"Tenzo"
The Third Hokage's voice, though aged, cut through the air with the sharp edge of command. It hung for a moment, then, a whisper of wind, a blur of motion – *whoosh!* – a figure in a cat-faced mask materialized through the open window, landing with a soft thud. He knelt on one knee, head bowed, a silent sentinel.
"Hokage-sama." The voice was muffled, devoid of inflection.
"This is His Royal Highness," Hiruzen stated, his gaze sweeping from the masked ninja to Carl. "Your mission for the next month is to protect His Royal Highness's safety around the clock. Do you understand?"
Carl, standing by, felt a jolt. *Tenzo?* His eyebrows twitched, a subtle dance of surprise. If memory served, this was the future Yamato, an elite jonin, Konoha's sole practitioner of Wood Release. He'd expected, at most, a special jonin—a capable guard, yes, but not this. Not an elite.
Was the Hokage still suspicious? Or was it purely for his safety? Carl would be in Konoha for over a month. Any incident, any harm to the Fire Daimyo's nephew, would strain the fragile peace between Konoha and the Daimyo once more.
*Troublesome.* The word resonated in his mind. The gap between elite and special jonin was vast. Yamato wasn't like Gai, a taijutsu specialist.
Yamato was a true hexagonal ninja, forged in the crucible of Root and ANBU. He possessed not only the First Hokage's complex and versatile Wood Style Ninjutsu even though he lacks the same power as the first , but also mastery over Water and Earth Styles. His taijutsu, honed by Root's brutal training, was formidable. And his character—rigorous, careful, honed by countless missions—made him a nightmare for anyone trying to operate covertly.
Performing any "tricks" under the constant, vigilant gaze of such a ninja would be next to impossible.
"Clear!" Tenzo's voice was crisp, unwavering. He rose, then with a practiced gesture, reached up and removed his cat-faced mask. Beneath it, a young face with kind, earnest eyes met Carl's.
"Your Highness, my name is Tenzo. Please give me your guidance in the future." He bowed slightly.
"Please give me more advice!" Carl's smile was practiced, his expression controlled. Not a hint of the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
The Third Hokage then launched into a brief overview of the Chunin Exam process, peppering his explanation with polite pleasantries. Finally, he dismissed them, instructing Tenzo to escort Carl to his accommodations.
As the Prince of the Fire Nation, Carl's lodging was far from the standard hotels for visiting ninja. Near the Hokage Building, a small, elegant wooden villa awaited, nestled within a spacious yard. Its environment was serene, almost idyllic. Three meals a day would be delivered, not just for Carl, but for his entire entourage. The reception, Carl noted, was nothing short of impeccable.
"You guys just stay here for now." Carl instructed Zabuza and Haku, who stood by, their transformation jutsus holding firm. He'd told them to stay put, to minimize contact. Better safe than sorry, especially with Kakashi around.
He turned to Tenzo. "Tenzo, could you take me to a place called Ichiraku Ramen?"
Tenzo nodded. "Your Highness, please follow me." He knew exactly why Carl was going to Ichiraku. He'd been monitoring Carl since the moment he entered Konoha, and every detail, every interaction on the road, had already been reported to the Hokage. His mission wasn't just protection; it was surveillance. Every contact, every word, every shift in Carl's schedule was to be meticulously recorded and relayed.
They navigated the village streets, a labyrinth of winding paths and bustling markets. Finally, Tenzo stopped before a small, unassuming shop. "This is Ichiraku Ramen!"
Carl's eyes lit up. This was it. The legendary Ichiraku. The safest place in Konoha, the Fourth Hokage's favorite, Naruto's sanctuary. This was his third time in this world, and finally, he'd get to taste it. A quiet anticipation hummed within him.
Inside, the familiar faces of Team 7 were already gathered around the counter: Kakashi, his perpetually bored eye visible above his mask; Naruto, already bouncing with restless energy; Sasuke, brooding as ever; and Sakura, trying to mediate the inevitable chaos. They seemed to be deep in discussion, likely about the upcoming Chunin Exams.
"Hey, Carl ! Tenzo is here too!" Kakashi's voice, though casual, carried a hint of his usual sharp awareness. Even in Konoha, his guard was never truly down.
"Kakashi-senpai." A soft smile touched Tenzo's lips. Kakashi was his senior, the one who had pulled him from the chilling darkness of Root. If Kakashi hadn't risked his life to storm Danzo's base all those years ago, Tenzo would have remained a soulless puppet, his emotions stripped away.
"It looks like you all know each other well, so let's sit down and eat ramen together. It's my treat!" Carl clapped Tenzo on the shoulder, guiding him towards the counter seats next to Kakashi. "And Tenzo," he added, a friendly glint in his eye, "you can stop calling me 'Your Highness ' all the time. Just 'Carl,' like Kakashi does."
He turned to Naruto, a genuine curiosity in his voice. "Naruto, what flavor of ramen is the best here?"
"Of course it's the Tonkotsu Ramen!" Naruto practically shouted, his arms flailing with enthusiasm.
Carl nodded, a small chuckle escaping him. He turned to Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, and his beautiful daughter, Ayame. "A bowl of pork bone chashu ramen, please."
His main goal in Konoha was the Scroll of Forbidden Techniques. The secondary goal was to solidify his relationship with Konoha's hierarchy, even with Danzo. Before he possessed the power to crush entire worlds, personality was paramount. A good reputation, he'd learned, was an invaluable asset. It had proven true in the Marvel universe, and again in the wizarding world.
When you appeared to be a good person, other good people rarely made things difficult. They might even help, without expecting anything in return. But if you were a notorious villain, you'd face not only those with conflicting interests, but also the righteous, who would fight to the death for justice. As for those who engaged in moral kidnapping, they weren't truly brainless do-gooders. On the contrary, if your character was well-established, you could *morally kidnap* others.
"Miso BBQ pork ramen!" Sasuke's voice was flat, but his order was clear.
"Tonkotsu ramen in clear soup!" Sakura chimed in.
"Miso ramen!" Kakashi mumbled, already pulling out his beloved *Icha Icha Paradise*.
"Soy sauce ramen!" Naruto, not content with his first order, decided he needed another.
While they waited, the conversation flowed easily. Naruto and his friends recounted their recent low-level missions—finding cats, walking dogs, weeding gardens. Carl, in turn, spoke of his efforts in Wave Country: establishing the orphanage with Matsukawa, adopting orphans, teaching them to read and write. He described the subsequent changes in Wave Country, carefully highlighting his positive impact.
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke listened with wide-eyed respect. Even Kakashi, his eye peeking over his book, and Tenzo, who had remained quiet, nodded in admiration. Both were kind-hearted individuals, despite their difficult pasts. They appreciated Carl's genuine compassion. To see the Prince of the Fire Nation dedicate himself to such noble causes—it was truly commendable.