Konoha's construction was in full swing, and the reforms of the Ninja Academy were also on the right track.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt like a spinning top, dealing with all sorts of matters every day, from the architectural drawings sent by Danzo to the approval of new teaching materials for the Ninja Academy, no detail was too small.
This afternoon, after finishing his official duties, he did not go home, nor did he go to the training ground. Instead, he walked alone to a quiet corner of the village.
The old Senju clan residence.
Although a part of it had been converted into a branch of the Konoha Archives, specifically for storing ancient texts and scrolls, the innermost courtyard remained as it was, quiet and peaceful.
Here lived a piece of "living history."
The wife of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, the first Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the princess of the Uzumaki clan—Uzumaki Mito.
Sarutobi Hiruzen walked slowly along the path paved with flagstones. The bamboo groves on both sides rustled, and the air was filled with the faint scent of tea and the freshness of grass and trees.
The courtyard gate was not closed. He gently pushed it open and walked in.
In the courtyard, a person in a plain-colored kimono was kneeling on the tatami mat of the tea room, gracefully arranging the tea set before her.
She seemed to have long expected Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrival, and there was no surprise on her face.
"Hiruzen, it has been a long time."
Uzumaki Mito slowly raised her head. Her eyes, which had seen the vicissitudes of life, were still clear and gentle, as if they could see into people's hearts, although they bore the marks of time.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was not surprised.
With Uzumaki Mito's sensory abilities, which were unparalleled in the ninja world, he had probably been detected the moment he stepped into this area.
"Lady Mito, I apologize for the intrusion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat down opposite her and bowed respectfully.
In front of this elder, he showed not the slightest neglect.
"Hehe, I am more than happy that you could come and see me," Uzumaki Mito smiled and pushed a cup of freshly brewed hot tea in front of Hiruzen. "Try it. This is a special fragrant tea from the Land of Whirlpools."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the teacup, and a delicate fragrance wafted to his nose.
He took a light sip and felt a warm current slide down his throat, instantly dispelling the fatigue and irritability that had accumulated in his heart for days.
"Good tea," he praised sincerely.
The two did not immediately discuss any matters concerning the village. Mito just quietly brewed the tea, and Hiruzen drank it quietly.
In the tea room, there was only the gurgling sound of boiling water being poured into the teapot, and the occasional chirping of birds from outside the window.
This quiet atmosphere gradually relaxed Sarutobi Hiruzen's constantly tense nerves.
After a long while, Uzumaki Mito finally spoke slowly.
"Hiruzen, you seem to have something on your mind."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's body stiffened imperceptibly.
He looked up and met Mito's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.
In those eyes, he saw a hint of kindness, and also sympathy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth, wanting to say something to cover it up, but the words died on his lips.
He gave a wry smile and put down the teacup.
"I can't hide anything from you, Lady Mito."
"I just feel... a little tired."
He sighed and said in a slightly weary tone, "Sensei left too suddenly, and the entire village, the heavy burden of the Will of Fire, was suddenly placed on my shoulders."
"I'm afraid, afraid that I won't do a good job, that I will fail the expectations of Sensei and Lord First. I think every day about how to make the village stronger, how to protect this hard-won peace."
"I dare not relax for a moment, because I know that every step I take is related to the future of Konoha, to the lives and deaths of countless people."
Uzumaki Mito listened quietly without interrupting him.
Only after Hiruzen had finished speaking did she pick up the teapot, refill his cup, and say slowly, "Hashirama, he was once as lost as you are now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned.
The man known as the God of Shinobi, who shone like the sun on everyone, could also be lost?
"When Konoha was first established, everything was in a state of disrepair. Although he was powerful, he..."
A hint of nostalgia appeared in Uzumaki Mito's eyes.
"At that time, Hashirama would often ask me, 'Mito, am I being too idealistic? Can this village really become a home where everyone can be happy, as I imagine?'"
"I told him then, 'Hashirama, you have never been fighting alone.'"
Mito's gaze became gentle and powerful.
"Look behind you. You have Tobirama helping you deal with the dark side of things that you are worst at. You have the Uchiha's Military Police Force maintaining order in the village. You have the wise men of the Nara clan advising you."
"And you even have me. Whether it's internal affairs or war, when you are tired, I can also brew you a cup of hot tea."
"Hiruzen, do you understand?"
Uzumaki Mito looked at him and said, word by word, "The Hokage has never been a lone hero. He is strong not because he is omnipotent, but because the entire village stands behind him."
"You have already done very well. You have united the Uchiha, you have let Danzo find his place, you have given hope to the new generation of children. You don't need to carry all the burdens on your own shoulders."
"When you are tired, rest. When you are lost, talk to someone. You are not a god. You are just the Third Hokage of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Her words were like a warm stream, slowly flowing through Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart, which had become dry from loneliness and pressure.
That's right.
I am not alone.
I have Uchiha Kagami, I have the Ino-Shika-Cho, and I even have a Danzo whom I have set straight.
And I have Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, these students who are growing up strong.
I also have...
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Uzumaki Mito before him, and then he thought of his wife at home, Biwako, who always left a light on for him.
An immense warmth instantly flooded his entire body.
Transmigrating to this world, being appointed in a time of crisis, dancing on a knife's edge every day, and playing the role of an omniscient "prophet" in solitude.
He thought he would continue on this lonely path forever.
Until this moment.
Sarutobi Hiruzen truly felt that he had integrated into this world.
He had become a true member of this village.
"Thank you, Lady Mito."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the teacup and bowed deeply to this wise elder.
"I understand."
He drank the tea in the cup in one gulp.
The tea was still the same tea.
But this time, what he tasted was the sweetness of a sense of belonging.
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