Konoha, Year 36, June.
The climate in the forest had started to turn a bit muggy and irritating.
It had already been three months since Hakushi left the village to execute his mission.
In that time, they'd encountered eleven waves of enemies. Aside from running into a team of five Jonin the first month, the Hidden Sand squads they faced afterwards were all quite weak.
Sometimes, Sakumo, as a Jonin, didn't even need to take action; he could just stand by and back them up, and then Hakushi's team of three would wipe out enemies several times their number by working together.
As the number of battles increased, the three of them accumulated more and more combat experience, and their coordination became better as well.
In order to research new tactics, Hakushi gathered materials from the wild to make smoke bombs on the spot.
Luckily, before leaving he'd sealed some simple, small instruments inside a scroll. During breaks, Hakushi would take them out to make smoke bombs.
Stuff like this, Sakumo was already used to seeing by now.
If Ruri and Ayane focused on building up their raw strength, then Hakushi was undoubtedly the most learned and sharp-minded of the three.
Being able to keep calm and focused on learning and developing himself even in the midst of war—this trait was what Sakumo especially admired.
So, Sakumo proposed to give Hakushi some special training.
He wanted to teach Hakushi some practical sword techniques.
In medical ninjutsu and research, he couldn't help Hakushi much, but as a Jonin renowned for swordsmanship, Sakumo felt he could at least teach Hakushi how to handle a blade, giving him some real fighting ability.
This way, working together with Ruri and Ayane, their combined combat power would rise significantly.
Hakushi was a little surprised when Sakumo brought up special training, but he didn't turn it down.
Whenever he was free, he would practice swordsmanship with Sakumo.
The weapon he used was a standard-issue ninja blade, a bit longer than the White Fang Short Knife, but several levels worse when it came to Chakra conduction.
After all, ordinary weapons couldn't conduct nature-transformed Chakra, and if they went up against a high-quality blade that could conduct Chakra, they'd break easily.
It was afternoon, the sunlight was strong.
"Hey, make sure you don't come over and peek, okay?"
Ruri and Ayane carried clean, fresh clothes, coming over to remind him not to sneak a look while they were bathing.
Hakushi promised, replying, "Relax, just go ahead. Even if it costs me my life, I'll keep an eye on Sakumo-sensei for you."
"I was talking about you, not Sakumo-sensei."
"..."
No matter how much of a pervert he was, he wouldn't peep at twelve-year-old girls bathing.
Ruri's wary, perv-catching look left Hakushi just a little heartbroken inside.
"It's okay even if Hakushi-kun comes to peek, because I'll make sure he'll never be a proper man again—physically,"
Ayane said, her face as gentle as ever, though there was a hidden meaning in her words.
It felt like a soft spring breeze, and yet Hakushi couldn't help but shiver.
Watching Ruri and Ayane leave, Hakushi sighed and said, "Seriously, is this the time to be taking baths? It's not like we're out here camping for fun."
"Can't help it. We've been either fighting or on the move for months. Letting them relax a bit isn't so bad. Besides, this place is close to a Konoha checkpoint, so it's safer than elsewhere."
Sakumo added from the side.
Hakushi could only nod, agreeing with Sakumo's view.
Within the dense forest, a gentle breeze blew, carrying with it just a touch of muggy heat that made people restless.
In this kind of situation, Hakushi almost wanted to sleep soundly under the shade of the trees.
"Is the situation on the frontlines still unclear?"
Hakushi sat under a tree's shade, taking out his flask for a drink.
"Yeah, even with Orochimaru and the others there, their opponent is the Third Kazekage himself. It's not so easy to gain the upper hand."
Sakumo also sat down, turning to Hakushi as he spoke.
Though Konoha Ninja on the front lines were generally stronger than Hidden Sand Ninja, the lack of a Ninja as decisively strong as one of the Five Kage was why the front lines remained in a stalemate.
"If the Hokage were to appear on the battlefield, the tide could change in a flash."
Sakumo shook his head at Hakushi's opinion, and said, "Konoha isn't the same as the other four Ninja Villages. The Land of Fire is at the center of the continent, surrounded by the other four major nations. Too much needs to be considered. The Hokage himself personally entering the fray would only happen in extreme emergencies—when there's no alternative."
"So it's not easy being Hokage..."
"Yeah, that's Hokage for you."
"Sakumo-sensei, have you ever thought about becoming Hokage?"
Hakushi suddenly asked.
With nothing else to do, he just wanted to chat about something interesting to pass the time.
Sakumo gave a bitter smile, "Forget it, spare me—I'm not Hokage material. I don't understand politics at all."
"That's not true! The support for you becoming Hokage, Sakumo-sensei, is even bigger than for the Sannin."
"Maybe so, but the Hokage is still hale and hearty. I've never once considered it."
Hakushi nodded in understanding.
The Third Hokage had a very good reputation in Konoha Village. According to what Ruri said, even the Uchiha Clan got along well with the Third Hokage, engaging in smooth transactions with each other.
It was clear—the Third Hokage was truly broad-minded.
But... how many years can that kind of open-mindedness and decisiveness really last?
This year, the Third Hokage was already forty-six. Another ten years in office would be time to step down for the next generation.
The older you get, the more things you have to worry about.
The burning ambition of youth inevitably wanes as the years go by.
The Uchiha's Security Team held even greater power than the Hokage's direct Anbu.
This was both a sign of trust in the Uchiha, and a warning and reminder to them.
Now, the Third Hokage could afford not to worry, because he was strong enough and respected enough that, even if the Uchiha did something unexpected, he was confident he could handle it—even by force if necessary.
But that kind of confidence could never last forever.
That's why, within the next ten years, choosing a new Hokage to succeed the Third Hokage was the real path to making Konoha a strong village.
And by then, Sakumo would be just in his thirties—the golden age for a Ninja's strength.
His power by then would probably outstrip even what he had now.
With his reputation, strength, loyalty, and character all present—even if he didn't want the Hokage position, others would try every way possible to push him into the seat.
"Anyway, if you were willing, Sakumo-sensei, and fought for the Hokage position, it would certainly bring new energy to the village."
"Come on, I told you, I'm not interested in being Hokage. I'm perfectly happy with my life right now. Once you become Hokage, you can't get out to do missions all the time or fight side by side with your friends."
"What a shame..."
Hakushi sighed.
"I'm going to look for some food; we're running a little low on supplies in the backpack. The job of Flower Guardian for those two is all yours."
"Understood."
Watching Sakumo's figure gradually fade into the distance, Hakushi looked for a moment, then withdrew his gaze.