You come with me, I'll handle the rest.

"Oh?"

Kumonaka Torikaze wasn't entirely familiar with the name, but it wasn't unfamiliar either. This Uchiha Setsuna was a pure reactionary within the Uchiha Clan, an ardent admirer of Madara Uchiha. He had once launched a rebellion during the Second Hokage's reign, attempting to assassinate him, and was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment.

Izori's tone grew serious as she spoke, even the frequency of her meat-grabbing slowing down.

"He's Kyo's older brother. Both brothers were indoctrinated by their grandfather's ideology, believing that only by following Madara Uchiha could the Uchiha Clan be revived."

"That old man, relying on his status as an elder, spreads the idea of following Madara within the clan. But most of the clan are already sick of war and satisfied with their current lives."

Hearing this, Torikaze understood why he needed to be wary of Uchiha Setsuna. He'd beaten up the guy's younger brother and left him in that pathetic state—of course the older brother would come seeking revenge.

And since Setsuna was capable of rebellion in the future, it was clear he wasn't someone easy to reason with. He'd definitely come looking for trouble.

"Alright, I'll be careful. Thanks, Izori!"

Izori gave a gentle smile, said it was nothing, and continued eating.

"This is so good. We don't have food this delicious at home."

"The Akimichi Clan has a high pursuit of culinary excellence. Otherwise, the prices wouldn't be this steep."

This meal cost around over a thousand ryo, enough to sustain an average household for half a month. Izori really could eat.

Just then, two ninja from the Senju Clan entered the barbecue restaurant. Spotting Kumonaka Torikaze as soon as they walked in, they headed straight for him.

"Hello, you're Kumonaka Torikaze, right? We meet again."

Torikaze wondered who it was, only to realize it was the guard uncle from the day he went for the will reading. If not for the info he'd leaked, Torikaze would still be hunting for that despicable schemer!

"Ah, it's you, uncle from that day! What's the matter? Want to grab a bite?"

The Senju ninja shook his head. "No, the Hokage has business with you. If you're done eating, come with us."

Hearing this, Torikaze had a rough idea why the Hokage was summoning him. Seeing the meat on the grill was finished, he paid the boss and prepared to follow the guard uncle to the Hokage Office.

Izori, figuring the Hokage's summons meant something important, said, "Torikaze-kun, since the Hokage is calling for you, I'll take my leave. Thanks for treating me today."

"Come with me. Haven't you admired the Hokage for a long time?"

Izori's eyes lit up with excitement, her big, watery gaze fixed on the guard uncle. "Really? Can I?"

The guard uncle scratched his head, looking conflicted. "That's a bit hard to say. Lord Tobirama said the Hokage only summoned Kumonaka Torikaze..."

Before Izori could react, Torikaze said, "Just come with me. I'll handle the rest."

Izori wasn't the type to be coy. Since Torikaze-kun said so, there was no reason not to go—though it meant owing him another favor.

She had long admired the Hokage, seeing him as a role model, but rarely had the chance to meet him face-to-face like this. She didn't want to miss it.

The guard uncle didn't refuse further. Since the kid said he could handle it, he must have the confidence. Continuing to refuse would only cause trouble, and he wasn't about to make enemies.

With everything settled, the four left the barbecue restaurant and returned to the Hokage Building. Along the way, Kumonaka Torikaze didn't seem tense, casually looking around.

Izori, on the other hand, was visibly nervous, likely because she was about to meet her idol in person for the first time. She worried about making a faux pas that would leave a bad impression on the Hokage. In truth, she was overthinking it.

"You two go in. The Hokage and Lord Tobirama are inside."

With that, the two Senju ninja resumed their guard duties, and Torikaze and Izori entered the Hokage Office.

"Haha, Torikaze's here! It's been a month, hasn't it?"

Hashirama laughed heartily, with none of the Hokage's airs, more like a friendly neighbor.

"Lord Hokage, Lord Tobirama, good afternoon. This is my friend. She's admired you for a long time and sees you as her idol."

Torikaze's words turned Izori's face as red as a tomato, and she stammered.

"L-Lords... g-good... afternoon."

"Hmm, Uchiha Izori! I know you. You're Kagami's younger sister."

Izori had thought the Hokage wouldn't recognize her, but he called her by name on the spot. She was utterly thrilled!

"Torikaze, I called you here today mainly to ask you one thing."

"Please speak, my lord."

"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

This question genuinely stunned Kumonaka Torikaze. Wasn't the Second Hokage supposed to take him as a student? Why was it the First? If he remembered correctly, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others were disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama, though the two brothers taught together.

Now he was going to become Senju Hashirama's disciple directly? Wasn't that a massive leap in status?

"Of course I'm willing!" Kumonaka Torikaze shouted.

Laughable! This kind of opportunity came once in a lifetime! If he didn't seize it, he'd regret it forever! Becoming the Second's disciple was good, but it still fell short of being Hashirama's—just a tiny bit.

Hashirama burst into hearty laughter at Torikaze's agreement. "Haha! Good! From now on, you are my disciple, Senju Hashirama's!"

Kumonaka Torikaze bowed deeply. "Master above, please accept this disciple's bow."

Hashirama was moved inside but acted nonchalant on the surface. "There's no need for that between master and disciple."

Torikaze straightened up. This wasn't pretense; it was genuine respect. Even if he'd been taken as the Second's disciple, he'd have done the same—it was about honoring the teacher.

Izori was stunned speechless by the scene. She'd thought the Hokage summoned Torikaze to ask about today's practical class, not to take him as a disciple!

Honestly, she was incredibly envious! But not jealous. Torikaze was top of the class in both theory and practice, and the most popular student. Someone so outstanding being taken as the Hokage's disciple—she didn't resent it.

Hashirama noticed the girl beside Torikaze with her head down, thought for a moment, and said, "Izori, you're Kagami's younger sister and a genius of the Uchiha. If you're willing, you can train with me. But whether you become my disciple depends on your performance."