"Hiruzen."
"Kiyoshi is becoming far too arrogant."
Watching as Kiyoshi ignored them and left, Koharu and Homura wore expressions of anger, visibly irked by his dismissive attitude.
They had intended to set aside their elder status to show some goodwill, but Kiyoshi's blatant disregard stung.
"Alright, alright….he is young he will understand." Hiruzen tapped his pipe, noting the irritation on his friends' faces.
They, too, had held high-ranking positions for years and could not easily brush off the affront, but their reaction disappointed him.
Wearing a solemn expression, Hiruzen stated gravely, "Let's end this matter here. Don't do anything foolish."
His intuition was sharp, and he had a hunch.
If Homura and Koharu took matters into their own hands, issuing private orders for Yuugao to secretly monitor Kiyoshi or even Tsunade, and if Kiyoshi were to find out.
He feared the consequences would not be easily resolved.
Kiyoshi didn't show much respect even for him, the Hokage. Hiruzen didn't doubt that he would dare to kill anyone in his way if sufficiently provoked.
Evidence? Evidence was for the weak.
Youth carried with it a wild temper and a disregard for rules.
The bold were unrestrained and feared nothing.
"What?"
"Hiruzen, what are you talking about?" Homura and Koharu's faces changed in shock.
"According to Anbu's intelligence, Kiyoshi not only knows a method to grant others Kekkei Genkai but has also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique created by the Second Hokage."
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, exhaling smoke before continuing in a low, troubled voice.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?" Homura's expression shifted.
Frowning deeply, Koharu growled, "Tsunade—that woman—teaching such a dangerous forbidden jutsu to her disciple without the village's approval is simply too much."
She clearly assumed that Tsunade had taught Kiyoshi the Flying Thunder God Technique. How else could he have learned it?
The problem was that if Kiyoshi, already a formidable force, had truly mastered the Flying Thunder God, he was practically a combination of the First and Second Hokages—an intimidating prospect.
The shinobi world was vast, yet who could guarantee they could restrain him?
And an already unrestrained Kiyoshi would be even less bound by village regulations.
"You know Tsunade's personality," Hiruzen replied.
He could sense a large, unseen undercurrent silently brewing beneath the surface.
These old-timers, himself included, had held their positions for far too long, likely, many within the village were growing dissatisfied.
While he had once entertained the idea of placing his son Asuma in a leadership role, he had long since given up on that hope.
Kiyoshi was simply the one Tsunade had pushed forward.
But ultimately, he was aging and lacked the energy and capability to stop what was unfolding.
The current Konoha was no longer as resilient as it had been during the Second and Third Great shinobi war.
All he hoped for now was to occupy this position peacefully for a few more years, settle some unfinished business, and secure a retreat path for the Sarutobi clan.
He wanted to nurture and mentor a few promising young ninjas, creating good relationships to lean on in the future.
Then, he could retire in peace.
He would also have more time to train his grandson, Konohamaru.
Hiruzen was well aware of his grandson's potential. Mischievous though he was, Konohamaru had raw talent rivaling his own.
If he lived long enough, he could use his old connections and influence to give Konohamaru a push. Perhaps one day, his grandson might become Hokage.
And if not Hokage.
At the very least, Konohamaru would have no trouble keeping the Sarutobi clan safe.
---
Kiyoshi, of course, had no knowledge of Hiruzen's thoughts.
And even if he did, he wouldn't pay them much mind.
He had just left the Hokage Building and was strolling along the village street when he felt a small body bump into him.
The child had light brown hair gathered into two upward-pointing tufts, a face round and chubby with a babyish look, and a lively expression highlighted by big, round black eyes and two rosy cheeks.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
A girl on the verge of tears, lowered her head and apologized repeatedly.
Kiyoshi didn't soften. Instead, he picked her up unceremoniously, a mischievous smile in his eyes. "Moegi, is this how you greet your cousin?"
Indeed, the little one before him was his cousin, Kazamatsuri Moegi.
Her grandmother and Kiyoshi's grandmother were sisters, both descendants of the Senju clan.
If the future unfolded as expected, this girl would not only inherit Senju blood but might even awaken the Wood Release.
However, it seemed her Wood Release had not yet surfaced.
"Huh?"
The girl, previously on the verge of tears, looked up, her big eyes widening in surprise.
Realizing it was Kiyoshi, her face lit up with joy as she threw herself into his arms. "Kiyoshi-nii. When did you get back?"
"Just recently." Kiyoshi laughed, hoisting her up in his arms. "How's your mom doing?"
"Mom and Dad are well. They even visited great grandmother's grave not too long ago, and we saw Kurenai-nee there." Moegi clung to him, face brimming with joy.
She adored her cousin.
But he was always too busy training. Two years ago, he had even left Konoha after being taken in by the one of the Sannin, Tsunade, following his grandmother's passing.
When he returned a month ago, he'd only come by her house once or twice, each time too preoccupied to spend much time with her.
"Last time, I told you a girl shouldn't have this hairstyle. You should either tie it properly or leave it long and straight," Kiyoshi said, patting her on the head with a smile.
Time had flown by so quickly.
His little cousin Moegi was already close to academy age.
"Meanie, you messed up my hair. Mom says boys like things that are cuter and sweeter."
"..."
Kiyoshi was left speechless.
His aunt certainly had a unique perspective, though it was likely she simply didn't know how to do Moegi's hair, resulting in a hairstyle that clashed with what she'd had in mind.
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