Yoruha looked quite satisfied with the performance of Fivefold Rashōmon.
Completely ignoring Hiruzen Sarutobi’s complicated expression, he muttered thoughtfully to himself:
“It’s not especially practical for me…”
“…but it does look impressive.”
The Third Hokage became speechless instantly.
Beside him, Kakashi Hatake’s visible eye curved slightly.
“…Still a child after all.”
That single sentence unexpectedly caused both Kakashi and Hiruzen to reassess Yoruha somewhat.
Until now—
Yoruha’s mentality often felt too mature.
Too calm.
Too detached.
Sometimes even Hiruzen unconsciously forgot Yoruha was only twelve years old.
But now, hearing him evaluate an S-rank forbidden technique based partly on whether it “looked impressive”—
The atmosphere suddenly felt much more natural.
Oddly enough, both Hiruzen and Kakashi felt relieved.
The Third Hokage shook his head helplessly.
“This is still an S-rank forbidden technique.”
“Not some decorative display.”
“Even if your chakra reserves are sufficient…”
“…you should never waste chakra recklessly during battle.”
Then his tone gradually became more serious.
“Especially techniques with consumption this extreme.”
“Real combat is unpredictable.”
“A shinobi must always reserve enough chakra for emergencies.”
Hiruzen deliberately began teaching battlefield fundamentals.
Because despite Yoruha’s monstrous combat power—
He clearly lacked real war experience.
Strength alone did not guarantee survival.
Even powerful ninja could die from exhaustion, traps, or prolonged attrition.
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
“Hokage-sama is correct.”
“On the battlefield, chakra management is critical.”
“High-consumption techniques should only be used at decisive moments.”
“In most situations, efficiency matters more than spectacle.”
Both genuinely wanted Yoruha to grow properly.
With his current talent and power—
If he matured normally, surpassing nearly every previous Hokage seemed inevitable.
Perhaps only Hashirama Senju would remain uncertain.
Even Kakashi unconsciously began comparing Yoruha to legendary figures already.
And despite not being Yoruha’s assigned mentor—
Kakashi’s expectations toward him had already surpassed those he held for Team 7 entirely.
At this moment, if Yoruha requested to learn Chidori, Kakashi would probably teach him personally without hesitation.
After finishing their discussion regarding Fivefold Rashōmon, the three finally prepared to leave.
Yoruha returned home first.
Meanwhile—
Hiruzen and Kakashi remained behind briefly inside the training grounds.
The old Hokage stood atop a massive tree trunk while overlooking the devastated clearing.
Five gigantic rectangular scars remained carved into the earth.
Each stretch exceeded fifty meters in width and over twenty meters deep.
Those were the locations where Rashōmon gates erupted from underground moments earlier.
Even after dispersal, the terrain remained permanently altered.
The Third Hokage looked toward the destruction quietly.
Then sighed softly.
“Yoruha’s excellence…”
“…has already exceeded my expectations.”
After a pause, Hiruzen smiled bitterly.
“I truly hope he grows up faster.”
“So I can finally retire.”
That statement reflected Hiruzen’s genuine feelings completely.
If Yoruha were already twenty years old instead of twelve—
Hiruzen would likely begin preparing him openly as Hokage successor immediately.
Kakashi also looked toward the destroyed battlefield thoughtfully.
“If he develops normally…”
“…he may even surpass the Fourth Hokage someday.”
Hiruzen suddenly smiled mischievously.
“Kakashi.”
“You aren’t jealous of him, are you?”
Kakashi immediately shook his head.
“Hokage-sama, please.”
“If anything, I wish he were my student.”
Then Kakashi added jokingly:
“You could still transfer him into Team 7.”
Hiruzen snorted lightly.
“In your dreams.”
“I discovered him first.”
“Naturally, I’ll guide him personally.”
Still—
The Third Hokage’s expression gradually became serious afterward.
“Kakashi.”
“I hope you’ll support him in the future.”
“He’s incredibly strong…”
“…but his foundation inside the village remains weak.”
Kakashi immediately understood Hiruzen’s meaning.
“Hokage-sama.”
“You have my word.”
“I’ll support him.”
The reason Hiruzen spoke so directly was simple.
Kakashi possessed enormous prestige among Konoha’s Jonin generation.
Despite his laziness and detached personality, Kakashi remained one of the village’s most respected elite ninja.
His father, Sakumo Hatake, once stood nearly equal to the Legendary Sannin in reputation.
Meanwhile, Kakashi himself became famous throughout the Great Ninja Wars as the Copy Ninja.
Among Konoha’s younger generation of shinobi—
Kakashi was effectively their representative figure.
If Kakashi openly supported Yoruha later, many elite ninja would naturally follow.
And unlike Minato Namikaze—
Yoruha could not rely on wartime achievements to rise politically.
Minato became Hokage largely because of overwhelming military accomplishments during the Third Shinobi World War.
The Yellow Flash’s reputation spread across every battlefield nation.
But now—
The ninja world existed in relative peace.
Without war, Yoruha needed political support and influence within the village structure itself.
Fortunately—
His strength already exceeded the requirements for Hokage entirely.
What he lacked was only age, reputation, and political foundation.
Hiruzen had already begun arranging those pieces quietly.
With Kakashi’s support…
With the Hokage’s authority…
With the two village elders likely persuaded eventually…
Yoruha becoming Hokage around adulthood would face surprisingly little resistance.
The Third Hokage had even briefly considered future political marriage possibilities involving major clans.
Of course—
He absolutely could not discuss such matters with a twelve-year-old child yet.
Later that night, Hiruzen and Kakashi personally visited Danzo Shimura to issue a warning regarding Root’s actions.
And for perhaps the first time in years—
The Third Hokage’s attitude toward Danzo became openly forceful.
Danzo was furious afterward.
Hiruzen had never protected someone this aggressively before.
Which only caused Danzo’s hostility toward Yoruha to deepen further—
Despite never meeting him personally even once.
The next morning.
Yoruha officially began work inside the Hokage’s office.
As expected, the Third Hokage handled enormous quantities of administrative documents daily.
Mission reports.
Village finances.
Border intelligence.
Diplomatic correspondence.
Jonin assignments.
The workload genuinely looked exhausting.
Meanwhile, Yoruha’s responsibilities remained relatively light.
Still, Hiruzen deliberately discussed many village matters openly in front of him.
On the surface, Yoruha functioned as an assistant.
In reality—
Hiruzen was already teaching him how to think like a Hokage gradually.
Around noon—
Kakashi entered the office casually.
In one hand, he carried a lacquered wooden bento box.
“I’m heading to Team 7’s survival exercise.”
“Want to come watch?”
Yoruha looked up from the paperwork assigned earlier.
Then his eyes shifted toward the lunchbox beside Kakashi.
The Third Hokage immediately laughed.
“Kakashi.”
“You brought lunch for Yoruha…”
“…but not for me?”
Kakashi coughed awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Yoruha remembered instantly.
Today was indeed the day Kakashi tested Team 7 through the famous bell exercise.
The same test emphasizing teamwork over individual achievement.
And according to tradition—
Kakashi intentionally instructed them not to eat beforehand while arriving absurdly late himself.
Yoruha glanced toward the bento again.
“You brought this for me?”
Kakashi nodded casually.
Then—
Yoruha looked at him strangely.
“Kakashi-sensei…”
“I heard you’re surprisingly stingy.”
“So bringing someone lunch is unexpected.”
Silence.
Kakashi’s smile froze instantly.
“…Who spread rumors like that?”
“That’s blatant slander.”
For perhaps the first time in years—
The famous Copy Ninja actually looked mildly panicked.
After all—
He genuinely wanted to maintain a respectable image before Yoruha.
So how exactly did this kid already know about his terrible spending habits?