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

Having bid farewell to the bustling Land of Lightning, the Konoha fleet, consisting of three massive, jet-black steel warships, slowly sailed away from the port at the southern tip of the Land of Lightning's continent, like three silent behemoths.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty and slightly cool scent, swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi, ruffling a few unruly strands of dark brown hair on his forehead.

He didn't stay in the captain's cabin, but stood on the foremost deck of the Will of Fire, his hands behind his back, letting the wide Hokage robes flutter in the wind.

Behind them, the outline of the Land of Lightning's new and magnificent port gradually shrank into a blurry silhouette in the morning light.

Those towering cranes, the flat and wide concrete roads, and the magnificent building that spans the natural barrier and was named the Raimon Bridge by Danzo all proclaim the complete end of an old era.

A new era, led by Konoha and replacing hatred and war with infrastructure and trade, is slowly unfolding with unstoppable momentum.

"Lord Hokage."

A gentle and respectful voice sounded from behind.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not turn around; he knew it was Shisui Uchiha.

On this ship, only Shisui's footsteps could approach him so silently, both because of the top-notch skills of the Dark Guard and because of a tacit understanding that needs no words.

"sit."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to a low table and two futons that had been prepared beforehand.

On the table, a set of exquisite chess pieces lay quietly.

Shisui obediently sat down, his posture upright, his back straight, and his hands placed flat on his knees, like an excellent student ready to receive instruction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat cross-legged opposite him, picked up a King's Token, and rubbed it between his fingertips for a moment, feeling the warm, smooth texture of the wood.

He enjoyed this moment of tranquility, on the vast, boundless sea, far from the mountains of Konoha's official documents and the ever-present potential outbursts of complaints from Nara's antlers; even the air seemed a bit fresher.

"Want to play a round?"

He spoke, his voice flat, revealing no emotion.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Shisui responded and began to set up an array.

The crisp sound of pieces being placed on the deck began to echo, intertwining with the sound of waves crashing against the hull, creating a unique rhythm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's style of playing chess is bold and unrestrained, just like his methods of handling ninja affairs. He seems to be pressing forward step by step, but in fact he has a backup plan at the key points, which is full of pragmatic calculations.

Shisui's playing style is completely different. He is meticulous and calm, like a silent net that is spread out. He is extremely patient and good at tearing apart his opponent's defenses from the smallest flaws.

Neither of them spoke; they were both focused on the chessboard in front of them.

As the sun rose higher, the thin mist on the sea dissipated, revealing its azure blue background.

Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted his gaze from the chessboard and glanced at Shisui, who stood tall and focused.

This young man was a brilliant gem that he had personally unearthed from the soil of the Uchiha clan.

He possessed an absolute loyalty to the village that even Madara Uchiha lacked, as well as tactical wisdom that even Tobirama Senju admired.

More importantly, he knew how to hide those divine eyes, capable of overturning the world, beneath a mask of gentle humility, transforming them into the sharpest hidden blade protecting Konoha.

This game of chess involves more than just chess moves.

This is also another examination by Hiruzen Sarutobi of this one of the successors of the Will of Fire.

"Hokage-sama! Look! Over there! What a huge thing!"

A loud shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly shattered the tranquility on the deck.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, and a flying car that was about to fall stopped in mid-air.

He looked up helplessly, following the sound.

Obito Uchiha was seen leaning half his body out of the ship's side, gripping the railing with one hand and excitedly pointing to the distant sea with the other, his goggles almost falling off from his excitement.

"It's a huge sea monster! It looks so delicious!"

Another voice followed, filled with the purest passion for food.

Without even looking, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew it was Akimichi Torifu.

This old fellow is probably already brainstorming eighteen ways to eat it, including braising, steaming, and sashimi.

"Obito, keep your voice down, you'll scare it away."

Nohara Rin gently persuaded her, but her eyes also sparkled with curiosity.

"Idiot, how could something this big be scared away by your voice? You'll only reveal our location and get swallowed whole."

Kakashi Hatake, hands in his pockets, leaned lazily against the mast, glancing at Obito with his signature dead-fish eyes, and immediately launched into a precise sarcastic remark.

"What did you say?! Kakashi! You emotionless white-haired idiot! I'm just contributing to our meal!"

Obito immediately turned around, jumping up and down in anger.

"Contribution? As bait?"

"!"

Just as the two were about to start their usual bickering, Sarutobi's second son, Asuma, joined in. He was even more direct than Obito, his eyes shining as he stared at the huge black shadow in the distance, and asked Akimichi Torifu beside him, "Torifu-senpai, is that thing's meat really tastier than Konoha's Number One Pig?"

That's a very accurate and insightful question.

Akimichi Torifu stroked his chin seriously, his chubby cheeks jiggling. He gazed at the creature in the distance that occasionally revealed its back, yet stirred up huge waves, and said in an almost academic tone, "It's hard to say. Sea creatures have firm flesh, but a strong fishy smell, making them troublesome to prepare."

"However... judging from its size and the power it uses to stir the water, it means it contains chakra. The flesh of this kind of sea beast containing chakra, while it can be contracted and raised as a summoning beast..."

"But with special cooking methods, the taste is absolutely extraordinary!!!"

As he spoke, Toru's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He slapped his thigh suddenly: "No, we can't let it get away! This is a gift from the sea! Hokage, I request permission to launch an attack!"

Looking at this group of clowns in front of him, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his temples throbbing.

He put down the chess piece and rubbed his temples.

What happened to the serious voyage we were supposed to be doing? What happened to our plan to go to the Land of Earth to make strategic moves? How did it turn into a live-action fishing show so soon after we set sail?

He sighed and looked at Zhishui.

Uchiha Shisui still wore a gentle smile, as if he was already used to all of this. He said softly, "Hokage-sama, the importance of balancing work and rest is something you taught me."

...What a great balance between work and rest!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched, but he ultimately waved his hand and said, "Go. Be careful, don't sink the ship."

"Wuhu—"

"Okay!"

Having received permission, Akimichi Torifu instantly transformed into head chef and supervisor, waving his hand dismissively: "Kakashi, Obito, Asuma! You guys, come with me! Rin, and Shiori, get the utensils and seasonings ready!"

Shimura Sota and Sarutobi Nami also excitedly followed. One was skilled in Wind Release for acceleration, and the other was skilled in Water Release for crowd control, making them excellent support.

"Whoosh!"

Take the lead and act first. Instead of jumping into the sea, he directly activated the partial multiplication technique, and his two palms instantly became as big as sails. Then he slammed them onto the sea!

"boom--!!"

Huge splashes of water shot into the sky, as if two depth charges had been dropped.

"roar!!"

Startled by the sudden attack, the enormous sea monster that had been lurking underwater angrily poked its ferocious head out from beneath the surface.

It was a bizarre creature that looked like a giant octopus, but had a crocodile-like head and a mouthful of fangs. Its body was covered with strange, deep blue patterns, and it exuded a violent aura.

"Now! Let's go!"

Akimichi took the wind and roared.

Obito Uchiha shouted excitedly, his hands rapidly forming hand seals: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A huge fireball roared out and crashed into the sea monster.

However, the sea monster simply spewed out a high-pressure jet of water from its mouth, extinguishing the fireball and sending up a large cloud of white steam.

"Hahaha, Obito, do you use your Fire Release techniques to boil water?"

Asuma chuckled as he clenched his fists, wind-style chakra coiling around them, and leaped directly at the sea monster.

"Wind Release: Emerald Mist Gale!"

"Hey! Asuma, you're being too impulsive!"

Kakashi Hatake gave a low shout, but his movements were swift. He drew the short sword from his back, lightning flashing on the blade, and leaped off the ship's side, gliding across the sea several times before giving chase.

On the deck, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his teacup, gently blew on the steam, and took a sip.

Shisui, who was standing beside him, asked, "Hokage-sama, aren't you going to watch the show?"

"This distance is enough."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the three boys fighting the sea monster in the distance, and Akimichi Torifu lying in wait, preparing to use his human tank to deliver a fatal blow to the sea monster, a smile appeared in his eyes. "Heh, you can't see this kind of energy in the office."

"Deer Antlers, you've worked hard again today."