Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 597 What kind of village chief runs around the world like that?

After announcing his groundbreaking travel plans, Hiruzen Sarutobi became the most idle person in Konoha.

After the meeting, everyone threw themselves into their work with unprecedented efficiency. The entire Hidden Leaf Village seemed like a finely tuned war machine that had been wound up tightly, and it started running with a roar.

The chief designer of this machine, however, lived a leisurely life almost like a retired senior official.

The next morning, while the heads of various departments were already racking their brains over the Hokage's capriciousness, Hiruzen Sarutobi was taking a stroll on Hokage Avenue.

The newly laid tram clanged past, and several smiling faces of ninja academy students leaned out of the windows, shouting loudly, "Good morning, Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and waved.

He no longer needed to rush into the office to face mountains of documents. Instead, he would stay with his wife, Biwako, and teach their youngest son, Asuma, in the yard until they were covered in dust and dirt.

In the morning, he would stroll to the village's construction site.

The person in charge, wearing a hard hat, was gesturing wildly at a group of engineers while pointing to famous blueprints.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched with a smile, occasionally handing over a bottle of water.

In a good mood, I even had the leisure to go to the dessert shop on the corner and buy my son a few skewers of tricolor dumplings. I also overheard the proprietress complaining about the recent price of pork because the farm manager, Sakumo, said he wanted to improve the diet of the Konoha dolphins.

Everything seemed so peaceful and full of life.

In the afternoon, he would stroll over to the Muye Ecological Farm.

Hashirama Senju meticulously inspected the growth of the new batch of vegetables and plants in the constant-temperature barrier farm. When he saw Tobirama arrive, he simply nodded and then turned around to continue discussing the next quarter's plan with Tobirama.

In the evening, I went to grab Nara Deer Antlers again and listened to his report on the plans for the next quarter's Ino-Shika-Cho trio collaboration.

With his hands behind his back, Hiruzen Sarutobi strolled along the bustling and vibrant village road, feeling a surge of immense satisfaction as he savored the aroma of grilled meat in the air and the smiles on the villagers' faces.

Power struggles, conspiracies and schemes, aren't they all ultimately for the sake of this present situation?

It's not unreasonable for the Hokage to occasionally slack off and enjoy the fruits of his labor, is it?

However, some people think it's going too far.

In stark contrast to someone's leisurely pace is the Nara deer antlers, who have been driven utterly insane.

The side hall of the Hokage's office, which was originally his favorite spot for taking naps and relaxing, has now been completely transformed into a war command center.

Thick scrolls and documents were piled up everywhere—on the floor, on the tables, and on the bookshelves.

"Regarding the handover of power and emergency plans among various departments within the village during the Hokage's absence"

"108 Potential Hostile Risks to the Water Country and Corresponding Countermeasures"

"Naruto's Guard Team's Supply Route Planning and Backup Plans (A, B, C, D)"

Emergency Treatment Manual for the Hokage If He Gets Food Indigestion in Kirigakure

Nara Deer Antlers had two huge dark circles under his eyes, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, and his hair was a mess like a bird's nest.

A huge map of the ninja world was spread out in front of him, densely marked with lines and symbols of various colors.

"Troublesome, troublesome..."

He muttered to himself as he drew a new red line on the map with his pen.

"Going to the Land of Water... it will take several days by boat, and the sea weather is unpredictable. What if we encounter a storm? What if those guys in the Land of Water suddenly decide to set traps along the route? When we get to Kirigakure, those bumpkins don't even have a decent toilet. What if the Hokage doesn't adapt to the new environment?"

With each step Nara Sanju took, it seemed as if another strand of hair on his head turned white.

He felt like he wasn't making plans for the Hokage, but rather acting as a babysitter for a bratty kid who was about to run away from home and travel the world.

Finally, after Hiruzen Sarutobi once again sent a note through the Anbu regarding souvenirs for his trip, Nara Shikazuki completely snapped.

With dark circles under his eyes and a stack of scrolls thicker than bricks in his hand, he rushed down the corridor like the wind, the gusts of wind he created causing the reports of the clerks to fly everywhere.

"Make way! Make way, everyone! It's an emergency!"

He roared all the way, like a wild boar cornered.

In the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was leisurely sipping tea when he saw Shikanobu's disheveled appearance and even raised an eyebrow.

"Deer Antlers, why the rush? Has oil been discovered in the village?"

"Hokage-sama!"

Nara Shikaku let out a mournful wail filled with blood and tears. He rushed to his desk and slammed the heavy stack of scrolls down on it with a loud bang.

"Please don't go, okay?!"

"What kind of village chief runs around all over the world? Your presence in the village is the biggest deterrent to those scoundrels! With you gone, I... I have so much to worry about!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was leisurely sipping his new tea when he was startled by this, causing his hand to tremble and spill the tea.

He looked up at his best friend, who was exceptionally intelligent but had completely lost his composure, and felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Antlers, calm down, you've sprayed your saliva on my documents."

"I can't calm down!"

Nara Shikazuki's voice rose even higher, "Do you know that because of one sentence you said, my son Shikaku has been forced to work overtime for three days and three nights! How old is he?! You are killing the next generation of our Nara clan!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly observed his chief strategist, who was on the verge of collapse.

Looking at Shikanobu's sallow face, sallow from staying up all night, and his bloodshot eyes, Hiruzen felt nothing, and even wanted to laugh a little.

So you used to laze around on the farm, now you know how tough it is to be the Hokage, huh?

This is just the beginning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to Shikanobu's side, patted him affectionately on the shoulder, and then pulled him into his arms with an irresistible force, leading him, along with his pent-up resentment, toward the door.

"Thank you for your hard work, Antlers."

Hiruzen's smile was gentle and sincere, full of affirmation and trust in his subordinates.

"These contingency plans are very detailed and well-thought-out, and I am very satisfied. This proves once again that I can completely trust you with the village in my care."

With a gentle tug, he pushed the antlers outside the door.

"I believe in your abilities."

"Bang."

The office door slowly closed, leaving Nara Kazuno alone in the corridor, bewildered in the wind.

I...believe in your abilities...

Those six simple words acted like an invisible seal, completely blocking his prepared ten thousand words of complaints and advice.

The deer stood frozen at the door for a long time, and finally, all its unspoken words turned into a long, mournful sigh.

"Thank you so much..."

He resignedly bent down and picked up the scattered reels one by one, his back view as desolate as an old tree swept by the autumn wind.

In his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down by the window, picked up his teacup, and gazed at the prosperous and peaceful village outside.

Skyscrapers stand tall, streets are bustling with traffic, and modern trams make a pleasant clanging sound as they smoothly pass by.

Children chased and played in the park, their faces beaming with carefree smiles.

His decision to go to the land of water was not a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Although the framework of the Ninja Alliance system has been established, it is like a sophisticated machine that still lacks an outlet to a wider world—the ocean.

The land of water is that door.

An isolated island that is closed off, exclusive, and riddled with internal conflicts is a huge destabilizing factor.

If you don't straighten it yourself, this machine will break down sooner or later.

As for the antlers' complaints...

Well, those who are capable should do more work.

At this age, it's the perfect time for deer antlers to put in the effort, so it's good for them to train more.

Hiruzen squinted contentedly, enjoying the rare tranquility before the storm.

Until the day before departure.

The Hokage's office.

"Reporting to the Hokage, the person has been brought here."

A clear and humble voice rang out.

Uchiha Shisui, dressed in the uniform of the security force, stood tall and straight at the door, followed by two figures with slightly embarrassed expressions.

Hozuki Kaigetsu, and his sister, Hozuki Shio.

Both of them have changed a lot since they were captured a few years ago.

Haiyue still maintained her aloof demeanor, but the sharp edge that once kept people at a distance had been replaced by a more restrained and profound aura.

His posture, however, was no longer tense, as if he were always ready to fight.

Hozuki Shio's changes were even greater.

She had silver-white hair tied in a casual high ponytail, and a beautiful face, but with a touch of cynical wildness.

That face, once brimming with arrogance, now bore a complex expression, a mixture of tension and bewilderment.

Especially when she saw the snacks and treats on her desk, her Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

The brother and sister were both very anxious.

Since the naval battle in the Land of Whirlpools, they had been held captive in Konoha for several years.

Although it was called labor reform, they actually lived a more... comfortable life than when they were ninjas in Kirigakure.

But they will never forget how this man sitting behind his desk single-handedly crushed the Raikage and Mizukage, ending that war.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha.

How will he deal with himself today?

Should they be used as bargaining chips in a hostage exchange? Or should they be executed cleanly to prevent future trouble?