"Third Hokage-sama, please come in." Mokgetsu quickly invited Sarutobi Hiruzen in after realizing.
Sarutobi Hiruzen saw the steaming dishes on the table and showed an apologetic smile, saying, "I'm really sorry, it seems I've interrupted your dinner, Mokgetsu."
"No worries, Third Hokage-sama, have you eaten yet?" Mokgetsu offered the classic opener.
"Not yet, I have a lot of affairs to handle recently, I just left the Hokage Building." Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head.
"If I had time, I would've already called you, the hero of the East Coast Battlefield, to the Hokage Building for a chat." Hiruzen jokingly remarked, highlighting his appreciation for Mokgetsu.
"Not at all, Orochimaru-sama is the real hero of the East Coast Battlefield." Mokgetsu said earnestly.
Despite Hiruzen's flattering words, Mokgetsu couldn't accept them all, knowing the highest-ranking commander deserved the most credit.
"If you don't mind, Third Hokage-sama, why not have dinner here? I know a thing or two about cooking."
"Then I'll look forward to your cooking, Mokgetsu." Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed with a cheerful smile.
The reason he chose to visit Mokgetsu personally was multifaceted, one being to improve Mokgetsu's impression of him.
Previously, Hiruzen's image to Mokgetsu was more of a good Hokage and teacher, but today he decided to put aside his status and be a regular elder to Mokgetsu, dining together for a change.
Of course, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't agree to eat just because Mokgetsu knew a thing or two about cooking; as Hokage of one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, he'd tasted plenty of cuisines.
During wartime, Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed busy, but even in the Ninja World, there isn't constant fighting, and the life of a Hokage during peace is quite refined.
Unconcerned, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed upon tasting the first bite of fried meat.
With his extensive vocabulary, Sarutobi Hiruzen was momentarily at a loss for words to describe the deliciousness, feeling as if he was a beast running free on the vast grasslands.
When he regained his senses, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze towards Mokgetsu changed.
If not for his own formidable ninjutsu foundation, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have thought he'd fallen under genjutsu.
But he was fully aware that he hadn't been caught in any ninjutsu; the immersive feeling was entirely an illusion, born from the incredible taste of the food.
"Mokgetsu, you really should overcome your humility; this is far beyond knowing a thing or two—it's unparalleled." Sarutobi Hiruzen reminisced over the indescribable taste, exclaiming.
He retracted his previous statement, admitting that he'd never tasted such extraordinary cuisine, one dish exhibiting such miraculous effects.
"Third Hokage-sama, you're too kind, the Ninja World is vast, and 'unparalleled' is too much praise." Mokgetsu replied humbly.
"It would be great if Jiraiya and you could balance each other out." Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed a helpless smile as he reached for another dish.
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to enter a world of gourmet food, not bringing up topics beyond the food until the meal ended.
After dinner, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally remembered his purpose.
"It's quite a nice setting to chat; in the Hokage Office, there's not even a place for you to sit, Mokgetsu." Sarutobi Hiruzen joked.
"Relax, Mokgetsu, I'm not here to discuss serious matters with you, just consider me a normal family elder, and let's chat casually."
Mokgetsu's expression softened, seemingly moved by Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.
"Asuma has been quite diligent in his cultivation lately, learning a lot of Wind Release and Fire Release..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed genuinely to want a casual chat with Mokgetsu, mentioning Asuma's training.
"Asuma's always been hardworking, though he seems rebellious and doesn't fully respect you, Third Hokage-sama, he actually craves your acknowledgment." Mokgetsu followed Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, intending to mend their father-son relationship.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly; having been Hokage for so many years, he could certainly discern his son's intentions, but he sometimes worried Asuma might become complacent and lower his standards.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mokgetsu talked about various topics, from Asuma and the Ninja Academy's work to battlefield situations and the Ninja World's dynamics.
"Mokgetsu, which ninja do you think is most qualified to become the Fourth Hokage?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked abruptly.
Mokgetsu, being a ninja from the Root, likely preferred a more mundane life as a Ninja Academy teacher and common ninja, but Hiruzen knew some of the training Root ninjas underwent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't fully discount Shimura Danzo using that to sway Mokgetsu to support Orochimaru becoming Hokage.
Before Mokgetsu went to the East Coast Battlefield, Hiruzen had no worries, but now Mokgetsu had become a second Namikaze Minato, not only strong but quite influential in Konoha.
Combined with Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru's own factions, Hiruzen worried further development might result in his undesired outcome concerning the Fourth Hokage's succession.
Mokgetsu appeared contemplative, seemingly earnestly choosing his ideal candidate.
"I think Orochimaru-sama, Jiraiya-sama, and Tsunade-sama all have the qualifications to become the Fourth." Mokgetsu seemed to find it hard to decide.
In truth, saying this matter was too big to comment on was the best answer, but since Hiruzen already said it's just a casual chat, Mokgetsu wouldn't decline like that.
Listening to Mokgetsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen almost laughed in exasperation, having asked for one ninja, Mokgetsu mentioned three, covering all his disciples.
Nonetheless, Hiruzen had achieved his purpose, knowing that Mokgetsu's political wisdom should prevent him from mindlessly supporting Orochimaru, influenced by Shimura Danzo.
"What qualities do you think make them eligible to be the Fourth?" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued probing.
As long as Mokgetsu didn't babble nonsense, Sarutobi Hiruzen could discern any particular leanings Mokgetsu might have.
"Jiraiya-sama is powerful, has achieved great deeds for Konoha on the battlefield, and is good-natured..." Mokgetsu, without changing expression, praised all three of the Sannin.
Mokgetsu didn't wish to get involved in the Hokage succession; whoever Hiruzen preferred could take the role, Mokgetsu just wanted to gather more rewards and enhance his skills.
Who became Hokage made little difference to Mokgetsu, as he had good relations with them all.
Tsunade and Mokgetsu were both friends and mentors to each other, Jiraiya viewed Mokgetsu similar to Namikaze Minato, and Orochimaru admired Mokgetsu, wanting to cultivate him as a confidant, with Minato being a close friend to Mokgetsu.
Whoever ascended as Hokage wouldn't negatively affect Mokgetsu.
Even if Shimura Danzo became Hokage, it would benefit Mokgetsu since, from Danzo's perspective, Mokgetsu was still his capable subordinate.
"They have the qualities you mentioned, but they also have significant flaws." Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't sure if Mokgetsu was non-partisan or cautious about offending someone, but he detected no strong preference from Mokgetsu.
Mokgetsu didn't respond to this, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen, as a teacher, free to critique, while Mokgetsu, as a rising talent, couldn't lightly comment on the renowned veterans.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't dwell further on the Hokage topic, shifting to discuss Mokgetsu's cultivation and sharing his insights on combined ninjutsu practices.
"Mokgetsu, if you have time, please spare some time to guide Asuma; that child looks up to you." Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned before leaving.
"I'll visit tomorrow to assess his cultivation results." Mokgetsu nodded in agreement.
Even without a reward, Asuma was like a partial disciple to Mokgetsu, who would try to teach him when time allowed.
Yet something unexpected happened shortly after Sarutobi Hiruzen left; news arrived from the Root.