Master and Student

When Ruohuo left the Hokage Office Building, he felt more than a little dejected.

A lot had happened that morning.

He'd dealt with two guards who looked down on him, and thanks to his rookie protection period, he hadn't been held accountable.

His early graduation had also been settled. If all went well, he'd have two tomoe by Monday.

"But I came here to milk them for all they're worth."

Ruohuo glanced back at the Hokage Office Building, toward a floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor.

Was I not impressive enough?

Or had the Third caved to Fugaku's little scheme?

I made my hint so obvious. Fugaku doesn't even have Fire Style to teach me anymore. You're the Professor of Ninjutsu, for crying out loud. Shouldn't you offer something?

"But maybe this is for the best. If you take someone's things, you'll be beholden to them."

"Since there's no room for sentiment, then when we meet on the battlefield, I won't have to honor any old ties!"

Ruohuo kept walking, his face expressionless.

But soon he realized there was another question he had to consider.

"Speaking of which, who's going to be my jonin instructor?"

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

"Hmm... It can't be Orochimaru, can it? Heh."

Ruohuo chuckled and shook his head.

If Orochimaru really became his jonin instructor, things would get lively.

Lesson one: On the development and use of Cursed Seals and Hashirama Cells.

Lesson two: On effective ways to bring about Konoha's collapse.

Lesson three: On the succession to the Fourth Hokage.

"What do you think of that boy, Orochimaru?"

Inside the Hokage Office Building, the Third watched the boy's retreating figure as he walked away, shaking his head. He took a puff from his pipe and asked.

"He's very wary and incredibly talented, but he lacks some common sense..."

Orochimaru watched the boy too, his eyes full of interest.

"Don't you often say that common sense... is the prejudice a shinobi accumulates over time?"

"That's true, sensei." Orochimaru smiled agreeably.

"What the boy did today might seem childish, both in its outcome and in how he went about it, but I won't condemn his intentions."

The Third didn't respond. He took a puff of his pipe, signaling for Orochimaru to continue.

"That boy has a powerful sense of justice."

"It probably has to do with the environment he grew up in. The Uchiha Clan runs the Konoha Military Police Force, and they've always acted decisively and cleanly—some might even say without compassion."

"Growing up around that, the boy has absorbed some of his clan's way of thinking... He's cautious, and decisive."

"What happened today might look like the boy was just fooling around, but in a different situation..."

"His antics might actually prevent a tragedy."

"..."

The Third exhaled a puff of smoke. It veiled his eyes, and even the reflection in his glasses was no longer visible.

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

Then, after a brief silence, he spoke.

"I'm glad to hear you praise a younger generation again, Orochimaru."

"Then I'll leave this boy in your hands..."

"Teach him well. I have a feeling that one day, he might become the key to changing the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha."

Just as Nawaki had been.

The Third kept that last thought to himself.

Back then, the Senju had been at odds with the village for a time over who would become Hokage.

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

He had entrusted Nawaki to his finest student, Orochimaru, hoping that one day everything would return to normal.

Unfortunately...

That sunny boy had ultimately died on the battlefield.

After that, something about Orochimaru changed...

Now, the Senju Clan was gone, and the conflicts of the past had faded into the distance.

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

I hope this boy can help Orochimaru move on, too...

The Third exhaled a puff of smoke.

This would be a process of mutual growth.

The "Will of Fire" in this boy was a little too blazing...

But that was exactly what Orochimaru lacked.

Don't think that agreeing with everything I say will earn you the position of Hokage, Orochimaru...

Do you think saying something like that proves you're the best person for the job?

"I understand, sensei."

At this point in his life, Orochimaru was still a level below the Third.

He hid his happiness well, but little did he know that his teacher had already seen right through him.

The key to reconciling the Uchiha and the village...

If I can resolve this perfectly, sensei... you should pass the Hokage title on to me, right?

"Clan Head, I caught two spies today."

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

After all, Fugaku was his clan head, so he ought to report what happened.

Besides, it would save him the cost of lunch.

"Spies?"

Sitting by a small lake, Fugaku watched Ruohuo devour his lunchbox and felt a foreboding unease.

Yesterday's incident was still fresh in his mind. Had the boy gotten into a fight with some drunk or someone like that again?

"Hmm... What kind of spies do you mean? Shinobi, or..."

As soon as he asked, Fugaku realized the question didn't sound quite right.

Getting into a fight with civilians could be serious, but if the boy had run into enemy spies, that would be even more dangerous, wouldn't it?

"Shinobi, of course, Clan Head!" Ruohuo said around a mouthful of rice ball. "They weren't very bright, though."

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

So he really had run into enemy spies!?

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

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

Ruohuo said irritably. "There were a bunch of Anbu there. They took them straight to Konoha Hospital. I'm fine."

"I see..." Fugaku was a little disappointed.

What a pity Ruohuo wasn't a member of the Konoha Military Police Force. The force had just missed out on a commendation.

"So where exactly did you run into the spies?"

"Oh, at the Hokage Office Building."

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

"The place where Grandpa Hokage works," Ruohuo replied as if it were obvious. He took another rice ball while he was at it. "Those two spies were disguised as guards at the Hokage Office Building. I saw through them."

"I thought they'd kidnapped Grandpa Hokage, so I roasted them with Fire Style."

"Grandpa Hokage even praised me, but those Anbu uncles kept saying I'd caused trouble. Weird, huh?"

"..." Fugaku fell silent.

Ruohuo kept eating rice balls as he admired Fugaku's expression.

Honestly.

At this rate, Fugaku might resign out of guilt in the next few years.

But then—

"They weren't wrong."

"If your Fire Style had been any more refined, you really might have caused a disaster, Ruohuo."

A voice sounded from behind them, hoarse and captivating.

"Senior Orochimaru." Fugaku stood and bowed respectfully.

"It's been a long time, Clan Head Fugaku." Orochimaru smiled and nodded.

"I came to see this boy... He submitted an application for early graduation, and I'll be one of his examiners."

"And if he passes, he'll become my student."

"..."

Now it was Ruohuo's turn to fall silent.