Upon arriving at the office, faced with Tsunade's questioning, Hakushi answered honestly.
"Teacher Sarutobi?"
Tsunade was slightly taken aback.
"Yes."
"What did you talk about?"
"Nothing much, just ordinary little things."
Hakushi responded naturally.
"I see."
Tsunade nodded and didn't pursue further.
At half-past five, after the experimental class was dismissed, Tsunade hurriedly left the classroom, leaving Hakushi there to explain to those students who didn't understand the class content.
With Hakushi's theoretical and practical knowledge, teaching these students is more than enough.
Watching Tsunade leave, Hakushi felt a bit guilty.
I'm really sorry, Teacher Tsunade, for taking advantage of your kind intentions multiple times. He sighed inwardly.
But to avoid more troubles, this is the only way.
Today can be brushed over, but it might not be possible to maintain such luck in the future.
Hakushi couldn't determine whether the Hokage would come to discuss with him from time to time.
Hakushi understood the principle that the more you say, the more mistakes you make.
"Senior Hakushi, I don't understand this part, can you teach me?"
"Senior Hakushi, I'm unclear about this here."
"Senior Hakushi…"
"…"
A group of girls gathered around, immediately creating a pink-colored delicate atmosphere around Hakushi.
Hakushi felt a bit dizzy, there were not many things in the experimental class, but there was no lack of various cute girls.
Along with feeling dizzy, he also felt a bit self-pitying.
After so many years, his merits have finally been discovered by the girls.
Being popular with girls, this is definitely a first-time experience in life.
"Alright, no need to rush, just come one by one, I won't run away, I'll make sure to answer all your questions."
Elsewhere.
"Senior Hakushi is indeed a gentle person."
Nohara Rin, who didn't squeeze in, said.
"Really? He's just a freeloader, I don't know what's so good about him."
Obito, who didn't go home right after school but waited outside the experimental class until it ended, came in to find Rin.
"Obito, that's really rude of you to say."
Rin glared at Obito.
That's just how it is. Obito muttered in his heart.
Just someone from the Uchiha clan freeloading.
So arrogant, surrounded by so many cute girls.
"Kakashi was like this too before."
Obito recalled something, feeling annoyed.
"Kakashi? Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've seen him."
"Rin, what's so good about seeing someone like that? He's already a Chunin now, probably so busy with missions. Maybe he already forgot about us."
"Obito, you are really being contrary. You actually care about Kakashi, don't you?"
Rin chuckled quietly.
"No way, I hate him the most, always calling me a tail-ender, I don't want to have anything to do with people like that."
Obito snorted coldly, showing a 'Kakashi and I are enemies' cool expression.
"But…"
Rin started to say something, but Obito interrupted directly: "Ah, that's all in the past, don't bring it up again."
"Alright." Rin nodded.
Obito breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to look at Hakushi surrounded by many girls, asking Rin:
"By the way, Rin, aren't you going to ask for advice?"
"It's okay, I'll go to Senior Hakushi's house tonight for advice."
Hearing Rin say this, Obito's face turned pale, feeling like his heart was sinking.
"Rin… don't tell me you've taken a liking to this freeloader?"
"Obito, what are you talking about, I only respect Senior Hakushi. Even though Senior Hakushi is excellent, he's not my type."
Rin glanced at Obito helplessly.
This guy, what on earth is going on in that head of his?
So often missing a string.
"I see."
Obito patted his chest, letting out a breath of relief.
Then something came to mind, cautiously asking, "Then what kind of guy do you like, Rin?"
Rin thought for a moment, then smiled at Obito, "Not telling you."
"Eh? Why not? Aren't we friends?"
Rin blushed slightly, saying, "This isn't something to share with friends, but I will always pay attention to that person."
Pay attention to that person?
Does Rin already have someone in mind?
That person… who could it be?
Obito's heart felt like it was being itched, thinking over and over but couldn't figure out who Rin had always been paying attention to.
◎
Hokage Building.
"Teacher Sarutobi, please don't drag unrelated people into this."
"..."
Originally, Hiruzen was very happy when Tsunade came to find him.
But after Tsunade said this, the smile on Hiruzen's face stiffened.
"Putting aside the matters of the Second Great Ninja War for now, and including the incident with Sakumo, stop playing these political games. Especially with that kind of person like Danzo. You should be clearer than I am about what he did in the last ninja war."
When Tsunade mentioned Danzo's name, her expression visibly darkened.
"Danzo has already admitted his fault. Over the years, he has also contributed a lot to the village…"
Hiruzen knew Tsunade was referring to the Root's act of framing Sakumo's squad members during the Second Great Ninja War.
"You really tolerate him too much, Teacher Sarutobi."
Tsunade knew she couldn't dissuade Teacher Hiruzen's decision, so she couldn't help but interrupt him.
"The village cannot do without Danzo. Besides, I've already decided to let Orochimaru replace me to monitor Danzo's every move."
Hiruzen felt this matter could be disclosed to Tsunade in advance since she was one of his most trusted disciples.
"Orochimaru? He joined Root?"
Tsunade frowned.
"It's not joining, strictly speaking, it's to restrict some of Danzo's extreme actions."
Hiruzen explained.
Tsunade stood there pondering for a moment, this approach seemed feasible.
In a situation where Hiruzen didn't want to clean up Root, this was indeed one way.
"You still prefer this moderate balance method, huh."
It was the same in the past, but in recent years, Tsunade found that Hiruzen's skills at balancing Konoha's internal situation had become more and more adept.
In some sense, Tsunade wasn't sure whether this was good or bad for Konoha's future, but it indeed curbed internal chaos, bringing all sides to peace.
"All of this is for the future of the village."
"Alright, I can't persuade you. But, no matter how you plan to handle the Uchiha matter, please don't drag irrelevant people into it. That child doesn't fit the political stuff. Just like Sakumo, who you pushed to suicide. Let him go."
Tsunade's face was already showing a pleading expression.
Hiruzen fell silent after hearing Tsunade say this.
"I promise you, I won't find him again."
Thinking of what Hakushi had said to him before, Hiruzen felt there wasn't much of an issue.
That young man would lead Uchiha Ruri to become part of Konoha.
This would also indirectly ease, if not foster harmony between the Uchiha and the village.
"Thank you."
Tsunade bowed slightly.
"By the way, is your illness not yet better?"
As Tsunade was preparing to leave, Hiruzen inquired concernfully.
Tsunade knew what Hiruzen was referring to, sighed softly, and shook her head.
"I see. No matter what, Konoha is your home, don't bear all these pains alone."
"I understand. I will train more medical ninja for the village, so that people won't feel the pain of losing their loved ones, and to save more lives…"
Having said this, with Hiruzen watching, Tsunade turned and left.