blanket... I can sleep for another five hours...

He reached out a hand and precisely groped on the bedside table.

Finally, with a snap, the latest mechanical alarm clock, produced by Konoha's Zero Research Team and supervised by Orochimaru, was turned off.

The world is finally quiet again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lingered in bed for a full five minutes, until he felt that if he didn't get up soon, his dignity as Hokage would be sealed away by the blankets. Only then did he reluctantly sit up.

Push open the bedroom door.

Outside the door, a figure stood straight and silent, seemingly blending into the shadows of the cabin.

Dressed in standard Anbu attire, Uchiha Shisui leaned forward slightly and bowed the moment the door opened, his voice as calm as a deep pool.

"Good morning, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen Sarutobi yawned widely, and a few drops of physiological tears squeezed out from the corners of his eyes.

He stepped forward and patted Zhishui's shoulder, which, though young, was exceptionally reliable.

"Shisui, you've worked hard. Is this... your turn to be on duty?"

"Yes."

The sound of still water came, brief and clear, without a trace of fatigue.

"Go and rest."

As Hiruzen spoke, he stretched, his joints cracking softly, and then swayed toward the nearby private washroom.

Shisui did not leave immediately, but followed him silently like a shadow, stopping a few meters away from the bathroom door to continue fulfilling his duties as a guard for the last few minutes.

The bathroom was brightly lit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned on the tap, scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it on his face, finally dispelling the last trace of sleepiness.

He looked up at himself in the mirror.

The man in the mirror had a rugged face, and the two nasolabial folds under his eyes added to his imposing and dignified air.

What pleased him most was the small, meticulously trimmed goatee on his chin.

He looked at himself in the mirror, examined himself from left to right, then reached out and twirled the tip of his beard, nodding in satisfaction.

Not bad, this look is increasingly reminiscent of a "legendary ninja".

A beard is a symbol of a mature, powerful, and wise man.

This thing at least added ten points to my prestige and five points to my coolness.

He couldn't help but look in the mirror and try to put on a deep and dignified expression, attempting to imitate the posture of the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

Just as the corners of his mouth turned down slightly and his eyes became compassionate, he caught a glimpse of the statue-like figure at the doorway in the reflection of the mirror, and it seemed... to have moved slightly?

Zhi Shui: I didn't see anything.

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression instantly returned to normal. He casually picked up his toothbrush and began brushing his teeth.

His movements were fluid and effortless, as if the guy who had been acting like a complete chuunibyou from a moment ago had never existed.

Just kidding, the Hokage must always maintain his dignity in front of his capable subordinates.

After washing up, feeling refreshed, Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed open the door and walked out.

Shisui remained standing in the same spot, as if he had never moved.

He reported in a low voice, his tone completely flat: "Lord Hokage, today's breakfast will still be prepared by ninjas from the Akimichi clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was taking a step, suddenly stopped.

He slowly, very slowly raised his hand and covered his forehead, letting out a soft groan that only he could hear.

"No way...it's going to be barbecue again, is it?"

Last night's scene was simply a feast of meat and a carnival of fat.

He felt that his stomach and intestines were really not able to take it anymore.

With a mix of hope and trepidation, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the breakfast room on the upper floor.

Then, that familiar, rich, irresistible aroma of meat, mixed with the sizzling sound of oil on the hot plate, wafted over.

It’s over.

In the breakfast room, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were sitting at a table by the window.

Obito, holding a huge meat bun in one hand and a grilled sausage in the other, his mouth bulging, mumbled, "Kakashi! Don't just read books! This...this beef patty is super delicious!"

Kakashi didn't even lift an eyelid. He was flipping through a book he'd somehow acquired, titled "A Preliminary Exploration of Hydroelectric Generator Structural Optimization," while slowly picking up a small piece of fried egg with chopsticks. He replied nonchalantly, "I have no interest in food with more than 20% fat. Besides, consuming too much protein in the morning will slow down your brain's reaction time. You idiot."

"You're the idiot! You need to eat well to have the energy to cultivate!"

Obito retorted defiantly.

"Lin, you be the judge!"

Rin Nohara smiled helplessly, sipping her milk slowly, and advised, "Alright, alright, Obito, eat slowly, don't choke. Kakashi-kun, you should eat some staple food too."

Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi enter, the three immediately stopped their playful antics, stood up in unison, and greeted him respectfully.

"Hokage-sama!"

"Sit down, everyone sit down."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and waved, signaling them to continue. "It's the time when you're growing, so eat more."

His kind gaze swept over the three energetic teenagers, and a sense of peace settled over him.

This is one of the meanings of his struggle: to allow these flowers, which should have withered in the war, to bicker about what to eat for breakfast without any worries.