The sixth floor of the Hokage Building basked quietly beneath a gentle wash of morning light. Soren leaned back in his leather chair, lazily narrowing his eyes as Minako Uzumaki searched for fallen documents under the broad desk.
"Minako, your office work keeps getting better."
"That's good. Very good."
"Keep it up."
Her soft muffled reply drifted up from beneath the table.
A knock came at the door.
Five small figures stepped in together — the "medium-sized radish heads," as Soren liked to call them.
"Teacher Soren!"
Their crisp, bright voices smoothed the lines on his face. The chair's wheels rolled; Soren leaned forward slightly, bracing an elbow on the desk. His handsome features curved into a warm smile, an easy confidence radiating from him like sunlight.
"Tsunade? Looking for Minako?" he asked lightly.
"She's busy right now. No time at the moment."
Tsunade stepped forward proudly, shaking her head. "Nope! We came to find you, Teacher!"
Soren raised a brow, keeping his posture calm even as his hand drifted subtly to the darkness beneath the desk.
Orochimaru stepped up. Hair long, eyes sharp like golden slits. "Teacher once said knowledge learned on paper is shallow. True understanding comes only through experience."
He clasped his small hands behind his back, continuing, "We want to leave the academy temporarily, travel the world, and gain real experience. We won't go to the Black Horn Domain. Without your approval to graduate, we won't act recklessly."
The office fell silent.
The children held their breath. Even with their elite-chūnin-level strength, facing the Hokage's quiet gaze made them unconsciously bow their heads.
Soren exhaled a long, thoughtful sigh.
He leaned back, ignoring Minako's discreet glance up from below the desk, and swept his gaze over the five young faces.
"If you've already made up your minds, it would be difficult for me to refuse."
Five pairs of eyes instantly brightened.
"You may go," Soren said slowly. "The Sand, the Grass, the Snow — see them as you wish. I won't assign a formal mission. Just check in with the Academy regularly."
He beckoned.
"Orochimaru, step forward."
The boy approached, solemn. Soren placed a Flying Thunder God kunai into his hands.
"Listen," Soren said gently, "I may not have taught you much directly these past three years, but I've watched you closely. You're a good vice-captain. But outside the academy, things are different."
"Safety comes first. Don't care about pride. If danger comes — call me. I will always be your strongest shield. Konoha is your bottom line — you can start over as many times as you need."
"Understand?"
"Yes, Teacher Soren!!"
Eyes rimmed red, the five shouted in unison.
Soren nodded, lips softening.
Then — a thought struck him.
"…Does Hikari know about this?"
Silence.
Five children froze.
Soren rubbed his forehead. "You five… what am I going to do with you?"
Orochimaru swallowed. "Teacher… can we still go?"
Soren waved dismissively. "Get out of Konoha before I change my mind. But go apologize to Hikari first."
"Yes, Teacher Soren!!"
They bolted, cheering. Little Tsunade even turned at the door and flashed a playful V-sign.
Soren chuckled. "Lively kids."
"What do you think, my dear Secretary Minako?"
Minako crawled out at last, adjusting her tight black skirt, cheeks flushed and eyes narrowed in half-anger.
"You're getting worse," she snapped softly. "What if Tsunade saw? And she's not even a jōnin yet — what if something happens out there?"
"Relax. I put my newest Flying Thunder God mark on her. If she's in trouble, it'll activate."
Minako squinted. "…Fine. She's my only child, after all."
She stood gracefully, swaying toward the office's private rest room. Just before closing the door, she cast him a sultry little hand sign.
"Hokage-sama… Minako is waiting anytime you decide."
Soren vanished into the rest room with a flicker and a grin, sweeping Minako into his arms. Behind the soundproofing seals, the world dissolved into steam and low, muffled whispers.
Not long after, the door clicked open again.
Mito returned with Juno curled in her arms, humming softly as she took her seat. The shadow clones continued their paperwork. The office resumed its peaceful, everyday rhythm.
All was serene. Beautifully so.
Meanwhile, the five young shinobi sprinted to the Academy expecting a scolding — only to see Hikari Uchiha smiling gently, already forgiving their little rebellion.
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