Chapter 42: A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest

"Shizune, you mustn't speak of these things carelessly in the future."

Tsunade was uncharacteristically serious.

Shizune nodded.

Although Tsunade hadn't explicitly acknowledged it, Shizune was essentially her disciple. If such words were to spread, it would reflect poorly on both Tsunade and Kyoichi. Naturally, Shizune wouldn't dare to speak recklessly.

"Kid, I'm leaving. Tell the old man not to look for me. I have no plans to return."

"Won't you stay for a meal?"

Kyoichi felt a pang of reluctance.

Tsunade had been blunt and unceremonious with him, but it was precisely this lack of formality that made him feel as though he had encountered a kindred spirit—someone with whom he could speak openly and honestly, as one would with family.

"Tch, do you really think I'm so broke I can't afford a meal?"

Tsunade waved her hand, exuding an air of carefree detachment. The large character for "gambling" on the back of her green attire was impossible to miss.

Kyoichi didn't try to stop her.

With the current turmoil in Konoha, it might be for the best that Tsunade, who suffered from hemophobia, was leaving.

Kyoichi looked down, staring at the key in his hand.

After a moment, he clenched it tightly and placed it in his ninja pouch before turning to join Shisui and the others.

On the hillside of Hikuen Town.

Tsunade stood atop the high ground, watching Kyoichi's retreating figure with a complex mix of emotions. Only when he disappeared behind the village walls did she let out a sigh.

"If Nawaki were still alive, he might have become a jonin by now…"

"Does he resemble Nawaki?"

Shizune asked curiously.

"No, he's more like the Second Hokage. As for Nawaki…"

Tsunade shook her head.

But…

She couldn't help but think of Nawaki. After all, Nawaki was only a few years older than Kyoichi, so the age difference wasn't significant.

However…

"I'm just reminiscing, that's all."

"Lady Tsunade, you mentioned earlier that Konoha is in a precarious situation and that other villages might launch probing attacks. If another war breaks out, will you return?"

Shizune asked.

The war with Sunagakure had ended.

But according to Tsunade, this was only the beginning.

Since the death of the Second Hokage, skirmishes between Konoha and other villages had never truly ceased. After the Sannin's battle with Hanzo, there had been a brief lull of two or three years, but conflicts soon resumed.

Over the past few years, Tsunade had traveled to many countries and understood the attitudes of the major nations surrounding the Land of Fire—

They all longed for Konoha's defeat!

Peace wouldn't last long.

"If I return… what could I even do? We'll see when the time comes."

Tsunade shook her head.

The Third Hokage had sent Kyoichi to find her, clearly hoping that he could help her overcome her inner turmoil and return to serve Konoha.

But…

She suffered from hemophobia, a fact known to very few. Even if she returned to Konoha, what could she do?

Tsunade turned and left.

Kyoichi glanced back in her direction.

Tsunade was truly gone.

While it was a pity, her current state made it clear that pressing her for answers or trying to cure her hemophobia was futile.

Nawaki and Dan Kato had died only a few years ago.

Tsunade herself was a master of medical ninjutsu. If psychological wounds were so easily healed, they wouldn't have persisted for so long.

Some things required not only the passage of time but also a stroke of luck or a pivotal moment.

"Asuma, maybe you should take a break…"

"No, I'm fine!"

Asuma focused his chakra, continuing to use Wind Release nature transformation to cut through the stone bricks.

Shisui, too, concentrated his Wind Release chakra, attempting to use chakra nature transformation in conjunction with his katana to slice through the bricks.

This was the training regimen assigned by the shadow clone.

As for Kurenai…

She was carrying stone bricks.

The workers had initially refused to let the ninjas do such labor, but after hearing the shadow clone explain that it was part of their mission and training, they relented.

However…

Thanks to their efforts, the work progressed much faster. What would have taken several days was nearly completed in just one afternoon.

That evening, at the town mayor's insistence, Kyoichi and his team attended a celebration organized by the townsfolk.

The meal was lavish, and the villagers were warm and welcoming.

"Sensei, I used to think that villagers were difficult to get along with, that they were at odds with us Uchiha. But now I see that it wasn't the villagers who were out of sync—it was us Uchiha."

Shisui spoke with newfound insight.

This journey had taught him many things.

The villagers weren't hard to get along with.

As long as you didn't act superior and treated them as equals, they would respond with warmth and kindness.

The Uchiha, however, were different.

The barriers of the police force, the high walls of their clan compound, and the reputation of being Konoha's foremost noble clan had isolated them from the outside world. And within the clan, there had never been any intention to engage or communicate with outsiders.

With such an attitude, how could they ever hope to attain the position of Hokage?

It wasn't that simple!

"It's good that you understand. A single tree does not make a forest. If you don't integrate and help the forest grow, the loggers will come and cut down the tree standing alone."

"Sensei, I think I've read something similar before."

Shisui paused for a moment.

The wording was different, but the meaning was the same.

"As a descendant of Kagami, you've likely come across similar ideas in his writings. But remember, blind faith in books is no substitute for critical thinking. You should approach books with your own perspective and analyze them dialectically."

"Yes…"

Shisui nodded.

Kyoichi didn't elaborate further.

Shisui was only five years old. If he said too much at once, the boy might not fully grasp it. It was better to let him digest the ideas gradually.

After all, Shisui was currently the only "cash cow" who recognized him as a life mentor. He had to nurture him carefully.

Asuma was chatting happily with the townsfolk.

However…

The content of their conversation was rather bold.

"Uncle, who do you think is more important—the Daimyō or the Hokage?"

"How should I know? Whoever keeps us safe and ensures we have enough to eat is more important."

"Is that so?"

"Uh…" The boy was still hung up on his "King" dilemma.

Kyoichi's earlier response had clarified the nature of the "King," but Asuma still didn't know who his "King" was.

The Hokage?

No, coming from the Hokage's family, he didn't hold the Hokage in as much awe as others might. Before meeting Kyoichi, he had even believed that the Daimyō was the true "King."

Now, his perspective had shifted somewhat.

But he was still figuring things out for himself.

Kyoichi didn't intervene.

What one realized on their own was far more profound than what others could teach.

Two or three days later.

With the help of Kyoichi's team, Hikuen Town was gradually restored, and the C-rank mission was completed.

Afterward, they visited the surrounding areas of the town and, with the mayor's assistance, returned the stolen goods to their rightful owners. Then, they set off on their journey back to the village.

Whether it was Asuma, Shisui, or even Kurenai, who usually had fewer worries, they all felt a sense of heaviness in their hearts.

As they neared the village, Asuma asked, "Sensei, can we take on another C-rank mission next time?"

"Addicted to missions, are we?"

"No, it's just that I feel like going out on missions allows us to train while also learning a lot. It's much better than staying in Konoha to train."

Asuma explained.

Kurenai and Shisui nodded in agreement.

"You're the Third Hokage's son. If you make enough noise at home, maybe we'll get a B-rank mission next time."

"Huh?"

Laughter echoed through the forest, leaving Asuma momentarily confused. It took him a while to realize that his teacher was joking, leaving him speechless.

But a B-rank mission…

Hmm.

That level of mission would involve encounters with various ninjas.

It was… tempting!

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