"Tsunade, you're finally back."
Facing the student he had personally trained, Sarutobi Hiruzen let his feelings show. His expression was complicated.
Joy, guilt, sorrow, nostalgia, affection...
His emotions were all over the place.
"And Kazuhiko, you did well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was glad.
Glad that he had sent Uchiha Kazuhiko to try treating Tsunade's Hemophobia.
Without Kazuhiko, perhaps he wouldn't have had a chance to see Tsunade and Jiraiya again until he was on the verge of death.
After all, his students were all busy with their own affairs...
It was good that they were busy.
Clearly, Sarutobi Hiruzen was letting himself dream.
In the original story, the two reunited many years later, when the Third Hokage was brought back through Impure World Reincarnation.
Without Kazuhiko, Orochimaru would have kept him company in the final moments of his life by sacrificing his arms.
"As a member of Konoha, this is what I should do."
Kazuhiko smiled in reply, sensing the Third Hokage's sincerity.
[Deep Blue] issued a prompt:
[Sarutobi Hiruzen's favorability toward you has greatly increased to: Trust (Loyalty of Yan, unmatched through the ages!)]
[Kage-level keyword draw chance +1]
A Kage-level Ten-pull, today!
Kazuhiko followed Tsunade into the Hokage Building.
He was pleased, but also conflicted.
Should he draw for the Mangekyo, or for the Sage Body represented by the Senju Clan?
Or should he go with Lady Tsunade to burn some joss paper for Grandpa Hashirama?
Maybe he could score some favorability and unlock a Hashirama keyword pool.
Lady Tsunade and Fugaku were great, but compared with the God of Shinobi, they fell far short.
"After all this time, you couldn't even come back for a visit?"
"You've been gone for more than ten years. We've all gotten old."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura grinned, their faces creased