Arriving at the office, Hakushi answered Tsunade's inquiry honestly.
"Teacher Sarutobi?"
Tsunade was slightly taken aback.
"Yes."
"What did you two talk about?"
"Nothing much, just some ordinary trivial matters."
Hakushi answered naturally.
"I see."
Tsunade nodded and didn't press further.
At five thirty, after the experimental class ended, Tsunade hurriedly left the classroom, leaving Hakushi behind to answer questions for students who hadn't understood the lesson.
With Hakushi's knowledge in theory and practice, teaching these students was more than enough.
Watching Tsunade leave, Hakushi felt a bit guilty inside.
I'm truly sorry, Teacher Tsunade, for taking advantage of your kindness so many times. He sighed inwardly.
But to avoid more trouble, this was the only way.
Today could be brushed off, but he might not always have such luck in the future.
Hakushi really couldn't say for sure whether that Hokage would come looking to chat now and then.
Hakushi understood that saying too much would only cause problems.
"Senpai Hakushi, I don't get this part, could you teach me?"
"Senpai Hakushi, I don't quite understand this section."
"Senpai Hakushi..."
"..."
A crowd of girls gathered around Hakushi, creating a pink, sweet atmosphere.
Hakushi felt a little dizzy at first—the experimental class never lacked adorable girls.
And while he felt dizzy, he also pitied himself a bit.
After all these years, his strengths were finally discovered by the girls.
Being so popular with the girls, this was definitely a first in his life.
"Alright, don't rush, come one at a time, I won't run away, I'll answer all your questions."
On the other side.
"Senpai Hakushi really is such a gentle person."
Nohara Rin, who hadn't squeezed in, said from nearby.
"Really? He's just a freeloader, I don't see what's so great about him."
Obito didn't head home after school, instead waiting outside the experimental class until class ended before coming in to find Rin.
"Obito, that's rude."
Rin glared at Obito.
But it's true. Obito muttered quietly in his heart.
Just someone from the Uchiha Clan who freeloads.
So arrogant, surrounded by all sorts of cute girls.
"Kakashi used to be like that too."
Obito recalled something, feeling unhappy.
"Kakashi? Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in ages."
"Rin, what's so good about someone like him? He's already a Chunin now, too busy doing missions. He's probably already forgotten about us."
"Obito, you're still so two-faced. You actually care a lot about Kakashi, don't you?"
Rin giggled secretly.
"That's not true, he's the one I hate most, always calling me a dead-last. I don't want anything to do with someone like him."
Obito snorted coldly, wearing an expression of 'Kakashi and I are enemies.'
"But..."
Rin was about to say something when Obito interrupted, "Ah, that's all in the past. Let's not talk about it anymore."
"Alright." Rin nodded.
Only then did Obito breathe a sigh of relief, then glanced at Hakushi surrounded by girls and asked Rin:
"By the way, Rin, aren't you going to ask for help?"
"It's fine, I'll go ask Senpai Hakushi at his house tonight."
Hearing Rin say that, Obito's face instantly turned pale, his heart sinking.
"Rin... don't tell me you've fallen for that freeloader?"
"Obito, what are you talking about! I just admire Senpai Hakushi. He's excellent, but not my type."
Rin looked at Obito helplessly.
What is this guy even thinking?
He's always missing a beat.
"Oh, alright."
Obito patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he remembered something, and cautiously asked, "So, Rin, what kind of guy do you like?"
Rin thought for a moment and smiled at Obito, "I'm not telling you."
"Eh? Why? Aren't we friends?"
Rin blushed slightly and said, "That's not something to share with friends. But I'll always pay attention to that person."
Pay attention to that person?
Rin already has someone in mind?
That person... who is it?
Obito felt like he was scratching an itch inside, but just couldn't figure out who Rin had always been watching.
◎
Hokage Building.
"Teacher Sarutobi, please don't drag unrelated people into this."
"..."
Tsunade had originally come to see him, which made Hiruzen quite happy.
But after Tsunade said this, the smile on Hiruzen's face froze.
"Let's not talk about what happened during the Second Great Ninja War, but after the incident with Sakumo, please stop playing political games. Especially with someone like Danzo. You should know better than me what he did during the last Ninja War."
When Tsunade brought up Danzo's name, her face immediately darkened.
"Danzo has already admitted his mistakes. He's contributed a lot to the village over the years..."
Hiruzen knew Tsunade was referring to Root framing Sakumo's squad members during the Second Great Ninja War.
"You're far too lenient with him, Teacher Sarutobi."
Tsunade knew she couldn't dissuade Hiruzen, so she couldn't help but cut him off.
"The village can't do without Danzo. Besides, I've decided to let Orochimaru keep an eye on Danzo's every move for me."
Hiruzen felt that it was okay to let Tsunade know about this early—she was one of his most trusted students, after all.
"Orochimaru? He's joining Root?"
Tsunade's brows furrowed.
"He's not actually joining. Strictly speaking, it's to limit some of Danzo's extreme actions."
Hiruzen explained.
Tsunade stood in place, thinking it over; this method seemed plausible.
With Hiruzen unwilling to clean Root out, this was indeed a way to deal with it.
"You always like this kind of balanced compromise."
It had always been like this, but in recent years, Tsunade noticed that Hiruzen's methods for balancing Konoha's internal affairs had grown more refined.
In some ways, Tsunade couldn't tell if this was good or bad for Konoha's future, but it did curb the internal chaos and brought some peace.
"It's all for the village's future."
"Alright, I can't persuade you. But no matter how you handle the Uchiha affairs, please don't involve unrelated people. That child isn't meant for politics. Just like Sakumo, whom you pushed into suicide. Let him be."
Tsunade's face was now pleading.
Hiruzen fell silent at her words.
"I promise you, I won't go looking for him again."
Thinking of those words Hakushi told him, Hiruzen felt the problem wasn't big.
That boy would guide Uchiha Ruri to become a part of Konoha.
And that would indirectly ease the Uchiha's relationship with the village—even help them coexist harmoniously.
"Thank you."
Tsunade bowed slightly.
"By the way, is your illness still not better?"
As Tsunade was about to leave, Hiruzen asked with concern.
Tsunade knew what he meant. She sighed lightly and shook her head.
"Is that so? Anyway, Konoha is your home. Don't bear all that pain alone."
"I know. I'll train more Medical Ninjas for the village, so people won't feel the pain of losing loved ones again, and so we can save more lives..."
After saying this, with Hiruzen watching her, Tsunade turned and left.