Meeting Hiruzen Again

For the past two weeks, Toneri had kept himself very busy, and his progress had been obvious.

Though it had only been two weeks, the Two-Tails had been helping him in subtle ways, and his body recovered at an astonishing rate.

No matter how exhausting his training was, all he needed was one good night's sleep, and he would be full of energy again the next morning.

So even though his progress was rapid, every night he still had to crawl into bed.

If an ordinary person trained like him, they would be worn out in just a few days. Even the aid of chakra, that miraculous energy, wouldn't help.

As his Taijutsu improved, the technique he had once envied so much...

The ability to move across rooftops so quickly that you couldn't even see the shadow.

Now he could do it too.

His speed on the move had increased dramatically.

Toneri knew no one was watching him while he was in the Nara Clan Compound. But as soon as he left, the Anbu Ninja waiting outside would keep close watch on him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi must have been well aware of Toneri's progress and how much he had changed during this time.

But Toneri had never intended to hide how hard he was training.

There was no point trying to conceal something like that. The more he tried to hide it, the more suspicious he would look. Better to openly show his hard work and talent.

Show his hard work! Show his talent!

If he could make both big shots take notice, then Toneri felt he would finally be secure in Konoha.

But someone interrupted his training plans for the day.

He had just left the Nara Clan Compound when the Anbu, who had been concealed nearby all this time, appeared before him for the first time.

"Toneri, Lord Hokage requests your presence!" A cold voice came from beneath the pale mask.

There was no room for refusal in that icy tone. It was as if the Anbu Ninja would use force if Toneri dared to refuse.

Toneri's expression stiffened for a moment, then he silently nodded.

He had been in Konoha for quite some time. Even from far away, he could see the enormous Kage Rock and the Hokage Office Building in front of it.

But this was Toneri's first time at the Hokage Office Building.

With the Anbu Ninja leading the way, he passed through without hindrance and arrived at the Hokage's office on the top floor.

"Knock, knock—"

After escorting Toneri into the office, the Anbu Ninja disappeared from the doorway.

As for whether Toneri might pose a threat to the Third Hokage?

Don't be ridiculous. The safest place in Konoha was the Hokage's office.

The Shinobi Hero Hiruzen Sarutobi was renowned throughout the Shinobi World.

When Toneri walked in, Hiruzen's eyes lit up. A friendly smile appeared on his face as he casually waved his hand over the Crystal Ball beside his desk, as if nothing had happened.

"Uncle Third!"

As far as Toneri was concerned, there was no harm in calling someone younger than they were.

"You're here, Toneri. How have you been settling in Konoha?" Hiruzen asked with a broad smile.

Seeing Hiruzen grinning from ear to ear, Toneri smiled too and nodded emphatically. "I'm very comfortable here! Aunt Yoshimi's cooking is delicious, and Uncle Shikashin and Shikaku have both been very kind to me. They make me feel like I'm at home!"

Hiruzen's smile widened at Toneri's words.

The more comfortable Toneri felt living in Konoha, and the closer he became to the people there, the more attached he would be to the village.

"I've heard you've been training your Taijutsu lately, and that you're making quite a bit of progress."

Thinking of Toneri's daily training and the results he'd achieved, even Hiruzen had to silently admire him.

Whether Toneri was talented or not was beside the point. Hiruzen had only ever seen one other person work as hard as he did!

And that person was still a Genin.

Anyone who worked hard earned at least a little goodwill.

Still, Toneri's daily progress was so astonishing that even Hiruzen was taken aback.

But when he factored in the Two-Tails within Toneri, it all seemed to make sense.

"Yeah! I never had a chance before because I was always on missions. But last time, Uncle Shikashin gave me a bunch of scrolls and books, and I finally figured out how to get started!" Toneri said excitedly.

Hiruzen suddenly felt that something was off. He was an uncle, and Shikashin was an uncle too. Hadn't that put him a whole generation below Shikashin for no reason?

He pushed the strange thought aside.

"You've been working hard, Toneri. That's good! I've been terribly busy lately, but things should be settled soon. I'll have someone arrange your enrollment at the Ninja Academy in the next few days."

Hiruzen really had been very busy lately.

Though the Land of Rain had allied with Konoha, and the Sand Ninja and Iwa Ninja were gradually withdrawing from the Land of Rain, there was still the battlefield to clean up, losses and gains to tally, and negotiations with three countries over how to divide the spoils. It all took a great deal of time and effort.

But Toneri didn't believe for a second that Hiruzen hadn't had time to arrange his enrollment.

He'd clearly just wanted to keep Toneri under observation for a while and see if he truly wanted to become part of Konoha.

Now that the assessment was nearly over, he could finally let Toneri report to the Ninja Academy.

"Really?"

Toneri's eyes sparkled, and the little stars in them were genuine.

After all, if he didn't go to school, Shikaku would be his only tool. But if he went, the entire school would become his tool!

How else was he supposed to quickly get Kakashi's chakra, money worth as much as Asuma, and the strength of a Shikaku?

Just thinking about it made him a little excited.

Hiruzen nodded, then suddenly asked, "Toneri, why do you want to become stronger? And why do you want to learn ninjutsu?"

Here it comes!

If he answered this question badly, all the effort he'd put in so far might go to waste!

Fortunately, Toneri had prepared his answer in advance.

"Get stronger... Of course it's so I can survive, have enough to eat, and make sure the people around me have enough to eat too!

"My ultimate dream is to open a Cat Cafe in Konoha and live a peaceful life!"

Toneri meant every word. His earnestness was so convincing that even he believed himself.

He was speaking from the heart. What was wrong with wanting to keep a low profile and stay safe?

If he could, he hoped never to leave Konoha for the rest of his life. He'd already picked out the spot for his Cat Cafe: right next to Ichiraku Ramen!

Then, no matter what Orochimaru, Pain, or the Otsutsuki threw at him, what would he have to fear with Otsutsuki Ichiraku on his side?

Hiruzen was taken aback. A moment later, his expression turned complicated.

All he wanted was enough to eat?

He remembered Toneri the first time he'd seen him: sallow, gaunt, and painfully thin.

For some reason, Hiruzen suddenly felt that treating a child of only eight or nine like a crafty old fox had been rather cruel.

Whatever the case, Toneri had ended up the way he was largely because of Konoha.

He was only trying to survive in this chaotic world. Wasn't it natural for him to be a little clever and resourceful?

How could a child survive alone in a chaotic world without being smart?

He had been forced to become this way.

Just listen to what he wanted out of life.

All he wanted was to open a Cat Cafe in Konoha and have enough to eat.

How simple and unpretentious!

A sense of guilt welled up inside Hiruzen. Something soft in his heart was suddenly deeply touched.

As people got older, they grew more sentimental.

Still, he only sighed for a moment and adjusted his opinion of Toneri a little. He hadn't forgotten who he was.

As Hokage, there were things he couldn't decide based on his own wishes alone. He had to consider Konoha's interests.

And Toneri, the current Two-Tails Jinchuriki, was a source of instability. So Hiruzen had to be cautious—very cautious.

"That's a fine dream!" Hiruzen praised him before continuing, "Toneri, did you read the section on the 'Will of Fire' in the materials Shikashin gave you?

"What do you think of the Will of Fire?"

This was like asking an elementary school student what they thought of Marxism-Leninism.

That was way over his head!

Yesterday, someone maliciously boosted Jin Mu's follower count. He was furious but helpless, and he couldn't sleep all night.

It just goes to show how cruel society can be. Even writing novels is fiercely competitive. Take good care of yourselves out there, everyone. Jin Mu will keep working hard and writing. Thank you to everyone in the readers' group who supported him yesterday! And finally, please vote for the story.

Jin Mu was at the hospital this morning, so he'll save his thank-you notes for tonight. Thank you all for your support!