A fundamental question now stood before Haseo...
Did he even need to grow stronger anymore? And as "an ordinary man," was there still potential for him to improve further? What about the costs?
Putting aside these latter concerns, from a purely "necessity-based" perspective, Haseo had already lost any real need to keep getting stronger. It had just become too hard and not worth the effort anymore. With his current power level, he could already resolve ninety-nine percent of the world's issues. As for that remaining one percent? Even if he couldn't handle it, in reality, he didn't have to.
Each generation has its own trials to face. Since Haseo had already resolved the problems of his era, such matters should naturally be left to future generations.
He couldn't possibly take responsibility for three generations at once — it simply wasn't practical.
However, need is only one side of the coin. Even though Haseo had decided to stop doing ninja work, at heart he remained a ninja. This world itself also remained extremely dangerous. So constantly pushing forward ability limits never hurt... This kind of thinking resembled what people called "firepower shortage syndrome." Who would ever complain about being too strong?
Haseo wasn't bald, after all.
Even considering all this, improving himself wasn't a strict requirement anymore for Haseo — it had become merely a hobby. Therefore, he didn't feel any urgency.
Despite certain influences he had experienced, ultimately, Haseo didn't carry the "Six Paths bloodline." Right now, he had already reached the peak of ordinary ninja. Even if he were determined to strive forward next, the difficulty of achieving more remained immense.
This was something that couldn't — and shouldn't — be rushed. Thus... although he gained much during his time inside the Uzumaki vault, he postponed specific actions and measures.
Just like when he previously refused prosthetics made from the Genes of the First, Haseo still didn't really like this sort of thing.
That long-forgotten scroll, Haseo immediately destroyed after viewing it — such excessively forbidden knowledge wasn't worth spreading. For Haseo to have even seen it was already enough.
Just like the former Uzumaki clan leader, who also understood the truth, had never revealed anything directly.
In any case, compared to these messy affairs, what Haseo should be focusing on now were far more practical issues — for instance... the matter of having a child.
As "everyone knows," right after marriage, Tsunade had clearly laid out her expectations. Now, over half a year had passed — even though they spent little time together during this period, she only cared about results.
But so far, nothing had come of it.
Had the target been achieved or not? Clearly not achieved.
What did this say about his effort? Obviously not enough. No result meant insufficient effort — regardless of whether his waist broke or not, it still fell into the category of "not trying."
Recently, Haseo felt like he'd practically lost all human rights, and continuously dreaded nightfall arriving — but Tsunade kept complaining about him nonstop.
After all, although billions of humans lived in this world, if just one person were missing, the entire world and entire species would be incomplete — that one person being the child of Haseo and Tsunade.
Haseo stuck around Konoha for another two months, and by the time winter rolled around that year, he'd finished all his preparations.
Everything regarding his departure was already in place.
The Great Ninja War hadn't shifted or shown any sign of ending soon… In a way, this proved Haseo's point: if the Hokage wasn't meant to fight on the battlefield but instead coordinate from behind as commander, then he was just an "idol" displayed openly—more symbolic than practically meaningful.
As long as the system remained intact, Konoha could run itself… unless suddenly hit by some massive upheaval.
So the time had come for Haseo and his wife to finally leave Konoha.
Before that, though, Haseo still needed to summon one last ninja—one who'd even been recalled directly from the front line… His name was Dan Kato.
Thankfully, as it turned out, Dan Kato was still alive.
Forget about his strength level; Dan Kato was definitely a unique ninja. Before leaving, Haseo entrusted him with certain tasks…
After wrapping up this final small matter, early one winter morning, a yellow ox pulled a loaded cart out of the village while avoiding everyone's sight… It was pretty strange seeing a cow-drawn cart rolling out of a ninja village. Even stranger? The driver was none other than the Hokage himself.
Totally mismatched.
How should one put it? Haseo felt unusually happy at this moment—probably the happiest and most relaxed he'd ever been. He found himself humming random tunes without thinking… If there was any regret, it would be that aside from feeling cheerful mentally, his body had been uncomfortable these past few days.
Especially his lower back.
Compared to a ninja, an ox moved at turtle speed, yet… this slow, lazy pace was exactly what he wanted.
Still, while moving along, Haseo sensed something slightly off. He turned his head sideways and looked at Tsunade sitting next to him, quickly realizing the problem… She looked too attractive.
So he turned around, rummaged through the items on the cart, and somehow pulled out a checkered scarf. Then he helped wrap Tsunade's hair with it.
He gave a satisfied nod. Yeah, now she looked the part—like a proper village girl.
Tsunade was the granddaughter of the Village Headman; every bit a country girl, no doubt.
"Kato, you seem really happy?"
Forced to change her appearance, Tsunade didn't mind at all. Instead, she adjusted the checkered scarf, tying it more comfortably and neatly.
"I do feel somewhat... This must be freedom beyond the cage, infinite freedom."
Haseo said with a smile.
"Yeah, I think it's great too. Keeping a positive mindset really can boost your chances of success in all kinds of situations—there's even scientific proof backing that idea."
"This made Haseo's expression immediately fall, as he recalled his recent treatment...
Erm, Tsunade, there are a few things we need to seriously discuss.
First, you're a professional doctor. At the very least, you can confirm that my body is healthy. So what's left is merely a matter of probability and luck. It should be left to fate; being too forceful isn't a good idea... Is there really a need for ceremony in this?
Second, something that originally should have naturally developed from mutual affection has turned into a mission. Don't you think that might be somewhat inappropriate?
Third, the key issue is that the mission indicators you've set are a bit too heavy. Let me give an analogy: suppose a student normally scores 80 points. Then on several occasions, for various reasons, he scored 120 points. Although the results are delightful, those were 'peaks' and 'accidents.' You can't treat them as the norm and always demand 120 points going forward. That would exceed reality by far."
Temporary surges in strength can never truly rival true comprehensive power, though for a certain period earlier... when she was drowsy and half-asleep, saying whatever was said to her, showing her cuteness.
But dragging this out too long could be disastrous.
"I think your reasoning has issues. If someone can score 120 once, that proves they have such ability. When they can't achieve it later, besides not trying hard enough, are there any other explanations?"
This... this... clearly was that magical logic of Eastern parents. Where did these ideas come from? Was this even reasonable?
"Baby, I just want one child. Isn't that perfectly normal?"
Tsunade spoke with such sincerity that Haseo was left at a loss for words.
Yet he lowered his gaze while silently adding one more sentence in his heart:
No, I think you also want happiness.
But what could be done about it? As the saying goes, self-inflicted troubles cannot be avoided. Why aim for 120 points without reason in the first place?
As they discussed matters of married life and childbearing, the yellow cow wandered off aimlessly. It spent the whole day meandering without any idea where it had ended up.
However...
There was no need to know at all. After all, it was simply wandering.
......
The news of the Hokage suddenly running away from home initially drew no attention, but its effects would soon start to spread.
Even more devastatingly, every ninja who had a close personal relationship with The Fourth Hokage found their salary docked for anywhere from several months to a full year — essentially being forced to chip in for shared costs they hadn't agreed to.
Reasons ranged from [moving-in celebrations] (kaqiao xinxi), the birth of children, baby formula expenses, to questions like "why do young ninjas need so much spending money" — in short, everyone was expected to contribute.
The most typical case was Sakumo Hatake, who worked tirelessly on the battlefield for an entire year, only to discover that he now owed money to the village — how strange indeed!
Hmm, Haseo was someone who really followed the original plot — he never even came close to embezzling public funds.
Only... there still seemed to be one profound principle needing reemphasis:
In this world, every Human Instrumentality Plan is ultimately just another way for humans to chase after money.
Whatever the case, the day Haseo left Konoha was just another ordinary day. If there was anything worth mentioning about this day...
It was a minor event within the Uchiha clan — a child who had once been quite ordinary received the name "Shisui Uchiha" on this very day.
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