Did it work?
Ryun was a bit puzzled; what was Hinata thinking?
Could it be that once he became the person Hinata liked, she would unwaveringly continue to like him from then on?
This was consistent with Hinata's personality.
Forget it, he wouldn't think too much about it.
The favorability between the four girls and Ryun had all reached Level 3, and afterward, Ryun could also quickly improve their strength to deal with the potentially enhanced Chunin Exams later on.
Whether conflicts would arise among the girls next, or if they would drag Ryun out for another interrogation, at least that wasn't something Ryun needed to worry about right now.
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen had arrived.
His visit was only natural; after all, Ryun had awakened a bloodline power identical to Senju Hashirama's.
Currently, Konoha was in a turbulent period, and Sarutobi Hiruzen needed more things to boost morale.
If it was confirmed that Ryun possessed a bloodline on par with the First Hokage's, then this would undoubtedly be another piece of good news for Konoha.
Unfortunately, Ryun was destined to disappoint Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Kurenai, who was sitting at the door staring blankly at Tenten, had a flicker in her eyes and said quietly, "Tenten, go call all of them out. The Hokage is here."
Startled, Tenten jumped up, turned around, and slipped into the hospital room.
Immediately afterward, her involuntary shriek echoed from inside the room: "What are you all doing to my boyfriend?!"
Ino and Sakura had burrowed into Ryun's arms, and it was one thing for the two of them to gaze at him affectionately simultaneously, but Hinata, why were you still counting the number of Ryun's abdominal muscles?
The girls, immersed in the joy of their confessions, stiffened and sprang up like jack-in-the-boxes.
Seeing that a conflict was about to erupt, Anko opened the window from the outside and said, "Stop arguing, the Hokage is here, get out quickly!"
The four girls looked as if they'd been struck by lightning, and Tenten finally remembered the urgent matter.
She quickly pushed and shoved the girls to climb out through the window together; the reason they didn't dare use the door was that hurried footsteps could already be heard in the corridor.
Watching the girls flee in panic, Ryun straightened his clothes.
As for the various fragrances of the girls lingering on him, there was no way to clean that off.
But this was also a badge of Ryun's popularity; why bother cleaning it off?
"Kurenai, why are you still here?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was slightly surprised to see Yūhi Kurenai.
Yūhi Kurenai replied calmly, "Lord Hokage, you may not know this, but I get along well with this child and have acknowledged him as my younger sworn brother."
"Since he was injured, I naturally needed to look after him more. And after he awakened... that kind of power, I had to watch over him even more to prevent him from being targeted by petty individuals."
"Hmm, you did well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pretended not to understand who the 'petty individuals' Yūhi Kurenai referred to were, then said calmly, "Leave his care here to my men; you can go back and rest now."
"You still have to meet the new students you're leading tomorrow, so don't overexert yourself."
Yūhi Kurenai nodded and took her leave from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Leading students tomorrow was indeed a significant matter; she just wondered which ninjas she would be in charge of?
Yūhi Kurenai thought of the people around Ryun—surely it wouldn't be that coincidental?
Seeing Yūhi Kurenai leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, and the Hokage's direct ANBU expertly secured all the passages.
Only then did Sarutobi Hiruzen politely knock on the door, waiting for Ryun's reply.
This attitude surprised the ANBU members on duty; even if Ryun had awakened a remarkable Kekkei Genkai, did Sarutobi Hiruzen need to show him this much respect?
"Please, come in."
Ryun spoke with neither humility nor arrogance, and only after seeing that it was Sarutobi Hiruzen who entered did he say with slight surprise, "Lord Hokage, what brings you here?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen showed the same kind smile he had when he first met Ryun, saying, "As a civilian, you tried to save Naruto, risking your life for a righteous cause, putting your own Will of Fire into practice. Naturally, I came to see if your injuries were serious."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised to find that this was the first time he could discuss the First Hokage's Will of Fire calmly with Ryun—from his initial displeasure at Ryun slipping out of his control, to his recent attempts to use Ryun as a convenient banner, to today, when Sarutobi Hiruzen had to the possibility of what Ryun said—this was the most potent proof of Ryun's growing influence.
"Rest assured, Lord Hokage, my injuries are healing very quickly. According to the doctors, even if I stood still, it would be hard to kill me from now on."
Ryun made a joke, but Sarutobi Hiruzen said gravely, "Although you have a markless healing ability similar to the First Hokage's, you can still be killed. Don't underestimate the means of your enemies."
"So, as a civilian, you'll still have to stay in the rear in the future, just able to handle slightly more dangerous situations."
Speaking thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to see regret and unwillingness on Ryun's face.
But Ryun's face only showed calmness, as if having weak strength wasn't a bad thing for him either.
Having no choice, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to change the subject himself, saying, "Ryun, have you ever thought about becoming a ninja?"
"Perhaps you won't reach the First Hokage's level, but you might become a powerful ninja no weaker than... the original Three Sannin."
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen's title of "Strongest Hokage" was quite dubious, his reputation as a "Professor of Ninjutsu" did carry some weight.
He had already guessed that Ryun's cell activity was very high now and would become even stronger as he aged.
This meant Ryun might have talent in Earth and Water Release, and might even be able to learn Wood Release in the future.
Even if he couldn't learn those, just relying on his talent for markless healing was enough to make him a powerful ninja on the battlefield who wouldn't fall easily.
"When that time comes, no matter how you want to practice your Will of Fire, no one will object to you anymore. Perhaps... you might even become Hokage someday."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled; painting the grand vision of becoming Hokage would make many youngsters' eyes light up instantly, wouldn't it?
But Ryun remained unmoved and said, "Lord Hokage, I have no desire to become a ninja."
"I want to use my writing to promote my ideals, not force everyone into submission with武力."
"I want to establish a large family where everyone lives in harmony, not with strict hierarchy."
"These things cannot be achieved with a ninja's power; in fact, becoming a ninja might even hinder me from doing such things."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile vanished, and he looked at Ryun with a somewhat helpless expression. Was there really someone in the world who didn't want to be a ninja?
That was a manifestation of power!
Sarutobi Hiruzen had obviously misunderstood one thing.
Ryun indeed didn't want to be a ninja, but he never said he didn't want power.
Being a ninja was just a job; with power, Ryun could do whatever he wanted, so why did he have to be a ninja?
"I understand everything else, but if you don't become a ninja and lack power, how will you establish a large family?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen just asked casually, but Ryun's next words almost made him choke.
"Simple, Lord Hokage. I'll just marry several wives and have dozens of children; won't that establish a large family?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed until his face turned red, staring at the person before him in shock. He realized he seemed to have completely misunderstood this guy Ryun's character.
He had been viewing things through a ninja's lens all along, forgetting that Ryun was an ordinary person; what he envied might not be a ninja's life at all.
"You mean, like a noble?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. Can't I become a noble?"
"No, of course you can—"
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated. Such a promising prospect as Ryun, not becoming a ninja but a noble... well, that might not be impossible either.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that Ryun was probably a lost cause.
Perhaps he could look forward to Ryun's offspring—even if he wouldn't live to see that day, his successor should be able to see Ryun's children grow into capable individuals.
The key was to ensure Ryun didn't leave Konoha—however, there had been several unpleasant encounters with him before, not to mention Danzo's side, which had almost resorted to forcibly capturing and searching Ryun's memories.
Now it seemed fortunate that he had stopped Danzo; otherwise, treating someone with a talent for markless healing as a spy—if the First Hokage's spirit in heaven knew, wouldn't he be so angry he'd use Impure World Reincarnation to personally kill him and Danzo?
But then, how could he make Ryun stay in Konoha—
"To become a noble, you also need to accumulate prestige and wealth, and it's best to have some means of self-protection."
"How about this: on the day you come of age, I'll write a personal letter recommending you to the Daimyō and secure you an honorary noble title. What do you think?"
Ryun looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's body, which seemed much more stooped than six months ago, and revealed a meaningful smile.
"Then I thank you in advance, Lord Hokage."
Afterward, Sarutobi Hiruzen advised Ryun to rest more and not to let his guard down just because his injuries had healed, then left the hospital room.
He then looked towards a figure in the corner and said, "Yūgao, come with me."
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