Upon entering Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen disbanded the Ninja Squad and then led the four Kages to their accommodations in Konoha.
A Kage is after all a Kage, an existence on par with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Moreover, they are allies now, and out of respect, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that as the Hokage, he should be the one to host them.
However, before leaving, Sarutobi Hiruzen specifically told Mokgetsu to drop by the Hokage Office at four in the afternoon. He didn't specify what it was about.
"It's not a mission; it's something good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and patted Mokgetsu's shoulder before turning to leave.
"So mysterious, I really don't understand why he can't just say it directly," Obito complained as he walked behind Mokgetsu.
In the ninja novels he read, there's occasionally a type of character who talks about destiny and speaks ambiguously; he really dislikes those characters. They have mouths, don't they? Why can't they just speak plainly?
"Perhaps he thinks it would be more surprising this way?" Kakashi analyzed calmly.
He's not very fond of this kind of behavior either. Either don't say it, or make it clear. Speaking halfway doesn't mean much.
"That depends on what good things it is. For Teacher Mokgetsu, neither bonuses nor ninjutsu could bring a surprise," Obito believes that mundane things can't surprise Sage Mokgetsu.
"Could it be that they're making Teacher Mokgetsu the Hokage!" Obito suddenly thought of something and said excitedly.
Obito carefully thought it over and felt it was very likely.
Mokgetsu has made significant contributions, and now Sarutobi Hiruzen is gradually aging; isn't passing the title to Mokgetsu quite a natural decision?
Kakashi didn't reply.
Mokgetsu certainly has the ability to become Hokage, but Kakashi felt that Sarutobi Hiruzen probably wouldn't pass the mantle at this moment.
"Being Hokage isn't that easy," Mokgetsu shook his head and said.
Although in the original story, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly passed the title of Hokage to Namikaze Minato after the Third Shinobi War ended, that doesn't mean Sarutobi Hiruzen would pass the title to Mokgetsu because he made significant contributions.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision to pass the mantle in the original had multiple reasons, not just because Namikaze Minato made great contributions. The losses of Konoha were severe; while they appeared to have won, they were actually heavily debilitated. Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision to pass the mantle had some underlying resignation to it.
This time is different. With Mokgetsu's intervention, Konoha became the true victor of the Third Shinobi War. Not only did they uphold their status as the leading Ninja Village, but they also acquired a substantial amount of war compensation, and the village's actual losses were not overly great.
In the decisive final battle, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally led the forces on the battlefield, making notable contributions to the ultimate victory.
Given his merit without fault, Sarutobi Hiruzen does not need to pass the mantle so soon.
"There's a possibility they want me to be the Hokage Assistant."
After Shimura Danzo's death, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't appointed a new Hokage Assistant, leaving the position vacant.
Moreover, Mokgetsu can sense Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions to cultivate him; he estimates this time they want to promote him as Hokage Assistant.
The idea might be to place him in the Hokage Assistant position for a few years to get familiar with the work, and then pass the mantle.
Kakashi nodded in agreement; the position of Hokage is difficult, but the Hokage Assistant, that's definitely stable.
"Hokage Assistant, huh, also barely fitting for Teacher Mokgetsu," Obito said with a hint of regret.
Smack!
Mokgetsu clasped his index and middle fingers together, tapping Obito's head, "Big or small, every position serves the villagers. Don't strive for what's beyond your reach."
Maybe it seems somewhat pretentious to Konoha ninjas, but Mokgetsu indeed doesn't care about the position of Hokage.
The reason is simple: his system is a teacher system, not Konoha's prosperity system. Teaching and guiding his disciples is what he should be doing.
Even if he truly becomes Hokage, Mokgetsu would choose to use Shadow Clones to manage the village, unless he no longer needs to enhance his powers.
But that would be a long time away because Mokgetsu's goal is to become stronger than the ultimate boss Otsutsuki Kaguya.
Actually, Mokgetsu quite hopes Namikaze Minato becomes the Fourth Hokage as in the original story.
This way, he would have a good brother as Hokage, and coupled with his own position, his dealings wouldn't be much different from being Hokage.
"When a capable person is in the highest position, they can do more good for the villagers," Obito smiled and touched his head.
"Don't spread rumors, the Hokage Assistant isn't certain, it's just my speculation," Mokgetsu reminded.
He only shared these thoughts because he was surrounded by his disciples, otherwise, he wouldn't say anything.
"Go home and rest well. For the next month, you can choose to rest based on your own will," Mokgetsu continued.
Although there's still the millennium-old schemer Black Zetsu to deal with, Black Zetsu alone couldn't cause much trouble, so Mokgetsu decided to let his disciples relax for a while.
"A month!" Obito exclaimed with wide eyes.
Returning from missions and taking a break is Mokgetsu's usual practice, but in the past, it was only a few days, and even a week break was rare.
Kakashi also couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
"Hey Kakashi, with such a long holiday, how about engaging in some youthful and passionate vacation training?" Might Guy suggested, looking at Kakashi.
Kakashi: ...
He wasn't planning to rest the entire month, but he wasn't planning to start training as soon as the holiday began either.
Shisui was calm; he still had to go to his training squad job.
"The war has ended, feel free to relax a bit."
Walking to the intersection, Mokgetsu gave his disciples a warm smile and headed towards his house in the main district.
On the way, Mokgetsu opened the system panel to take a look at his disciples' life missions.
"In a few days, Might Guy and Obito should have one settlement."
Both Might Guy and Obito's life missions required fame.
In the final battle, Obito and the others had performed remarkably, and with the ongoing spread of the war's events and outcomes, their life mission progress continued to rise, now nearing the fifty percent settlement point.
Upon returning home, Mokgetsu first split into shadow clones to clean the house, then went to Tsunade's home.
Before going to the battlefield, Tsunade had lent him the First Hokage Necklace, saying it would be one meal a day. Now, about two months have passed, meaning he owed Tsunade sixty meals and had to pay off the debt.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, you're back!"
Shizune saw Mokgetsu approaching while she was tidying up the yard and greeted him joyfully.
"Yes, I just arrived," Mokgetsu replied with a smile.
"Please come in, I'll get you some tea."
Shizune set down her broom and invited Mokgetsu inside, preparing tea for him.
"Tsunade-sama drank too much again yesterday and hasn't woken up yet. Please wait a moment; I'll go get her."
After pouring the tea, Shizune walked towards Tsunade's bedroom.
Seeing Tsunade sprawled out in a large star shape on the bed, sleeping soundly, Shizune helplessly held her forehead, thinking how even a twelve-year-old girl like herself could have a better sleeping posture.
"Tsunade-sama, wake up! It's almost noon!" Shizune tugged at the disheveled blanket on Tsunade, trying to rouse her with the sensation.
"Don't bug me, I'm going back to sleep," Tsunade retorted with her eyes closed.
"Teacher Mokgetsu bought groceries!"
"What did he buy? Is there freshly slaughtered free-range chicken?"
Tsunade suddenly opened her eyes and asked, then quickly got dressed and rushed to the living room at a speed that left Shizune unable to react.
Shizune walked out of the bedroom and returned to the living room, looking speechless.
"Oh Shizune, how dare you trick me." Tsunade said, reaching mischievously for Shizune's cheeks while seeing Mokgetsu with empty hands sipping tea.
"Ugh... not calling next time," Shizune pouted.
Mokgetsu would usually cook when he visited Tsunade's house, which worried Shizune that Tsunade might not get to eat Mokgetsu's cooking.
"Trying to eat all to yourself, huh?" Tsunade said, changing from rubbing to pulling.
"Ahem." Mokgetsu coughed lightly, signaling it was enough.
Only then did Tsunade release Shizune and sit on the sofa.
Shizune shot Mokgetsu a grateful look, thinking how life would be delightful if Tsunade's character were half as good as Mokgetsu's.
"Congratulations, I've heard so much good news about you lately; many people say you're the second God of Ninjas and the best choice for the next Hokage." Tsunade said with a smile.
"Just say what you need to say," Mokgetsu replied straightforwardly.
Offering unsolicited praise is never without ulterior motives. He hadn't even become Hokage yet, and Tsunade hadn't shown much respect for the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Since you've achieved so much with Wood Release, shouldn't the necklace's rent be adjusted? Borrowing should be three meals a day." With Mokgetsu being so direct, Tsunade didn't bother hiding her intentions.
Honestly speaking, upon hearing the news from Mokgetsu on the battlefield, Tsunade was very surprised.
Because Mokgetsu developed Wood Release only a few months ago, it was astonishing how much of a sensation he could create.
For a moment, she was unsure whether Mokgetsu's Wood Release talents were exceedingly extraordinary, or if Konoha had been intentionally promoting them.
"What if the necklace is broken?" Mokgetsu asked out of curiosity.
At that time, Susanoo struck once, and the First Hokage Necklace shattered directly.
Izanagi allowed Mokgetsu to revive but couldn't restore the necklace he was wearing.
"Broken? Then you'd have to compensate for ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine days!" Tsunade paused before casually throwing out a ridiculously high number.
This necklace, indeed, holds great significance, as it is a relic left by Tsunade's grandfather.
But after all, it is an inanimate object. Compared to the necklace itself, Tsunade surely wouldn't want the person to whom she gave the necklace to run into trouble.
"What if I can give you an identical necklace?" Mokgetsu extended his hand, revealing a pale green crystal.
He had already cracked the technology behind the First Hokage Necklace, allowing him to create a necklace with the same effects.
However, for Mokgetsu now, this wasn't easy; to achieve acceptable quality, a large amount of chakra must be consumed.
So Mokgetsu only made two, one to return to Tsunade, and one to give to Kushina, to suppress Nine-tails' chakra.
Tsunade's eyes widened, her lips slightly parted in astonishment as she looked at Mokgetsu.
Even her grandfather's necklace could be replicated; was he really the second God of Ninjas?