Torifu could understand Hiruzen's concerns: "Don't worry. Our two villages should help each other."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely grateful in his heart. The thing Konoha Village lacked most was funding. Money was needed everywhere, but the village's funds were completely insufficient. The allocation from the Land of Fire was not enough for Konoha Village's expenses. Although one million was not a huge sum for the entire village, it could solve the village's most urgent needs.
"Thank you, two Masters. I never thought that even though I'm not from this world, both of you would still treat me so well." Sarutobi Hiruzen was truly touched. He had expected to be targeted or difficultly treated. But he never thought that Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama would be so sincere, helping him without a second thought. This kindness would be hard to repay.
"Torifu, Hiruzen has just arrived. Why don't you show him around Konoha's various facilities and see if you can extend your business to their world."
Hashirama's suggestion was a good one. Bringing products over would drive consumption. Other appliances were fine, but phones would likely be out of the question for now. Without signal towers, they would be useless except for playing games. That ninja world was in the midst of war; who would have the mind to play games?
Bringing over some commonly used household appliances, however, might allow him to make a profit. But with that world in constant warfare, the villages were mostly full of families with only women and orphans. There were too many poor families, and too few who could actually afford appliances. Torifu needed to carefully consider this before making a decision. Otherwise, he would waste effort bringing the items over only for no one to buy them, forcing him to bring them back.
Most importantly, the other side didn't even know about the existence of the alternate world. If Sarutobi Hiruzen told people, the news of the alternate world would quickly spread throughout the ninja world, potentially sparking another war.
In any case, many problems needed to be solved one by one. Torifu's ultimate goal was to turn the alternate ninja world into his training ground, not for his ninja to simply work for free over there.
"I will consider the appliance aspect on my own. This will also require Hokage Hiruzen's cooperation."
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally nodded in agreement: "If you need my help, I am at your disposal."
Torifu waved his hand: "It's not that serious. The existence of the alternate world will spread sooner or later. I just hope Hokage Hiruzen can explain to the villagers that we harbor no ill will."
"That is natural. I have committed today's events to my memory."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was not just speaking pretty words to repay their kindness. He genuinely hoped that the two worlds could exchange goods and ideas. This was because he had seen that the difference between the two villages was simply too vast. This Konoha Village was like a magnificent fortress, while their Konoha Village was still just a small settlement. This strong sense of disparity made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel a great sense of urgency. If the two worlds could truly exchange resources, his village could develop much faster.
Having been the Hokage for a lifetime, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally knew the kind of shock the news of an alternate world would cause to the ninja world. But he couldn't help it; Konoha Village had to seize this opportunity.
"Hokage Hiruzen doesn't need to be so anxious. The matter of the alternate world requires time and a gradual approach, or the upheaval in the ninja world might become unmanageable." Torifu did not want to rush, as that was often accompanied by bad news. War was a very troublesome thing, and even though Torifu was now at the Six Paths level, he still disliked war.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought his thoughts had been seen through by Torifu and nodded repeatedly: "Good. I will listen to Hokage Torifu in all things. I only hope that you can help Konoha Village."
Hashirama and Tobirama felt a pang of sympathy seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen in this state. They both looked towards Torifu, as if to say: 'Help him as much as you can.' Torifu certainly intended to help, but there had to be a method to it—he needed to proceed slowly.
"That is natural."
Afterward, everyone began to talk about other topics. Hashirama was very interested in knowing what had happened in the other Konoha Village. Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately began to recount the events, including Hashirama's death, Kumogakure's attack on Konoha Village, Tobirama's death in battle, and the various Great Ninja Wars. The tragic stories made Hashirama and Tobirama feel deeply troubled.
"But things are good now. The war is over, and Namikaze Minato has become the Fourth Hokage. This old man can finally rest."
"Namikaze Minato, is it? He's a good kid. In our world, Namikaze Minato also became the Fourth Hokage. It seems the major events are largely the same." The only difference was that Torifu's Konoha Village hadn't experienced any major disasters, while the Konoha Village where Sarutobi Hiruzen was from was virtually ganged up on every time.
The group talked in the room until the sun was close to setting before deciding to return to Torifu's home. Torifu did not bother settling Sarutobi Hiruzen in an apartment but had him stay at his house directly.
"Shall I take you to the Sarutobi Clan compound tomorrow?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately perked up upon hearing this.
"Is my father still alive?"
Torifu shook his head: "I apologize, Sasuke-sama passed away a few years ago." Sarutobi Hiruzen showed an expression of remorse upon hearing this: "It is a pity I came too late."
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't be blamed for this. After all, when his father died, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't in this world. At that time, Torifu hadn't even become Six Paths-level yet. Even if the Teleportation Gate could have been opened for a moment, using it meant there was a high chance of not being able to return and getting lost in the vast cosmos.
"In this world, is my wife still Biwako? Or did I choose another woman?" Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly asked.
Torifu didn't know what he meant, so he simply replied: "Yes, it is indeed Big Sister Biwako."
Upon hearing this, Torifu expected Hiruzen to be disappointed, but instead, he saw him smile.
"Good. Biwako worked hard alongside me for half a lifetime. Both of us Sarutobi Hiruzen chose her. This is truly fate."
This was quite a coincidence. Sarutobi Hiruzen had apparently been involved with Biwako for a long time; nearly forty years had passed in a flash.