Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 19: Time Together with You

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the entire Hidden Leaf Village in tranquility.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked home, his steps lighter than ever before.

With the internal threat of the Uchiha clan eliminated and the beast Danzo tamed, the entire village, under his control, is moving towards a more powerful future at an unprecedented pace.

This feeling of having everything under control gave him, as a time traveler, a sense of grounded security for the first time in this unfamiliar world.

As I opened the door, a familiar, warm aroma of food wafted towards me.

"You're back."

Sarutobi Biwako poked her head out of the kitchen with a gentle smile on her face.

Instead of simply greeting him as usual, she came forward and naturally helped him take off the Hokage's robe, a symbol of power and responsibility, and carefully hung it on the hanger.

"You seem to be in a good mood today?" she asked softly, smoothing out the wrinkles in her robes.

"Yes, I've taken care of some troublesome matters." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile and changed his shoes in the entryway.

He watched his wife's silhouette as she busied herself by the candlelight, and a wave of tenderness washed over him.

On the dining table were several exquisite home-style dishes, as well as a pot of steaming oden.

"Try this, it's something I learned today."

Biwako picked up a piece of stewed white radish that had been cooked until soft and put it into Hitachi's bowl.

"good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a bite and praised it without reservation, "It tastes much better than what you buy outside."

"You're so sweet-talking."

Biwako laughed at his words, her eyes and brows softening with tenderness.

The two didn't talk about the village or their work; they simply shared the little things in their lives like any ordinary couple.

Hiruzen recounted how he went to the training grounds today and witnessed Jiraiya being punched away by Tsunade for slacking off.

"That kid, I made him write a 10,000-word self-criticism, but he still hasn't learned his lesson. I think he'll never be able to live without Tsunade's fists for the rest of his life."

Biwako chuckled and picked up another piece of food for him.

"What about Orochimaru? That kid always seems cold and aloof, he doesn't have many friends. You should take good care of him."

Don't worry.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sip of miso soup, the warmth spreading from his stomach throughout his body. "That kid is being treasured now. I put him in the newly established medical department as Tsunade's assistant and chief researcher. He's spending all his time in the lab now, researching cell activity, and he's happier than anyone else."

"That's good."

Biwako nodded.

During this relaxed chat, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his nerves, which had been tense all day, completely relax.

After finishing his meal, Hiruzen Sarutobi sprawled contentedly on the living room sofa and let out a long, comfortable sigh.

Biwako cleaned up the dishes and brewed a pot of hot tea.

"Has everything been resolved regarding the Uchiha clan today?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her with some surprise.

How did you know?

"The news spread throughout the whole village."

Biwako smiled. "Everyone says you swiftly purged the Uchiha traitors and promoted a new captain. Now, everyone in the village says that having a Hokage with such charisma as the Third Hokage is a blessing for the village."

"They're just rumors."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled noncommittally.

"I know everything you've done is for the village."

Biwako's eyes were full of heartache.

"I know you're under a lot of pressure and carrying a lot on your shoulders. Many of your decisions might be incomprehensible to others."

She grasped Hiruzen's hand, hands covered in thick calluses from years of hand seals and the use of ninja tools.

"But, Hiruzen, you must remember this."

"No matter what you do outside, no matter how others see you, when you come back to this home, I will always believe in you and support you."

"Because you are not only the Third Hokage of Konoha."

"You are still my husband, the pillar of this family."

"So, don't push yourself too hard."

A huge warm current instantly surged through Hiruzen Sarutobi's entire body.

Looking at the woman in front of him, who was not described much in the original work and was even somewhat vague.

At this moment, however, it gave him, this lonely time traveler, the warmest support.

The next morning.

After washing up and changing into a smart outfit, I walked out of the house as Lake Biwa waved goodbye.

Today, he is going to the ninja school.

He wanted to give the future flowers of Konoha a special lesson.