"Oh, everyone's here! What a gathering! Hokage-sama, Lord Danzō, and all the esteemed elders!" Uchiha Ryun greeted everyone as he entered.
Tsunade, who was beside Ryun, also greeted them one by one.
"Hahaha, Ryun, now that you're the Vice-Hokage, come, come, sit right next to me! And Tsunade, you can sit beside Ryun. Koharu, move aside a little!" Hiruzen Sarutobi warmly stood up and arranged the seating.
Ryun and Tsunade didn't decline. They exchanged a smile and took their seats.
The current seating arrangement had Hiruzen in the first position on the left, while Ryun sat in the first position on the right. The two Hokages were seated as equals, with the others following.
"Ryun, why are you so late? Everyone's been waiting for you! You'll have to punish yourself with three drinks!" Danzō Shimura said with a smile.
"Of course, of course. I was delayed by some matters on the way. My apologies to everyone!" Ryun replied with a laugh.
Tsunade, however, blushed deeply and secretly pinched Ryun's thigh under the table. Ryun hissed in pain, and the high-ranking officials present tactfully averted their eyes.
They were all familiar with this move!
"Ryun, now that you're the Vice-Hokage, second only to Hiruzen, today we celebrate your promotion. As the saying goes, a promotion calls for a drink—how about another three cups?" Torifu Akimichi teased.
"If Uncle Torifu says so, then I'll gladly drink!" Ryun responded generously.
In just this short time, six drinks had been pledged. Hiruzen's eyes gleamed as he added, "Ryun, thank you for your contributions to Konoha. Three battles, three victories—achieving the greatest results with the smallest losses. One drink for each battle, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, toast you!" He stood up and poured the wine.
This startled both Ryun and Tsunade, who quickly rose to their feet. "Hokage-sama, you're putting me to shame. This is what I should have done."
"That's right, sensei. You are the village's Hokage. Even though Ryun has just been promoted to Vice-Hokage, he doesn't deserve such words from you!" Tsunade hurriedly added.
Hiruzen waved his hand. "Today, at this banquet, I am not the Hokage. I am just Hiruzen Sarutobi. No need for such formality," he said with a smile.
Seeing this, Ryun had no choice but to drink. He quickly picked up his glass, making sure the rim was slightly lower than Hiruzen's. They clinked glasses and downed the wine in one go.
This was followed by the second and third cups. After three cups of sake, Ryun felt warmth in his stomach. He was surprised—this sake was over 20% alcohol.
Though it couldn't compare to the liquor from his past life, it was still quite strong.
Hiruzen then gave the others a meaningful look. From Danzō down to Koharu Utatane, everyone understood the hint.
Thus, they all began urging Ryun to drink. Ryun didn't refuse. Even before the banquet officially began, he had already downed about fifteen cups. Though the sake's alcohol content wasn't high, drinking so much so quickly still made his head spin.
He could have used chakra to expel the alcohol immediately, but since no one else at the table was doing so, he felt it would be improper.
Seeing that most of the guests had arrived, Hiruzen announced, "Let the banquet begin!"
With his command, dishes were brought out one after another. Even female shinobi in alluring outfits took the stage to dance for entertainment.
This immediately caught the attention of Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and the other lechers. Though Ryun's head was a bit fuzzy, he maintained his principles and didn't look in that direction.
Tsunade's lips curled upward. 'Not bad, Ryun. Very good, very good! As expected of my man—your willpower is unshakable!'
At that moment, Sarutobi Shinnosuke suddenly stood up. Holding a sake bottle in his small hands, he poured a cup for Ryun and another for himself. Kneeling on the ground, he said, "Uncle Ryun, I want to become your disciple!"
His eyes were filled with determination and hope.
His actions and words instantly pulled Hiruzen's attention away from the dancers. What women or beauty? Nothing was more important than his precious son.
Ryun was taken aback. He looked at Shinnosuke, his gaze scrutinizing. He didn't answer immediately but instead glanced at Hiruzen.
"Does your father, the Hokage, know about this?" Ryun asked. He remembered Shinnosuke's reputation as honorable—a shinobi who had sacrificed himself in the Third Shinobi World War without fear. He had great respect for such a person.
"Uncle Ryun, Father knows. I've talked to him about it. I want to become someone like you—someone who protects the villagers and his family!" Shinnosuke was clever, once considered by Hiruzen as the next successor.
Had he not died in the original story, he would likely have become the Fourth Hokage instead of Minato Namikaze. In terms of talent and skill, while not quite matching Minato, he was more than capable of reaching Hiruzen's level.
Ryun frowned, deep in thought. Taking a disciple was no small matter. Though he admired Shinnosuke and found the boy intelligent, he still needed to consider the Hokage's stance.
Hiruzen stood up and poured himself a cup of sake. "Ryun, my son is still immature, but he wishes to learn from you. Even if it's just assisting you, he's willing. Please accept him."
Danzō also stood with a smile. "That's right, Ryun. Shinnosuke is still young, but he's polite and decisive. If you take him as your disciple, he'll surely serve you well in the future."
Ryun gave them both a deep look before turning back to Shinnosuke. He was still considering when Hiruzen shot Tsunade a pleading glance.
Tsunade frowned. She wouldn't make decisions for Ryun—she respected her future husband's judgment.
Ryun crouched down to Shinnosuke's level.
"Being my disciple is hard work. You'll have to wake up early to study, stay up late to train, and maintain this discipline for years without slacking. Can you do that?"
His eyes bore into Shinnosuke, waiting for his answer.
Hiruzen was overjoyed and coughed to signal Shinnosuke to agree immediately. Ryun was giving his son a chance, he couldn't let it slip away.
Ryun noticed Hiruzen's little gesture but paid it no mind. His focus remained on Shinnosuke, waiting to see what kind of person he was.
Shinnosuke's eyes flickered with hesitation before settling into resolve. "For my family, for the villagers, and for myself—I can do it! If I fail, I'll leave your tutelage on my own!"
The boy's words moved the high-ranking officials. They glanced at Hiruzen, silently asking if he had coached him.
Hiruzen was stunned. He shook his head—no, he hadn't taught his son to say that.
Ryun laughed. He laughed heartily. If Shinnosuke had agreed without hesitation, Ryun would have assumed it was rehearsed for political reasons. He would have accepted him as a disciple but wouldn't have taught him much.
But now, he saw tenacity in the boy, and that pleased him.
Talent mattered little without perseverance. Half-hearted effort led only to wasted potential.
"Good. I'll take you as my disciple. But my school has strict rules. Pick an auspicious day, bring gifts as a token of respect, and come to my home. You'll need to serve tea, kneel, bow, and pledge to the heavens. After joining, you'll first learn conduct, then assist with chores, and only then will you begin training. Can you accept this?" Ryun didn't care how others did things, he valued tradition.
Hiruzen nearly answered for his son. What a golden opportunity!
"I accept, Master!" Shinnosuke bowed deeply.
Ryun nodded and looked to Hiruzen for confirmation.
"Of course, of course! Respecting teachers and upholding morals are Konoha's traditions. We'll follow every requirement. Please accept my foolish son as your disciple!" Hiruzen's face was alight with joy.
Ryun replied, "Naturally, Hokage-sama. I see great potential in your son, a fierce spirit that, with tempering, will achieve greatness. But I hope you won't regret it when the time comes."
He gave a fair warning in advance.
"Ryun, train him well. As long as he's not beaten to death, do whatever you must!" Hiruzen meant it. Strict teachers produced outstanding students, he knew this firsthand.
Without the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju's rigorous training, Hiruzen would never have reached his current strength or status.
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