As Hiruzen Sarutobi had expected, he began talking to Houka, hoping to pass the Will of Fire on to him. His main method was to reminisce.
"Back in the Warring States period, the ninja clans fought among themselves, leaving ordinary people unable to live in peace..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's reminiscing was torture for Houka, who hated people like this—the sort who would drag you into a trip down memory lane at the drop of a hat, and then keep at it for ages. But this was the big boss, so Houka could only force himself to stay alert and listen carefully.
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns on. The flames will continue to light the village and help new leaves sprout." Hiruzen Sarutobi became so moved that tears welled in his old eyes. "It was only thanks to our predecessors shedding blood and making sacrifices, one after another, that Konoha enjoys peace and prosperity today!"
Houka was crying too. Damn it, it had been around seven when he arrived, and now it was almost eleven.
Was this easy for me?
"Ah, the older you get, the more you talk. All right, Houka, you can go."
That was putting it mildly!
What could Houka do? He was helpless.
After bowing on one knee, Houka used the Body Flicker Technique to reach the tree outside, where his figure blended into the darkness.
Around midnight, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally got up to go home. The four of them protected him from the shadows as he traveled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's home wasn't far from the Hokage Building. It was a grand estate, and at this hour, of course, it was quiet.
Dalin signaled Houka to keep watch from the roof. Bamboo Leaf would stay near the front gate, Kusanagi near the back, while Dalin himself would