Chapter 1: Arriving in the Shinobi World

Chapter 1: Arriving in the Shinobi World

Konoha Village, Central Street, Hokage's Office.

Two elderly men were engaged in a heated discussion over an infant.

Sitting behind the spacious office desk was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Years of holding power had given him an imposing presence. Though he was old, the aura of a battle-hardened warrior still lingered around him. His seemingly small frame carried the weight of an unfathomable presence. With his fingers interlocked, his chin resting upon the platform created by his hands, he gazed calmly at the elderly man kneeling before him. Even in this motionless posture, he radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure.

The kneeling old man had grayish-white hair. Even in his current position, one could see the slight hunch of his back. A large pot was strapped to his back, accompanied by two ladles and a long knife. The sheer weight of these items seemed to further burden his already bent spine. His simple, rough attire consisted of a short-sleeved vest layered over a thicker inner garment, and his face—though just as aged as Hiruzen's—appeared far more kind and gentle. Despite the Hokage's pressure, he was doing his best to refuse.

"Hokage-sama, you know that I live alone. I have absolutely no experience in caring for a baby. Besides, I'm still an active-duty ninja and need to complete missions. I simply don't have the capacity to take care of a child."

With a troubled expression, Kosuke Maruboshi firmly expressed his reluctance to adopt the baby. Even in the face of the Third Hokage's forceful persuasion, he remained resolute in his refusal.

"Hm…"

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at Kosuke. His strong-arm tactics had failed to yield the result he wanted, forcing him to reconsider his approach.

The man kneeling before him was not just any shinobi. He was someone who had followed the Hokage line since the time of the Second Hokage. A loyal subordinate for decades, Kosuke was one of Konoha's most devoted warriors. Even as Danzo had strayed into the shadows, Kosuke had remained steadfast in his service.

To outsiders, the fact that Kosuke Maruboshi had spent decades as a mere Genin was nothing short of laughable. Even the slowest ninja could at least advance to Chunin or even Jonin through sheer experience. A shinobi who remained a Genin for decades was, in most cases, considered utterly talentless—a bottom-tier ninja among bottom-tier ninjas.

But those who truly knew Kosuke understood his dedication. He was not an incompetent weakling but a selfless shinobi who had chosen this path. Though he lacked the renown of White Fang or Jiraiya, he had silently dedicated his entire life to Konoha. His strength was no secret to those familiar with him. Despite his advanced age, he still possessed the skills of a Jonin. The reason he never accepted a promotion was entirely personal—his past teammates had perished in battle, and their deaths had haunted him for life. It was his way of atoning for his recklessness, choosing to remain a Genin indefinitely as self-punishment.

And it was precisely because of this that Hiruzen wanted Kosuke to take in this child.

It wasn't just because the baby had been found by Kosuke—it was fate. More importantly, Hiruzen knew that this loyal, self-sacrificing man harbored a deep-seated death wish. His only dream was to one day perish on the battlefield, having given everything for the village.

That wasn't acceptable.

A man who had spent his life serving Konoha shouldn't be left with nothing but death. He needed something to hold onto, something to anchor him to life—a connection, a reason to live.

And this child might just be the answer.

If Kosuke gained a family, a bond, he would have something worth living for.

"Kosuke…" Hiruzen's voice softened, losing its commanding tone and instead carrying the warmth of an elder brother. "I understand how you feel, but I can't accept it. You are Kosuke Maruboshi, a shinobi who has served Konoha through the reigns of the Second, Third, Fourth, and now back to the Third Hokage. You have given your entire life to this village. I refuse to let you spend your last years on some nameless battlefield, dying alone."

"You are one of Konoha's living treasures, a true inheritor and embodiment of the Will of Fire. But what do you have to show for it? No family, no one to carry on your name, your ideals. Now, fate has placed this child in your path. He is your family, your heir. Even the heavens have acknowledged it—will you reject such a gift?"

Hiruzen's words were filled with emotion. He couldn't bring himself to be harsh to this man.

"But…"

Kosuke understood the Hokage's reasoning and was grateful for his concern. However, he had spent his entire life alone. The thought of raising a child, of forming an attachment, was foreign to him.

He had once longed for family but had ultimately chosen solitude. A shinobi's life was uncertain. He had no possessions, no stable home, and could be sent on missions at any moment. If all he could bring to his loved ones was suffering, then wasn't it better to remain alone?

The words of refusal were stuck in his throat, but before he could speak, Hiruzen cut him off.

Taking a deep drag from his pipe, Hiruzen let the tobacco smoke fill his lungs, the familiar scent sharpening his thoughts. At the same time, it was a stark reminder of his declining energy—he was growing old.

"Kosuke, you are old. And so am I. When I retire, I want to have someone from my generation to talk to."

"Don't reject my goodwill."

"You can come up with a thousand reasons why you're not suitable, but there's one reason you can't refuse—this is a life. A life that exists because of you. This is a chance given to you by fate, a recognition of your years of service to the village. This is kindness."

"When kindness meets kindness, it becomes one of the most beautiful things in this world. But when kindness is met with rejection, it becomes a cruel joke."

Standing by the window, Hiruzen gazed down at the bustling streets of Konoha. The lively atmosphere always brought a sense of peace.

"We old relics need to leave something behind for the next generation. True prosperity comes from continuity, from passing the torch. Do you understand?"

By now, Hiruzen had begun to play the "greater good" card, as if rejecting the child meant cutting off Konoha's legacy.

Kosuke fell silent.

He knew that Hiruzen meant well. The argument had reached a point where any further refusal would be too much—rejecting a gift given with goodwill could only hurt their friendship.

On the office desk, the baby slept peacefully, his tiny face soft and round. Occasionally, his little lips smacked together as if he were dreaming of eating something delicious.

Kosuke's long-sealed heart seemed to crack open just a little.

"…Fine. I will take him in. From today onward, he is my grandson."

Kosuke had never been one to hesitate. A true ninja did not waver in their decisions. Now that he had made up his mind, he was resolute.

"That's more like it!" Hiruzen chuckled. "See? When kindness is met with kindness, beautiful things happen. Here, take these adoption papers. Fill them out and bring them back tomorrow. Oh, by the way, have you thought of a name for him? Need my help?"

"Hah! No need to trouble yourself, Hokage-sama. I'll think of a name myself—something meaningful and fitting."

Scooping up the baby, Kosuke turned and left in a hurry.

He had finally gained a grandson, and now the Hokage wanted to claim naming rights? Absolutely not!

This is my grandson.

His name can only be chosen by me.

Kosuke Maruboshi hummed to himself as he walked away, already pondering a suitable name for the child.