Nighttime. After dinner, Hiruzen Sarutobi went for a walk, hands clasped behind his back, strolling leisurely.
The retired Third Hokage had transformed himself into an average-looking young man using the Transformation Jutsu and dismissed his attendants, walking the streets alone—as if he really was just out for some post-meal exercise.
In truth, Hiruzen was heading to the Hidden Leaf Gaming Association's store to buy a new game.
But why the secrecy just to buy a game? Was that really necessary?
After all, even if he was essentially retired, he was still the Hokage. It wouldn't be hard to have someone buy it for him.
The real reason for the covert operation? The game wasn't made by Uchiha Kei. It was made by his student—Jiraiya.
Today marked the launch of the new "Genjutsu Network" in the Hidden Leaf. But at the same time, a certain genjutsu-based game quietly hit the shelves—*Tale of the Ninja Wind*.
Unlike other big-name titles that were promoted everywhere and openly played in arcades, Jiraiya's new game launched in secret—stealthy and low-key.
What's more, the game came with an age restriction: no sales to anyone under sixteen. Initially, Uchiha Kei had pushed for an eighteen-plus limit, but after some discussion with Jiraiya and considering the realities of the shinobi world, they settled on sixteen.
Side note: Jiraiya actually felt fourteen was a perfectly reasonable age. In his mind, kids that age in the shinobi world were already married, maybe even parents. Sixteen or eighteen felt way too conservative.
In the end, they followed the Fire Country's official age of adulthood—sixteen—for the purchase restriction.
Yes, officially, sixteen is when one becomes an adult. But in the shinobi world, adulthood, marriage, and childbearing aren't exactly tied together. Even minors can marry and have kids.
Having lived in a more civilized society for over twenty years, Uchiha Kei could only sigh—he clearly didn't vibe with the shinobi world's "unique" standards.
Anyway, that was the situation. Yesterday, Jiraiya had secretly approached Hiruzen, telling him he had created a very *mature* genjutsu game and wanted his old teacher to try it out and give feedback.
Hiruzen could still picture Jiraiya's look yesterday—eyes sparkling, smiling in a way that was clearly sleazy but somehow full of righteous purpose, like he was on the verge of some grand enlightenment.
That expression shone even brighter than the day Jiraiya declared he was going in search of the Child of Prophecy. His eyes literally glowed.
So Hiruzen decided to show his support. He would sneak out and buy the game today.
Of course, it wasn't because he was personally curious about a game that was *absolutely not for minors*. Nope. Purely supporting a student's dream.
"Jiraiya, that brat… Couldn't even send me a free copy? Making an old man buy it himself… doesn't he know how to respect his elders?"
Grumbling about his student's thoughtlessness, Hiruzen finally arrived at the game store.
Even late into the night, the place was still packed. Many were lining up to register for the Genjutsu Network, most of them people too busy during the day.
Of course, Hiruzen didn't need to register at a shop. The Gaming Association had already installed it in his house. Not just his—several top families got the hookup.
So Hiruzen headed straight for the game sales area and listened to the clerk's introduction. For once, it wasn't a pretty girl attending to him, but a male clerk. A small miracle.
Once no one was looking, Hiruzen leaned in and whispered, "Excuse me… Do you have a copy of *Tale of the Ninja Wind*?"
The clerk froze for a second, then smiled. "Yes. Would you like us to disguise the packaging?"
Hiruzen nodded in approval. Though the game was still obscure, that wouldn't last. If he was seen holding *Tale of the Ninja Wind*, who knows what rumors might spread?
Even with a Transformation Jutsu, what if he still got exposed?
The Uchiha's Sharingan and the Hyuga's Byakugan could easily see through disguises.
So for the sake of his image—and to avoid scandal right before retirement—Hiruzen was happy to keep things low-key.
Soon, thanks to expert packaging, Hiruzen walked out carrying what looked like a premium *Ultimate Ninja Storm* game bag.
As he glanced back at the bustling store—people constantly coming and going—he smiled. This buzz was a perfect symbol of the Hidden Leaf's current prosperity.
He decided to reward himself tonight. He wouldn't log in to PvP with his old buddy Danzo in the Imperial Capital. He'd just go home and play Jiraiya's new game.
For the past month, Hiruzen had been regularly visiting his bedridden best friend. While "visiting," he also gave Danzo some intense "physical therapy" in-game.
Though Danzo still stubbornly believed he'd done nothing wrong and kept spouting things like "You'll regret this, Hiruzen!", in truth, the man couldn't move. His only outlet was raging in the game.
Over time, this became their regular activity—their grumpy old man bonding ritual.
Oddly enough, their coordination grew with every match. Danzo, despite his pride, had started looking forward to their sessions.
Since being bedridden, Danzo had grown increasingly irritable, and his disgrace brought shame to the entire Shimura Clan. His clan resented him deeply.
If Hiruzen hadn't been visiting so often, someone in the clan might have snapped already.
And honestly, that wouldn't be surprising. Shinobi clans were a breeding ground for radicals, and the Shimura Clan—soaked in Danzo's ideology—was no exception.
So tonight, instead of paying his usual visit for a PvP beatdown, Hiruzen—completely ignoring Danzo's tsundere-like anticipation—went straight home and launched *Tale of the Ninja Wind*.
Tonight, Hiruzen Sarutobi would personally review his student's masterpiece.