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

The leader was a middle-aged man with a scar on his face and a resolute expression.

The people behind him, all dressed in Konoha ninja uniforms, looked at him with complicated expressions.

"team leader……"

Uchiha Ran's lips moved, uttering a syllable so faint it was almost inaudible.

The man he called captain suddenly jolted.

He walked step by step to Lan, looking at this team member who had once faced dozens of Iwagakure members alone to cover their escape and ultimately "died" in battle.

The man said nothing, but simply raised his hand and pressed it heavily on Lan's shoulder.

Another team member silently took out a rice ball that was still warm from his body and put it into Lan's cold hand.

"...Welcome back, Lan."

Scalding liquid burst forth from those empty eyes without warning.

Uchiha Ran clutched the warm rice ball as if it were her last lifeline, curling up and letting out a long-suppressed whimper, like that of a young animal.

The hustle and bustle of the banquet faded away, like a beach after the tide receded, leaving only a warm afterglow and a faint aroma of food.

Fugaku Uchiha bowed and left, his back straight, his steps carrying an unprecedented sense of steadiness. Minato Namikaze, holding Naruto, chuckled softly with Kushina as they also disappeared around the street corner.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant, watching the last group of customers leave. Akimichi Torifu was directing his clansmen to clean up the mess, his face showing no sign of fatigue, but rather a satisfied glow.

"Lord Hokage, would you like some more late-night snacks?"

Qu Feng held up a piece of freshly grilled meat and greeted them warmly.

Hiruzen smiled, waved his hand, and turned to walk towards home.

The streets were deserted, except for the newly installed chakra lampposts, which cast a soft, orange glow in the dead of night, stretching his shadow long.

He pushed open the door, and the leaves of the old locust tree in the yard rustled in the night wind.

Inside, the lights were on.

"I'm back."

She looked up, her eyes gentle.

"Um."

Hiruzen responded, took off his Hokage robe and casually draped it over the screen, leaving him in only an ordinary black casual outfit.

He walked to the door of his son Asma's room and quietly pushed it open a crack.

Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on the boy's face.

Asma was fast asleep, a slight smile still lingering on her lips.

Hiruzen stood at the door for a long time until Biwako came over and draped an overcoat over his shoulders from behind.

"Squeak—"

Without warning, the courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside.

Danzo Shimura's scarred face appeared in the doorway. He was still wearing his work clothes, which were smeared with mud, and he was holding a huge scroll in his hand. His eyes were shining with an almost fanatical light.

"Hiruzen, I have a brilliant idea!"

Biwako shook her head helplessly and turned to prepare tea.

Hiruzen rubbed his forehead; he knew that his leisure time was always so short.

"Danzo, it is now 9 PM."

"I know, but when inspiration strikes, you can't stop it!"

Danzo pointed at the blueprints, spittle flying from his lips, "Look, this is my plan for the 'Konoha Family Center Plaza'! We can build an all-weather indoor beach here! Next to it, we'll build a water-circulating lazy river, heated by Orochimaru's temperature-controlled barrier! And this, a slide!"

Looking at the man in front of him who couldn't wait to start working tonight, Hiruzen waved his hand.

"Leave the blueprints. Come to the office tomorrow for a meeting with Qu Feng and Lu Jiao to discuss them."

"good!"

Danzo neatly packed up the blueprints, turned around and left without any hesitation, as if staying even a second longer would delay his bricklaying tomorrow.

Hiruzen Sarutobi only let out a long breath after Danzo's figure disappeared into the night.

He turned around and saw Biwako standing quietly behind him, holding a cup of tea.

"Thanks for your hard work."

She said softly.

Hiruzen took the teacup, feeling the warmth emanating from his palm.

Yes, it must have been tough.

But looking at the tranquil yet bustling village outside the courtyard, illuminated by lights, all the hard work seemed insignificant.