Third Hokage's Self-Doubt

Konohagakure, Hokage Office Building.

It was already close to evening, the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the streets, and orange light filled the road, guiding every villager on their way home.

At the entrance to the Hokage's lounge, Kakashi stood guard in his mask, his gaze occasionally drifting towards a graceful figure on the other side.

It was a subordinate who followed Lady Tsunade. She wore a white half-mask that covered her eyes and nose, obscuring her features, and her short brown hair was inexplicably familiar.

However, the cold aura emanating from her, warning others to keep their distance, shut out any prying eyes.

"Anbu! Do your job!"

The icy voice completely extinguished Kakashi's last flicker of hope and brought him back to his senses.

But beneath his mask, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl into a wry smile.

What exactly am I expecting...

Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's lounge.

"So, you're finally willing to come back?"

The Third Hokage extinguished his pipe with a headache. The old man's face looked haggard; it was clear that Orochimaru's defection had taken a heavy toll on him.

Tsunade, on the other hand, stood by the wall, critiquing the calligraphy of the past Hokage.

"Stop eyeing them."

The Third Hokage's helpless voice came from behind her.

"You've already sold off my calligraphy, making it worthless."

The old man complained, and the hunger gnawing at his stomach made his expression even more bitter.

Were his three disciples sent by the Sage of Six Paths to punish him? Not a single one of them was ever easy!

"It's your own skill that's declined, isn't it? How can you blame me?"

Tsunade finally spoke. But despite her complaints, she had still selected several pieces she was satisfied with.

"Besides, it's better to let them serve their remaining value than to let them gather dust in a corner."

"Sigh..."

The Third Hokage didn't even want to bother with her anymore. Every time she returned, she'd take something from him. What kind of ninja was she?

"Are you leaving again after this visit?"

Orochimaru's defection made him worried about the village's current situation. If Tsunade were willing to return and accept some official duties, it could help lift the village's morale, which had been hit hard.

"You know, old man."

Tsunade expertly packed her things, her tone as casual as if they were having a normal chat between master and disciple. "You know better than anyone what my current status means to the village. If I stay in the village, it will undoubtedly cause greater conflict."

"Sigh!"

The Third Hokage sighed again, his headache worsening.

Back then, when he realized the relationship between Tsunade and Liu Yun, why hadn't he considered the troublesome consequences?

It was common for someone from an outside clan to marry into a prominent clan like the Uchiha. But if it was someone from the Senju Clan marrying into the Uchiha, and furthermore, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the situation was entirely different...

But thankfully, they had Qing Xuan.

Speaking of which, the Third Hokage couldn't help but recall Qing Xuan's first reaction when he heard he was going to take him as a disciple.

If I become your disciple, will Uncle Nawaki have to call me Junior Uncle?

More than that! Your mother would have to call you junior disciple...

His head hurt even more.

Thinking of these messy titles, the Third Hokage increasingly doubted if his impulsive decision back then had been a bit too hasty.

"Tsunade..."

The old man sighed, looking at his disciple who was still packing her things, and tentatively said, "I've recently taken on another disciple."

"Eh?"

Tsunade looked up, her gaze filled with doubt. "You're still in the mood for that at your age? Don't mislead the youth, old man."

"Uchiha Qing Xuan."

"What?"

"I said my new disciple is Uchiha Qing Xuan!"

"Bang!"

The sound of a package hitting the floor echoed. Tsunade looked at the Third Hokage, her expression suddenly serious. "What are you planning now?"

That stung a little. The Third Hokage's heart ached, and his voice rose in anger.

"Why would I have an agenda? Tsunade! Is that how you see me?"

"Then why are you taking disciples for no reason? And he's an Uchiha, he's my son! He's still young, are you trying to drag him into the vortex of power?"

Others might have been respectful towards the Third Hokage, but Tsunade wouldn't be. It wasn't in her nature. Besides Liu Yun and her creditors, her attitude towards everyone in the village was consistently terrible.

The Third Hokage didn't bother arguing. If he had, he would have died of anger long ago. He simply explained calmly, "Don't you think he's very suitable to be Hokage?"

Faced with the Third Hokage's unusually serious expression, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.

You're saying a child is suitable to be Hokage?

The old man's brain must be malfunctioning from old age.

"Instead of considering that, you should focus on choosing the successor for the Fifth Hokage!"

She took his words as a joke and advised, "Old man, you've been Hokage long enough. It's time to start thinking about it."

As it turned out, her suggestion only fanned the flames of the Third Hokage's anger.

Do you think I don't want to?

Do you think I've poured all my effort into training you for nothing?

The result? They gained the title of Sannin, but not a single one was capable of taking on important responsibilities!

One defected, another went into hiding, and the most infuriating was Jiraiya! At least the others had reasons, but this guy used searching for inspiration as an excuse to fool around everywhere.

Is that how you call writing? I can't even be bothered to expose you!

"Since you're back in the village, Jiraiya should be back too, right?"

"Jiraiya? What does he have to do with me? That irresponsible, lazy bum is a disgrace to the Sannin."

Hearing Tsunade's reply, the Third Hokage almost laughed out of anger.

How dare you call others disgraceful? You have the nerve to say that when people are chasing you for debts all the way to the Hokage's office? Do you feel no guilt at all?

What kind of disciples did I take in back then?

The Third Hokage was truly resigned. Thinking about the reputation of his three disciples in the ninja world, he increasingly appreciated Qing Xuan.

This only strengthened his conviction that this decision was the right one. Even if that child was an Uchiha, it didn't matter as long as he was outstanding!

With this thought, he finally made up his mind to train Qing Xuan well!

When he grew up, not only would the village have an excellent Hokage, but the conflict between the village and the Uchiha clan would also be resolved!

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go! I'm going home to eat."

After figuring things out, the Third Hokage felt completely enlightened and immediately wanted to send her away.

However, the disciple before him made no move.

"Old man, can I..."

"No loans!"