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

But his central processing unit, that brain that had been through countless trials and tribulations and was already emotionally numb, was overloaded.

What is this? Laissez-faire security?

Just as he was falling into self-doubt, another uncertainty in the team began to surface.

"Kakashi, look at that! It's a glass wind chime, so pretty!"

Nohara Rin's eyes sparkled as she pointed to a string of crystal-clear wind chimes hanging under the eaves of a craft shop.

A gentle breeze blows, and the wind chimes tinkle crisply, like the whispers of fairies.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke walked at the back, like a dutiful shadow, taking in everyone's actions.

His gaze lingered on Kakashi for a moment, seemingly assessing the white-haired brat's observation and analytical abilities, before settling on the back of the man in the black suit in front of him.

His lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was currently observing the hot spring town with great interest.

The streets are lined with quaint wooden buildings, and red lanterns hang under the eaves of every house.

The pendulum finally stopped in front of what looked like the most impressive hot spring hotel. A huge noren curtain with the character "汤" (hot spring) hung at the entrance of the hotel, and on both sides were bamboo tube hot springs bubbling with hot air.

"Lord Hokage, this is the Yamagetsu Inn, the inn with the highest security level in the Land of Hot Springs."

The pendulum's sound remained steady, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a hint of relief. Finally, one item in his task log had been completed as planned.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, an elderly woman in a kimono, with gray hair but a sprightly spirit, came out from behind the noren with a big smile on her face.

"Oh, welcome, welcome! You must be tired from your journey!"

The old woman's voice was loud and clear. Her gaze swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi before settling on the group of bright and beautiful young men and women behind him. "Oh my, what adorable children! Come in, come in! This old woman has prepared some freshly baked hot spring buns for you!"

The old woman completely ignored Zhong Bai's aloof black suit and sunglasses, and warmly took the hands of Nohara Rin and Tachibana Shiori, who were closest to her, asking about their well-being as if they were her own long-lost grandchildren.

The pendulum reached out as if to prevent this unnecessary close contact, but its hand fell limply halfway down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily, took off his straw hat, and bowed slightly to the old woman: "I'm sorry to bother you, landlady."

"Oh, you're too kind!"

The proprietress smiled so broadly her eyes narrowed into slits. "Come on in, please!"

The group was thus ushered into the hotel, half-pushed and half-invited.

The hotel's interior is a hidden gem, featuring a typical Japanese garden structure with small bridges, flowing water, and picturesque views at every turn.

The interior of the inn is a completely different world, with a typical Japanese garden structure and winding paths leading to secluded spots.

The wooden floor beneath my feet was polished to a shine, reflecting the warm light of the lanterns under the eaves.

In the center of the courtyard, a small arched bridge spans a clear pond, where several colorful koi fish leisurely sway their tails. Occasionally, the wind ripples the surface of the water, creating concentric circles of waves.

"Wow--"

Obito's exclamation was drawn out, his eyes wide like saucers, his head turning 180 degrees as he tried to memorize every detail of the scene. "This place is amazing! It's so much bigger than my house... so many, many times bigger!"

Asuma, hands in his pockets, tried to maintain a cool, worldly demeanor, but a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips: "Well, it's alright. After all, it's the most famous inn in the Land of Hot Springs."

The pendulum followed behind, its black suit clashing with the surroundings, making it look like a robot that had wandered into a landscape painting.

He remained absolutely vigilant, his gaze rapidly sweeping across every corner of the courtyard, assessing possible sniping positions and intrusion routes, his brain's processor racing.

[Environmental Assessment: The courtyard has a complex structure with 37 blind spots. Dense vegetation provides good concealment. The pond is 1.2 meters deep, insufficient to pose a threat but could potentially be used as a surprise attack vector…]

"Oh, children, over here, over here!"

The enthusiastic proprietress completely ignored the man in the black suit who exuded an aura of unapproachability. She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention to a corridor with tatami mats. "This old lady has prepared the best rooms for you, facing the back mountain. The view is amazing!"

She led a group of people to a row of screen doors painted with landscape paintings.

"There are five rooms here, please divide them among yourselves!"

The proprietress chuckled, then, as if remembering something, added, "Oh, right, dinner time is seven o'clock, and the bathhouse is open from now until ten o'clock tonight. The men's and women's baths are separate, so don't go to the wrong one!"

After she finished speaking, she winked at Tachibana Shirin and Nohara Rin, and handed each of them a delicate little cloth bag: "This is a special service for girls. Inside are hot spring buns and special lotion."

After saying that, she left with light steps, humming a little tune, leaving behind a group of young people looking at each other in bewilderment and a root elite whose system kept reporting errors.

The room assignments immediately caused a minor commotion.

"I want the biggest one!"

Obito was the first to rush towards the central room, trying to open the shoji door.

"Why should I?!"

Asma grabbed him by the back of his collar. "I saw it first!"

The two instantly started wrestling, rolling around on the smooth floor like two little dogs fighting for territory.

Nohara Rin covered her face in exasperation, while Tachibana Shiori tried to comfort her quietly, but it was clearly to no avail.

Kakashi crossed his arms, leaned against a pillar, glanced at them with an expression as if they were idiots, then walked straight to a room in the far corner, opened the door and went in, his movements fluid and graceful, as if that room was meant for him.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke didn't even participate in the struggle. His gaze swept across the doors of several rooms, and with an almost cold logic, he determined the best guard position. He then chose the room next to Kakashi's, which had a wide view and could monitor both ends of the corridor at the same time.

"Alright, you two."

A calm yet authoritative voice rang out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken off his straw hat at some point and was now watching Obito and Asuma wrestling together with a smile.

The two froze, awkwardly released their grip, and got up from the ground, dusting themselves off.

"One person per room, no stealing allowed."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the remaining three rooms. "Obito, you'll stay in the middle. Asuma, you'll stay on the left. Shisui, the one on the right is yours."

The allocation is clear and transparent.

"Oh……"

Obito and Asuma exchanged a glance, gave a resentful reply, and went into their respective rooms.

Uchiha Shisui bowed slightly to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said with a gentle smile, "Thank you, Third Hokage."

The corridor fell silent instantly, with only the pendulum remaining standing there, like a lonely statue.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced back at him: "Pendulum, you should go and rest too. Your room is on the other side."

"Lord Hokage, my duty is to protect, I do not need to rest."

The sound of the pendulum was completely flat.

"That's an order."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable weight: "Take a relaxing soak in the hot spring, change into casual clothes, and then we'll have dinner together. In the Land of Hot Springs, you're not the Root unit codenamed Pendulum; you're a vacationer."

"..."

The pendulum's processor overloaded again. He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to quote a rule from the "Hospitality Manual," but looking into the Hokage's all-seeing eyes, he ultimately swallowed his words.

"……yes."

He gave a stiff bow, turned around, and left with unsteady, clumsy steps.

---

In the men's hot spring, steam rises, and milky white spring water gurgles from bamboo tubes, carrying a faint sulfurous smell. All around are carefully arranged rocks, interspersed with clusters of lush green plants, creating a rustic atmosphere.

"Ouch—it's so hot! So hot! So hot!"

Obito dipped his foot into the pool, then immediately pulled it back with lightning speed, jumping around in place while clutching his foot, his expression contorted.

Asuma poked his head out of the pool beside him, a look of disdain on his face: "Useless. Can't even stand this little bit of temperature."

The pool he was in was darker in color, and was obviously warmer.

At this moment, half of his body was submerged in water. Although his face was flushed red, he still managed to maintain a composed demeanor.

"Who said I can't stand it!"

Obito's competitive spirit was ignited. He roared, steeled his resolve, and leaped into the pool.

"Thump!"

Water splashed everywhere.

The next second, he sprang out of the water, his whole body turning red from head to toe, like a boiled shrimp.

"Aaaaaahh ...

Screams echoed through the bathhouse.