The Daimyō of the Land of Fire showed no surprise at hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi call him "Father."
It really did mean this man was Sarutobi Sasuke.
The daimyōs of every nation in the shinobi world normally do not use surnames—only a single public name.
For example, Hiruzen's father was publicly known as Senwa Daimyō, which meant no outsider ever suspected that the one holding the highest political power in the Land of Fire…
was actually the legendary Sarutobi Sasuke.
After hearing Hiruzen's assurances, Senwa Daimyō did not relax. Instead, he spoke sharply:
"You had better understand this clearly. Our clan has only ruled the Land of Fire for a short time. Inside Konoha we still have many rivals.
If someone else takes the Hokage's seat now, it would be the same as destroying our foundations!"
Faced with his father's sternness, Hiruzen showed no irritation at all.
It was hard to imagine this obedient man was the same Hiruzen who usually appeared calm and immovable before everyone else.
"Yes. The future of the Sarutobi clan depends on the Hokage. I will protect that honor with my life."
Senwa Daimyō nodded lightly, finally reassured—but then shifted the topic suddenly:
"And what about that old woman?
I heard she already came into contact with Arata."
Hiruzen instantly understood who his father meant.
"Uzumaki Mito has dropped her disguise.
Her strength hasn't declined at all—at minimum she's at peak Kage-level.
Her appearance hasn't aged a single day either."
Senwa Daimyō only snorted, unconcerned:
"I already suspected that old woman wasn't so simple.
As expected—she's been acting this entire time."
Hiruzen frowned, worry creeping into his voice:
"If I act rashly and kill Arata… and she loses control…
I wouldn't be able to deal with her. I can't defeat Mito as I am now."
In truth, Hiruzen was flattering himself.
He was not just unable to defeat Mito—he would be completely crushed.
Their chakra pools weren't even comparable.
Senwa Daimyō remained composed:
"You don't need to concern yourself with that. The Great Monkey Sage has already promised:
if Uzumaki Mito steps out of line, he will personally suppress her."
At the mention of the Great Monkey Sage, Hiruzen's body trembled.
That being was someone even a Hokage must look up to.
In fact, during the purge of the Senju clan,
if not for the Great Monkey Sage's involvement,
the Sarutobi family would never have succeeded.
It was thanks to that sage that the Sarutobi clan managed to wipe out the Senju's influence and monopolize both military and political power, installing themselves as Hokage and Daimyō.
Hiruzen murmured:
"Even the Monkey Sage is acting personally?
He values this Arata that much…?"
It made no sense to him.
Why would such a terrifying being enter the world just to ensure Arata's death—even at the cost of confronting Mito, the Nine-Tails jinchūriki?
Enwa Daimyō sighed.
"The shinobi world is far deeper than you imagine.
We humans are newcomers.
Compared to those ancient beings—the 'ninja beasts'—we are insignificant."
Hiruzen quietly agreed.
Just the Monkey Sage's lifespan alone outmatched the entire history of shinobi.
Enwa Daimyō continued:
"Do not speculate about the Monkey Sage. Just handle what is in front of you. This war will be unlike any before. From today on, Enma, King of the Monkeys, will stay by your side. I won't need to summon him."
Enma—descendant of the Great Monkey Sage—was a high-level Kage-tier summon.
With Enma assisting him, Hiruzen's confidence increased.
But he still wondered:
"Father… do you have no intention of entering the battlefield yourself?"
Enwa Daimyō didn't scold him for asking. He simply said:
"I already have a plan.
When Kumogakure fails to kill Arata…"
Halfway through, he stopped, handing Hiruzen a folded slip of paper.
Hiruzen received it without opening it—
as if he had never been handed anything at all.
After exchanging a bit more conversation, the two became silent.
Down below, Arata and Tsunade's engagement ceremony had just concluded.
Though the wedding date was not announced,
in Konoha tradition, once a couple is engaged, they are considered husband and wife.
They may live together and file all official paperwork.
Hiruzen did not stay longer.
He had his own plans—
and this was the perfect moment to announce Arata's reward.
Even if Arata had objections,
he wouldn't dare show anger in front of the entire village.
Arata watched Hiruzen approach, and immediately sensed trouble.
Still—he could only force a polite smile.
Spectators whispered among themselves:
"Wow, even the Hokage came!"
"He must be here to congratulate them."
"Probably another long speech about the Will of Fire…"
"Hey! Don't insult Hokage-sama!"
"No—he's definitely here to give Arata a promotion! Anyone who kills a Kage-level deserves it!"
"Maybe he'll be appointed Border Corps Captain?"
"Impossible, he's too young."
"He might get a Police captaincy—"
"No way, that's for the Uchiha only…"
After a long, tedious speech that nearly drove Arata and Tsunade crazy,
Hiruzen finally announced:
"Tokubetsi Jōnin Arata Itsuki, for your outstanding performance and for slaying the Land of Wind's Kage-level enemy Zoshirō,
I hereby promote you to Kage-rank,
and appoint you as Deputy Commander of the ANBU,
second only to the Hokage and the ANBU Commander."
Arata's eyes narrowed.
He immediately understood Hiruzen's hidden intentions.