Hokage Residence.
Four a.m.
Hiruzen rose from the spacious bed, while Biwako was already busy in the kitchen.
As Konoha gradually grew stronger, various indicators of his body as Hokage seemed to have entered a second phase of growth as well.
The most obvious manifestations were an unusually abundant supply of energy and a markedly increased appetite.
Sitting at the dining table, Hiruzen looked at the steaming spread of dishes before him with great satisfaction.
Meat, eggs, and dairy were all present, and the flavors suited his preferences perfectly.
Hiruzen took a mouthful of rice, then a bite of meat. His table manners were still proper enough, but his eating speed was like a whirlwind sweeping away the remnants of a storm.
"Sit down and eat together, Biwako…"
Biwako tucked back her slightly damp hair, served herself a small bowl of porridge, and quietly sat beside Hiruzen, her eyes full of a gentle smile as she watched him eat heartily.
For someone who cooks, the most gratifying thing is a diner like Hiruzen who truly appreciates the meal.
She herself was not hungry. Getting up to cook was something she did not allow herself to neglect as a wife—she could not let her husband eat cold food.
Hiruzen worked so tirelessly for the village; if she could not even manage something this small…
Biwako felt that neither the Will of Fire nor her duty as a virtuous wife would forgive her.
"Hiruzen, eat more slowly. There's still plenty…"
Biwako said with an amused smile, "That appetite of yours is even better than when Shinnosuke was growing up—and your body is getting sturdier and sturdier, too…"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Biwako shot Hiruzen a look. The Hokage really had no decorum in private.
"You restoring your body with that kinjutsu… is it really not a problem?" Thinking of it, Biwako grew a little worried again.
"It's fine. It's basically a fused technique formula—an integration of the Strength of a Hundred Seal and the notes from Tobirama-sensei. It does no harm to the body…" Hiruzen laughed heartily as he said so.
For something that was not easy to explain, the most convenient thing was to wave a hand and pin it on the Second Hokage.
Besides, he also carried the name "Professor of Ninjutsu"—wasn't it perfectly normal for him to know some kinjutsu?
Interestingly, when she heard "Strength of a Hundred Seal," Biwako's expression clearly eased.
But when the name Tobirama was mentioned, Biwako's brows unconsciously furrowed again.
"Don't be so stereotypical!"
Hiruzen shook his head with a wry smile, preparing to finish off the last few eggs. "Tobirama-sensei's techniques—sure, some of them really do leave a deep impression, but not all of them are like that."
Biwako naturally took the eggs, peeling them carefully, nodding as if she understood, yet not quite.
As long as there was no problem, that was good…
"By the way, Hiruzen—will this technique of yours keep making you younger?" Biwako joked. "When the time comes, will people say we're a young husband and an old wife…"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Most likely not. Even if it does, I'll use the Strength of a Hundred Seal to fix it at prime age."
That line of thinking had nothing to do with what Biwako said. It was for maximizing the Hokage's authority.
As a leader, appearance and outward presentation were also an important part, because they were the public's most direct first impression.
It was not that the younger the better—too much was as bad as too little.
A steady, vigorous man-in-his-prime image naturally gave people the sense of "reliable," "experienced," and "powerful."
That was his optimal solution.
And the Strength of a Hundred Seal was also a formula Hiruzen truly intended to set his hands to mastering.
For a Hokage whose bodily upper limit was slowly rising, this technique formula—able to adjust the flow of Chakra Pathways and collect and store everyday chakra—was simply far too suitable.
It was essentially an artificial reserve energy storage.
"Mito-sama has taken in that child with Wood Release and named him Yamato."
"In your daily routine, you can go visit Mito-sama on my behalf more often. After all, she is advanced in years, and women have shared topics in that regard."
Hiruzen gave a light cough. "If the two of you get along well, it won't just help me as Hokage—who knows, she might even be able to give you a bit of guidance."
As for the technique known as the "Yin Seal," Hiruzen was confident he could master it himself.
But helping Biwako master it as well—there was no telling how much time and effort it would take to succeed…
Rather than that, it would be better to let Biwako try learning together with Uzumaki Mito…
This was a case of killing two birds with one stone. Biwako visiting Mito was, in essence, a form of "lady diplomacy," standing in for Hiruzen to build good relations with Konoha's "empress dowager."
And if Biwako could also become a bit younger as a result, Hiruzen would naturally enjoy that as well.
Who wouldn't want their wife to become more beautiful?
Hearing this, Biwako's eyes lit up. She nodded and said, "I understand, Hiruzen!"
"I'm done eating." Hiruzen changed into a black set of everyday training clothes.
The Hokage hat and ceremonial robe were certainly imposing, but the wide sleeves truly interfered with training, so he did not like to wear them in daily life.
"I'll work hard again today!"
After seeing Hiruzen off, Biwako hummed a light tune in high spirits as she cleared the dishes, and at the same time prepared breakfast for Asuma and Shinnosuke as well.
About two quarters of an hour later...
Asuma came out of the bedroom, his eyes still heavy with sleep.
He took a deep breath and rubbed his face hard.
Seeing how his father struggled so hard for the village, how could he, as a son, afford to fall behind?
Especially recently, at the Ninja Academy.
The newly enrolled prodigy Kakashi had already declared that he planned to graduate early and become a full-fledged shinobi as soon as possible.
If he did not work hard, wouldn't that bring shame to his father?
"Eh—Mother, you're up so early? What a lavish breakfast!"
"Should I go wake Father up? Or maybe let him rest a bit longer—he's so tired…" Asuma muttered to himself with enthusiasm.
"Your father has already gone out to train. It's been about half an hour," Biwako said with a mischievous smile, her voice faint and teasing.
"You're the last one in the family to get up, Asuma."
"Your older brother has already gone to work too. He's in ANBU, so he has to patrol the entire village."
Asuma's eyes went wide.
The title of "the last one in the family to get up" struck him like a bolt of shame-filled lightning, leaving him as if he had been reduced to crackling white ash, even his hair seeming to carry a hopelessly scorched smell.
"After all, you're still a child, and you're in the stage of growing…"
"Eating well, sleeping well, and training seriously is enough. Don't compare yourself to your father and your brother," Biwako said with a smile.
Asuma nodded reluctantly.
Who would have thought that everyone in his own home got up so early…
Still, another thought began to form in his mind.
Hmph, even if he couldn't compare to Father, could he really not compare to his classmates at the Ninja Academy?
He would spread the story of how hard his father worked throughout the academy and pressure everyone hard!
Just imagining his classmates' expressions made Asuma feel much better, and a smile appeared on his face.
And within Konohagakure.
Standing atop a tall building.
Subtle currents of electricity flowed across Hiruzen's body. This was his daily compulsory training: using the special mechanisms of Lightning Release: Chakra Mode to draw out the latent potential hidden within his body.
It was the kind of steady, incremental effort that accumulated day by day.
Overlooking the entire village, he also took the opportunity during this training to check the guard posts.
Oh?
Hiruzen's heart stirred.
He saw an interesting scene.
Not far away, Namikaze Minato was out on his morning run, with Hatake Kakashi sneakily following behind him.
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