Master and Disciple

Ruohuo felt somewhat dejected as he left the Hokage Office Building.

Quite a lot had happened over the course of the morning.

He had dealt with two guards who looked down on others, and thanks to his "newbie protection period," he hadn't even been held accountable.

His early graduation had also been finalized; barring any accidents, he would possess two tomoe by Monday.

But I came here to fleece them for benefits.

Ruohuo turned his head to glance back at the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor of the Hokage Office Building.

Was my performance not outstanding enough?

Or did the Third compromise with Fugaku's little schemes?

I dropped such obvious hints, and Fugaku didn't even have any Fire Style techniques to instruct me in—as the esteemed Professor of Ninjutsu, shouldn't you have shown some initiative?

Still, it's for the best. Taking someone's hand makes you soft, and eating someone's food makes you weak.

Since there's no sentiment to speak of, I won't have to hold back if we meet on the battlefield in the future!

Ruohuo continued walking with an expressionless face.

However, he soon realized there was a problem he had to consider.

"By the way, who is going to be my instructor?"

"I didn't see Minato today either..."

"Hmm... surely it couldn't be Orochimaru, right? Heh."

Ruohuo shook his head with a laugh.

If Orochimaru were actually assigned as his instructor, things would certainly get lively.

Lesson One: On the development and application of Cursed Seals and Hashirama Cells.

Lesson Two: On the most efficient ways to collapse Konoha.

Lesson Three: On the succession issue of the Fourth Hokage.

"What do you think of this child, Orochimaru?"

Inside the Hokage Office Building, the Third puffed on his pipe as he watched the boy's figure bobbing along as he walked further and further away.

"His vigilance is high, his talent is astonishing, he just lacks a bit of common sense..."

Orochimaru also watched the figure, his eyes filled with interest.

"Don't you often say that common sense... is just the prejudice a ninja forms over time?"

"Indeed, Teacher." Orochimaru smiled submissively.

"This child's actions today—perhaps the results and the process seem a bit childish, but I will not deny his starting point."

The Third didn't respond; he took a drag of his pipe, signaling for Orochimaru to continue.

"This child possesses a strong sense of justice."

"It likely has to do with the environment he grew up in. The Uchiha Clan manages the Konoha Military Police Force, and their style of conduct has always been clean and efficient, perhaps even cold-blooded."

"Having been influenced by this, the boy's own thinking bears the shadows of his clansmen... He is very vigilant and very decisive."

"Today's incident might look like the child was just messing around, but if the scenario were different..."

"This child's 'messing around' might truly be able to prevent a tragedy."

"..."

The Third exhaled a cloud of smoke, which obscured his eyes, making even the reflection in his glasses impossible to read.

At this moment, no one could guess what the Third was thinking.

Until, after a brief silence:

"I am very happy to hear you praise a junior once again, Orochimaru."

"Then I will entrust this child to you..."

"Teach him well. I have a premonition that this child might become the key to changing the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha in the future."

Just like Nawaki back then.

The Third kept the last sentence to himself.

Back then, the Senju had once had a very strained relationship with the village due to the position of Hokage.

Nawaki had become the hope for reconciliation between the Senju and the village.

He had entrusted Nawaki to his most outstanding disciple, Orochimaru, hoping that one day, everything would return to how it was.

Unfortunately...

That sun-drenched child had died on the battlefield after all.

From that moment on, Orochimaru had begun to change...

To this day.

The Senju Clan had vanished, and the conflicts of the past had dissolved like smoke in the wind.

The relationship between the Uchiha and the village was growing increasingly tense; the rift had always been there, and it was deepening by the day.

I hope this child can help Orochimaru find his way out of the darkness...

The Third exhaled a puff of smoke.

This would be a process of mutual complementation.

The "Will of Fire" within this child was perhaps a bit too scorching...

But that was precisely what Orochimaru lacked.

Do not think that blindly echoing my thoughts will earn you the position of Hokage, Orochimaru...

Do you truly believe that by saying such things, you can prove you are the most suitable candidate?

"I understand, Teacher."

At this stage, Orochimaru's level was ultimately still a tier below the Third.

Although he hid the joy in his heart well, he did not realize that his teacher had already seen through everything.

The key to the reconciliation between the Uchiha and the village, is it?

If I can perfectly resolve this matter, Teacher... he should pass the Hokage mantle to me, right?

"Lord Clan Head, I caught two spies today."

After leaving the Hokage Office Building, Ruohuo headed straight for the Konoha Military Police Force.

After all, he had to report to his own clan head.

Besides, it saved him the cost of a meal.

"Spies?"

Sitting by the small pond.

Watching Ruohuo demolish his lunch bento, Fugaku felt a sense of foreboding.

Yesterday's incident was still fresh in his mind; surely this kid hadn't run into another drunkard or something and started a brawl, had he?

"Mm... what kind of spies are you talking about? Were they ninja, or..."

As he asked, Fugaku realized something felt off.

Although attacking civilians could be a serious matter, if this kid had encountered enemy ninja, that would be even more dangerous, wouldn't it?

"Of course they were ninja, Lord Clan Head!" Ruohuo said, his mouth stuffed with a rice ball, his speech slurred. "But they weren't very bright."

"I used the ninjutsu you taught me yesterday—that slightly unorthodox Majestic Destroyer Flame—and subdued them in one go."

So he really did run into enemy ninja!?

Fugaku perked up. "Where did you run into them? Were you alone? Did they get away? Are you hurt?"

"Lord Clan Head, you underestimate me... I told you I caught them, how could I let them get away?"

Ruohuo said, sounding displeased. "There were plenty of Anbu present at the time; they took them straight to Konoha Hospital. I'm fine."

"I see..." Fugaku felt a tinge of disappointment.

It was a pity Ruohuo wasn't a member of the Konoha Military Police Force; wouldn't that mean the force had missed out on a merit?

"So, where exactly did you run into these enemy ninja?"

"Oh, at the Hokage Office Building."

"The Hokage Office Building? No wonder the Anbu were so..." Fugaku paused, his expression stiffening. "Which Hokage Office Building!?"

"The place where Grandpa Hokage works, of course."

Ruohuo said it as if it were obvious, taking the opportunity to swipe another rice ball. "Those two spies were disguised as guards at the Hokage Office Building, but I saw right through them."

"I thought they had kidnapped Grandpa Hokage, so I just roasted them with Fire Style."

"Grandpa Hokage even praised me, but those Anbu uncles kept saying I caused trouble. It's really strange."

"..." Fugaku fell silent.

Ruohuo continued to demolish his rice ball while admiring the look on Fugaku's face.

To be fair.

At this rate, he felt there was a chance Fugaku might resign in disgrace within the next few years.

But just then.

"They were right."

"If your Fire Style were any more refined, you really would have caused a disaster, Ruohuo-kun."

A voice appeared behind them, raspy and alluring.

"Senior Orochimaru." Fugaku rose, nodding in a junior's salute.

"It has been a long time, Clan Head Fugaku." Orochimaru nodded with a smile.

"I have come for this child... He submitted an application for early graduation, and I shall be his examiner."

"And if he passes the assessment, he will also become my disciple."

"..."

Now, it was Ruohuo's turn to fall silent.