Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 54 Exploring Living History

The construction of Konoha was in full swing, and the reform of the Ninja Academy was also on the right track.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like a spinning top, dealing with all sorts of things every day, from the architectural blueprints sent by Danzo to the approval of the new textbooks for the Ninja Academy, nothing was too big or too small.

That afternoon, after finishing his official duties, he neither went home nor to the training ground, but instead walked alone towards a quiet corner of the village.

The old house of the Senju clan.

Part of this area has been converted into a branch of the Konoha Village Archives, specifically for storing ancient books and scrolls, but the innermost courtyard remains unchanged, quiet and peaceful.

Here lives a "living history".

Mito Uzumaki, wife of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and princess of the Uzumaki clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked slowly along the path paved with bluestone slabs. The bamboo groves on both sides rustled, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of tea and the fresh scent of grass and trees.

The courtyard gate was open; he gently pushed it open and went inside.

In the courtyard, there was a person dressed in a plain-colored kimono.

She was kneeling on the tatami mat in the tea room, gracefully arranging the tea utensils in front of her.

She seemed to have anticipated Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrival, showing no surprise whatsoever.

"Hiruzen, it's been a long time."

Mito Uzumaki slowly raised her head. Her eyes, though weathered by time, remained clear and gentle, as if they could see into people's hearts.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised.

With Mito Uzumaki's unparalleled sensory abilities, he was probably detected the moment he stepped into this area.

"Lord Mito, I apologize for disturbing you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down opposite her and bowed respectfully.

He showed no disrespect to the old man.

"Hehe, I'm so happy you could come see me."

Mito Uzumaki smiled and pushed a freshly brewed cup of hot tea in front of Hiruzen. "Try it, this is a fragrant tea, a specialty of the Land of Whirlpools."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his teacup, and a delicate fragrance wafted out.

Taking a small sip, I felt a warm current slide down my throat, instantly dispelling the fatigue and irritability that had accumulated in my heart over the past few days.

"Excellent tea," he exclaimed sincerely.

The two did not immediately discuss anything about the village. Mito simply brewed tea quietly, and Hiruzen drank it quietly as well.

In the tea room, the only sounds were the gurgling of boiling water being poured into the teapot and the occasional chirping of birds from outside the window.

This tranquil atmosphere gradually allowed Hiruzen Sarutobi's constantly tense nerves to relax.

After a long while, Mito Uzumaki finally spoke.

"Hiruzen, you seem to have something on your mind."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

He looked up and met Mito's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.

In those eyes, I saw a hint of kindness, and also a sense of heartache.

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, as if to say something to cover up his embarrassment, but swallowed the words back down.

He gave a wry smile and put down his teacup.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, Lady Mito."

"I just feel... a little tired."

He sighed and said in a slightly weary tone, "My teacher left too suddenly, leaving the entire village and the heavy burden of the Will of Fire all on my shoulders at once."

"I'm afraid, afraid that I won't do well and will let down my teacher and the First Generation. Every day I think about how to make the village stronger and how to protect this hard-won peace."

"I dare not relax in the slightest, because I know that every step I take is related to the future of Konoha and the lives of countless people."

Mito Uzumaki listened quietly without interrupting him.

Only after Hiruzen finished speaking did she pick up the teapot, refill his cup of tea, and slowly say, "Hashirama, too, was once as confused as you are."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.

Even the First Hokage, hailed as the God of Shinobi and shining like the sun upon everyone, could feel lost?

"When Konoha was first established, everything was in ruins. Although he was exceptionally strong,..."

A hint of nostalgia flickered in Mito Uzumaki's eyes.

"Back then, Hashirama often asked me, 'Mito, am I being too idealistic? Can this village really become the happy home I envision for everyone?'"

"I told him then, Hashirama, you are never fighting alone."

Mito's gaze softened yet became firm.

"Look behind you. Tobirama is helping you deal with the darker aspects that you're least good at, the Uchiha security forces are maintaining order in the village, and the Nara clan's strategists are offering advice."

"Even me. Whether it's domestic affairs or war, I can make him a cup of hot tea when he's tired."

"Hiruzen, do you understand?"

Mito Uzumaki looked at him and said, word by word, "The Hokage is never a lonely hero. He is strong not because he is omnipotent, but because the entire village stands behind him."

"You've done a great job. You united the Uchiha, you helped Danzo find his place, and you gave hope to the new generation. You don't need to carry all the burdens on your own shoulders."

"If you're tired, take a break. If you're confused, talk to someone. You're not a god, you're just the Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi."

His words were like the warmest stream, gently flowing through Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart, which had become parched from loneliness and pressure.

Yes.

I am not alone.

I have Uchiha Kagami, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and even Danzo whom I corrected.

There are also disciples like Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru who are growing up rapidly.

I still have...

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Mito Uzumaki in front of him, and then thought of his wife at home, Biwako, who always left a light on for him.

A huge warm current instantly surged through my body.

Having transmigrated to this world, I was given a critical mission and now I dance on the edge of a knife every day, playing the lonely role of an omniscient and omnipotent "prophet".

He thought he would always be alone like this.

until now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally realized that he had become a part of this world.

I became a true part of this village.

"Thank you, Lady Mito."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his teacup and bowed deeply to the wise old man.

"I see."

He drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.

The tea is still the same cup of tea.

But this time, what he tasted was the sweetness of belonging.