Lord Mitsuki sped along the main road in his carriage, getting closer and closer to Konoha, with the Hokage Rock faintly visible. In the blink of an eye, the carriage stopped at the entrance of Konoha Village.
Mitsuki Kōmei pulled open the curtain and observed Konoha Village from afar. Shops lined the streets, and smiling villagers were everywhere.
He thought, "Laugh now, but in a few years, you won't be laughing anymore."
The Uchiha Clan's extermination, the Hyuga Clan Chief's younger brother being forced to his death—Konoha was getting worse year by year.
A Konoha with pruned branches, burnt leaves, and rotten roots was a good Konoha.
"Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha Ninja Clan Chiefs Akimichi Torifu, Nara Shikafei, Yamanaka Bunji, and Hyuga Ginga welcome Lord Mitsuki to Konoha."
Mitsuki Kōmei jumped off the carriage, carefully scrutinized the six people in front of him, and memorized their faces.
"May I ask, who is this person wearing a coat, hat, and glasses in the middle of summer?"
Everyone followed his gaze, and within three seconds, their expressions shifted from sudden realization to understanding.
"Aburame Shiko, Clan Chief of the Aburame Clan. Lord Mitsuki , please follow me to the Hokage Building." Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject to cover the awkwardness.
"Alright, thank you, Hokage Sarutobi, for leading the way. Guo Er, Yagura, let's go."
Hokage Building, reception room.
"Lord Mitsuki , please have a seat. I will immediately have someone bring tea. What flavor do you prefer?"
Mitsuki Kōmei was the first to sit in a chair, followed by the others.
"Anything is fine, I'm not picky."
Just as Mitsuki Kōmei picked up his teacup, the reception room door was pushed open, and three people entered one after another.
He put down his teacup and carefully observed the three.
Danzo had a gloomy face, appearing to be a ruthless individual. He had a scar on his chin, and his eyes and arms were not yet bandaged.
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu seemed relatively normal, without any distinct features.
"Hokage Sarutobi, won't you introduce who these people are?" Mitsuki Kōmei asked Hiruzen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to them, "My former teammates, Hokage Advisor Danzo Shimura, Konoha Advanced Advisors Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu."
"I've truly heard much about you all." Mitsuki Kōmei widened his eyes, feigning surprise.
"I often hear people say that Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu are the two cornerstones of Konoha, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura are the two pillars of Konoha, with all four jointly supporting Konoha. Seeing you today, these words are indeed true."
With a few light words, Mitsuki Kōmei bestowed high praise upon the four.
"Lord Mitsuki , you flatter us. Such rumors should not be taken seriously," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, waving his hand, then pointed to the three young ones behind him.
"My three unworthy Disciples: Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Senju Tsunade."
Mitsuki Kōmei watched Konoha's Sannin of the future: the ageless woman Tsunade, the best-selling novelist Jiraiya, and the Ninja World scientist Orochimaru.
"Hokage Sarutobi, these three have already been promoted to Chunin, haven't they? They are remarkable at such a young age; their future is limitless."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, "They were just promoted recently. Has Lord Mitsuki heard of them?"
"Of course, mainly there's more news about Princess Tsunade, as the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, and the favored Disciple of the Third."
"She will surely become Konoha's first female Hokage in the future. The will of fire, passed down through generations of Hokage, burns eternally."
Mitsuki Kōmei praised Tsunade greatly, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Danzo. Danzo's brow subtly twitched, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade. Mitsuki Kōmei smiled with satisfaction.
"Tch, who wants to be Hokage!"
Tsunade pouted her beautiful lips, saying disdainfully. She thought, what's so great about being Hokage? You're busy to death every day. It's much better to gamble a bit and have a few drinks.
"Oh? Princess Tsunade, you are blessed but don't know it. Some people wish to be Hokage but cannot."
Mitsuki Kōmei's first meeting with Konoha's higher-ups did not end unpleasantly, and he seized the opportunity to extend an invitation.
"I wonder if I could invite Princess Tsunade to be my guide for the next few days?"
Mitsuki Kōmei's invitation was exactly what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted. He offered himself up, and it was perfect for Tsunade to monitor him closely.
"Tsunade, you three will act as guides and accompany Lord Mitsuki to tour Konoha."
Mitsuki Kōmei motioned for Guo Er and Yagura to get up and leave. The matter of buying grain was handled by specialists, and he wasn't interested. His main goal in coming to Konoha was to win over Tsunade, at least becoming friends and leaving an impression.
He had already completed the first step, hinting to Danzo that Tsunade would be his biggest stumbling block on his path to becoming Hokage.
The 'Hokage' who forced Sakumo Hatake to his death, almost wiped out the entire Uchiha Clan, and teamed up with Hanzo against Jiraiya's Disciple, would surely not disappoint.
Mitsuki Kōmei had another purpose in touring Konoha: to understand Konoha's defensive arrangements. Many future events would occur in Konoha Village, and he would often have to visit.
"Hey, Mitsuki , where do you want to go? This is so annoying. I had planned to gamble a bit, but now I can't." Tsunade asked listlessly.
"Let's go to the Hokage Rock first, to admire the heroic figure of Senju Hashirama, the God of the Ninja World."
"What's so great about that? Just a gambler. Let's go."
Mitsuki Kōmei followed behind the displeased Tsunade.
Along the way, he saw the Konoha Hospital, the Konoha News Department, the Konoha Cafeteria, and passed by a ramen shop and a hot spring.
Mitsuki Kōmei was led by Tsunade on a long detour before finally arriving at the base of the Hokage Rock, looking up at the statues of Senju Hashirama and Tobirama.
Mitsuki Kōmei sighed with emotion, "Life is truly short. Even someone as strong as Senju Hashirama had to die one day. How wonderful it would be if humans could live forever."
Orochimaru lowered his head, appearing to be in thought.
He stared up at the statues for over ten minutes, his neck aching from looking up. He thought, if it weren't for a purpose, what was so great about a pile of broken rocks?
Mitsuki Kōmei had been led around by Tsunade for most of the day, and he rubbed his rumbling stomach.
"I'm a bit hungry. Do you have any good food recommendations in Konoha Village?"
"Ramen tastes great; many people in Konoha like to eat it. Barbecue is also an option." Tsunade said nonchalantly.
Arriving at the ramen shop, Mitsuki Kōmei found a corner and sat down.
The owner loudly asked, "Princess Tsunade, what would you like to eat today?"
"Ask him, he's the main character today." Tsunade pointed at Mitsuki Kōmei, then slumped onto the table listlessly.
"Six super deluxe ramen, please. My treat today."
Mitsuki Kōmei curiously leaned closer to Jiraiya, "Brother Jiraiya, you've been holding a pen the whole time. What are you writing?"
"Writing a novel. I want to be a traveling author."
"You like novels too? I have a really good one; let me lend it to you to read."
Mitsuki Kōmei carefully pulled a book from his chest and secretly handed "Saintess Bai Jie" to Jiraiya.
Watching Jiraiya open the novel, his face instantly flushed, and his eyes glowed, that light signifying that Jiraiya had found his life's direction.
"Lord Mitsuki , this novel is so good. Can I borrow it for a few days?"
"Glad you like it. It's yours."
Slam! Tsunade slapped the table, her eyes fixed on Mitsuki Kōmei and Jiraiya.
"What kind of shady business are you two discussing?"
Mitsuki Kōmei and Jiraiya exchanged glances. "It's a conversation between kindred spirits. Girls shouldn't pry."
After eating ramen, Mitsuki Kōmei followed behind Tsunade, "Let's go, to Princess Tsunade's house to sleep."