"Grandma, I'm home!"
As soon as he returned home, Chishimo couldn't wait to tell Qianshuang's Grandma the good news of the day, "Starting today, I'm a Genin!"
As he spoke, he waved the forehead protector clutched in his hand.
Perhaps only in front of his only relative would Chishimo appear like a child.
Qianshuang's Grandma was stunned, and even her usual "Welcome home" was uncharacteristically unspoken.
"Is that so?" Qianshuang's Grandma recovered, forcing a slight smile, "That really is something to celebrate!"
Chishimo noticed something was off with Qianshuang's Grandma, so he quickly took off his shoes and sat down beside her.
"What's wrong, Grandma? Are you feeling unwell?" Chishimo asked with concern.
Qianshuang's Grandma shook her head, a hint of bitterness in her eyes.
"Chishimo!" Qianshuang's Grandma called out to her grandson, raising her hand to caress Chishimo's cheek.
Chishimo obediently didn't resist, instead leaning his head forward.
Qianshuang's Grandma looked at her grandson's increasingly firm and handsome face, feeling as if there were a thousand words she wanted to express, but they all turned into a sigh as they reached her lips.
Chishimo didn't rush her, quietly waiting for Qianshuang's Grandma to speak.
After a long while, Qianshuang's Grandma's emotions gradually stabilized. Her aged hand slowly took Chishimo's hand. Feeling the thick calluses on Chishimo's hand, the bitterness in her eyes had, at some point, turned into helplessness.
"Back then, your parents died on a mission, and their bodies never even returned!" At this, Qianshuang's Grandma's emotions became agitated again, her face filled with grief.
Chishimo's heart also trembled. His parents' passing was an eternal pain in his heart, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on Qianshuang's Grandma's hand.
"I never hoped you would become an excellent Ninja, because strength means responsibility and danger. My only wish was to watch you grow up happily and live a stable life, even if not as a Ninja."
Chishimo's eyes were slightly red. If it weren't for circumstances, how could he not want to live such an easy life?
"But reality, after all, cannot follow the wishes of an old woman like me!" Qianshuang's Grandma sighed, "I know you are now the Clan Head's disciple, an early graduating Genin. Everyone outside says you are a genius of the Uchiha Clan. You are Qianshuang's Grandma's pride. I won't stop you from anything, but you must always remember not to be careless, not to be like your parents…"
Feeling Qianshuang's Grandma's overflowing love and worry for him, a warm current flowed through Chishimo's heart. He tried hard to suppress his emotions, not wanting to show a weak side in front of Qianshuang's Grandma.
"Don't worry, Grandma, I will definitely protect myself. When I become very, very strong and put an end to the war, I'll take you to every country for a tour!" Chishimo said with a grin.
Hearing this, Qianshuang's Grandma was also amused by Chishimo and laughed, and the oppressive atmosphere instantly became much more joyful.
"Alright! Then Qianshuang's Grandma will be waiting!"
"Of course, I'll definitely keep my word!" Seeing Qianshuang's Grandma become cheerful again, Chishimo happily pulled Qianshuang's Grandma's hand and stood up, "Grandma, I'm hungry, when are we having dinner?!"
"You little glutton!" Qianshuang's Grandma affectionately poked Chishimo's forehead, "I'll go heat up the food. You must be tired from the graduation exam this afternoon, so rest here first!"
"I'm not tired, I'll help too!"
In the silent dark night, inside the brightly lit small house, the busy figures of the grandson and Qianshuang's Grandma were reflected, along with faint sounds of laughter, bringing a touch of warmth to the slightly chilly night…
The next morning, Chishimo arrived at the Hokage Tower early. After all, he had to come here sooner or later, and it was better to be early than late. Moreover, this time it was very likely his first meeting with the Third Hokage, so Chishimo specifically chose the clearest morning.
Chishimo's appearance today was no different from usual. The only thing worth noting was that today, Chishimo had a Konoha forehead protector tied to his head, signifying his status as a Genin.
Before long, Chishimo had already arrived at the top floor of the Hokage Building. Looking around, a machine resembling a camera from his previous life was set up there, with a long-bearded middle-aged man standing beside it.
"Hello, is this where I get my picture taken and my license?" Chishimo naturally stepped forward and asked.
The middle-aged man paused in surprise, seemingly taken aback by Chishimo's age, but still replied, "Are you a newly graduated Genin this year?"
"Yes."
"I see. Then please sit here first, strike a natural pose, and I will take your picture." The middle-aged man pointed to the chair in front of the machine.
Chishimo nodded upon hearing this, sat down on the chair without delay, faced the camera, and smiled.
With a flash of light, a film appeared in the middle-aged man's hand.
"Child, what is your name?"
"Uchiha Chishimo!"
The middle-aged man nodded and began searching through a pile of small notebooks on a nearby table. Perhaps afraid of forgetting, he occasionally muttered Chishimo's name as he searched.
Soon, the middle-aged man pulled out one from the many small notebooks, affixed the photo, and then stamped it.
"Yosh, congratulations, Uchiha Chishimo, from today onwards you are a true Konoha Genin. This is your Ninja ID, remember to keep it safe!"
Chishimo took the ID, carefully tucked it into his embrace, and nodded solemnly.
Bidding farewell to the middle-aged uncle who took the photo, Chishimo walked down the stairs step by step.
What Chishimo didn't expect was that everything today went normally, and he didn't encounter the anticipated Third Hokage.
Logically, for him, the disciple of the Uchiha Clan's Clan Head, the Third Hokage should have wanted to meet him, so why was there no movement even though he had come to the door today?
Was he too sudden, and the news hadn't reached him yet? Or was he too early, and the old man was still sleeping?
As Chishimo pondered, he unconsciously arrived at the second floor of the Hokage Tower Building.
At this moment, Chishimo was still contemplating the questions in his mind, completely unaware that a white figure had appeared at the corner of the stairs at some point.
Without paying attention, Chishimo almost collided with this white figure. With quick reflexes, Chishimo stomped his foot, stabilizing his forward momentum, and quickly retreated a few steps, creating distance.
"Sorry, sorry, I wasn't paying attention just now, are you alright?!" Although he didn't actually hit the figure, Chishimo immediately expressed his apology.
"Haha, you didn't touch me just now, no need to apologize, and I'm not hurt." The figure then turned around, revealing a slightly aged face.
In his earlier tension, Chishimo hadn't seen clearly, only knowing that the figure in front of him was wearing white clothes. But now, calming himself and looking closely, his heart trembled instantly.
Hokage hat, God of War robe, with the words 'Third Hokage' embroidered on the back, it was obvious who the person in front of him was.
"You are… Ho-Hokage-sama!" The panic was only for an instant. Chishimo immediately adjusted his mindset, putting on a look of sincere reverence, subtly mixed with a hint of excitement.
Seeing Chishimo's reaction, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with Chishimo.
"Child, what is your name?" Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a benevolent smile.
Chishimo rolled his Byakugan inwardly. Only children would believe this was a chance encounter. Anyone with a bit of sense could see that this old man was clearly waiting for someone here. Only a fool would believe he didn't know his name.
But his face remained respectful as he replied, "Hokage-sama, my junior is Uchiha Chishimo!"
"Haha, meeting is fate. If you have nothing else to do, would you like to come to my place and chat with this old man?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle.
"Really?" Chishimo looked flattered, "Of course, this junior would be delighted!"
Well, there was no escaping this one.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and turned to walk inside.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude, Chishimo also secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed.