"What do you mean 'squatting'? You brat, you really don't know how to talk," Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered, his brow twitching.
"As for why I'm here, well… the kids' mother went out to get her hair done tonight, so I had no choice but to handle dinner myself."
Hayashi raised an eyebrow, giving a drawn-out, "Oh."
The Third Hokage had a reputation as the "Ninja God," feared across the battlefield, yet in moments like this he was just a kind man, gentle and approachable, especially with children. He treated everyone—whether from a clan or a civilian family—with the same warmth. To Hayashi, he felt less like the Hokage and more like the friendly old man next door… even though Hiruzen was only in his thirties.
"What do you two want to eat? Don't hold back. It's on me," Hiruzen said with a smile, waving a hand.
When their turn at Ichiraku finally came, Hiruzen puffed up his chest with the kind of expression that dared anyone to be overly polite with him.
Kushina's eyes darted toward Hayashi.
Hayashi smirked, then glanced up at the very top of the menu board. His gaze landed on the most expensive ramen Ichiraku offered—something he had never dared to order before.
"Then, I'll have the Scallion Pork Ramen. And… two extra eggs, please," Hayashi said.
Kushina immediately chimed in, "I'll have the same as Hayashi!"
The Third Hokage nodded easily, as if it were no issue. After all, ramen was cheap compared to most things. Three bowls shouldn't…
Hiruzen's eyes widened the moment he saw the price. What? This much? Are they robbing me?
"What's wrong, Hokage-sama? Is it too expensive? We can skip the eggs," Hayashi said with mock concern.
Hiruzen coughed awkwardly. "N-no, it's nothing. I've just been feeling a little too much internal heat lately… my teeth ache, you see."
Inwardly, though, his heart bled. His salary, as Hokage, mostly went to family expenses. Pocket money was scarce. The few coins he secretly stashed away were meant for… well, for certain newly released adult-themed manga.
Now, that plan was crumbling before his eyes.
Teuchi's father, can't you cut me some slack here? Hiruzen's gaze pleaded, but the ramen chef was merciless.
At last, with a heavy sigh, he pulled out his hidden savings. The sacrifice stung. One less volume of his precious manga collection.
Soon enough, the ramen bowls were brought out—not by the owner, but by young Teuchi himself, only eleven years old at the time.
Kushina leaned forward, frowning. "Hokage-sama, why didn't you add an egg to yours?"
Hiruzen smiled, waving it off. "You two are still growing. You need the extra nutrition. I don't."
Hayashi couldn't help but pout. He could see through the excuse easily enough. The Hokage was broke.
"Thank you for the ramen, Hokage-sama," Hayashi said politely.
"You're welcome. This is simply a warm exchange between the Hokage and the children of his village," Hiruzen said, trying to maintain his image.
Hayashi grinned slyly. "Ah, I see. That's so moving. Hokage-sama, please come and 'exchange' with us again next time."
"..."
Suppressing a sigh, Hayashi picked one of his eggs out of his bowl and dropped it into Hiruzen's.
The Hokage blinked in surprise. His hand froze around his chopsticks as he stared at the boy.
"What is it, Hokage-sama?" Hayashi asked, touching his own face in mock confusion. "Am I already handsome enough to charm both young and old?"
Hiruzen chuckled softly, his expression turning faintly nostalgic. "No… you just reminded me of your father, Kagami."
Hayashi's smile faded slightly.
"In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed," Hiruzen continued, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Back then, among our group of comrades—our teacher, the Second Hokage-sama, and the others—only a few of us remain…"
He shook his head suddenly, pushing away the gloom. "Ah, forgive me. When you grow older, it's easy to slip into memories."
He ruffled Hayashi's hair before asking, "Do you two have any dreams?"
Hayashi nearly groaned. Why do Hokage always ask about dreams? Is it some sort of requirement?
Kushina straightened proudly. "I want to be Konoha's first female Hokage! And someone already promised to support me!" She shot Hayashi a meaningful glance.
"Oh-ho," Hiruzen chuckled, stroking his beard. "Then I'd best watch my back. It seems this seat of mine won't stay mine for long."
He turned to Hayashi. "And what about you?"
Hayashi's expression hardened, his voice steady. "I want to protect this village and my precious comrades, just like my father did."
Whether Hiruzen truly believed him or not, Hayashi knew it was the right answer. Now was not the time to speak of power, ambition, or forbidden pursuits. This was a political review in disguise. To stay in Konoha, he had to align himself with the Will of Fire.
The Third Hokage smiled with approval, eyes softening. "Good. Very good."
He looked between the two of them. "You will both become pillars of Konoha one day, inheritors of the Will of Fire. Take care of each other, and grow stronger together."
Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he added, "And it's fine if you become more than that, even lovers."
Kushina's face immediately flushed crimson. She buried her head in her ramen bowl, too embarrassed to answer.
Hiruzen finished his meal, setting down his chopsticks with quiet satisfaction. "Alright, I should return. You two should head home early as well."
Relief flickered briefly across his face. Though still young by most standards, a shinobi's life was short. Few made it past forty. He did not know how long he himself would live. But with children like these, the village's future would be secure.
As he stepped out of Ichiraku, someone called out, "Third Hokage-sama!"
The surrounding shinobi all rose to their feet, bowing respectfully.
"It's nothing, nothing," Hiruzen said with a dismissive wave, walking away at an unhurried pace. In the fading evening light, his figure looked less like that of a powerful leader and more like that of a weary old man.
---