Late November, in the Hokage's office.
"Today's young people are developing so well!"
As usual, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was diligently using his crystal ball to observe the conditions in Konoha, and he couldn't help but make the above remark.
The crystal ball displayed the schoolyard of the Ninja Academy and, not far from it, the bathhouse.
In the corridor of the bathhouse, a group of young girls in bathrobes was heading to the open-air bath.
The crystal ball's view followed them closely, soon arriving at the open-air bath...
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils gradually enlarged, but his expression grew even more righteous.
He knew many malicious people spread rumours about him, claiming he often used the crystal ball to peep at girls.
But this was merely a misunderstanding.
Yes, the Third Hokage observed the development of the younger generation in indirectly understanding the actual situation directly.
After all, Konoha's internal dynamics were not uniform. The power of the ninja clans was intertwined, prompting the Second Hokage to cultivate civilian ninjas as a counterbalance.
Moreover, when Hiruzen Sarutobi took on the Hokage role during a crisis, he had to share many powers with his partners, now the Elders.
So, although he was known as the strongest Hokage, his control over Konoha was not as solid as people thought.
To avoid being deceived by his subordinates, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to resort to observing places without pretence, like the open-air bath, to understand the actual state of Konoha.
For instance, he deduced from the young people's development that Konoha had been progressing well, with ample food supplies meeting the nutritional needs of the youth.
This method was undoubtedly more direct than dry data.
Very direct.
And this wasn't just about Konoha; it involved the entire ninja world.
From Konoha's situation, the scars from the Second Shinobi World War mainly had healed in other countries.
For revenge, to gain more benefits, or to divert internal conflicts, the major ninja villages might start another war at any time.
A single misstep could lead to the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War within a few years!
Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi's work was crucial for the peace of the ninja world.
He widened his eyes, almost pressing them against the crystal ball, not daring to miss any details.
Who knew if there were secrets in those bathrobes that could save the ninja world...
But just as the crystal ball's view moved with the girls to the open-air bath...
The screen suddenly went black!
"Damn it, not again!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Why had these bathhouses and bath areas recently installed blocking arrays?
Who did this?
Why did they do it? Who instructed them?
Did they obtain permission from the relevant departments?
Who were they trying to block?
What, the Hyuga clan?
Oh, then it's okay.
Sigh!
Another day of joy had ended.
The Third Hokage sighed, reluctantly put away the crystal ball, and picked up the Sarutobi clan's report nearby.
Besides being the Third Hokage, he was also the head of the Sarutobi clan, so he naturally had to pay attention to the clan's development.
Sometimes, the work from both roles was overwhelming, and if he accidentally used his Hokage authority to favour the Sarutobi clan slightly, it could be forgiven.
After all, the clan was his and the Elders' power base.
This was for Konoha's sake, too!
When reading the clan's monthly report and seeing progress in all aspects, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.
Indeed, he was managing the clan well!
Apart from the crystal ball incident, his recent days had been quite good.
His eldest son, Shinnosuke, was a well-known young talent, so there was no need to worry about him.
His previously mischievous second son, Asuma, had also become more obedient, training until late every day before returning home.
Moreover, Asuma looked at him with respect, which made him very gratified.
Although he felt a bit awkward knowing Biwako's reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to maintain his fatherly dignity and didn't tell Asuma the truth.
Additionally, Biwako seemed busy with some school-enterprise cooperation projects with the sealing technique teacher recently.
She often worked late and didn't come home.
This made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel that his old waist was much better.
At this moment, a significantly increased income item in the report caught his attention.
"Huh, why is 'Sasuke's Fierce Tale' suddenly selling so well? It even topped the bookstore rankings?"
This book had been on the market for a long time, with mediocre reviews, so why the sudden boom?
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled Biwako mentioning a way to boost the sales of 'Sasuke's Fierce Tale,' and he let her do as she pleased.
Could this be the result of Biwako's method?
Hiruzen Sarutobi became curious.
He remembered having a box of new editions of 'Sasuke's Fierce Tale samples in his office...
He quickly found the box in the corner, filled with dozens of 'Sasuke's Fierce Tale.'
He picked one up and flipped through it.
It seemed similar to the previous version in terms of cover and content.
Did Biwako spend money on advertising?
Only when Hiruzen Sarutobi reached the last page did he find something different.
A previously blank last page now had a large block of black and white squares resembling a code, with a cartoon character image below.
The character seemed familiar...
Hiruzen Sarutobi scrutinised it and realised:
Wasn't this his father?
The cartoon of Sarutobi Sasuke wore golden armour and carried a Ruyi Jingu Bang, with a speech bubble saying:
"Hello everyone, I am. What is GAY? It is the Ninja Card Game. This is a brand-new game you haven't played before. Experience it for just three minutes, and you'll love it like I do!"
At the bottom was a line of text:
[Bring this book to the Ninja Tavern counter to exchange for a Sarutobi Sasuke-themed commemorative card pack!]
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "???"
He hesitated, then remembered that the so-called Ninja Card Game was something the sealing technique teacher, Natsuhiko, had devised recently.
Initially, it was a teaching tool to help students learn to draw runes.
But recently, it seemed they had opened a tavern to promote this game.
It seemed to be part of Biwako's school-enterprise cooperation plan.
Since Biwako was overseeing it, he hadn't paid much attention.
Apparently, Biwako's sales-boosting method involved mutual promotion with the Ninja Card Game.
People who bought the book would see the gift and visit the tavern.
Those wanting the "card pack" would buy more books.
Understanding this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. This idea seemed more like Natsuhiko's than the conservative Biwako's.
Indeed, young people not only developed well but also had sharp minds.
Seeing the ad, even Hiruzen Sarutobi felt some interest in the Ninja Tavern.
So, he placed the crystal ball back on the table and aimed it at the tavern, intending to check its situation.
But the crystal ball's screen turned pitch black again!
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
Why did this feel familiar?
---
Author Notes
Recently, no matter what I write, some readers say it's filler. (Even I, as the translator, feel that fam)
For my first serialisation, I wanted to do justice to everyone's subscription, but I felt constrained and did not know what to write to avoid filler.
I've written many times before about teaching, inventing, opening a shop, and training being the main storylines.
If anyone has read Kakashi Yaso, I want this book to have that lighthearted style with a bit of seriousness, hence the teaching and training storylines.
If you have suggestions, please leave a comment here or mention which scenes you liked before.
Honestly, I don't know what everyone likes to read.
Or if maintaining the previous style is fine, type 1 here or give a like.
As for the update issue...
I can only say I've spent all my available time writing,
I haven't opened Steam for months.
Previously, when I said I was a novice, some readers didn't believe it...
Now, I've finally proven myself with my typing speed (great sadness)!
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 117 is up on my Patreon.
Chapter 97 is free on my Patreon.