Chapter 2: The Conspiracy Theory of Hiruzen Sarutobi
Back to the present.
Tsunade finished off the lion's share of the three-person breakfast. She reached out to take a tissue from Yumesaki, wiped her mouth, and asked, "So, when are we heading to a new world?"
"Soon, soon."
"You said that last time." Tsunade shot Yumesaki an annoyed, sharp glare. "Can you actually do it or not? Don't tell me you were just tricking me with all that talk."
Yumesaki felt a bit helpless. His ability had awakened without rhyme or reason, and there was certainly no instruction manual.
He had to figure out his special power bit by bit through trial and error.
After a month of exploration, Yumesaki had gained a rudimentary understanding of how it worked.
First, it was certain that his power allowed him to pass through any door to reach another world.
As long as it was a door.
Second, besides the Naruto world, Yumesaki could indeed link to other worlds, but it took time to "recharge."
He couldn't say exactly how long it took, but he had a faint, intuitive feeling for it.
Furthermore, whenever Yumesaki entered a new world through a door, he automatically gained the ability to communicate with the people there.
For instance, after entering the Naruto world, he could talk to Tsunade fluently without any language barriers.
Even if Yumesaki spoke in Mandarin, Tsunade understood his meaning perfectly.
It's worth mentioning that when Tsunade stepped through the door into Yumesaki's world, she gained a similar ability.
This was why she could read the manga in his world.
It was an incredibly practical ability that saved Yumesaki a mountain of trouble.
Currently, these were the only features of his power he had mapped out. As for whether there were other hidden functions, he was still in the middle of exploring.
So, facing Tsunade's prodding, Yumesaki couldn't give a precise answer. He could only repeat "soon, soon."
But this time, he wasn't lying.
He had a vague sensation telling him that he would soon be able to trigger his ability again to link with a completely new world.
Tsunade looked up at Yumesaki, and just as she was about to snap back, an elderly voice echoed from outside the door.
"Is Tsunade in? I've come to visit."
Upon hearing the voice, the expression on Tsunade's face shifted. She looked a mix of resigned and irritated. She wove a quick set of hand signs, conjuring a Shadow Clone to go and open the door.
A moment later, the Shadow Clone led an old man wearing a white haori robe into the room.
The man was, of course, the Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Yumesaki looked at Hiruzen and gave a small nod. "Lord Hokage."
In his eyes, Hiruzen was essentially a stranger. A polite greeting was more than enough.
Hiruzen, for his part, didn't pay much mind to a minor character like Yumesaki.
If Yumesaki hadn't returned to the village alongside Tsunade, the old man wouldn't have spared him a second glance.
Seeing Hiruzen's arrival, Tsunade spoke with a touch of impatience. "Old man, what are you looking for me for?"
Hiruzen didn't take offense at her tone. Instead, he took a seat with a gentle smile.
"Tsunade, you've been back for some time now. Have you considered coming to help me? I'm getting old, and I can't keep up with the work anymore. I was hoping you could..."
"Not interested."
Before Hiruzen could even finish his sentence, Tsunade cut him off bluntly. "If you really don't want to work anymore, just give the Hokage position to Kakashi."
Hiruzen was momentarily stunned by the rejection. He gave a bitter smile. "While Kakashi is exceptional, he doesn't quite have the standing yet to lead Konoha as Hokage. I'm still hoping you will be the one to take my place."
"Impossible. Give up on that idea." Tsunade shot him down without a second thought.
This direct and stubborn refusal left Hiruzen deeply confused. Half a month ago, Tsunade had suddenly returned to Konoha with Shizune and this man named Yumesaki.
Initially, Hiruzen thought Tsunade had a change of heart and wanted to return to succeed him, which had made him overjoyed.
He really was getting on in years. His strength was waning.
If Tsunade would just accept the mantle and become the Fifth Hokage, his burden would be lifted, and he could finally enjoy his retirement.
But he had waited in the Hokage office for days, and Tsunade never showed up.
Left with no choice, Hiruzen had to come to her himself to discuss the succession.
But Tsunade wasn't interested at all.
This baffled Hiruzen. If you aren't willing to take the position, why did you even come back?
Could it be she was just homesick?
Or maybe she racked up too many gambling debts outside and had to hide back home from the debt collectors?
Hmm... that actually sounds plausible.
After all, he knew his student's character better than anyone.
Seeing Hiruzen looking lost in thought and second-guessing everything, Tsunade sighed. "To be honest with you, old man, I have something far more important to do. I won't be taking the Hokage seat."
"Something important? Like what?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you, so I'm not saying anything."
"How can I understand if you don't tell me?"
"It's because you wouldn't understand that I'm too lazy to explain."
Hiruzen felt a bit slighted. He hadn't expected that after leaving Konoha for a few years, his student would return having mastered the art of talking in circles.
Who did she learn this from?
His gaze subconsciously drifted toward Yumesaki.
Yumesaki, however, was staring intently at the tea table as if there were a world-class beauty hidden in the wood grain, completely ignoring the tension.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
If Yumesaki weren't with Tsunade—and if Hiruzen didn't want to risk upsetting her further—he would have surely lectured this young man for his lack of respect toward the Hokage.
"Fine, since you're so unwilling, let's pretend I never came today."
Hiruzen weighed his options and decided to take his leave. Some things couldn't be rushed.
As long as Tsunade stayed in Konoha, she would eventually reconnect with her old bonds. When that happened, the Hokage position would naturally fall to her.
Thus, Hiruzen wasn't in a hurry. He stood up slowly and departed the Senju compound with a leisurely pace.
Once he was gone, Yumesaki looked at Tsunade with a smirk. "Want to guess? Was Hiruzen Sarutobi here to test you, or does he genuinely want you to be the Fifth Hokage?"
Tsunade shot him a sharp look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean exactly what I said." Yumesaki spoke calmly. "You've read the Naruto plot, seen the internet discussions, and read about the Hiruzen Sarutobi conspiracy theories."
"During his reign over Konoha, the Senju Clan dwindled until only you remained. The Uchiha were wiped out. Sakumo Hatake committed suicide. Orochimaru defected. Jiraiya and you both left the village."
"Every one of those events happened under his watch and that of his council peers."
"Konoha, which was once strong enough to win wars against the four other Great Shinobi Villages single-handedly, ended up with a massive talent gap under his leadership."
"So, do you really think he came here just to ask you to be Hokage?"
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