It was mainly due to Mifune's adept governance and reforms of his nation that such results were possible.
Mifune's trip was very simple; he only brought one guard. After all, he was on vacation, and too large an entourage would have felt tiresome, especially since he came in a private capacity.
"Isn't that right? I didn't expect Kazekage-sama to also arrive in Konoha Village today for a vacation. What a coincidence."
They exchanged greetings to break the awkwardness of not having seen each other in a long time. Before long, the three became well-acquainted.
Torifu teased, "We had agreed that you and Tsuchikage-sama would come together, but Tsuchikage-sama arrived first, and you came with the General-sama instead."
Kazekage-sama spread his hands and laughed helplessly, "Ah, I didn't want to either. Some matters in the village weren't resolved, so I couldn't leave."
After speaking, as if remembering something, he pulled out the small, orange-haired boy who was hiding behind him.
"This is my apprentice, Sasori. He's Chiyo-sama's grandson, a very talented puppeteer. I brought him out this time to have some fun."
Sasori, on his first trip abroad, was clearly a bit reserved, especially seeing Torifu, who was reputed to be the strongest person in the ninja world; he felt quite nervous.
"H-Hokage-sama, hello. I am Sasori, a puppeteer."
Torifu was quite surprised to see this child, and he hadn't expected Kazekage to take Sasori as an apprentice.
Still, it wasn't a big deal. In this world, Sasori presumably had both parents, so he wouldn't commit such an evil act as turning the Third Kazekage into a figurine.
"Hello, Sasori. I've met your grandparents a few times. It seems you've inherited their excellent qualities."
Sasori blushed, a little embarrassed by Torifu's praise.
Seeing this, Torifu patted his head, then took out his unchanging beginner's gift from his ring: the Healing Necklace.
"Keep this. It's a ninja tool I made. Wearing it will help you recover from injuries, and if it loses its effect, just find a medical ninja to recharge it."
Sasori looked a little stunned. "Eh? Is that really okay? Such a valuable item..."
Torifu waved his hand. "It's just a trinket, not worth much. If you don't like it, I can give you something else."
Sasori quickly and flusteredly said, "No, no, Hokage-sama! This is already very valuable, I like it very much!"
As he spoke, he took the necklace from Torifu's hand. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"Sigh, this child is protected by his grandmother like a block of honey. I was thinking of letting him get a few scratches to gain some experience, but it seems that idea is out the window."
Kazekage said, half-joking, from the side.
But when Torifu heard these words, he felt Kazekage was playing with fire. Please stop your dangerous remarks! Unless you want to be turned into a figurine!
After Sasori received the necklace, he immediately put it around his neck. Once he put it on, he felt a warmth spread through him, and the fatigue from days of travel vanished!
It was truly amazing.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the apartments first. I knew you were coming this morning, so I prepared in advance."
Kazekage cupped his hands towards Torifu . "Thank you, Hokage-sama. We really need to relax during these last few days of the year. It's rare to get much time off in a whole year; being a Kage is truly exhausting."
Torifu glanced at Scorpion, who was smiling and fiddling with the necklace behind Kazekage, then shook his head and said to Kazekage.
"It seems you'll have to be exhausted for another ten years. It will take at least ten years for this kid to grow up."
Hearing Torifu's words, Kazekage deflated again. "Perhaps I should just find a ninja of a similar age from the village. Ten years is simply too tiring."
Kazekage looked at Torifu's relaxed expression with great confusion.
He saw no sign in Torifu of the frantic stress typically associated with handling official duties.
If Kazekage knew that Torifu had a dedicated puppet to handle his affairs, he would probably go mad.
"Hokage-sama, have you already prepared a successor?"
Torifu-sama mused, "Not yet, I suppose, but it will certainly be possible in five or six years. Then I'll enjoy my leisure."
Five or six years later, Minato would take up the mantle of Hokage, and Torifu could rest peacefully at home, fully entering retirement.
Unlike now, where even with puppets, he still had to personally handle many matters.
"That's wonderful! I also want to retire quickly. I don't know what Tsuchikage-sama is thinking, he should hurry and find someone to pass his position to."
Torifu-sama made a shushing gesture. "Let's not discuss matters of other villages, lest we stir up unnecessary trouble and add to our worries."
Kazekage nodded after hearing this. They simply dropped the topic and chatted about matters related to the New Year Festival instead, with Mifune joining their conversation.
As for the previous discussions about retirement, he couldn't interject at all, as he had only taken office a year or two prior.
The group followed Torifu as they passed through Konoha Village's outer city. Along the way, every house was adorned in vibrant red.
Sasori, seeing these things for the first time, almost completely stopped looking where he was going, fixing his gaze entirely on the decorations lining both sides of the road.
"Hokage-sama, what are all these things?" Sasori asked curiously.
"These are things used for the New Year Festival. Red signifies festivity, and welcoming the new year, naturally, calls for joy. It also has the effect of warding off evil and averting disaster."
Sasori didn't quite understand, but it sounded very impressive.
Kazekage and Mifune repeatedly praised Konoha Village's New Year Festival style, both thoroughly enjoying it.
Perhaps it was also because they hadn't seen such a sight before, which made it seem novel.
"Alright, I'll see you off here. If you're bored this afternoon, you're welcome to visit my home."
Kazekage and Mifune waved their hands. "Hokage-sama, take care. We'll go tidy up our rooms first, and visit when we have a moment."
After settling these esteemed guests who had come to visit, there was nothing left for Torifu to worry about.
Even if the Daimyo from the capital city arrived now, Torifu wouldn't bother to personally receive him; sending a clone would be showing plenty of respect.
However, Torifu estimated that the Daimyo wouldn't come anyway. If he were to visit Konoha Village and see its prosperity and wealth, he would likely be green with envy.
In any case, he had already returned to the Hokage Building, so he might as well go to the office and see if there was anything that needed doing.
If not, Torifu planned to simply slip away.
"Hokage-sama! Did I just see Tsuchikage-sama and the others arrive? We didn't even prepare a welcome ceremony!"
The secretary ran into the office with a look of utter despair.
"Why are you so agitated? I personally went to receive them. Isn't that more respectful than a welcome ceremony? Besides, they're old acquaintances and came in a private capacity, so there's no need to panic."
"Eh? You went personally?"