A Conversation with the Third Hokage

Masayo did not tell Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu about the Ten-Tails. If anyone else who knew nothing had seen that scene, they would probably have been dumbfounded. But he was a transmigrator; he knew what the God Tree was and what the Ten-Tails was.

Besides, his relationship with Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu was not close enough for them to bare their hearts to one another. At most, they were now people on the same side. Even spouses and family members had their own private space; it was impossible to tell each other everything. Everyone had secrets in their hearts that could never be revealed.

Fishbeam Village had completely ceased to exist in all but name, and the iconic Fishbeam Forest had vanished into nothingness as well. Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi, and Ebisu headed toward Konoha. This Fishbeam Village commission had failed with the client's death, breaking Masayo's perfect mission completion record.

After several days of travel, they finally returned to Konoha. Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi, and Ebisu hurried to the Hokage's Office and explained what had happened in Fishbeam Village.

"What? You encountered the legendary Chi!"

The usually calm and mature Third Hokage was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped. The news Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi, and Ebisu had brought back was simply too explosive.

"Yes, Lord Hokage! If not for the power Lady Miroku left behind, let alone killing him, whether we could have escaped would have been a problem!"

Masayo still felt lingering fear, but fortunately, what he had gained was enough to make up for all his losses.

The Third Hokage remained silent. The client had died outright, and Masayo's mission had failed, but what concerned him was that the entire Fishbeam Forest had simply disappeared.

"Besides that, Lord Hokage, we also made some other gains!"

Masayo turned and gave Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu a look. What came next was not suitable for too many ears, since this was something that could not see the light of day no matter what.

Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu instantly understood. After leaving the office, they stood guard outside the door. The Third Hokage seemed to understand as well and waved a hand, signaling for the hidden Anbu to withdraw for the time being.

The Third Hokage removed his Hokage hat, leaned back in his chair, and took a light puff of his cigarette. Exhaling smoke, he said, "Masayo, Fishbeam Village was wiped out. Knowing your nature, you must have made quite a haul, huh?"

Smiling, Masayo handed one storage scroll to the Third Hokage and placed another on the desk.

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you, Lord Hokage. That's right. One contains the money stolen from you, a total of three hundred million ryo, recovered in full. The other was found in Fishbeam Village's treasury: three hundred million ryo, along with twenty-two gold bars."

"That much?"

The Third Hokage froze, looking at Masayo in disbelief. Three hundred million was no small sum. Thinking of Fishbeam Village's thriving tourism industry, he realized that after decades of accumulation, it really could have amassed around a billion.

The Third Hokage quickly regained his composure. He looked at Masayo, put away the scroll Masayo had handed him, and said without changing expression, "Knowing your nature, Masayo, it seems the three of you made quite a haul yourselves?"

Masayo smiled and answered, "Everything was for Konoha, Lord Hokage. Could it be that the amount of money you lost was incorrect?"

Masayo's words carried a hidden meaning, yet he also admitted what the Third Hokage had said.

"Yes, not a single ryo was missing. It was all thanks to you three for recovering my money!"

The Third Hokage muttered inwardly, Damn, this little rascal must have pocketed quite a bit. If I'd known, I should have sent Asuma with Kurenai Yuhi. Seriously, why did he have to go to the Fire Temple at a time like this? He could visit his friend anytime!

The Third Hokage still did not know that Fishbeam Village had other business behind the scenes. If he knew how much Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi, and Ebisu had actually pocketed, he would probably cough up blood in fury.

The Third Hokage steadied his emotions. His aged appearance gave him the impression of someone in his twilight years, yet his eyes remained as sharp as ever, and his expression was exceedingly solemn.

"Masayo, now that it is just the two of us, you are a smart person, unlike the others. So I will speak plainly with you. But that will not work with those people!"

"Please speak, Lord Hokage. As for being smart, I truly do not deserve such praise. The Nara clan are the sages renowned throughout the Ninja World, and during the Ninja Wars, they even served as Konoha's strategists. I am merely an ordinary Chunin. If not for you, Lord Hokage, I never would have met Teacher Kakashi, much less reached where I am today. Everything I have today is thanks to your blessings, Lord Hokage."

Masayo nodded and bent slightly at the waist. Speaking plainly did not mean he would be frank with the Third Hokage as well.

The Third Hokage rolled his eyes helplessly and said, "How to become a Kage... only now have I fully understood it. For example, those people outside, those ninja—they must be brainwashed and hypnotized with the Will of Fire and all sorts of other things, so they believe that sacrificing themselves for Konoha is right."

Masayo did not answer. He truly could not make sense of what the Third Hokage meant now, nor did he know what the Third Hokage had meant in the past. Still, a Third Hokage who could say such words was definitely qualified to be a competent Kage.

The Third Hokage continued, "Therefore, the Will of Fire is merely a slogan. If it works, even Amitabha can be used..."

The Third Hokage changed tack and sighed helplessly. "Sigh, unfortunately, I only understood these truths now. In the past, neither I, the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, nor even the Fourth could see through what it truly took to be a Kage."

"Heh..."

Though Masayo was not particularly impressed inwardly, he said outwardly, "Lord Hokage, I may not be able to understand what you are saying. I may need to think it over carefully before I can grasp the true meaning behind your words."

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment. Whether Masayo genuinely did not understand or was merely pretending, he no longer cared. He said, "Masayo, I wonder if you have any interest in becoming Hokage. I believe that if you became Hokage, you would surely lead Konoha to heights beyond anything I could imagine!"

"I refuse!"

Masayo refused without the slightest hesitation. If everything he had said before had been false, this was the first sincere thing he had said. More importantly, he now had the confidence to say no to the Third Hokage and to Konoha.

"Lord Hokage, I have no interest in the position of Hokage. My dream is to become stronger, earn a little money, and find a beautiful wife who understands me and is worth spending my life with. So please leave such troublesome matters as being Hokage to someone more suitable. Whether in strength or seniority, I am nowhere near qualified."

The Third Hokage raised his voice slightly, as though venting his emotions. "Strength? Is the daimyo particularly strong? As for seniority, what use is being senior if one has no ability? Becoming Hokage is not something decided by fists alone."

Masayo did not answer. He had already made his position clear.

The Third Hokage shook his head and replied, "Very well, I will not force you. You can give it some careful thought. But it seems you have something else to discuss!"

Masayo smiled and nodded. "Lord Hokage, I need to remain in the village for the time being. I may be unable to leave on missions for quite a long time."