Master and students

Hiruzen Sarutobi left with the future Sannin.

After checking on Tetsuya, Hiruzen Sarutobi found nothing wrong with him. The changes he had shown earlier might have been lingering effects of the war.

The Sannin were quite happy to hear that there was nothing wrong with Tetsuya.

After all, they really liked the Chiba Ramen Shop.

After a day of grueling training, a steaming bowl of delicious ramen could soothe even the exhaustion brought on by an entire day of hard practice.

"All right, you three, go train."

Once they reached the street, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave his three students some instructions.

"You did very well. As ninja, you must always remain wary of everyone around you.

That's how you keep yourselves and the village safe. If you encounter someone you're uncertain about in the future, remember to do what you did this time. Don't act rashly. Come to me first. Understood?"

"Understood, Teacher Sarutobi!" all three answered.

“Good, then that's settled. I'll head back to the Hokage Building first. I still haven't finished all the tasks Lord Hokage assigned me.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved to his students, then turned and headed toward the Hokage Building.

The Sannin headed toward the training grounds as well.

On the way, Tsunade suddenly spoke up.

"Um, since we misunderstood Boss Chiba, shouldn't we find a chance to apologize?"

"Huh? Apologize?"

Jiraiya scratched his head.

"I don't think there's any need. We didn't cause Boss Chiba any trouble, and we even brought Teacher Sarutobi over for ramen. If anything, we helped him bring in a customer."

Tsunade glared at Jiraiya, then turned to Orochimaru.

"What do you think, Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya also looked at Orochimaru, waiting for his answer.

"I think we should find a chance to say something to him. After all, what Teacher Sarutobi said today really did sound a little like an interrogation.

If Boss Chiba didn't take it that way, then fine. But if he did, he probably wouldn't need to guess to know that we were the ones who suspected him first. Then our relationship with him probably wouldn't stay the way it is now."

"Orochimaru is right. Let's find some time another day to explain things to Boss Chiba and apologize."

With both his teammates agreeing, Jiraiya had no choice but to bow to the majority. He didn't dwell on it, though. It was only an apology. He, Lord Jiraiya, knew when to stand tall and when to bend. If he made a mistake, of course he would admit it.

The Chiba Ramen Shop.

After seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi and his students off, Tetsuya returned to his kitchen.

Looks like the young Sannin noticed some subtle changes in me the last time they came for ramen and grew suspicious. But they couldn't be sure themselves, so they brought Hiruzen Sarutobi over.

Still, it seems Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't find anything wrong either.

Tetsuya nodded in satisfaction. Clearly, his acting still needed work if even the young Sannin had picked up on something.

Or perhaps that was only to be expected of the young Sannin? They were cautious enough, and their senses were sharp.

Oh, whatever. I'm going to leave Konoha and the Land of Fire eventually anyway.

Besides, I'm immortal. If something goes wrong and I want to leave, there aren't many people who can stop me.

All it would mean is leaving Konoha and the Land of Fire a little ahead of schedule.

With that thought, Tetsuya resumed researching instant noodles. After all, they were crucial to his future money-making plans.

At the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi headed straight to the Hokage Office upon his return.

Tobirama Senju sat behind his desk, his face noticeably pale and his bearing far more aged.

"Oh, Monkey. What is it?"

Seeing that it was Hiruzen Sarutobi who had knocked and entered, Tobirama Senju immediately asked what he needed.

"Teacher, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you about helping the villagers recover after the war."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to hide anything from Tobirama Senju. He directly recounted what had happened at the ramen shop and shared some of his ideas for easing the villagers' hardships.

After hearing him out, Tobirama Senju nodded.

"Monkey, your ideas are very good. Go ahead and carry them out. I intend to pass the position of Hokage to you in the end."

At those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt both surprise and delight.

It looks like the position of Third Hokage will be mine after all, and this time is different from before.

This time, Tobirama Senju will be here overseeing Konoha, and he'll pass the position of Hokage to me in front of all the clan heads. Let's see who dares object now.

Then he heard Tobirama Senju speak with a touch of nostalgia.

"I also know a little about that Boss Chiba you mentioned. Back then, the Chiba Clan was among the first few clans to follow our Senju Clan."

Tobirama Senju began recounting the past.

The Chiba Clan's history of following the Senju Clan dated back to the Warring States Period. Before his elder brother, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha had made names for themselves, the Chiba Clan had already been their clan's vassals.

Unlike the other clans that chose to submit out of fear of Hashirama Senju's power, the Chiba Clan had been the Senju Clan's most loyal vassals, always standing behind them throughout the Warring States Period.

But this had also earned the Chiba Family the hatred of many clans. After all, some smaller clans might have been no match for the Senju, but surely they could handle the Chiba?

Later, several smaller clans joined forces to attack the Chiba Family. They suffered devastating losses, with nearly all their elite fighters wiped out, yet the Chiba Family never regretted their choice.

Later still, his elder brother became the head of the Senju Clan, made peace with the Uchiha Clan led by Madara Uchiha, and founded Konoha together with them.

The Chiba Family followed them to Konoha, but by then, few of them remained. They barely even had any ninja left.

The Chiba Family, which had once enjoyed a modest reputation during the Warring States Period, fell into decline.

Now, somewhat to Tobirama Senju's surprise, the Chiba Family had only one sole descendant left: Chiba Tetsuya, whose aptitude for training was utterly abysmal.

Still, when Hiruzen Sarutobi told him that Chiba Tetsuya had opened a ramen shop, Tobirama Senju thought that was fine too.

Not being a ninja meant he wouldn't have to go on missions, fight on battlefields, or live every day on a knife's edge.

He could live peacefully in Konoha and carry on the Chiba Family's lineage. At least the clan that had once been so loyal to the Senju would not vanish completely into the river of history.

"Monkey, look after that boy from the Chiba Clan for me from now on."

"Understood, Teacher."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Suddenly, Tobirama Senju broke into a violent coughing fit.

"Teacher, are you all right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tobirama Senju with concern, but Tobirama waved a hand.

"I'm fine. I know the state of my own body. Monkey, I've decided to make you the next Hokage, so you must shoulder the responsibilities that come with it. What I'm about to tell you must stay between us. Until you step down as Hokage, you must not tell a third person. Do you understand?"

Seeing how serious Tobirama Senju was, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew nervous, but he still nodded.

"Rest assured, Teacher. I swear I won't tell anyone. Whatever it is, please go ahead."