The Third Hokage's Self-Doubt

Konoha, Hokage Building.

It was already nearing dusk. The setting sun cast its afterglow over the streets, bathing the roads in orange light and guiding every villager home.

At the entrance to the Hokage's lounge, Kakashi stood at his post in his mask. Every now and then, though, his gaze drifted toward the slender figure on the other side.

She was one of Lord Tsunade's subordinates. A half-mask covered her eyes and nose, making her face hard to see, while her short brown hair stirred a strange sense of familiarity.

But the cold, unapproachable air she gave off discouraged anyone from trying to learn more.

"Anbu! Focus on your job!"

The icy voice crushed the last of Kakashi's hopes and snapped him back to attention.

Yet beneath his mask, the corner of his mouth curled into a wry smile.

What was I even hoping for...

Inside the Hokage's lounge,

"So you finally decided to come back?"

The Third Hokage snuffed out his pipe with a weary sigh. He looked haggard, and it was clear Orochimaru's defection had taken a heavy toll on him.

Tsunade stood by the wall, admiring the various calligraphy pieces left behind by past Hokage and passing judgment on them.

"Stop eyeing those."

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

"You've already made my calligraphy worthless by selling so much of it."

The old man grumbled, while hunger gnawing at his stomach made his expression even more bitter.

Had the Sage of Six Paths sent his three students to punish him? Not one of them ever gave him a moment's peace!

"Your work's just gotten worse, hasn't it? How is that my fault?"

Tsunade finally spoke. Grumbling aside, she had already picked out several pieces she liked.

"Besides, instead of letting them gather dust in a corner, I'm putting their remaining value to use."

"Sigh..."

The Third Hokage didn't even want to argue with her anymore. Every time she came back, she helped herself to his things. What kind of ninja did that?

"Are you staying this time?"

Orochimaru's defection had left him worried about the situation facing the village. If Tsunade was willing to return and accept some official duties, she could help restore the village's morale after the blow it had suffered.

"You know how it is, old man."

Tsunade neatly packed up a pile of things, speaking casually, as though they were simply chatting. "You understand better than anyone what my presence means to the village. If I stay here, it'll only create more conflict."

"Sigh!"

The Third Hokage sighed again, his head aching even more.

After realizing the relationship between Tsunade and Liu Yun, how had he not foreseen what a mess it would cause?

It was common enough for someone from another clan to marry into the powerful Uchiha. But if the one marrying into the Uchiha was from the Senju Clan—and the granddaughter of the First Hokage, no less—that changed everything...

Still, at least they'd had Qing Xuan.

Thinking of that, the Third Hokage recalled the boy's first reaction when he'd heard that he was going to take him on as a student.

If I become your student, does that mean Uncle Nawaki will have to call me junior granduncle?

That wasn't all! Even your mother would have to call you her junior fellow student...

His head hurt even more.

Remembering those tangled titles, the Third Hokage began to wonder whether he'd been a little too impulsive when he'd first gotten the idea.

"Tsunade..."

The old man sighed. Watching his student continue packing up his things, he ventured, "I recently took on another student."

"Oh?"

Tsunade raised her head, suspicion creeping into her gaze. "You're still in the mood for that at your age? Don't lead the poor kid astray, old man."

"Uchiha Qing Xuan."

"What?"

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

"Thud!"

The bundle hit the floor. Tsunade stared at the Third Hokage, her expression suddenly serious. "What are you plotting now?"

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

"Why would I be plotting anything? Tsunade! Is that really what you think of me?"

"Then why take on a student out of nowhere? And an Uchiha, at that. He's my son! He's still young, and you want to drag him into the whirlpool of politics?"

Other people treated the Third Hokage with respect. Tsunade didn't, nor was that in her nature. Aside from Liu Yun and her creditors, she treated everyone in the village with disdain.

The Third Hokage didn't hold it against her. If he had, he'd have died of anger long ago. He simply explained, "Don't you think he'd make a good Hokage?"

Faced with the Third Hokage's unusually serious expression, Tsunade laughed.

He thought a child would make a good Hokage?

The old man really was getting on in years. Now he was losing his mind, too.

"Instead of worrying about that, you should think carefully about who'll succeed you as the Fifth Hokage!"

She took it as a joke and tried to advise him, too. "Old man, you've been Hokage long enough. It's time you started thinking about stepping down."

But that only made the anger in the Third Hokage's heart flare up.

You think I don't want to?

What do you think I've been raising you all for, giving it everything I've got?

And what did I get for it? You made a name for yourselves as the Sannin, but not one of you was fit to shoulder the responsibility!

One defected, another hid away to avoid the limelight, and the most infuriating was Jiraiya! At least the others had an excuse. That guy used "going out to find material" as a pretext to gallivant around.

You call that serious writing? I can't even be bothered to call you out on it!

"Now that you're back in the village, I suppose Jiraiya should be back soon, too?"

"Jiraiya? What does he have to do with me? That irresponsible, lazy good-for-nothing is an embarrassment to the Sannin."

Listening to Tsunade, the Third Hokage nearly laughed in frustration.

You've got a nerve calling someone else an embarrassment! You've had your creditors chase you all the way to the Hokage's office. Don't you feel even a little guilty?

What in the world had he taken on as students back then?

The Third Hokage was at a loss. Thinking about his three students' reputations across the ninja world, he became even more aware of how good Qing Xuan was.

That only strengthened his conviction that he'd made the right decision. So what if the boy was an Uchiha? If he was talented enough, what did it matter?

As he thought it over, he finally made up his mind: he would make sure to raise Qing Xuan well!

When the boy grew up, the village would gain an excellent Hokage, and the conflict between the village and the Uchiha would be resolved as well!

"Enough. If that's all, you can go. I'm heading home for dinner."

Having sorted things out in his mind, the Third Hokage felt as though everything had become clear. He immediately started ushering her out.

But the student in front of him didn't move.

"Old man, could you..."

"No!"