Konoha's Tea Street.
Rinjin strolled down the street with his family in tow, swaying leisurely.
From the other end of the street, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, walked toward them, mingling happily with the villagers.
Seeing this, everyone quickly stepped forward to greet him.
Normally, Rinjin's group was made up of people who didn't get along with him at all.
No need to mention Tsunade—she still held a grudge against Sarutobi for his handling of her brother Shigure's affairs.
And in front of Tsunade, if it weren't for the respect owed to Rinjin, Kagami probably wouldn't even bother saying hello.
Beside Rinjin, Sōmō simply nodded in acknowledgment.
It had to be said: when it came to taking the blame, old comrade Sarutobi was neck and neck with his longtime classmates.
Seeing Rinjin's group either fake-smiling or scowling, Sarutobi, usually steady as an old dog, couldn't hold back his own expression any longer.
Every single one of these people was deeply tied to Konoha.
Thinking this, Sarutobi felt a wave of speechless regret wash over him.
If only he had cared more about these people back then, he wouldn't be stuck in this situation now.
They were all exceptional fighters!
But to be honest, even with all these talents, Sarutobi knew he couldn't hold onto them.
Just one Sōmō alone was beyond his control.
Forget it. Let Minato handle these messy affairs.
On the other side, seeing Sarutobi's face darken visibly, Rinjin smiled brightly and stepped closer.
"Uncle Sarutobi, what brings you out for a stroll today?"
At this, Sarutobi shot Rinjin a sour look and said, "The war's over. In a few days, Minato will officially take over as the Fourth Hokage.
Why shouldn't I come out for a walk?
I've been worrying about this village my whole life. Can't I enjoy myself a little now?"
Faced with such an easy question, Rinjin nodded without hesitation.
"Of course, you must."
Watching Rinjin's cheeky grin, Sarutobi, about to shed the heavy mantle of Hokage, suddenly felt playful.
"Rinjin, don't you regret not becoming the Fourth Hokage?
You know, Konoha is one of the five great hidden villages of the ninja world, and its combat power is top-notch!
Being the Hokage of Konoha is way more exciting than messing around in that small place called the Land of Rain."
Hearing this, Rinjin shook his head vigorously like a rattle.
"You old geezer, Minato's already taken the spot, and you still keep pestering me.
How many times has it been now? You just won't let me be, huh?
Besides, if I'd taken the Fourth Hokage's place, I'd have been the one to die when Kushina was giving birth.
I can't beat that hot-headed brat Obito."
Thinking this through, Rinjin didn't hesitate to say:
"You better find someone else. I prefer stirring things up in a small place.
Your Konoha's ocean is too vast for me—I'm a freshwater fish. We're just different breeds."
Hearing this, Sarutobi shook his head helplessly.
Honestly, Rinjin was the best candidate to succeed as Fourth Hokage.
Besides lacking Minato's integrity, his strength was definitely far beyond Minato's.
Just as Sarutobi was at a loss, Rinjin suddenly leaned in like a thief beside him.
"Uncle Sarutobi, since you're about to step down as the Third Hokage, when will you teach me the Telescope Technique?
Honestly, I'm really interested. How about I trade you the Lightning Release Chakra Mode from the Village Hidden in the Clouds?"
Sarutobi immediately shook his head.
"Don't even think about it. I'm not hiding it from you just to keep you from messing around.
Let me be clear: the Telescope Technique isn't that special.
But it's linked to the protective barrier covering all of Konoha. That's top secret!"
"How top secret?"
"More secret than the Sealing Scrolls!
At least the ninjutsu in the Sealing Scrolls can be shown to others.
This protective barrier can only be fully understood by successive Hokage and the sealing squad leaders!"
Hearing this, Rinjin lost all interest.
It was just that in Sage Mode, the perception couldn't form colored patterns or shapes.
Otherwise, he wouldn't care about this lousy Telescope Technique at all.
But since Sarutobi said so, Rinjin didn't bother pestering him about it anymore.
"By the way, Uncle Sarutobi, will you teach this technique to Minato?"
Sarutobi's face flushed red, and he suddenly clapped a hand over Rinjin's mouth.
If he passed it to Minato, what if Minato used it to spy on his wife while she bathed?!
Though Minato wouldn't be that kind of person, people do change.
Sarutobi himself often did such things, so naturally, he assumed the worst of others.
"Don't talk nonsense! I'd never pass this technique on!
I'll take the Telescope Technique to my grave!"
Heh.
Rinjin smiled.
What a coincidence—it matches perfectly with my expertise as a tomb raider.
Even if I've lost interest in the Telescope Technique, I'll definitely visit your grave!
After all, my nickname is Dande~
Don't worry, Uncle Sarutobi, after you die, I'll come chat with you at your grave.
Unless the Death God refuses to let me, I'll even go into the Death God's belly to catch up with you.
With these thoughts, Rinjin bid farewell to Sarutobi and quickly caught up with his group.
Nearby, Sōmō glanced around quietly for a moment before leaning toward Rinjin and whispering:
"Rinjin, what did the old Third Hokage say to you?"
"Heh~ He's been telling me to become the Fourth Hokage for the umpteenth time. He's been pestering me to death."
Hearing this, Sōmō's palms itched, and Rinjin's swollen, pig-headed face suddenly looked even more punchable.
While everyone happily toured Konoha,
elsewhere,
at the Mountain Pasture, Madara Uchiha propped up his frail body and gave Obito one last lesson.
"Obito, your Mangekyō Sharingan is powerful!
But remember this: there are two places in the ninja world you must never go!"
"Which places?" Obito asked casually.
Madara, unusually serious, didn't answer right away.
Instead, he rambled on:
"I want you to promise me you won't go!
I'm not trying to harm you!
If something goes wrong, your dream of creating a world with Rin will definitely fail!"
Only then did Obito take him seriously.
His only reason to keep living was that one goal: to build a world with Rin.
This plan couldn't afford any mistakes.
Thinking this over, Obito asked again:
"So, what are the two places?"
Seeing Obito's seriousness, Madara finally sighed in relief.
"The Village Hidden in the Rain, and No. 66 Tea Street in Konoha.
Sounds familiar, right?
Obito, I'm telling you: stay far away from that guy Sōhoku Rinjin! Stay far away!
That guy once fought me to a standstill when I was at seventy percent of my prime!
And he's incredibly sinister—more than you can imagine!
So, don't! Don't say a single word to him!"
To ensure his plan wouldn't be compromised after death, Madara Uchiha was going all out.
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