Looking at the silent Hiruzen Sarutobi, Ren also softened his tone and said softly.
"Actually, you also understand that if you want to gain power to protect the Village, this is unavoidable.
I've already talked it over with Orochimaru; I'll provide the experimental materials by capturing bandits, enemy Ninja, and through bounty hunting, etc. The condition is that he cannot harm our comrades in the Village. What do you think…?"
Looking at the other party who raised his head, Ren blinked and chuckled.
"Does that work?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled at first, then after a moment of silence, he let out a sigh, his gaze turning to Ren, his tone becoming gentler.
"He agreed?"
"Of course!"
Seeing that the other party was clearly swayed, Ren's spirits immediately lifted, and he quickly replied.
"Isn't the point of your disagreement right here? Neither of you can convince the other, so why not listen to me and both take a step back?
Even if you, old man, don't support it, don't get involved in this matter. Minato-ni and I will handle it. As for Orochimaru, he has already promised to rein himself in.
Won't that solve the problem?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe, about to light it, but remembering the meal that was almost ready, he could only reluctantly put it down, sighing.
"This is good, this is good…"
After so many years of interaction, he understood his disciple's character better than anyone. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it. If he continued to pressure him, it would only lead to a complete rupture in their relationship.
If, as Ren said, he was willing to rein himself in, then he was also willing to take a step back. After all, no matter what, he was his most beloved and talented disciple.
"Dinner's ready!"
Just then, Grandma Biwako's voice rang out. Hearing the sound, Ren immediately got up and walked over, smiling.
"I'll help. Come quickly, old man."
Watching Ren walk into the kitchen, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back on the sofa and remained silent for a while before putting down his pipe, standing up, and slowly walking towards the table.
When he arrived at the table and sat down, Ren placed the dished-out rice in front of him, while also calling out behind him.
"Come eat quickly, Grandma Biwako."
"Coming."
Grandma Biwako took off her apron and placed it aside, taking the chopsticks Ren handed her with a smile.
"You must have been waiting impatiently, eat plenty. You're still growing at your age."
"Alright."
Ren showed no signs of politeness, eating a bite of food with each chopstick, then a mouthful of rice, occasionally sipping some soup to wash it down, clearly enjoying his meal immensely.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen and Grandma Biwako sat beside him, smiling as they watched Ren, occasionally passing him a dish of food with their chopsticks.
Some time ago, due to a conflict with his father, Asuma left Konoha Village and set off for the capital of the Land of Fire to compete for the "Twelve Guardian Ninja" who protect the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire, and was eventually successfully selected.
Ever since he left, Grandma Biwako felt much lonelier. The house was quiet and empty, with only herself and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It was rare for anyone to visit normally. Ren was the most frequent visitor, coming once every ten days or half a month. Each time he came, he brought large and small bags and was especially polite.
This sometimes made Grandma Biwako wonder if it would be better if Asuma could be as obedient as Ren.
"Burp~"
After devouring his meal like a whirlwind, Ren scraped the last grain of rice from the bottom of his bowl into his mouth, then leaned back in the chair behind him with a satisfied expression, rubbing his slightly bulging belly, and couldn't help but sigh.
He had been eating and drinking well lately, and felt like he had gained some weight. Fortunately, he had been fighting and training consistently, so he hadn't developed any excess fat.
After finishing his meal, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and walked towards the living room. Seeing that everyone had finished eating, Grandma Biwako got up and carried the dishes to the kitchen.
"I'll help."
Seeing this, Ren was about to get up to help, but was dismissed by a single sentence.
"Go play a game of chess with your Grandpa Hiruzen. I'll handle things here."
Hearing this, Ren could only get up and go to the living room. Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had picked up the newspaper again, he suddenly felt a bit speechless.
"I say, old man, your retirement life seems a bit dull."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, put down the newspaper, and said unhurriedly.
"I'm old, just sitting like this is good."
In his childhood, he and his companions trained diligently under their teacher's guidance; in his youth, having achieved success in their studies, they began to shine in wars, and finally, after his teacher's sacrifice, he inherited the position of Hokage.
Then, he sat in his office, spending his middle age amidst countless documents and meetings.
Now, he was fifty-five, and his body was starting to decline. After decades as Hokage, he had finally retired.
Now, his daily life of eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, doing whatever he wanted without having to worry about anything, was simply too comfortable.
"Oh, come on."
Ren rolled his eyes, leaned back on the sofa, and chuckled.
"Third Tsuchikage Onoki of Iwagakure is already sixty-three and still works overtime every day in his office.
You're only fifty-five, still a very capable age. Are you sure you don't want to find something else to do?"
"Brat, I'm already retired."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the newspaper, somewhat exasperatedly.
"Don't even think about bothering this old man anymore."
"Tch."
Ren pouted, then quickly moved behind the other party, rubbing his shoulders while chuckling.
"Say, old man, can I discuss something with you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Ren, then closed his eyes and said softly.
"Speak, what do you want to do now, you brat?"
"Nothing much."
Ren leaned close to the other party's ear and said cautiously.
"The other day, while reading ancient texts, I learned about a forbidden jutsu created by Nidaime-sama. I think it has great research value, so I was wondering if it would be convenient for you to lend it to me for a bit of research?"
"Oh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and said leisurely.
"What jutsu?"
"Soul Binding Jutsu."
…"
The living room immediately fell silent. Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand, which was putting down the teacup, hung in mid-air. Then he slowly raised his head and looked at Ren, saying stiffly.
"What do you want?"
Uh…
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi like that, Ren instinctively took a step back, his hand movements becoming even softer, and he chuckled awkwardly.
"Don't look at me like that. It's useless for you to keep it anyway. Why not take it out and strengthen your grand-disciple's power? That way, I can better protect Konoha, don't you think?"
…"
Looking at the smiling Ren in front of him, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched slightly a few times. After a long period of thought, he let out a long sigh, got up, and walked towards the study, his voice following.
"Follow me."