"Hokage-sama, this is the battle report from the front lines, regarding today's major battle."
An Anbu knelt on one knee, respectfully taking out a scroll from his pocket and presenting it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"You've worked hard. You may withdraw."
"Yes."
After the Anbu disappeared, Hiruzen Sarutobi eagerly opened the Sealing Jutsu scroll in his hand and began to read it carefully. His mood fluctuated with the information in the lines of text until he finally put down the scroll. He let out a sigh of relief, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
"Hiruzen, I heard the battle report from the front lines has returned. Koharu and I came to see it."
Just then, the door to the Hokage Office opened, and two figures entered one after another. One wore square-rimmed glasses and looked to be about the same age as the Third Hokage. The other was an elderly woman with narrowed eyes and a hairpin in her hair. They were none other than two of Konoha's three Senior Advisors, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu.
"Oh, Homura and Koharu, you've come at a good time. The battle report is here; you can read it at your leisure."
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw his two old friends arrive, stood up, picked up the scroll from the table, and handed it to them. He then picked up his pipe and took a satisfying puff.
"Oh? From the looks of you, things must be going well."
Homura Mitokado said with some surprise, looking at his old comrade. After all, with the military strength Konoha had deployed there, they hadn't really hoped for much. Maintaining the status quo would have been enough. Utatane Koharu had already taken the scroll, sat down on the sofa, and, after opening it, began to read the intelligence inside with Homura Mitokado, who had leaned closer.
Their expressions changed from initial surprise to shock, and then to joy. The scroll, only a few hundred words long, was read twice by the two before they came back to their senses and turned to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who stood by the window, smiling silently.
"I didn't expect it, Hiruzen."
Homura Mitokado stood up, his tone somewhat emotional.
"You really do have some good disciples and grand-disciples."
"Is that so? I think so too."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head, his pride evident.
He couldn't help but be proud. Konoha not only didn't lose this two-on-one war but also gained a slight advantage, and most of the credit for this went to his disciples and grand-disciples.
There was no need to mention Tsunade and Jiraiya; everyone was familiar with their strength. But his two grand-disciples were what truly gave him face. Minato Namikaze not only suppressed Sunagakure's master Rasa with his powerful abilities, but his powerful mobility was also self-evident. Nearly half of the seriously wounded in this war were rescued by him during the war's conclusion.
As for Ren, he single-handedly killed Hiroki, a renowned Ninja of Iwagakure who possessed the Bloodline Limit Bakuton. Later, he and Jiraiya suppressed the rampaging Four-Tails, covering the retreat of the Konoha army. How could Hiruzen Sarutobi not be proud?
"After this war, it can be said that the situation with Sunagakure and Iwagakure has stabilized. Next, we should focus more on Kumogakure and Hidden Mist."
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and said in a deep voice. Although the battlefield here had temporarily stabilized, they shouldn't forget that there were two non-combatant countries lurking nearby, so now was not the time to relax.
"Indeed, but there's no need to worry too much. I'm confident with Orochimaru leading the team in Kumogakure. As for Hidden Mist, I've already sent Kosuke to the Land of Water to gather intelligence. I believe we should receive a reply by tomorrow."
"Hiruzen, you've made good arrangements."
Utatane Koharu, who had not spoken since entering, finally spoke.
"However, I still have a concern regarding Hoshimi Ren. What do you think about the ability he used in the war, which appears to be a Bloodline Limit?"
"Indeed."
Homura Mitokado immediately nodded in agreement.
"I remember him, a very polite child. But he never used such a powerful ability as a Bloodline Limit. According to the intelligence, he exposed this power to save a girl. If he is..."
"Enough, Homura."
Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Homura Mitokado and turned to look at his two old companions, saying with a serious expression.
"You said it yourself, he used that power to save someone. I'm very pleased that he would do that for his comrades. A child putting himself in danger to save his comrades—isn't this precisely the fire will that First Hokage and Teacher Tobirama always taught us?"
"...I understand."
Homura Mitokado's expression shifted slightly; it was clear he had also understood some things. Utatane Koharu, beside him, was silent for a moment before asking Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Then what reward are you preparing for this child this time? If it were just ordinary merit, we could leave it until after the war. But for killing the Bakuton Ninja Hiroki..."
"I've already decided."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile, and both their gazes fell upon him.
"Isn't he a Chunin now? Let's promote him to Special Jonin first. And those with sufficient strength and military achievements should also be promoted."
"If I remember correctly, that child is only ten years old now, isn't he?"
As the atmosphere in the office eased, Homura Mitokado, who was standing nearby, also said with a smile.
"Besides this child, there's also Kakashi from Sakumo's family, and Uchiha Ryufeng from the Uchiha Clan. These children are all so young yet already possess strength comparable to a Jonin. These young people are truly terrifying; we can't help but feel old."
"Yes, Minato, Shikaku, these young people are also starting to grow. In a few more years, these children will be able to take over for us."
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe and turned to look out the window, a hint of emotion in his eyes.
Since his teacher handed the Hokage position to him, so many years had passed. These newly sprouted leaves, which had been protected, had finally grown. He could finally retire soon, go home to enjoy his retirement, and wait to hold his grandchildren.
...
"What? You learned it that fast?"
Minato looked at Ren with a surprised expression, asking with a hint of disbelief.
"Are you underestimating me, Big Brother Minato?"
Ren's expression fell, and he scratched his head, a little dejected. He didn't usually act that stupid, so why did Minato have such a strange expression?
"I'm not underestimating you; it's just that it's only been less than a month since you started learning, right? I also learned from Kushina for a long time before I got it."
"Cough, cough. I've always had a very good memory since I was little. Although it's not photographic, remembering some basic knowledge is no problem."
Ren paused, then looked at Minato with anticipation.
"So, Big Brother Minato, can you teach me Sealing Jutsu now?"