Rumors had always persisted that the Uchiha's visual prowess could control the Nine-Tails. If Uchiha Raizen were approaching the Jinchūriki with ulterior motives, the situation would be catastrophic.
"Yugao, take a team and monitor every move Uchiha Raizen makes," Hiruzen said to the shadow near the door.
"Yes, Lord Third."
A voice responded from the darkness, and a four-man ANBU squad flickered away instantly.
Hiruzen exhaled a long cloud of smoke, watching the three figures in his crystal ball. His brow remained furrowed. Raizen... I truly do not wish to move against you. I hope you don't do something foolish.
"I should go visit Naruto myself tomorrow."
"Uncle Raizen, can I ask you for a favor?"
After finishing his first bowl of ramen, Naruto Uzumaki placed his hands together in a pleading gesture.
Raizen smiled warmly. "What is it, Naruto? Speak up."
"Actually... I'd really like another bowl," Naruto said hopefully.
"Hahaha! Is that all?" Raizen laughed generously. "Old man, bring him another large bowl!"
Teuchi beamed. "Coming right up!"
"Thank you, Uncle Raizen!" Naruto was moved to his core.
"Anything money can solve isn't a problem," Raizen remarked.
Seeing Raizen's nonchalance, Naruto leaned in and whispered into Sasuke's ear, "Sasuke, is your uncle really rich?"
Sasuke nodded. "My uncle manages all of our family's money."
"Does he have... a hundred thousand Ryo?" Naruto asked wide-eyed.
Hearing this, Raizen couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"More than that. Probably a hundred thousand times a hundred thousand," Sasuke replied.
Naruto's jaw dropped to the floor. "That's so much money! Uncle Raizen is so cool, being able to make that much!" He looked at Raizen with pure, unadulterated worship.
"Hahaha. Naruto, take your time eating. Sasuke and I have to head out." Raizen left the money on the counter, stood up, and took Sasuke's hand.
"Thanks for the ramen, Uncle Raizen!" Naruto waved enthusiastically at their retreating backs. Raizen raised a hand in a wave without turning around, disappearing around the corner with Sasuke.
Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this month, Raizen had traversed nearly every inch of Konoha—excluding the private compounds of the various clans—to place Flying Raijin markers in hidden locations. He had also been working diligently on his primary mission.
Finally, every woman in the Uchiha compound was pregnant.
Raizen had initially thought this would trigger more rewards, but the System informed him that rewards were only granted upon the birth of a child. The first notification had been a one-time bonus.
Feeling a bit frustrated, he could only settle in for the long wait.
To pass the time, Raizen made a habit of visiting Hiruzen's office whenever he was free. His stated reason: he wanted to "deeply study the Will of Fire" under the Hokage's tutelage.
Hiruzen was initially gratified by Raizen's dedication, but that feeling quickly turned into irritation. Under the guise of studying, Raizen spent every day mooching the Hokage's most expensive tea. It broke Hiruzen's heart.
The tea Hiruzen kept in his private collection was rare and precious; he barely touched it himself. Yet Raizen would show up daily, bypass the lower-quality stuff, and head straight for the private stash to brew a pot.
Hiruzen was stuck. He had spent years cultivating the persona of a kind, generous leader; he couldn't exactly throw a tantrum over a few tea leaves. He tried hinting that Raizen should visit less often, but Raizen acted like a total dimwit, completely ignoring the subtext.
"Lord Hokage... Lord Raizen is... he's here again," Hiruzen's new secretary stammered as she rushed into the office.
Cough, cough, cough! Hiruzen practically choked. "Tell him... tell him I'm feeling unwell today and can't discuss the Will of Fire."
Hiruzen shuddered. Discussing philosophy once or twice was fine, but daily sessions were exhausting for his old bones. And the tea! He only had a tiny bit of the good stuff left.
He stood up, hoping to slip out the back, but Raizen's booming laughter already preceded him.
"Hahaha! Lord Third! I've come again to hear your insights on the Will of Fire!"
Raizen strode in with long, confident steps, wearing a bright smile as he looked at the half-risen Hokage. "I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of its greatness. Lord Third, you absolutely must explain it to me one more time!"
"Cough! Hack!" Hiruzen gave a dry cough. "Raizen... I'm not feeling well today. Perhaps another time."
Raizen rushed to his side with faux concern. "Lord Third! Where does it hurt? I've actually been researching Medical Ninjutsu lately. Let me give you a check-up."
Hiruzen stiffened. Let this amateur practice on him? He'd leave with a disease he didn't even have. "It's just a minor cough! Nothing a little rest won't fix. Truly, Raizen, your understanding of the Will of Fire is already profound. You've graduated! You don't need my guidance anymore!"
Hiruzen just wanted him gone. Over the last month, he had become convinced that Raizen's devotion to the village was unshakable. There was no way a man this obsessed with the Will of Fire would ever be a threat.
"Lord Third, your wisdom is a vast ocean; I haven't even learned a percent of it! How could I graduate?" Raizen pressed Hiruzen back into his chair. "Sit, sit. I'll brew us some tea!"
Raizen walked over to the collection cabinet with the ease of someone entering his own kitchen and pulled out a tin. Hiruzen's lip twitched. That was his absolute last batch of premium tea. He'd tried hiding it, but Raizen would just loiter in the office all night until he found it. If Hiruzen tried to swap it with cheap tea, Raizen's nose would catch the scent immediately.
"Raizen... that is my final tin," Hiruzen groaned. "Once that's gone, there is no more until next year."
Watching Raizen pour the tea leaves into the pot as if they were common dirt, Hiruzen felt his heart bleeding.