With money to spare at home, there was no need to work at the Hokage Tower.
"Torifu, when do you think I'll be able to become a self-reliant ninja?" Naori sat on the stone stool outside the house, gazing up at the sky.
Torifu walked over and sat beside her. "I don't know, but I think you're already doing great."
Naori sighed. "Sigh, we're both our teacher's disciples, yet you've already made achievements on the battlefield, while I'm still the same as before."
Torifu patted Naori's head. "Thinking like that all the time will make you very tired. At our age, you're already the strongest ninja after me." He added, "Besides, you're an Uchiha. When you awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in the future, you'll definitely become even stronger."
Torifu's comforting words indeed made Naori feel much better. "You're right. I just need to do my best."
Torifu smiled. "Exactly. Everyone's growth trajectory is different. The Uchiha bloodline dictates that you won't be ordinary; there's no need to rush too much."
Naori smiled upon hearing this. Lately, she had always felt that the gap between her and Torifu was growing, and today, knowing Torifu had killed enemies on the battlefield, she was even more anxious. But after chatting with Torifu for a while, her mood improved significantly. Although still a bit anxious, this could serve as motivation for Naori.
As the only twelve-year-old Special Jonin in the village, Naori's talent was undoubtedly exceptional, though she paled in comparison to Torifu. However, looking at all of Konoha, those who could surpass Naori in terms of talent were few and far between.
"Thank you, Torifu. I feel much better after chatting with you for a while."
Torifu waved his hand. "Do we need to be so polite between us?"
The two chatted for a while longer, though this time the topic was merely amusing village anecdotes and gossip between the various clans. Around 2:00 PM, Naori finally left for home. Torifu, who had been busy all day, could finally rest. He lay on his bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep. He hadn't slept well yesterday, and after waking up in the morning, he went to retrieve parts, then chatted with friends until now. All in all, he was a bit tired, but Torifu's recovery speed was very fast; a good night's sleep was usually enough.
One reason Torifu rested was that there was another 'tough battle' to fight in the evening! His heroic deeds from yesterday were exposed early in the morning, and he hadn't been seen all day. The villagers were bound to be worried or have all sorts of thoughts. So, Torifu absolutely had to make an appearance in the village to let the villagers express their feelings. But this would be just this once.
When Torifu woke up, it was around 4:00 or 5:00 PM, precisely the time when students got out of school and villagers prepared dinner. Dusk was the most lively time in the entire village, with children running in the sunset and wisps of cooking smoke rising within the village. Everything was so calm and peaceful.
Looking at the scenes on the street, Torifu felt that what he did yesterday was absolutely right. Killing over nine thousand people didn't make him feel the slightest bit of guilt. After all, enemies were not worthy of sympathy; if you sympathized with them, they might not sympathize with you. Living in the ninja world for these past years, killing was as common as eating. During missions, he basically had to kill every day. Sometimes one or two, sometimes dozens. Torifu had long developed an iron will, and he had his own judgment of right and wrong, not easily swayed.
When the villagers saw Torifu come out, they all swarmed towards him! Everyone enthusiastically called out Torifu's name! Some aunties even started stuffing freshly baked flatbreads into Torifu's hands. Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, Torifu was momentarily at a loss.
"Everyone, calm down, don't cause a stampede." Torifu stood at his doorstep for barely five minutes, and half the village had already surrounded him! They completely blocked the street in front of Torifu's house, and those who came later could only stand in layers on the outermost perimeter. Seeing the crowd grow larger and a potential stampede, Torifu immediately separated the villagers with a Water Mirror. The villagers could still see Torifu through the mirror, and some simply watched the mirror, no longer pushing forward. Torifu finally relaxed.
Villagers one after another expressed their admiration and respect for Torifu. This was the first time Torifu had heard villagers say it directly, making him feel a bit embarrassed.
Tobirama and Hashirama stood on the rooftop of the Hokage Tower, clearly observing everything happening at the Kumotsuru Clan's compound gate. Both of their faces wore smiles.
"Haha, that kid actually has a difficult time sometimes. It's truly the first I've seen of it."
Tobirama agreed. "Indeed. Before, I always felt like that kid knew a little bit of everything and handled everything with ease. I didn't expect him to be overwhelmed today."
Hashirama nodded; he thought his younger brother made a lot of sense. Torifu always seemed confident in everything he did. Then he asked, "Are we doing the right thing by doing this?"
"What's wrong with it? Doesn't he look happy laughing?" Tobirama then continued, "Besides, this is all the villagers' own choice. It's because he has such a good impression among the villagers that everyone is like this."
Tobirama's words were very reasonable. The villagers' enthusiasm was mainly because Torifu's conduct had always been excellent; he never put on airs or discriminated against commoners. If it were someone else, even if they had killed ten thousand enemies, people might say "great hero" or something similar, but it might not have been like today.
"The Hokage is not chosen by us, but by the villagers. Otherwise, even if we forcibly push him into the Hokage position, he wouldn't last long."
Hashirama nodded, agreeing with his younger brother's words.
"Torifu's destiny is unlike that of ordinary people. Let's see how much he achieves in the future." He added, "I think he might even surpass you."
The brothers exchanged smiles. "Definitely. After all, he's my disciple; surpassing me is inevitable."
"By the way... why are you here? Didn't sister-in-law tell you to pick up Tsunade?"
Hashirama, soul-searched by his younger brother, suddenly remembered that he had forgotten his main task! He was supposed to pick up Tsunade from school! The school was almost closing! Tsunade wouldn't still be waiting for him, would she! If Mito found out, she might lecture him for ages while pulling his ear!
Very quickly! In just an instant, Hashirama's figure vanished from the rooftop, leaving only Tobirama shaking his head helplessly. When would his older brother ever give him a break?