"Liu Yun-sama! Lady Tsunade!"
Shinku Yuhi greeted, her tone laced with exasperation. "It's bad enough you ran off with my daughter, but now I have to call you sama? Honestly, how annoying."
Lady Tsunade, standing beside him, chuckled softly. "Long time no see, Shinku."
Though not a famous name among Konoha's elite, Shinku Yuhi was nonetheless one of the village's rare Genjutsu specialists. Her illusions were refined to the point of rivaling even an Uchiha's Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
When speaking to Lady Tsunade, Shinku's stern demeanor softened noticeably. "Lady Tsunade, my daughter has surely caused you trouble lately," she said apologetically.
Shinku knew that Kurenai had been receiving training from Tsunade. If not, she would never have allowed her daughter to run off to Aoyama Ryuyun's compound so often.
"It's nothing," Tsunade replied, waving her hand dismissively. "Yuhi's talent is quite good." Teaching one bright student was hardly an inconvenience for her.
---
"Liu Yun! Tsunade!"
At that moment, more familiar figures appeared. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and even Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina — the latter two whom Liu Yun had defeated several years earlier.
Seeing them, Shinku Yuhi quietly stepped aside, choosing silence.
"What brings all of you here?" Tsunade asked curiously. None of these people, as far as she knew, had children among the graduates — least of all Jiraiya.
Orochimaru's tone was calm and detached. "It was Hiruzen-sensei's idea. He wants me to take on a student."
Over the years, Hiruzen Sarutobi had sensed Orochimaru's growing detachment — the same rebellious distance Tsunade now showed him openly.
Fearing that his prized disciple might completely drift away, the Third Hokage had decided to use this opportunity to reforge their bond. Assigning Orochimaru a personal apprentice, he believed, might rekindle that connection.
Of course, Orochimaru saw straight through it — and found it pathetic. Still, he said nothing.
What Hiruzen didn't realize was that Orochimaru's loyalty had long since vanished.
---
Minato Namikaze, ever straightforward, nodded earnestly after Orochimaru spoke. "Me too! Hokage-sama wants me to lead a Genin team as a Jōnin instructor."
So it begins…
Aoyama Ryuyun's eyes flickered. Judging by the timeline, the Third Shinobi World War wasn't far off.
"Ryuyun-kun?" Orochimaru noticed his silence.
Ryuyun shook his head slightly. "Nothing. I was just thinking — hasn't the Third Hokage been in office a little too long?"
"…He has indeed," Orochimaru replied, pausing before giving a thin, knowing smile.
They were both sharp enough to understand the unspoken meaning — when a reign runs too long, it's time to end it.
---
But before the conversation could darken further, Minato suddenly chimed in, his expression earnest and pure as always.
"Even if he's been Hokage for a long time, Hiruzen-sama has always been dedicated! Konoha's current prosperity is thanks to him!"
"…"
He's truly one of a kind — sincerely naïve to the core.
Neither Aoyama Ryuyun nor Orochimaru bothered responding. They exchanged a glance, then both turned away.
"Uh… did I say something wrong?" Minato asked, bewildered by the sudden silence. He genuinely didn't understand what he'd said to make the air so heavy.
Ryuyun remained quiet, but someone else took the bait.
"Haha! It's not that exaggerated. I've simply done what any Hokage should do!"
A warm, measured voice echoed behind them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi approached slowly, wearing his ceremonial Hokage robes, clearly having overheard Minato's praise. His smile was wide — perhaps too wide.
"Hokage-sama!"
No matter their private thoughts, everyone straightened respectfully. Only Minato's eyes shone with genuine admiration. The rest offered little more than polite acknowledgment. Even Jiraiya looked indifferent.
"Ahem! I'll go check on this year's graduates first," Hiruzen said, maintaining his grandfatherly façade. He strode toward the academy with practiced ease.
The students, still young and impressionable, erupted in excitement at the Hokage's presence.
---
"Is the Hokage's job that light?" Aoyama Ryuyun muttered, rolling his eyes. "Why is he everywhere these days?"
Was Hiruzen that desperate not to be forgotten? Even a graduation exam was a stage for him to perform his benevolent act.
Orochimaru shrugged, his tone languid. "Who knows? Maybe Hiruzen-sensei really is that idle."
The two spoke casually, not even bothering to lower their voices.
Everyone nearby heard them — and wisely pretended not to.
No sane person would risk offending either the Hokage, Orochimaru, or the Golden Lion of Konoha. Better to play deaf.
Except, of course… one person.
"That's not true," Minato interjected firmly. "Hokage-sama must have finished his duties early, that's why he has time to come here!"
"…Minato," Kushina sighed, covering her face in mild embarrassment.
Naïve as she could be, even she could sense the chill in the air.
She knew Minato's only flaw — blind loyalty.
"What's wrong, Kushina? Did I say something wrong?"
"…No," she murmured helplessly. What could she even say?
Even Jiraiya, watching the whole exchange, could only sigh in disbelief.
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