"Hokage-sama!"
Before anyone even stepped inside, Uchiha Ren heard a crisp voice. With a bang, his office door was pushed open.
High ponytail. Blonde hair. Green training outfit.
And currently… completely flat.
"Lord Hokage… Tsunade insisted on coming. I couldn't stop her."
Orochimaru sounded helpless.
There was no stopping Tsunade once she made up her mind. The granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, personally recognized by the Fire Daimyo as a princess—no one in Konoha could really restrain her.
"Forget it. Let her come."
Ren waved his hand casually.
"Yay! Hokage-sama, your office is way more comfortable than Grandpa's and Second Grandpa's!"
Tsunade plopped onto the sofa, eyes immediately locking onto the snacks on the table.
Ren rested his chin on his hands, watching her.
Young Tsunade…
Completely different from the future hot-tempered woman.
…Cute.
"Go ahead, eat."
"Yay!"
Tsunade happily grabbed a small cake and started eating.
Ren shifted his gaze toward Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Orochimaru stood calmly, awaiting instructions.
Jiraiya, on the other hand—
Looked like a nervous underling.
Exactly like their first meeting.
"Orochimaru, how's Jiraiya doing with the Summoning Technique?"
"…Not good."
Orochimaru reported bluntly.
"His chakra reserves are insufficient. Poor control. Hand seals are sloppy."
Ren scratched his head.
That made sense.
Jiraiya was still a student.
At the academy, they only learned basics—chakra refinement, hand seals, shuriken throwing.
The Summoning Technique?
Far beyond that level.
"I… I…"
Jiraiya stammered, clearly shaken.
His confidence had been crushed in just one morning.
Ren smiled faintly.
"No need to be discouraged."
"Jiraiya… your potential is far greater than you think."
"You just need time—and a bit of luck."
"You'll become an extraordinary ninja."
"…Really?!"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up.
Even Tsunade stopped eating.
Orochimaru showed a hint of surprise.
"The Hokage's judgment is always accurate."
Ren spoke confidently.
Jiraiya's future—
Was undeniable.
But keeping him in the academy?
A waste.
The same applied to Orochimaru.
Talents like them needed proper guidance.
"…Looks like I need to take them personally."
Ren thought for a moment.
He could teach them himself for now—
Then hand them over to Hatake Sakumo later.
"Yes. From now on, you'll train with me for a while."
"We'll arrange your early graduation afterward."
Jiraiya froze.
"…Me? Train under the Hokage?!"
"What about me, Hokage-sama?"
Orochimaru stepped forward immediately, eyes full of anticipation.
"Fine. You too."
Ren agreed without hesitation.
Teaching one or two made little difference.
"Me too! Me too!"
Tsunade raised her hand excitedly, cream still on her lips.
"If they're going, I'm going!"
Ren hesitated.
"You… need Lady Mito's approval first."
Mito Uzumaki was extremely wary of him.
Letting Tsunade stay by his side?
That would definitely raise suspicion.
"Mito-sama is busy teaching sealing techniques!"
"I'm bored at the academy…"
Tsunade leaned forward—
And used her ultimate move.
Puppy eyes.
Even Ren couldn't resist.
"…Fine."
"All three of you."
"Lunch is on me."
"We start training this afternoon."
—
Konoha Streets.
Uchiha Madara climbed down from a tree early in the morning.
Sleeping in trees—
No different from rocks.
He wandered the streets aimlessly.
The prosperity of Konoha—
Endlessly fascinating.
Compared to the rest of the ninja world—
It was like heaven and earth.
When would the entire world become like this?
Madara hoped…
That one day—
It would.
But that required time.
Development.
Innovation.
Endless progress.
Ren's vision—
A future without treating ninja as tools.
A world driven by productivity and fairness.
Madara couldn't see the end of that road.
But perhaps—
That was the point.
Infinite future.
Compared to the illusion of the Infinite Tsukuyomi…
Reality—
Was more appealing.
Still—
The key to the plan hadn't been obtained.
Time remained uncertain.
If this Konoha had been built by him—
Hashirama would have to admit defeat.
"You lost, Hashirama."
His lips curved slightly.
Then—
His stomach growled.
"…Hungry."
He checked his pocket.
Empty.
Borrow food again?
No.
Even he had pride.
Better earn it.
He took out the address given by a recruiter.
A job.
With food.
Accommodation.
Perfect.
—
Konoha Factory.
"So it's you. Didn't report yesterday, huh?"
"Whatever. You're old—today's fine."
"Two weeks, one day off. Ten-hour shifts. Twelve with night duty."
"Sign here if you agree."
Madara nodded.
He had no intention of staying long.
A shadow clone had already gone to earn money.
This was just temporary.
He picked up the pen.
Signed:
Ban Zhu.
A fake name.
He received work clothes.
And a dorm assignment.
Eight-person room.
Bunk beds.
"Qi Shu, you're the dorm leader. Look after him."
"Got it!"
Qi Shu was loud and friendly.
"Come on, old man. Let's eat."
"The cafeteria's free!"
"Rice balls, protein blocks, vegetables, soup—with meat bones!"
"Eat more. Work's tough—but way better than before."
"I even bought a house in Konoha!"
He talked nonstop.
Madara found it slightly annoying—
But not unpleasant.
—
Cafeteria.
Madara took a bite.
Protein block.
Sticky. Tasteless.
Then—
A sip of soup.
"…Hmm."
His eyes lit up.
"Delicious."
Surprisingly good.
Better than expected.
He took another bite.
Then another sip.
Not bad at all.
As he ate—
A thought surfaced.
What exactly…
Were these factories producing?
And for the first time—
Madara felt genuine curiosity.
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