Hokage Residence.
Four in the morning.
Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his wide bed. In the kitchen, Biwako was already busy.
As the Hidden Leaf Village continued to grow stronger, the Hokage's body seemed to be going through a second growth spurt.
The most obvious signs were his boundless energy and a noticeably larger appetite.
Seated at the dining table, Hiruzen looked over the steaming spread in front of him with clear satisfaction.
Meat, eggs, milk. Everything was there. The flavors were exactly the way he liked them.
He ate with proper table manners, but the speed at which he cleared his bowl was almost astonishing.
"Sit down and eat with me, Biwako…"
She tucked back a strand of slightly damp hair, poured herself a small bowl of porridge, and sat quietly beside him. There was a soft smile in her eyes as she watched him enjoy every bite.
For someone who cooked, there was nothing more gratifying than a guest like Hiruzen.
She was not hungry herself. She had risen early simply because she could not allow her husband to start the day without a hot meal.
Hiruzen worked himself to the bone for the village. If she could not even manage something this small…
In her heart, neither the Will of Fire nor her duty as his wife would forgive her.
"Hiruzen, slow down. There's more…"
She chuckled. "Your appetite is even better than Shinnosuke's when he was growing. And you're getting sturdier by the day."
Hiruzen raised a brow. "Really?"
She shot him a look. Even as Hokage, he had no proper decorum at home.
Then her expression shifted with worry. "That Forbidden Jutsu you're using to restore your body… are you sure there's no problem with it?"
"It's fine. Think of it as a fusion technique, combining the Yin Seal with notes from Tobirama Senju. It won't harm the body." Hiruzen laughed it off.
For something difficult to explain, passing it off to the Second Hokage was always convenient.
Besides, he carried the title of "Professor of Ninjutsu." Knowing a few unusual techniques was hardly strange.
Interestingly, when she heard "Yin Seal," her expression visibly relaxed.
But the moment Tobirama Senju's name came up, her brows knit again.
"Don't be so biased," Hiruzen said with a small laugh, reaching for the last few eggs. "Some of Tobirama-sensei's techniques are… memorable. But not all of them are like that."
Biwako naturally took the eggs from him and peeled them carefully, nodding in partial understanding.
As long as it's safe, that's enough.
"By the way," she said lightly, "will this technique keep making you younger? Won't people start calling us a young husband and an old wife?"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Probably not. And even if it does, I'll use the Yin Seal to stabilize myself at my prime."
That answer had nothing to do with her teasing. It was about maximizing the authority of the Hokage.
For a leader, appearance mattered. It was the public's first impression.
Younger was not always better. Too much of anything backfired.
A steady, prime-aged, powerful image naturally inspired thoughts of reliability, experience, strength.
That was the optimal balance.
And the Yin Seal was a technique he truly intended to master.
For a Hokage whose physical limits were slowly increasing, a jutsu that adjusted meridian pathways and stored daily Chakra reserves was almost tailor-made.
A manufactured backup energy source.
"Mito Uzumaki has adopted the child with Wood Style and named him Yamato."
Hiruzen cleared his throat. "When you have time, visit Lady Mito more often on my behalf. She's getting on in years. You'll have more common ground with her."
"If you get along well, it won't just help me as Hokage. She might even offer you some guidance."
He was confident he could master the Yin Seal.
Helping Biwako do the same, however, would take an unknown amount of time and effort.
Instead, why not let her seek advice from Mito Uzumaki?
It served two purposes. Biwako's visits were, in essence, a form of diplomacy between wives, strengthening ties between the Hokage and Konoha's elder matriarch.
And if Biwako happened to regain a bit of youthful vitality from it, Hiruzen certainly would not complain.
Who would not want their wife to grow even more beautiful?
Her eyes lit up. She nodded eagerly. "I understand, Hiruzen!"
"I'm done."
He changed into a black training outfit.
The Hokage's hat and ceremonial robe carried authority, but their wide sleeves hindered practice. He rarely wore them outside official occasions.
"Another day to give it our all."
After seeing him off, Biwako hummed softly while clearing the dishes, preparing breakfast for Asuma and Shinnosuke as well.
About half an hour later, Asuma stumbled out of his room, still groggy.
He took a deep breath and rubbed his face hard.
After seeing how tirelessly his father worked for the village, how could he fall behind?
Especially lately at the academy.
The newly enrolled prodigy Kakashi Hatake had already declared he intended to graduate early and become a full-fledged shinobi as soon as possible.
If Asuma did not push himself, would he not embarrass his father?
"Hey, Mother, you're up so early? This breakfast looks amazing!"
"Should I wake Father? Or let him sleep a bit longer? He's so tired…" Asuma muttered, brimming with energy.
"Your father left to train about half an hour ago," Biwako replied with a mischievous smile.
"You're the last one up in the entire family, Asuma."
"Your brother already went to work. He's in the Anbu. They patrol the whole village."
Impossible!
Asuma's eyes went wide.
The title of "latest riser in the household" struck him like a bolt of Lightning Style Armour. He felt scorched to ashes, even the tips of his hair radiating the smell of utter defeat.
"You're still a child. You're growing."
"Eat well, sleep well, train seriously. Don't compare yourself to your father and brother." She smiled gently.
He nodded reluctantly.
Who would have thought that in the Sarutobi household, early risers were as common as fish in a river?
Then another thought surfaced.
Hmph. Even if I can't beat Father, can't I beat my academy classmates?
He would spread word of his father's tireless dedication throughout the academy and pressure everyone.
Imagining their stunned expressions, Asuma's mood improved instantly. A grin crept across his face.
Meanwhile, within the Hidden Leaf Village.
Standing atop a tall building, Hiruzen's body shimmered faintly with crackling current.
This was his daily practice. Using the unique mechanics of Lightning Style Armour, he drew out the hidden potential of his body.
It was slow, steady work. Incremental progress, day after day.
As he overlooked the village, he also checked the guard posts in passing.
Hm?
His eyes sharpened.
In the distance, Minato Namikaze was out for a morning run.
Trailing behind him, moving stealthily, was Kakashi Hatake.