Hatake Isshin's face was beaming with a smile as he told his son, "This is the village's Elite Jōnin, Kumotsuru Torifū-sama."
"Torifū-sama, this is my son, Hatake Sakumo."
Sakumo looked at the boy who was only a few years older than him and found it hard to believe that this was an Elite Jōnin. His own father was only a Jōnin, and he came from a samurai background, naturally possessing strength beyond ordinary people. Could this person be even stronger than my father? Regardless, Sakumo respectfully bowed to Torifū: "Torifū-sama."
Torifū quickly helped Sakumo up. He genuinely wasn't used to people bowing to him, especially such a young child. "No need to bow, and you don't have to call me 'Lord'."
Hatake Isshin shook his head: "We come from a samurai background. Although we have become ninja, our etiquette cannot be abandoned." After much back and forth, Torifū conceded, letting them address him as they wished. The samurai's stubbornness was truly unyielding.
"Why has Torifū-sama come here? Are you looking for someone?" Isshin asked curiously. This was his first face-to-face conversation with Torifū. He had had a chance to meet him up close at the Nidaime Hokage's inauguration ceremony but hadn't dared to disturb him. He hadn't expected to meet him at home.
"No, no, I was just wandering around, happened to pass by, and was drawn in."
Isshin smiled: "Then, Torifū-sama, how do you think Sakumo's training is coming along?"
Although Torifū didn't fully understand samurai techniques, he could tell from Sakumo's movements that every step was solid and not at all floaty. "Very good. I imagine he'll be entering the Ninja Academy next month, right? He should be one of the most outstanding students."
Sakumo was naturally happy to hear Torifū's praise, but he wasn't complacent, as his rudimentary skills were still far inferior to his father's. He still had a long way to go to truly master the Hatake Sword Style.
Isshin stroked his son's head and said with a chuckle, "This child is far from as excellent as Torifū-sama says." He added, "There are too many geniuses in the village. I only hope he can achieve an average level; that would be enough to not disgrace my Hatake clan."
He said this, but in his heart, he completely agreed with Torifū's assessment and was very optimistic about his son; he just didn't want Torifū to think he was arrogant.
"Speaking of which, it reminds me: the young master of the Oyashirō clan will also be enrolling next month. He's also a promising talent, perhaps he can contend with Sakumo."
Hearing Torifū say this, Isshin became somewhat curious. The Oyashirō clan must be the family that just joined Konoha two days ago. And they were brought back personally by Torifū and Hashirama. Since the person involved said so, the young master of the Oyashirō clan must have some ability. He would have to go and inquire about it.
Sakumo, on the other hand, was curious about the Oyashirō clan's young master whom Torifū mentioned. Sakumo had always had little contact with children his own age; Isshin's tutelage was very strict, leaving him almost no time for rest. Sakumo was greatly looking forward to the school opening next month, primarily because he could make some friends. As for Torifū's comment about the Oyashirō clan's young master being able to contend with him, he actually didn't care. He quietly noted down the name in his mind.
Torifū and Isshin talked about some recent village matters, mostly concerning missions. The two weren't particularly close; it was their first meeting, so they just talked about whatever came up. However, it wasn't particularly awkward; ninjas always had topics to discuss, like interesting or dangerous anecdotes from missions. Since Torifū was idle, he chatted with him for a while.
The more they talked, the more Torifū realized that Isshin wasn't as aloof and serious as he appeared; in fact, he was quite talkative. Perhaps he was only strict with his son. Because the Hatake clan had only recently joined Konoha a few years ago, transitioning from samurai to ninja was quite difficult. The training methods were quite different, which led to his strength remaining at Jōnin level, without much improvement for a long time.
Regarding this, Isshin talked a lot with Torifū about ninjutsu. This kind of detailed knowledge was something that major clans were usually reluctant to share. After all, no one wanted to train a competitor. However, Torifū didn't care about such things; he explained all the details and knowledge from various aspects to Isshin. Torifū didn't know how much this would help Isshin improve, but if Isshin were to train Sakumo according to these methods, there would certainly be great benefits. After all, these were things not taught in the Ninja Academy, and had to be discovered through one's own exploration.
"Thank you very much, Torifū-sama, for today. It's a pity my wife isn't home; otherwise, I would definitely have her prepare a good meal to entertain you."
Torifū waved his hand: "No need to be so polite. I've been to the Land of Iron and have some slight knowledge of samurai training methods; they are very different from ninja. Precisely because of this, I also understand your difficulties. I'm just glad that you gained something today."
After talking with Torifū, Isshin felt enlightened; the previously vague and obscure areas now became clear.
Torifū looked up, and it was already dusk; the sky was turning dark. They had truly chatted for a long time! Unknowingly, the entire afternoon had passed.
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll head back now. If anything comes up, just come directly to the Kumotsuru clan compound to find me."
Isshin and Sakumo both clasped their hands in salute: "Torifū-sama, take care."
Elite Jonin really have this downside—they're practically the highest-ranking officials in the village, just below the Hokage and the elders.
Everyone who sees them has to greet them with a "Lord" or "Sir," and it always made Torifū feel uncomfortable.
The other Elite Jonin in the village were either clan leaders or elders, so they rarely showed their faces and hardly ever took on missions.
Torifū didn't want to be so conspicuous either, but there was no helping it—he was too young.
He wasn't at the age where he could just sit at home and dictate things from behind the scenes.
And the nature of his family's single-line inheritance meant he couldn't play that kind of role anyway.
Fortunately, Torifū had just a tiny bit of wealth saved up, so once he reached retirement age, he could just quit outright.
By then, he'd probably be in his sixties, right? Phones, computers, and the like would surely have been invented by then.
He could just enjoy life—though he hoped he wouldn't be so old that he couldn't even use a phone.
Speaking of which, had Kakuzu found anyone with a talent for science yet?
Every time Torifū thought about gadgets like phones, TVs, and air conditioners, he couldn't sleep.
"No way, I've got to go home and grill him about this later!"
Sure, the organization's finances were being managed perfectly, but money wasn't the top priority! Finding talent was!
Torifū waved his hand and turned to leave. Being an Elite Jōnin had its drawbacks; in the village, it was practically the highest rank besides the Hokage and the Elders. Everyone who sees them had to greet them with a "Lord" or "Sir," and it always made Torifū feel uncomfortable.
The other Elite Jonin in the village were either clan leaders or elders, so they rarely showed their faces and hardly ever took on missions.
Torifū didn't want to be so conspicuous either, but there was no helping it—he was too young. He wasn't at the age where he could just sit at home and dictate things from behind the scenes. And the nature of his family's single-line inheritance meant he couldn't play that kind of role anyway.
Fortunately, Torifū had fuck-you money. The moment he hit sixty, he was retiring – no faux-wisdom, no ceremonial duties. By then, they'd surely have invented Smartphones so he could shitpost, Air conditioning so he wouldn't sweat like a mission-genin and Streaming so that he could watch ninja drama instead of live it.
Assuming his arthritis wouldn't prevent him from swiping screens.
Speaking of progress – had Kakuzu found any damn scientists yet? Every night, visions of refrigerators and gaming consoles robbed him of sleep.
"Enough. I'm interrogating that money-obsessed bastard tonight."
Although the organization's finances were managed very well, money wasn't the top priority! Finding talent was the number one priority!