"Even without their support, couldn't we have made Minato the Hokage? Monkey, what you did back then was completely unnecessary!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored the argument between the two behind him. His gaze fell on the pile of books Mitokado Homura had pushed over. As the only books to survive the fire, he wanted to see what remained. Then he suddenly spotted a damaged volume that turned out to be notes from his close friend, leaving him slightly surprised.
"Eight Inner Gates: Explanation!? This is Wu's handwriting. Why don't I remember ever seeing this?"
Utatane Koharu, who had been arguing, looked over upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words. She took the notebook from his hands and began flipping through it.
"It really is Wu's handwriting. It explains how to permanently open the Eight Inner Gates... How is that possible?!"
The contents were shocking, and even more unbelievable. Mitokado Homura also studied the book. After resting his chin on his hand and pondering for a moment, he spoke. "Only Wu would have come up with something like this. I remember that you two once wanted to use genetic methods to create the First Hokage's Wood Release, but in the end, the two of you joined forces to forbid further research. I never expected Wu to possess such profound attainments in taijutsu as well!"
"I'll personally keep this notebook. I'll leave the cleanup here to you, Homura. I'm going back first!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the book back into his hands. After saying this to the two of them, he turned and left. As they watched his desolate back, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu suddenly felt something for some reason—loneliness. A lonely, sorrowful feeling.
"Father! I'm back!"
Inside the study of the Sarutobi Clan residence, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been reading, looked up at