Reunion with Hiruzen

Chapter 27: Reunion with Hiruzen [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

The past two weeks had been incredibly fulfilling for Toneri, and his progress was undeniable.

Even though it had only been two weeks, with the Two-Tails' unseen help and his body's incredible recovery ability.

No matter how exhausting his training was, he could wake up the next morning feeling completely revitalized after just one night's sleep.

So, despite his rapid progress, he still crawled into bed every night.

Anyone else training like this would have burned out in a few days, even with the aid of a miraculous energy like Chakra.

As his Taijutsu improved, what had once been incredibly difficult for Toneri...

The shadow techniques were invisible when moving quickly across rooftops.

He could now do that as well.

His travel speed had increased significantly.

Within the Nara Clan compound, Toneri knew he wasn't being monitored. But the moment he left, the Anbu Ninja waiting outside would shadow his every move.

Hiruzen Sarutobi must have been well aware of his changes and progress during this time.

However, Toneri had no intention of hiding his diligent training.

Such things couldn't be hidden. The more you tried to conceal them, the more suspicious you'd become. It was better to openly display his hard work and talent.

Show his effort! Show his talent!

If he could catch the eye of both elders, Toneri felt he'd be truly secure in Konoha.

But his training plan for today was interrupted.

Just as he left the Nara Clan compound, the Anbu who had been lurking in the shadows appeared before him for the first time.

"Toneri, the Hokage requests your presence!" a cold voice emanated from beneath the pale mask.

The icy tone left no room for doubt, as if he would resort to force if Toneri dared to refuse.

Toneri's expression froze for a brief moment before he nodded silently.

Having been in Konoha for so long, he could see the massive, majestic Hokage Rock from afar, as well as the Hokage Office Building in front of it.

However, this was Toneri's first time visiting the Hokage Office Building.

Led by the Anbu Ninja, he proceeded unimpeded to the top floor, where the Hokage's office was located.

"Knock, knock—"

After escorting Toneri into the office, the Anbu Ninja vanished outside the door.

As for whether Toneri posed a threat to the Third Hokage?

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

The reputation of the Shinobi Hero, Hiruzen Sarutobi, echoed throughout the entire Shinobi World.

Seeing Toneri enter from the doorway, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. A seemingly friendly smile appeared on his face. He casually waved his hand over the Crystal Ball on his desk as if nothing had happened.

"Uncle Third Hokage!"

When it came to how to address him, Toneri thought that calling someone younger than they appeared could never hurt.

"Toneri, you're here. How have you been settling in Konoha these past few days?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was beaming, Toneri also put on a smile and nodded vigorously. "I'm used to it, very used to it! Aunt Yoshimi's cooking is especially delicious, and Uncle Shikashin and Shikaku have been very good to me. It makes me feel like I have a home!"

Hearing Toneri's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile widened.

The more comfortable Toneri felt living in Konoha, and the closer his relationships with others, the stronger his loyalty to Konoha would be.

"I heard you've been training your Taijutsu recently? And it seems to be quite effective."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about Toneri's daily training regimen and the results, and even he had to nod in admiration.

Whether he had talent or not was another matter, but the level of effort Toneri put in was the second highest he had ever witnessed in his life!

The first was currently a Genin.

He generally felt a certain affinity for those who worked hard.

Although Toneri's daily progress was indeed somewhat exaggerated, even he was astonished.

But considering the Two-Tails within Toneri, it all made sense.

"Yes! I didn't have the chance before because I had to go on missions, but last time Uncle Shikashin gave me many scrolls and books, which helped me find a way to get started!" Toneri said excitedly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt something was slightly off. He was an uncle, and Shikashin was also an uncle. Wasn't he being placed a generation below for no reason?

Suppressing the strange thought.

"Toneri, you are very diligent, and that's excellent! I've been too busy lately, but it won't be long now. I'll have someone handle your enrollment procedures for the Ninja Academy in the next few days."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had indeed been extremely busy lately.

Although the Land of Rain and Konoha had formed an alliance, and the Sand Ninja and Iwa Ninja had gradually withdrawn from the Land of Rain, cleaning up the battlefield, tallying losses, and haggling with the three countries over the division of interests was also a very time-consuming and mentally taxing affair.

However, Toneri refused to believe that he didn't have time to handle his enrollment.

He was clearly monitoring me for a while to see if I was truly willing to integrate into Konoha.

Now that the assessment was almost complete, he could let me report to the Ninja Academy.

"Really?"

However, Toneri's eyes twinkled, and the little stars in them were not fake.

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

Otherwise, how could he quickly obtain Kakashi's amount of Chakra, Asuma's worth of money, and Shikaku's strength?

He felt a little excited just thinking about it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then suddenly asked, "Toneri, why do you want to become stronger so badly? And why do you want to learn Ninjutsu?"

Here it comes!

If he answered this question poorly, all his previous efforts would probably go down the drain!

Fortunately, Toneri had prepared in advance.

"To become stronger... of course, it's to survive, to have enough to eat, and to ensure everyone around me has enough to eat!

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

What Toneri was saying now was very cautious, and even he himself truly believed his sincere words.

He was being cautious anyway, so was there anything wrong with pursuing stability?

If possible, he hoped to never leave Konoha in his life. He had even thought of the location for his Cat Cafe – right next to Ichiraku Ramen!

At that time, who cared about Orochimaru, Pain, or Otsutsuki? With Otsutsuki Ichiraku, what was there to fear!

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned, and then his expression became somewhat complicated.

He just wanted enough to eat?

He remembered the first time he saw Toneri, so sallow and emaciated.

For some reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt that treating a child of only eight or nine years old with the same attitude he used for an old fox was rather cruel.

Regardless, Toneri's current situation was largely due to their Konoha.

Since he had to survive in this chaotic world, wasn't it natural for him to be a little smarter and more resourceful?

If he wasn't smart, how could a child survive alone in a chaotic world?

These were all forced out of him.

Listen to what his lifelong goal was?

He just wanted to open a Cat Cafe in Konoha so he could have enough to eat.

It was that simple and unpretentious!

A sense of guilt washed over him. Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart suddenly felt a soft spot being deeply touched.

As people get older, they tend to become more sentimental.

However, he only sighed slightly and changed his perception of Toneri a little, but he did not forget his own identity.

As the Hokage of Konoha, some things could not be decided solely by his own will; he needed to think from Konoha's perspective.

And the current Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Toneri, was a source of instability, so he needed to be extremely careful.

"A very good ideal!" Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him first, then continued, "So, Toneri, in the information Shikashin gave you, did you read about the 'Will of Fire'?

What are your thoughts on the Will of Fire?"

This was equivalent to asking a primary school student, "What are your thoughts on Marxism-Leninism?"

It was way beyond the scope!

Yesterday, Jin Mu's collection was maliciously spammed, and I felt very angry but also helpless. I didn't sleep well all night.

Facts tell us that society is cruel, and even writing novels is a cruel competition. Everyone should protect themselves when they are out. Jin Mu will continue to work hard and write diligently. Thank you to the book friends in the book friend group for their support yesterday! Finally, I ask for recommendation votes.

This morning, Jin Mu is at the hospital, so the reward thank you will be postponed until tonight. Thank you all for your support!