After coming out of the bathroom, Mo Chen sent the four women away. He didn't let any of them stay.
His decision proved to be the right one. The women even held a little meeting in the Chat Group, agreeing that from then on, they absolutely couldn't lose their composure like that in front of Mo Chen.
Mo Chen only glanced at it and didn't pay much attention.
After all, he was the one in control. If they wanted the benefits, they had to make sure he was happy.
The moment Mo Chen was even slightly displeased, he'd coldly send them away.
After a few times, they'd learn their lesson.
Then it would become second nature, and the days of love triangles would be over, starting with Konoha's Four Flowers.
"Mo Chen, how are you feeling?"
A little while later, the Third Hokage came to visit him, looking concerned.
Mo Chen tried to get up and pay his respects, but the Third Hokage pressed him back down.
After confirming that Mo Chen was unharmed, the Third Hokage sighed. "I'm sorry. This was my oversight. I'd already classified your abilities as top secret, but I never expected the information to leak anyway."
"The people who ambushed you this time were after your Wood Release. But don't worry. They won't come after you again. I've already issued them a stern warning."
Mo Chen inwardly rolled his eyes. Just from what the Third Hokage had said, he could more or less tell that the Third Hokage had probably gone easy on Danzo again—no, wait, he'd treated him leniently, making a big show of raising his hand only to bring it down gently.
Mo Chen disliked this old man who always tried to smooth things over, just like countless other netizens. Every time he had to humor him, it made his stomach turn.
Luckily, he wouldn't live much longer. Mo Chen absolutely wasn't going to save him.
Just then, the Third Hokage continued, "The village needs stability. When it comes to certain veteran heroes, even I can't punish them as I please, despite being Hokage."
"You really did suffer this time, so I've prepared a few things to compensate you. I hope you won't hold a grudge over what happened."
Mo Chen hurriedly replied, "You're too kind, Third Lord. You really don't have to do this. You've already treated me well enough. I respect you deeply, and I'd never think otherwise!"
The Third Hokage broke into a pleased smile and waved a hand. "You deserve this, so don't refuse."
With that, he pulled a document from inside his robe and handed it to Mo Chen. "This is the deed to a property in the center of the village. As your standing in Konoha has risen, the place you were living in before has started to look a little shabby."
"I'd already been thinking of improving your living conditions before long. This is the perfect opportunity to give it to you now."
"I've had all the furniture in the house replaced. Once you're discharged, you can move right in."
Mo Chen took it and looked. It was unmistakably a property deed.
Mo Chen put on a look of shock and said, "How could I accept this? Third Lord, this is far too valuable. And I haven't done anything to deserve it. I'd feel guilty accepting it!"
"No!" the Third Hokage said firmly. "As I just said, you deserve this. Your abilities are extremely valuable to Konoha, and we'll need your help many times in the future. You can think of this as an advance on the benefits you'll earn."
Mo Chen refused several times, but at the Third Hokage's insistence, he finally accepted the deed "reluctantly."
"I'll never be able to repay you for recognizing my worth, Third Lord!" Mo Chen looked utterly won over, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "From now on, whenever you give the word, I'll go through fire and water to repay your kindness."
"That's enough, that's enough. I only hope that everyone in the village is doing well. That's what makes me happiest, haha!" The Third Hokage couldn't help but laugh heartily.
He said a few more words to show his concern, then turned to leave.
Before he left, the Third Hokage told Mo Chen to get some proper rest and report on his mission to Kusagakure once he had recovered.
Might Guy's Team had already returned to Konoha and told the Third Hokage what they'd seen and heard about Kusagakure.
The Third Hokage already knew the general situation there. He knew Kusagakure was struggling to deal with its own problems and might not have the time to attend the Chunin Ninja Exams in Konoha, so he wasn't in a hurry to question Mo Chen.
But how could he have known that Kusagakure was so overwhelmed that it had nearly moved its entire population to Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams?
After the Third Hokage left, Mo Chen had no desire to stay in the hospital any longer.
He wasn't sick or injured to begin with. Lying here and pretending for a few hours was more than enough.
A hospital was the kind of place best avoided whenever possible.
Of course, he'd never admit that he was simply eager to see his new home.
The deed showed that the house the Third Hokage had given him wasn't just in a prime location; it was huge, spanning more than a thousand square meters.
Before he'd crossed over, Mo Chen had been an ordinary working-class guy, living in a tiny rental he shared with three other people.
A mansion spanning over a thousand square meters? He wouldn't even have dared to dream of it!
Sure, with his talent and strength now, milk and bread were only a matter of time—but building up to that would still take time.
If he could have it all now, why not?
Mo Chen quickly completed the discharge procedures and hurried to the address on the deed.
Sure enough, it was a huge estate, right beside the shopping district, not far from the Hokage's office building and close to the Ninja Academy.
From the outside, three-meter-high walls of blue brick surrounded the entire estate.
He could just make out a number of cherry trees inside, with a three-story main building at the center.
The entrance gate was made of sturdy redwood, its finely carved patterns lending it a stately elegance.
Two stone lions stood on either side of the gate, solemnly guarding the estate.
Mo Chen stood in front of the gate and looked up at its towering height, his heart pounding with excitement.
Holy crap, this is really mine?
Mo Chen checked the deed several more times, then pushed the gate open, barely able to contain his excitement.
A stone path led in from the entrance, with rows of cherry trees on either side.
Farther in was a large open space, bordered by flower beds.
But it looked like no one had tended to them for a long time, and there was nothing but weeds in the flower beds.
The open space led to three successive courtyards. In the central courtyard, besides the three-story main building, there was also a single-story building with five rooms, which contained a martial arts hall spanning over a hundred square meters.
The courtyards on either side were laid out much the same way, each with a three-bedroom, two-living-room house and its own yard.
After a quick look around, Mo Chen was so excited he danced with joy.
It was huge, luxurious, and almost too good to be true.
The Third Hokage had really given him an estate like this?
Even if it was meant to placate him and win his loyalty, wasn't this far more than he deserved?
A place like this wasn't suitable for just one person. It could house a large family—or even a small clan.
Could the Third Hokage be hoping he'd build a clan all by himself?
Hmm! That's not a bad idea. For once, the Third Hokage and I are on the same page!
Mo Chen couldn't be bothered to spend much time figuring out the Third Hokage's intentions. Soon, he made his way into the main building.
The hall was spacious and bright. A huge redwood dining table stood in the center, large enough for more than ten people to eat together.
A beautiful crystal chandelier hung above the table, casting a soft glow.
Several exquisite paintings of Konoha's scenery hung on the surrounding walls.
One of them caught Mo Chen's eye. It depicted a black-haired man with long, straight hair, wearing a Hokage Robe and holding a Hokage hat. He stood among the cherry trees, smiling as he gazed into the distance.
"Hashirama?" Mo Chen was taken aback.
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