After leaving the Hokage's training grounds, two starving kids reached the same conclusion at the same time.
Food. Immediately.
They returned to the now-familiar barbecue restaurant.
Same seats.Same mountain of plates.Same twenty-something servings of meat.
It felt almost ceremonial.
Ever since that first meal here, Uchiha Shiori had developed a strange affection for the place. Not because the food was extraordinary.
But because last time…
After eating here, she ended up training under the First Hokage.
That memory alone made the restaurant sacred.
Shiori sneaked a glance at Amakaze Kaede.
If not for Kaede…
She knew her own limits. Without Kaede pulling her along, there was no way the Hokage would have ever noticed her.
Naturally, Kaede paid.
Again.
Shiori briefly considered offering money.
Then gave up immediately.
She already owed him too much.
Besides… what exactly could she give someone who lacked nothing?
Money? He had it.Ninjutsu? He had better.Teachers? He had the best in the village.
In the end, Shiori could only do what she always did.
Eat earnestly.
While they were eating, Shiori brought up recent gossip.
Uchiha Kyo's punishment had already been decided.
Life imprisonment for using lethal ninjutsu inside the village.
However, because he had consumed forbidden drugs that destroyed his body, his condition was unstable.
Uchiha Kei's grandfather personally delivered a large compensation payment to Kaede.
After Kaede accepted it, Kyo was taken back to the Uchiha compound for emergency treatment.
If he survived, he would continue serving his sentence.
If he didn't… exile.
Kaede felt nothing about it.
Kyo had tried to kill him, yes.
But from Kaede's perspective, Kyo was never more than background noise.
Someone willing to pay compensation and back off?
Fine.
No need to waste emotional bandwidth.
Besides, now that he had the First Hokage standing behind him…
Anyone who wanted trouble would need to think very carefully.
Shiori also mentioned that the pill Kyo took was a forbidden medicine passed down within his branch of the clan.
Apparently, the idiot had swallowed it without reading anything.
Doctors believed he could survive, but his foundation was permanently damaged.
Future prospects as a shinobi?
Essentially gone.
Kaede nodded and moved on to his next slice of meat.
Twenty plates disappeared rapidly.
"Kaede-kun, thanks again for the meal," Shiori said cheerfully.
"No problem."
They paid and left under the owner's enthusiastic farewell.
Before parting, Shiori suddenly remembered something.
"Kaede-kun! Don't forget our sparring match tonight!"
Kaede pinched the bridge of his nose.
I really hoped she'd forget…
"Yeah, yeah. Tonight."
Shiori beamed, then skipped off toward home.
Kaede stretched.
His muscles felt like wet noodles.
Hashirama's training was no joke.
He headed home with only one goal.
Sleep.
Not everyone enjoyed such peace.
Inside the Sarutobi household, chaos reigned.
Sarutobi Hiruzen paced back and forth like a trapped animal.
His father, Sarutobi Sasuke, watched with a growing headache.
"Stop walking in circles. You're making me dizzy."
Hiruzen ignored him.
Sasuke frowned.
When his son returned from training, he had looked like someone whose soul had been stolen.
Asked what happened?
Refused to say.
Sasuke's imagination immediately ran wild.
Did this idiot offend the Hokage?Did he say something treasonous?Did he accidentally challenge Tobirama to a duel?
The possibilities were terrifying.
Finally, Sasuke slammed the table.
"Hiruzen. Tell me. Now."
Hiruzen hesitated, then sighed.
"The Hokage gave us a question."
Sasuke relaxed slightly.
Just a question?
That's it?
"What question?"
"He told us to find our own Will of Fire."
Hiruzen looked at his father expectantly.
Sasuke froze.
Then slowly turned around.
Extended one hand.
And shook his head.
Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
"Old man! Are you saying I should rebel against the Hokage?!"
"No."
Sasuke continued shaking his head.
"I mean… I decline this responsibility. Please consult someone else."
Hiruzen collapsed.
Tears streamed down his face.
"If you can't help, just say so! Why act mysterious?!"
Sasuke laughed and scratched his head.
"I wanted you to have a cool story. 'My father lives like a hermit.' Sounds impressive, right?"
Hiruzen stood up shakily.
"My family is hopeless…"
He staggered out.
Sasuke watched his son leave.
Then quietly muttered.
"This problem can't be solved by anyone else."
"You have to find the answer yourself."
A breeze brushed over his scalp.
Sasuke touched his head.
More hair had fallen out.
Tears slid down his cheeks.
Middle-aged sorrow was truly terrifying.
Similar scenes played out across the village.
Everywhere, children were confused.
Everywhere, adults stayed silent.
Because they understood.
This was something no one else could answer for them.
As for Amakaze Kaede and Uchiha Shiori…
They had only just stepped onto Hashirama's path.
They weren't burdened by old ideals.
Their minds were flexible.
Unshaped.
Which, perhaps, made them the ones most likely…
To discover their own flames.