Facing Itachi's question, Shisui gave an affirmative reply.
"After the gathering that day, I found Satoshi, and then we delved into a deep study of a Konoha issue."
"Both Satoshi and I believe that the Uchiha have always been an inseparable part of Konoha."
"In the future, we should, and indeed must, thoroughly implement Hokage-sama's will of fire and its associated spirit..."
And other such ramblings.
After an hour-long discussion, Itachi was also swayed.
"Could it be that Satoshi is like Shisui-senpai?"
A smile appeared on Shisui's face. "Yes, Itachi."
"But recently, there have been some extreme remarks circulating within the clan. That's why we must implement Hokage-sama's will."
Shisui stretched, took a skewer of dango from a wooden box, and handed it to Itachi. "After you finish eating, we'll start special training."
Half a month passed in a flash.
It seemed Konoha had recovered a rare peace.
Itachi and Shisui underwent secret special training every day, considering Satoshi as the goal they needed to surpass.
Shisui couldn't help but sigh. Itachi was working harder than ever before.
Kakashi was still the same reclusive man, wearing a mask every day, acting in the shadows. Only during occasional breaks would he say a few words in front of Obito's memorial stone.
Naruto got a new fishing rod and would go fishing and pick mushrooms whenever he had nothing to do. Of course, buying those limited-edition instant noodles was also a must.
"Boss, I want this one, and this one, mm, and that one too."
Naruto stood on his tiptoes in front of the counter, picking out the latest instant noodles.
It was said to be a collaboration between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron, limited to 9,999 pieces in the entire Ninja World. If you came late, they would be gone.
Of course, this was purely unscrupulous merchants conning simpletons.
Those samurai from the Land of Iron had no interest in such things. But Naruto didn't know that.
He was still grinning foolishly because the boss was nice to him today.
Watching Naruto pull out a large handful of coins, Hiruzen, who was standing behind him, wore a pained expression.
So, his pension was all spent on this?
"Cough, cough, cough." Hiruzen deliberately coughed a few times.
Naruto turned around and, seeing his familiar Grandpa Hokage, broke into a happy smile.
"Grandpa Hokage, long time no see. How come you have time today?"
Hiruzen forced a smile. "Recently, there have been too many things in the village. I finally managed to make time to see you."
"Oh."
Naruto showed Hiruzen his haul and said, "Look, Grandpa Hokage, these are instant noodles limited to the entire Ninja World."
Hiruzen glanced at the instant noodles, then at the boss. The boss was sweating.
Damn it, he just wanted to fool a simpleton, how did he get the Hokage involved?
The boss's mind spun rapidly. "Hokage-sama, I can explain."
Hiruzen put away his smile and said, "Let's talk another day, I'm very busy today."
After saying that, Hiruzen led Naruto out.
Naruto's mood improved significantly after seeing Hiruzen. Along the way, he shared his experiences during this period with Hiruzen.
"Grandpa Hokage, I met a big brother named Satoshi. Do you know him?"
Hiruzen paused. "I've heard that name before."
Naruto opened the door and led Hiruzen inside.
"Satoshi-nii is so good to me, Grandpa Hokage, look, this fishing rod, these daily necessities, and some clothes, he gave them all to me."
Hiruzen looked in the direction Naruto was pointing and saw Naruto's boxes of varying sizes.
Naruto's room used to be incredibly messy, but for some reason, it looked much tidier today.
"Grandpa Hokage, please sit." Naruto said with a smile, pulling up a chair and sitting in front of Hiruzen.
He now very much wanted to share what had happened between him and Satoshi with Hiruzen.
"The first time we met, Satoshi-nii treated me to a bowl of ramen."
"Do you know, Satoshi-nii actually knew I don't like bamboo shoots?"
"Satoshi-nii said I'm an amazing ninja, but I think he's an amazing ninja too."
"Satoshi-nii and I both want to become Hokage, so wouldn't we become rivals?"
"Satoshi-nii..."
Hiruzen initially smiled very kindly, like a benevolent old man. But the more he listened, the more something felt off.
Every one of Naruto's sentences revolved around Satoshi. In his perception, it seemed Satoshi was the most important and best person to him. He even said Satoshi wanted to become Hokage.
One couldn't call it bold, it was simply audacious.
An Uchiha becoming Hokage?
That would be difficult.
Or did Satoshi inadvertently reveal something?
Hiruzen couldn't help but ponder these aspects.
"Grandpa Hokage, are you listening to me?"
Naruto leaned closer to Hiruzen, realizing Hiruzen seemed to be spacing out.
"Since that's the case, I'll say it again."
Hiruzen: ...
Naruto stroked his chin, thinking hard for a long time and said, "Oh, Satoshi-nii seemed to say that the Hokage is the most amazing person, which is why he wants to..."
Hiruzen's expression brightened considerably.
Listen to that, a ninja of the Uchiha clan says the Hokage, which is I, Hiruzen, am the most amazing ninja in this village.
Indeed, the eyes of the masses are sharp.
Satoshi is a good person, a good person who inherited the will of his old friend Kagami.
Even Hiruzen didn't realize that his evaluation of Satoshi had reached a strangely high level.
He even believed that Satoshi could become a true 'insider' belonging to them.
The two chatted for a while longer, then Hiruzen patted Naruto's head.
"Alright, I have things to do."
He took some banknotes from his pocket and handed them to Naruto. "Here's some more pocket money, don't spend it recklessly."
"Grandpa Hokage." Naruto suddenly tugged at Hiruzen's Hokage robe.
"Satoshi-nii is a good person, please don't arrest him."
Naruto always remembered that day by the river when those strange guys took Satoshi away. So he had always wanted to find an opportunity to explain it to Hiruzen face-to-face.
After a brief silence, Hiruzen hummed. "I understand, I will handle it properly."
After saying that, he left Naruto's house.
On the way to the Hokage Building, Hiruzen constantly replayed Naruto's words.
"Satoshi is a child worth nurturing."
Hiruzen took out his pipe, lit the tobacco, and took a puff.
If Satoshi could undergo specialized training in the will of fire, perhaps he could truly become a second Kagami.
Like Shisui, becoming an important link maintaining Konoha and the Uchiha.
Lost in thought, Hiruzen returned to his office.
He took out Satoshi's file and read it carefully again.
What method should he use to bridge the distance between them?