Seeing Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura helping each other and limping into their living room in embarrassment, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused slightly in his hand movements, then returned to normal, but sighed silently in his heart.
A thought popped up without warning: Sometimes how you stand in line is more important than how hard you work.
Look at these two old friends in front of you.
In terms of qualifications, they have been operating in Konoha for more than fifty years and are deeply rooted; in terms of experience, they have been baptized by several Shinobi World wars and are by no means mediocre; in terms of hard work... at least within the scope of their own interests, they have never stopped "working hard".
But what about now?
It was just a matter of "beating" a researcher who was nominally under house arrest but actually had a special status. He was left with a bruised face, ragged clothes, and a voice so hoarse that he could not speak.
I went to Hokage Building to file a complaint, and Hiashi said he had nothing to do with it.
For my old friends, it is also dark at Konoha!
As for whether it's dark for others, Third doesn't know.
With these thoughts in mind, the movements of Third's hands remained steady.
He took out the treasured tea leaves, scalded the tea set carefully with boiling water, and brewed two cups of Hot Tea for the two old friends with slow movements.
The elegant fragrance soon filled the living room.
The old dog named Danzo is lying docilely at the feet of Third. Its fur is much smoother than when it first arrived, and its eyes are less alert.
Third After pouring the tea, he reached out his hand naturally and rubbed the dog's head and neck. The dog narrowed his eyes in comfort and purred in his throat.
This was originally just an unconscious gesture of intimacy.
However, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who were sitting across from each other, had their eyes fixed on Third's hands.
Third also petted the dog before serving them tea.
Their eyes wandered back and forth between Third's hands, the dog, and the steaming cup of tea in front of them.
Utatane Koharu felt that his throat was so dry that it was about to smoke. His throat was sore and astringent from Tayuya's blow, and he instinctively longed for tea.
But when she saw Third rubbing the dog's hair, her throat was suddenly blocked by another stronger feeling.
Mitokado Homura also silently placed the teacup that had just touched his lips and slowly placed it back on the coffee table.
The water in the cup swayed due to his slight movement and then returned to calm. It was still at the same level as when he just took it, without moving a sip.
Third did not notice the hesitation of the two people.
He slowly pulled out a wet wipe from the drawer under the coffee table and wiped his hands carefully, not sparing every finger, even the gaps between the nails.
After wiping, he picked up a clean tea cup and poured himself a cup of the same tea.
This action made Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces, already bruised and bruised from being beaten, instantly become even more ugly, as if their palette had been knocked over.
Their chests rose and fell violently, and their eyes almost burst into flames.
The two of them only treated their throats in order to be miserable. Now their throats are dry and sore, but Third still does this.
Hiruzen, you also know that you need to wash your hands after petting the dog!
Why didn't you think of that when you poured tea for us just now?
Third picked up his cup of tea, brought it to the tip of his nose and sniffed it gently, then took a careful sip with a satisfied look on his face.
Putting down the tea cup, he seemed to suddenly notice something unusual about his two old friends, and asked with concern, "Why don't you drink it? This tea was specially given to me by the kid Naruto on my birthday this year, saying that he bought it from the merchant Land of Tea."
This is why you are here, I usually would be reluctant to drink it myself."
He paused and looked out the window, with a hint of complicated emotion in his tone, as if he was talking to himself or confiding to two old friends. "That kid... is such a good kid.
He has a pure mind, treats others with sincerity, and always thinks about how to make the village better.
Even if he knew the truth later, he would still respect me very much."
His voice dropped, with an unspeakable heaviness.
"It's a pity that I have to hide many things from him and the people in the village..."
The topic seemed to have turned around inadvertently.
Third's gaze became distant, as if it had penetrated time. "Minato's Sealing Jutsu is really good. He is one of the most talented Sealing Jutsu geniuses I have ever seen."
His brows furrowed slightly. This was a mystery that had really bothered him for a long time. "But, I can't figure it out why he... used the 'Reaper Death Seal' technique in the first place."
The living room was quiet except for the occasional slight snoring of the dog.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's attention was temporarily drawn back from the "dog hair tea".
Third's questions were also their questions. When they arrived, they clearly felt that Kushina had used Adamantine Sealing Chains.
There is Kushina that uses Adamantine Sealing Chains, and Minato has a chance to use other Sealing Jutsu.
Even though they have been friends for many years, the two of them felt that it would be more appropriate for Third to use Reaper Death Seal than for Minato to use Reaper Death Seal.
When Kushina trapped Nine-Tails, Minato had time to use Flying Thunder God to take Third over.
It would make even less sense if Kushina was too weak or if there were enemies watching around.
Wouldn't it be more dangerous to use Reaper Death Seal if there are enemies around?
Kushina pinned down Nine-Tails, and its only combat power perished with Nine-Tails. Then Naruto, who became Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, was in a vacuum period with no one to protect it.
At that time, even an ordinary person can easily kill the newborn Naruto.
In any case, using Reaper Death Seal by Fourth Hokage will maximize the loss of Konoha.
Minato is still young and has more possibilities. He has just become Hokage and has just become a father.
The two of them really couldn't figure out the reason why Minato used Reaper Death Seal.
"Even if we divide Nine-Tails..."
Third's voice was filled with deep regret.
"He can completely use Eight Trigrams Seal to separate and seal Nine-Tails.
With his attainments, it shouldn't be a problem...
Or you can let me use Reaper Death Seal when I'm about to arrive!
He could have survived."
Third's eyes darkened, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the warm cup wall. "If he had survived, many things would have been different.
At least I, an old man, don't have to worry all the time, worrying that those people outside who have enmity because of him will wait for an opportunity to take revenge when they learn that he has a son alive in the world..."
In his words, there was regret for the early death of his descendants, reflection on past decisions, and deep exhaustion.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura looked at each other, then looked at the untouched cup of tea in front of them.
The tea was still steaming and lingering lukewarm in the delicate porcelain cup.
They moved their dry lips, but ultimately said nothing, but the expressions on their swollen faces became more complicated and difficult to distinguish.
Come on, Hiruzen is really good at changing topics.
Even if they knew that the credibility of Third's words was unknown, the two of them could not deny it out loud at this time.
It is human nature to beautify oneself when reminiscing. Even now, when they tell others about their contribution, they will exaggerate it by three-thirds and then three-thirds. When they break it down, each time they recall, their contribution will be greater than the last time they recalled it.
Oh, it's only human nature, human nature!
At this time, Third was still reminiscing about the past, and he really didn't want to talk to his two old friends now.
Two idiots who couldn't understand the situation and were stupid enough to enter a museum.
Hey, it's a pity that Minato hasn't talked to me since he was resurrected, and I can't figure out the reason.