Ryun looked at the interaction between the two little ones and could not help but smile. Sure enough, these two little guys were just like in the original story, close friends, brothers, and possibly even...
Ryun quickly threw the thought out of his mind. Meanwhile, Shisui Uchiha felt a sudden chill down his spine. What was going on? Why did this happen? Who was talking about him behind his back?
After mentally running through all his relatives and friends, he suddenly thought it might be the Hokage. He looked at the Hokage, Ryun. Ryun's eyes darted away, and he turned his head to the side.
"So it really was the Hokage-sama. He was talking about me behind my back. I just wonder what he was saying." Shisui Uchiha's sixth sense was very accurate, instantly pinpointing the culprit, Ryun.
Ryun felt a bit panicked inside. Could it be that Shisui Uchiha knew how to read minds? Why was he looking at him like that?
However, relying on his thick skin and strong inner core, Ryun immediately said, "I will take you two to the hot springs. After all, Shisui just worked up a good sweat." Ryun looked at Shisui.
Shisui Uchiha nodded. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. Itachi, stay close to me then." Shisui Uchiha looked at the shorter Itachi Uchiha beside him and patted his head. Itachi Uchiha responded, "Mhm, mhm, mhm!" He was as obedient as a child, which he was, after all.
Ryun looked at them with the eyes of an adult watching children, filled with a sense of gratification.
Then he placed his hands on Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha's shoulders and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique. Their figures vanished from the training ground. They had spent the entire morning on practical combat drills, and the results had left Ryun very satisfied.
It seemed these two little guys had not slacked off during his absence but had trained even harder. This made him extremely happy, so he decided to take the two little ones out for good food and a hot spring bath today.
Ryun took the two to the largest hot spring establishment in Konoha Village. The owner, upon seeing Ryun, came out personally to greet him. As a businessman, he might not know everyone, but he absolutely had to know the local officials and the Hokage, Ryun Uchiha.
One was the powerful official managing their hot spring industry, and the other was the top leader managing all officials in Konoha. If you could connect with the latter, you could practically do whatever you wanted in Konoha.
Ryun clearly saw his intention. Therefore, Ryun said with a smile, "I brought my two junior clansmen to your hot springs. Do not make a fuss. Here is the payment." After speaking, Ryun took out a stack of money from his storage scroll.
"Also, go buy some food for me. The young lads are young, just finished training, they need to eat and replenish." Ryun said with a laugh, using a tone that brooked no argument.
The hot spring owner was in a difficult position. He did not want to take the money; he wanted to build a connection with Ryun, even if it meant spending his own money. But Ryun did not give him the chance, stating it in an unquestionable tone.
The hot spring owner sighed inwardly. As expected of the strongest Hokage, the most popular Hokage, the Hokage who best won the people's hearts. Just based on his political instinct and behavior, the owner understood that this was not a connection he could easily make.
The hot spring owner had no choice but to give up his initial idea. He said respectfully, "Yes, Hokage-sama. I will arrange the top-tier private room for you immediately. Please follow me."
Since he couldn't curry favor, he would at least serve Ryun and the two children well. As for the food, he remembered his sister-in-law's brother-in-law's aunt's uncle's family had pretty good food. He would call them later and have them deliver it. If possible, getting them to show their face in front of Ryun would be good too.
Failing that, at least his family's dishes would pass Ryun's lips, letting him taste good food. If Ryun remembered the dishes, perhaps he would come to bathe more often or order from his relative's place frequently.
Once it happened enough times, they could claim this was the hot spring used by the Hokage, and those were the dishes the Hokage ate. If the Hokage said they were good, wouldn't money come rolling in then?
The hot spring owner led Ryun's group to the private room with the best location and the most beautiful view. After pushing the door open, the owner stood by the doorway in a gesture of invitation. Ryun said, "Thank you," and led the two little ones inside.
Then the hot spring owner closed the door and said, "Hokage-sama, I will personally bring the food to you later!"
"Understood, you may go." Ryun said clearly.
After receiving Ryun's acknowledgment, the owner left immediately. When he returned to the front desk, he called his relative. "Hello? I want to order all the signature dishes from your shop. Deliver them to the hot springs. Yes, I'm telling you, the Hokage-sama will be eating this later. Tell your chef to be careful!"
The hot spring owner hung up the phone, then went to his storeroom and took out a fine wine he had treasured for decades, planning to serve it with the meal for the Hokage-sama later.
As for why the hot spring owner didn't ask Ryun if he wanted that kind of service, it was because he wasn't stupid. Ryun's wife was Tsunade. Who was Tsunade? She was the princess of the Land of Fire, the granddaughter of Lord Hashirama Senju, the direct descendant of the Senju clan.
If this were the old Konoha, he definitely would have asked. But in today's Konoha, Hashirama Senju was staying in the Senju compound, occasionally going out to gamble. Tobirama Senju slept during the day and used the Flying Thunder God Technique at night to survey Konoha's buildings. With these two great figures alive, who would dare offer special services to Ryun?
Besides, Ryun wasn't like that old lecher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who came a few times, ran up a tab, and still had the prettiest girls accompany him drinking, bathing in hot springs, and appreciating flowers.
The hot spring owner cursed inwardly. The Third Hokage still owed him five hundred thousand ryo! It was a pity he didn't dare to ask for it. Even though Hiruzen had retired, he was still part of the Hokage lineage. Although he had no real power, his connections remained.
Moreover, the Sarutobi were now a major clan in Konoha, while the hot spring owner's family was just a minor clan. How could he demand money from Hiruzen Sarutobi? Even if he went to ask, would Hiruzen Sarutobi admit it?
Sighing, the hot spring owner stopped thinking about it and sat at the front desk, quietly waiting for his distant relative, hoping to make a good impression in front of Ryun.
Ryun took off his clothes, his entire body exposed before the two little ones. The two little ones' pupils widened. Itachi Uchiha was still somewhat okay, but Shisui Uchiha's eyes were glued. What did Ryun eat to grow so big? (Of course, the author means height.)
Ryun didn't pay attention to their gazes and was the first to enter the hot spring. The hot spring temperature was suitable, the water quality clear and cool. It was obvious this hot spring was reserved for a select few. The facilities inside were complete and very tidy.
Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha also got into the water. Soaking in the hot spring, the three of them were silent for a while, enjoying the warmth and comfort.
After who knows how long, Ryun spoke first. "What is your ninja way?" After Ryun spoke, the two immediately fell into deep thought.
Itachi Uchiha was somewhat confused. After all, he was only four or five years old. Where would he understand what a ninja way was? But Shisui Uchiha fell into deep thought. Ninja way? He had heard his father mention it and had pondered it himself. He just didn't know if his answer would satisfy Ryun.
No matter what, he had to try! Shisui Uchiha looked up, his gaze firm as he looked at Ryun. "Hokage-sama, my ninja way was to have the Uchiha integrate into the village, to become Konoha's Uchiha. But before, the Hokage-sama realized this dream."
"And now, what I hope is that both the village and the Uchiha can grow stronger together, protecting our comrades, the villagers, and our family." Shisui Uchiha said calmly. "So my ninja way is protection. Protecting the village, protecting the Uchiha."
Ryun nodded. Actually, this was what Shisui Uchiha truly thought in his heart. The village and the Uchiha were equally important. If there were no Uchiha, then Konoha had no reason to exist either.
Poor Itachi in the original story was fooled by the Third Hokage and Danzo until he didn't know which way was up, even prioritizing the village above all else, with the clan coming second. For the sake of his brother and the village's safety, he carried out that horrific clan massacre in one night.
Calling it their lack of capacity for understanding.
Fortunately, the Third Hokage had stepped down, otherwise Itachi Uchiha might have ended up walking the same old path.
Ryun suddenly became interested. "Itachi, after hearing Shisui's words, what are your thoughts?" Ryun looked at Itachi Uchiha, who was hiding in the water blowing bubbles. Itachi Uchiha, being called upon, suddenly popped his head out and said, "I want to protect the village. I hope the village and the Uchiha can coexist peacefully."
"And if one day, the Uchiha and the village have a disagreement, which side would you help? Shisui, you answer too. I will give you ten seconds. Tell me your answer after ten seconds." Ryun said with a smile.
The two were stunned and began to think. After ten seconds, the two said in unison: "Clan." "Konoha."
Ryun laughed. Shisui Uchiha said "Clan." Itachi Uchiha said "Village." The two suddenly looked at each other. Itachi Uchiha said, "But, Big Brother Shisui, didn't you say 'have the Uchiha integrate into the village, to become Konoha's Uchiha'? Why do you now help the clan instead of the village?"
Itachi's big eyes revealed confusion. Shisui Uchiha's mouth twitched. "We are people of the Uchiha clan. If the Uchiha and Konoha truly reached an irreconcilable point, the first ones we should protect are our clan! Itachi, what on earth are you thinking, kid?"
Itachi Uchiha had a sudden realization. "So that's it! So it's protecting the clan over protecting Konoha! Why didn't you say so earlier! I thought Big Brother Shisui's will was to protect Konoha, that Konoha was the most important!"
Shisui Uchiha sighed. This little brother of his was good in every way, except for one bad point: he kept his thoughts to himself, didn't speak them, and then acted on them. Even if the path was wrong, he would still walk down it!
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