"Hiruzen, where have you been in the past few years?"
In the Sarutobi Clan's clan, Biwako Sarutobi looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of him, his face looking particularly excited.
She is the wife of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi was announced missing, she used all the power of the Sarutobi Clan to try to find Hiruzen Sarutobi's whereabouts, but unfortunately she was unsuccessful in the end.
In the following years, although she never gave up searching, like many people in the Sarutobi Clan, she also regarded the disappearance of Hiruzen Sarutobi as a death in battle.
After all, this kind of thing is normal.
A lot of ninjas disappeared during the war. Most of them were actually killed in the war, but their bodies were not found. There were also a few who chose to rebel and became rebel ninjas.
With the identity of Hiruzen Sarutobi, it is naturally impossible for him to rebel. If he has not returned for three years, it is obvious that he can only die in battle.
Biwako Sarutobi had already prepared herself mentally, but she never thought that just when she had accepted her fate, Hiruzen Sarutobi would come back.
This made her feel particularly excited.
"Sorry, it's my fault.
,, Facing his wife whom he hadn't seen for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed a rare trace of apology.
The three-year disappearance was just a momentary event for him, as if he had had a long dream.
But for others, these three-plus years have been the real deal.
This also made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel particularly guilty when facing his wife and children.
After calming his wife's emotions, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to ask about the movements of his children.
He has several children, the eldest of whom is now an adult and a qualified ninja, and he happens to be on a mission outside.
The second son Asuma Sarutobi happens to be still at home because he is still young, and is already a little boy now.
He looked at his father in front of him, feeling a little unfamiliar. It took him a while to confirm the identity of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After reminiscing with his wife and children, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally noticed the scene around him.
He had been away for three years, and his family seemed to have undergone tremendous changes.
The houses in front of me have become much more refined. Although they don't have the luxurious feeling of the nouveau riche, many changes can still be seen in many details.
"It's all thanks to Ji."
Biwako explained, "In the past few years since you disappeared, he has been looking for various reasons to subsidize the clan, including taking care of us."
"In the three years since you disappeared, your family's savings have doubled many times."
She took out a passbook, which recorded Hiruzen Sarutobi's family savings.
Hiruzen Sarutobi just stretched out his hand and took a look, and immediately became shocked.
This is not just a multiple of several times, but an increase of more than ten times.
Before his disappearance, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Elite Jonin of Konoha, and was also the best candidate for the next generation of Hokage.
His income is naturally not low, and coupled with his background of the Sarutobi Clan, his savings are quite good.
But even with such a huge savings, it can be doubled more than ten times in just three years, which shows how terrifying it is.
"This is only part of it."
Biwako explained, "In addition to these savings, we now have many shops and properties, and we get a lot of rental income every month."
"In fact, before you come back, I am still considering whether to send Asuma to the Ninja Academy."
She looked at Asuma Sarutobi, who was still a little boy in front of her, with a soft look in her eyes. "Being a ninja is good, but it is too dangerous after all, and you may be killed at any time."
"With our current industry, even if this child does not become a ninja in the future, I believe he will be able to live a good life."
"Absurd!"
Listening to Biwako's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously retorted, "If everyone thinks like this, who will be willing to become a ninja in the future? After our generation passes away, who will protect Konoha in the future!"
"We already have several kids who are ninjas."
Biwako sighed, "In that case, what's wrong with leaving a child and letting him spend his life peacefully?"
"As for the ninjas within Konoha, now with the spread of the Ninja Academy, many Commoner Ninja appear every year and join Konoha."
"Konoha does not lack a ninja like Asuma."
After all, men and women think differently.
Hiruzen Sarutobi holds the entire Konoha in his heart, and is considering the future of the entire Konoha.
But in Biwako's opinion, Konoha's future will come from other ninjas to protect it.
Konoha has never lacked outstanding ninjas, and it has become even more so since Namikawa Yū launched Ninja Academy's education system.
Since the family already has enough conditions, even if he is not a ninja in the future, he can live a prosperous life, then why should his children go to the battlefield?
Going to the battlefield and either killing other people's children or being killed by other people's children, this kind of thing is too cruel after all.
Biwako himself is an outstanding ninja and knows everything about it. Naturally, he does not want his children to experience this.
"This idea of yours is dangerous."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his wife and let out a long sigh.
He felt in his heart that there was something wrong with Biwako's statement, but he couldn't tell what the specific problem was.
But he felt that no matter how wealthy Konoha became, this place would always need the protection of powerful ninjas.
Even because Konoha is now wealthy, this place will be coveted by more people in the future, and it will need someone to protect it.
If everyone is like Biwako and doesn't want their children to become ninjas, then what will Konoha look like in the future?
Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't dare to think about that situation at the moment.
He decided to hand this issue over to Namikawa Yū for consideration.
After all, in terms of identity, Namikawa Yū is the Hokage at this moment.
He is just an ordinary Konoha Ninja.
Not long after returning home, Clan Head from the Sarutobi Clan also came.
According to the relationship, Clan Head and Hiruzen Sarutobi of the Sarutobi Clan are relatives, and their relationship is very close.
"Hiruzen, it's great to have you back this time."
Sarutobi Clan Head's face was filled with joy. "We need you now."
After Namikawa Yū came to power, Sarutobi Clan, as one of his supporters, also received courtesy.
Today, Sarutobi Clan is involved in various industries and is developing very well.
Only in terms of key powers, Sarutobi Clan is still far behind.
Because Sarutobi Clan has no other characters who can support the situation.
Except for Hiruzen Sarutobi, even Clan Head from the Sarutobi Clan has limited strength and ability, and does not meet Namikawa Yū's employment standards.
Therefore, in the past few years, although Sarutobi Clan has gained a lot of benefits and its wealth has greatly increased, it has not gained much key power.
But now the return of Hiruzen Sarutobi will change everything.
Due to his relationship with Namikawa Yū, he will definitely ascend to the top position of Konoha after his return.
By that time, Sarutobi Clan will inevitably go one step further and become a truly wealthy family within Konoha.
Even though it is not comparable to Uchiha and Senju, it is still much better than other ninjas.
Hearing Sarutobi Clan Head's intention, Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of him sighed silently.
That's it again.
Three years later, he found that many things seemed to have changed.
Shimura Danzō is like this, and so is the Sarutobi Clan Head in front of you.
As before, he spoke tactfully and did not agree to many requests made by Sarutobi Clan Head. He just said tactfully that he would consider it carefully.
Sarutobi Clan Head didn't mean to force him, but carefully asked him to have a good rest.
After him, other ninjas of Konoha also received the message.
Mitokado Homura, Kagami Uchiha, and Clan Head of Ino-Shika-Cho Clans... Everyone who had a relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi in the past came.
Perhaps they knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely become a big shot in the village when he returned this time. These people were very respectful towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, and they all brought precious gifts when they came to the door.
Those gifts were so valuable that even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but be surprised when he saw them.
In the past, if those things were used as employment fees, they would be enough to hire Hiruzen Sarutobi himself to perform an S-level mission, but now they are only given as gifts to increase Hiruzen Sarutobi's favor a little.
In the end, even Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan came in person.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi could barely accept the arrival of other people, then the arrival of Hyuga Clan Head really shocked him.
Because the people of this clan have always been arrogant, even in the past era of Senju Tobirama, Hyuga Clan often didn't pay much attention to Senju Tobirama, and did not give him any face because of his identity as Hokage.
In the past history of Konoha, only First Hokage Senju Hashirama can really make these guys bow their heads.
But now, this group of guys who had always been arrogant actually came over to give him Hiruzen Sarutobi gifts like everyone else, and they spoke in a flattering and respectful manner.
Is this still the Hyūga he is familiar with?
Hiruzen Sarutobi is a little doubtful about life at this moment.
He felt that everyone seemed to have changed a lot.
Only he himself is still stuck in the past era, and his ideas have been impacted again and again.
Regarding everything Konoha has done now, he has a lot of emotions in his heart, but now he has learned to be silent and not reveal too much.
He spent several long days in the Sarutobi Clan's clan and barely adapted to the current rhythm of Konoha.
At this time, he chose to walk out of his home and walked to the Hokage's office.
"Please come in."
Just as I walked to the door, the voice of Namikawa Yū slowly sounded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt awe-struck, but still walked in.
"Counting the time, I haven't seen you for about half a month."
Feeling Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure, Namikawa Yū slowly raised his head and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of him and couldn't help but smile, "It seems that during this period, Teacher Sarutobi, you are doing pretty well?"
"Thanks to you, it's pretty good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi Thinking back on his experiences in the past half month, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and nod.
Simply speaking from a living perspective, his life in the past half month can be regarded as the best in his life.
Every day food is brought by specially hired servants, and there are also specially hired chefs for meals. If you need anything on weekdays, you just need to give an order and someone will bring it to you.
The overall life feels like that of a noble, very luxurious and enjoyable.
To be honest, Hiruzen Sarutobi likes this kind of life very much.
After all, people yearn for a comfortable and comfortable life, and Hiruzen Sarutobi is no exception.
But he is an outstanding ninja after all. Even in the face of such a comfortable and comfortable environment, he can still maintain restraint on himself and is unwilling to let himself sink.
Therefore, he came to find Namikawa Yū, hoping that he could answer his questions.
"Konoha, you did a great job in the past few years when I was away."
He opened his mouth to praise, "Even if Master First Hokage and teacher come back to life, I'm afraid they will feel happy when they see Konoha today."
"You're doing better than they thought."
Today's Konoha is indeed extremely prosperous and peaceful. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi feels uncomfortable in his heart, he will not deny this.
In today's Konoha, beggars and vagrants have completely disappeared. Even the most ordinary orphan can accept Konoha's relief, which is enough to allow him to live a carefree life until adulthood.
The ninjas in Konoha live a prosperous life. As long as the residents are willing, they can easily find a job that can provide food and clothing, and even support their families.
There is no hunger, no war, and there are enough channels for advancement. Everything seems so prosperous, even better than the future First Hokage once imagined.
But the more outstanding Konoha is now, the greater Hiruzen Sarutobi's worries are.
After all, no matter how prosperous and peaceful a place is, it still needs force to protect it.
If there are not enough ninjas to protect it, the prosperity and peace of Konoha in front of us will ultimately be in vain.
Therefore, he raised his doubts to Namikawa Yū, hoping that Namikawa Yū could answer his questions.
"Teacher Sarutobi, you are worrying too much."
Listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's doubts, Namikawa Yū just smiled, "Actually, many people have also raised your doubts."
Nowadays, most of the ninjas in Konoha are from the older generation. People such as Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura and others are all old people who came out of the war period.
Naturally, they also have worries like Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of them.
But in the end, they were all convinced by Namikawa Yū.
"Please go out for a walk with me."
He reached out to Hiruzen Sarutobi and invited him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know why, so he put his hand on his.
The next moment, the two people disappeared from the place and came directly to another place through Flying Thunder God Technique.
"This is...Ninja Academy?"
Standing at the top of a bell tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the many children below with a look of surprise on his face. "Are these all Ninja Academy's students?"
"Yes."
Namikawa Yū nodded. "Teacher Sarutobi, do you know how many students there are in total here?"