"Uchiha Setsuna?"
Kaede paused.
He wasn't deeply familiar with the name.
But he knew enough.
A radical within the Uchiha.
A fanatic admirer of Uchiha Madara.
In the future, this man would attempt rebellion during the Second Hokage's era and be imprisoned for life.
Not someone to treat lightly.
Chiri's tone grew serious.
"He's Kei's older brother. Both of them were influenced by their grandfather."
"They believe only by following Madara can the Uchiha rise again."
She lowered her voice.
"That old man uses his position as an elder to spread those ideas, but most people in the clan are tired of war. They're satisfied with their current lives."
Kaede understood immediately.
He had humiliated Kyō in public.
Of course his brother would hold a grudge.
And anyone who would later dare to rebel against the village was guaranteed trouble.
"I'll be careful. Thanks, Chiri."
She smiled and resumed eating.
"This place is amazing. We don't have food this good at home."
"The Akimichi are famous for cooking," Kaede said. "Otherwise it wouldn't be this expensive."
The bill was nearly a thousand ryō.
Enough for an ordinary family to live on for half a month.
Just as they finished eating, two Senju shinobi entered the restaurant.
They walked straight toward Kaede.
"Are you Amakaze Kaede? We met before."
Kaede recognized them immediately.
The guards from the day he retrieved his father's will.
"Oh, it's you! Want to eat something?"
One of them shook his head.
"The Hokage wishes to see you."
Kaede already guessed why.
He paid the bill and stood up.
Chiri bowed slightly.
"If the Hokage summoned you, I won't disturb you. Thank you for lunch."
Kaede glanced at her.
"Come with me."
Chiri froze.
"R-Really?"
One guard hesitated.
"Lord Tobirama said the Hokage only summoned Kaede."
Kaede shrugged.
"I'll explain."
Chiri wasn't shy.
This was her idol.
She wasn't going to miss the chance.
The guards exchanged glances, then nodded.
Soon, the four headed toward the Hokage Building.
Kaede walked casually.
Chiri, meanwhile, was visibly nervous.
They stopped outside the office.
"You may enter. Hokage-sama and Tobirama-sama are inside."
The guards stepped back.
Kaede opened the door.
"Hahaha! Kaede, it's been about a month, hasn't it?"
Hashirama's voice was warm and booming.
Kaede bowed.
"Good afternoon, Hokage-sama. Tobirama-sama."
He gestured beside him.
"This is my friend, Uchiha Chiri. She admires you greatly."
Chiri's face turned bright red.
"G-Good afternoon…"
Hashirama laughed.
"Ah, Chiri. Kagami's little sister, right?"
Chiri's eyes widened.
He knew her?
She nodded frantically.
Hashirama turned back to Kaede.
"I called you here because I have a question."
"Yes, sir."
"Will you become my disciple?"
Kaede's brain froze.
Not Tobirama.
Hashirama himself.
This was far beyond what he expected.
Then—
He shouted.
"Yes!"
No hesitation.
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Missing it would be idiocy.
Hashirama laughed loudly.
"Good! From today onward, you are my student."
Kaede bowed deeply.
"Master."
Hashirama waved it off.
"No need to be so stiff."
Chiri stood there, stunned.
She had come thinking this was about today's sparring.
Instead, Kaede had been taken as the Hokage's disciple.
She felt envy.
But not jealousy.
Kaede deserved it.
Hashirama looked at Chiri thoughtfully.
"You're an Uchiha genius. If you wish, you may train under me as well."
"Whether you become my disciple will depend on your performance."
Chiri's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.