Cherry blossoms danced in the air as Kawasan began to miss the cherry blossom season back home. Meanwhile, the ninja school in Konoha started its new term...
"Everyone! Welcome to school!"
"Study hard! Play well! Eat well! Rest well!"
Watching Tsunade on stage, arms akimbo and confidently addressing the students, Danzo, standing in a corner not far away, gritted his teeth in frustration. This Tsunade was far too unprofessional!
At times like this, even an old hand like Hiruzen would know what to do! You're supposed to talk about the Will of Fire, instilling a sense of belonging to the village! What's the point of telling them this nonsense? If you can't do it, let me!
"Hiruzen! Is this really the Fifth Hokage you chose for Konoha? She doesn't even know the basics. How will she lead Konoha into the future you envisioned?"
"Haha..." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, "Don't rush, Danzo. I've recently realized that a sense of belonging and identity with the village isn't something you can instill with a few words. It's the subtle influence of a stable environment and long-term example-setting that truly matters."
Instantly, Danzo understood his old comrade's meaning. In essence, it boiled down to the five words: "Boiling a frog slowly."
"Hmph!"
Feeling that his old comrade and Tsunade, despite their harmless and radiant exteriors, were far more cunning than they seemed, Danzo snorted and said no more, turning and slowly leaving with the support of his cane.
"Wait, Danzo."
Hiruzen suddenly recalled something and called out to him, then whispered, "Is it true you have feelings for Chiyo from Sunagakure? I've heard you even have her swimsuit photos..."
Danzo's face darkened, his expression turning grim. These rumors were getting more and more ridiculous! First, it was about luring young boys, then an old lady, and now even Chiyo from Sunagakure was being associated with him! This was too much!
"I have no interest in women!"
Watching Danzo squeeze out those words from his throat before storming off, Hiruzen was stunned. What did Danzo mean by that?
No interest in women? Could it be...
Blushing, Hiruzen lowered his head, thinking: Danzo, your words are too straightforward. At our age, who's supposed to understand that? Our youth is long gone, Danzo!
We've... long missed our chance!
...
Like many other parents, Nonō stood with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with warmth as she watched Kabuto and Chloe among the children listening intently to the Hokage's speech.
Beside her was the elegant Mikoto Uchiha, holding Sasuke in her arms and sending Itachi to school alone because Fugaku had to go to the Hokage's office.
The two women had no prior acquaintance and only met today.
During their conversation, Mikoto learned that Nonō was the head of the orphanage where the two children who often played with her eldest son resided.
Seeing Nonō's gentle and kind nature, along with her good looks, and knowing she was single with no boyfriend, Mikoto made up her mind. On her way back, she would buy two big durians and reward her husband for being such a charitable man who often visited the orphanage and talked with the director.
Unaware that she had made a family's bond even stronger, Nonō was already captivated by Tsunade's charismatic personality on stage!
Unlike the previous Hokage, who always had a kind and benevolent demeanor, Tsunade was bold, youthful (in appearance), vibrant, and didn't excessively emphasize the Will of Fire.
Konoha's future truly looks bright...
Nonō wholeheartedly believed this, so when she saw Kabuto suddenly stand up and point to Chloe, making a bold declaration after Tsunade finished her speech, she was momentarily stunned.
"Listen up, everyone! The next Hokage will be Little Black!"
At that moment, not only Nonō and the crowd but even Chloe, who was sandwiched between Itachi and Kabuto, was bewildered.
I didn't plan this!
Just as she was inwardly complaining, Chloe noticed many tiny bits of reputation points accumulating, realizing something, she stood up.
"That's right! I, Kōgetsu Chloe, will definitely become Hokage!"
Instantly, the children erupted in excitement, each clamoring to declare that they too would become Hokage.
Tsunade, though outwardly annoyed by the noise, was inwardly pleased. After all, she thrived on this sort of enthusiasm! Anything else would leave her cold!
In the end, only Itachi remained seated, watching his friends around him stand up with Hokage as their goal. He felt conflicted.
Ordinarily, he would join the others, but his unique status as the clan head's son and an Uchiha made things complicated.
"Kid, don't you want to become Hokage?"
When Tsunade turned her gaze to him and asked, Itachi felt a sense of helplessness. But then he saw Chloe's determined little face.
In that moment, Itachi made up his mind and stood up slowly.
"I want to see Little Black become Hokage."
Seeing Itachi's sincere and smiling face, Tsunade was impressed with his character and once again noted Kōgetsu Chloe's name in her heart.
A little girl trusted and hoped to become Hokage by the son of the Uchiha clan head must possess an extraordinary charisma.
Looking at Chloe's resolute face, standing between Kabuto and Itachi, Tsunade couldn't help but feel that this little girl resembled a fallen Fourth Hokage, especially in her eyes and expression!
At that moment, Tsunade confirmed that Kōgetsu Chloe, a little girl favored and trusted by two geniuses, was indeed a future Hokage candidate for Konoha!
Looking at her necklace, Tsunade felt a sudden impulse, an inexplicable urge to give it to Chloe!
Of course, neither Kabuto, Itachi, nor Tsunade knew that Chloe's determined expression was solely for the sake of rescuing her mother!
...
Although it was supposed to be the season of rejuvenation, Shinji was curled up under the kotatsu, alternately teasing a black-haired, blue-eyed little girl playing enthusiastically with a game console he had forgotten when he stuffed it into his system space before coming to this world, and popping one tangerine after another into his mouth.
The Land of Snow, a country much like Russia in the real world, shared similarities in climate and heavy industry.
One difference was that this country had no land suitable for agriculture, with every piece of land covered in snow!
"I lost…"
As the mechanical sound of "Game Over" rang out, Kazahana Koyuki pouted, looking at Shinji in distress.
"Call me daddy, and I'll clear the game for you."
Shinji blurted out, but then sensed the air pressure behind him drop slightly. Turning around, he saw Kazahana Sousetsu, who had arrived unnoticed, with a peculiar expression on his face.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I just think your daughter has a talent for acting, and I'm laying the foundation for that. Also, don't underestimate the power of a simple 'daddy'—it's a powerful tool in many professions! Haven't you heard the saying? 'Call him daddy sweetly, and life will be even sweeter!'"
Hearing this, Sousetsu's expression became even more peculiar. Ever since this young man arrived in the Land of Snow and got acquainted with him, he had taken a particular liking to teasing his daughter. For some reason, his daughter also liked sticking to him.
In this back-and-forth, his own position as the father was becoming increasingly precarious!
"Koyuki, go play in the other room. Daddy has something to discuss with Mr. An."
Koyuki obediently got up, nodded, and was about to leave when she remembered something. She leaned over and whispered in Shinji's ear.
"I'll call you that later, so you have to clear the game for me then, Mr. An."
Listening to his daughter's whispered words, Sousetsu's forehead darkened, showing a few signs of constipation.
...
"Just as you warned, Mr. An, I discovered that my brother indeed intends…"
Sousetsu sat down and spoke slowly, his expression turning despondent. It was unimaginable that his brother would plot to kill him for the so-called treasure!
They were flesh and blood, having grown up together, yet he wanted to kill him for a nonexistent treasure! Was this the true nature of humanity?
Sousetsu felt desolate, unable to understand why his brother would do such a thing.
"What are you going to do?" Shinji, lying on his side on the floor and casually popping a peeled tangerine into his mouth, asked indistinctly.
"I'll tell him the so-called treasure is just an unfinished environmental modification machine. That way, he'll abandon his greed and reconcile with me!"
Hearing Sousetsu's naive statement, Shinji wasn't surprised, having understood his character well over time.
"Do as you wish, but the result will be that he won't believe the treasure is just such a thing, will kill you, and then search the entire country for it. Don't worry, after your death, I'll comfort Koyuki so she sheds a few less tears."
Sousetsu, feeling blocked by Shinji's casual words, couldn't help but feel conflicted. While he desperately wanted to deny the possibility Shinji suggested, another voice within warned him it was indeed possible.
"I…" Sousetsu clenched his fists, feeling both helpless and heartbroken.
"Isn't there a ninja from the Land of Fire? Why don't you secretly ask him to protect you? Regardless of whether your brother believes or doesn't believe, acts or doesn't act, you need to be prepared, old Snow."
"Are you referring to Hatake Kakashi, the Konoha ninja who came to sign the peace treaty?"