Sukuna stretched his arms above his head, letting out a long sigh as he watched Sasuke run off into the distance. The boy still had fire in his eyes even after being beaten again and again. Sukuna shook his head.
"Another embracing the path of the Grind," he nodded with a smile, as if looking proudly at a younger sibling.
"Well, at least he won't give me more trouble. Good for him. Now, food for me." His stomach protested.
Sukuna rubbed his belly and started walking back toward home. Just as he was imagining the leftovers he might sneak into his room, he felt something. A presence. Someone was nearby, watching.
He didn't turn his head or give any reaction, but he was alert. Whoever it was, they weren't hiding for long.
A calm, elderly voice finally broke the silence. "You're sharper than your age would suggest, my boy."
Sukuna froze for just a moment, then turned. His eyes widened slightly. Standing there in his long robes and Hokage's hat was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself.
His mind froze. Why was this old man suddenly here? 'Did he find out about Danzo? It happened yesterday, he had enough time. But even so, there was nothing to point towards me, is there?' Sukuna's mind first went to the worst outcome.
However, upon not sensing anyone other than the Hokage and his few guards, he could at least rule out that possibility. He was here for something else—had to be.
"…Well," Sukuna muttered, scratching the back of his head. "Hokage Sama? How come you're here?"
Hiruzen chuckled warmly, stepping closer. "A Hokage who does not keep an eye on his young is not fit to be called Hokage at all. Forgive me for intruding, but I have been watching you for some time."
"'Sometime'?" Sukuna's face stiffened a little. How long was that exactly, he wondered. While he was confident that even with his magic ball the old man could see him getting in and out of the village, inside the village he remained the model—albeit a little unruly—student. So, there was nothing to worry about.
Not to mention tracking him with that crystal ball should be significantly harder too, since locking onto his energy would be harder. CE and all…
Sukuna frowned slightly. "Watching me? You know me?"
"Hahah… of course I do. I'm still the principal of the academy, you know. I know every student in there. But I also heard much about you from Naruto," Hiruzen said.
"Oh…" Sukuna nodded. Who else could it be but Naruto?
"I heard from Iruka that you helped Hinata Hyuga against some older boys bullying her, and even defeated a Hyuga clan's Chunin. I have to say, my boy, that was impressive."
Sukuna waved his hands, turning his face away. "That was nothing. Hinata herself could have taken care of them, but she's just too shy. Otherwise they would have never bullied her. As for the Chunin, he never used any technique against me. Calling it that I beat him is an overestimation."
Hiruzen nodded to himself. The boy was humble. He liked it.
"Yes, however, the fact that you stood up for your classmate is what matters here more than anything, my boy. You seem to follow your heart, to protect your comrades—that is the Will of Fire passed down by the First Hokage. And you have perfectly inherited that fire…" Hiruzen smiled amicably.
Sukuna was getting irritated. Why was this old man here? Why keep going round and round? What did he want?
Sukuna raised an eyebrow. "Ah, really. Tell my mother sometime, if it's on her then I'll be grounded in my room until I become a Shinobi," Sukuna pouted.
Hiruzen laughed again, his eyes remaining kind. "Perhaps. But I believe in it. And I see it in you as well. You helped Naruto when no one else would. For that I have to thank you—the boy finally found a friend in you. Now he doesn't stop talking about you whenever we meet.
You even scolded those who bullied Hinata. While I have to disagree with beating those boys like that, this time I'll overlook it since you did it to protect your classmates. Those children should also bear some consequences for their actions.
And then Sasuke. You helped the boy out as well.
This is the very essence of the Will of Fire: to help your comrades and friends, to consider the village as your home," the old man said as he leisurely took a puff from his pipe.
Hiruzen wasn't just talking here either—Sukuna was becoming a focus point for many of Konoha's younger generation.
By Karin's and Naruto's attitude towards him alone, it was clear they looked up to him to some degree. What he did reflected on them, and would reflect on others who came in contact with him later as well.
If Iruka's recent warning about other villages launching psychological warfare on Konoha's younger generation was any indication…
It had something to do with every kid suddenly wearing glasses in class.
Hiruzen looked at the boy with glasses and sighed. If nothing else, the boy at least had charisma.
He couldn't say about other students, but Naruto definitely looked up to this boy. Not only him—seeing how this boy had brought together so many kids around him, he definitely had some pull on Konoha's younger generation. If possible, Hiruzen wished to make Sukuna a role model for those kids.
He wasn't sure where Sukuna's potential truly lay, but his work ethic was on point. He helped out his classmates as well. Hiruzen liked this boy more and more, outside of him having no talent in ninjutsu and being a little unruly.
If possible, he would rather nurture this talent.
Sukuna's irritation flared. On top of seeing the old geezer wasting his time, he was hungry, dammit…
Sukuna scratched his cheek awkwardly, not used to being praised like this. "Well, others would have done the same. Besides, Naruto's my friend, and Hinata's too shy for her own good. As for Sasuke… let's just say beating him is kinda fun."
That made Hiruzen smile. "Even so, I must thank you. Especially for Naruto and Sasuke. They are precious to this village, and to me. In many ways I think I have failed. Seeing them growing in the right direction just brings a sense of relief to these old bones of mine.
I wanted to help them myself, but… I am Hokage. Sometimes my duties keep me from being the man I wish to be."
Sukuna wasn't buying it. Yes, the man was quite busy and did his best to help out Naruto—in fact the monthly allowance Naruto got was pretty substantial for an orphan. It was just that Naruto wasted the majority of it on limited-edition ramen.
"Your progress in the Academy is… exceptional as well." Hiruzen's change of subject brought an internal groan to Sukuna. This meant the old man wasn't done yet.
Unfortunately for Sukuna, Hiruzen had come only after taking time out of his schedule. The old man was completely prepared to spiritually guide this youth.
"However, even geniuses need help to grow. Tell me, boy, if there is any way I could help you in your training. If it's in my power, I would help you. Consider this a thanks from this old man for helping out Naruto," Hiruzen winked.
Sukuna surely wasn't expecting this. Must be trying to leave an impression on him.
Unfortunately for Hiruzen, Sukuna had just looted the Root base—there was nothing he wanted from the Hokage. He had it all.
However, now that the offer was extended, he pondered how else he could use this chance. And his mind suddenly clicked.
He was about to ask, however, that's when an Anbu with a dog mask and white hair arrived, making both Sukuna and Hiruzen pause their conversation.
Before Hiruzen could say anything, the Anbu walked up to him and whispered something in the old man's ear.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
"Ahem… well, seems like we have to cut this talk short, my boy. Duty calls, I'm afraid. However, what I said is valid. If you have anything you want, please come by my office," Hiruzen said before hurriedly leaving.
Sukuna was left behind, baffled.
He had just made up his mind about what he wanted, and the old man was gone.
'Irritating…'
Sigh. At least he could go back and get something to eat now. His stomach had already started rumbling inside.
However, seeing the evening sky, his brows furrowed. He suddenly recalled what Izumi told him yesterday.
"Fuck… I forgot I have my first Genjutsu class with Izumi Sensei…"
And thus he was destined to go hungry until night.
xxx
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