While Tejima Shinichi was lost in thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject.
"By the way, about that Kusagakure girl you brought back—an Uzumaki… Since you've decided to keep her in Konoha, do you have any thoughts on her future arrangements?"
Tejima Shinichi blinked in surprise; he hadn't expected Hiruzen to ask his opinion instead of simply issuing orders.
Seeing the surprise on his face, Hiruzen smiled, took a puff of his pipe, and continued.
"You always have your reasons for what you do; I won't interfere too much. Besides…"
He paused, looked at Tejima Shinichi, eyes full of expectation.
"I'd already planned to let you start getting involved in Village affairs after these Chunin Exams. Hearing your thoughts in advance is perfect."
"Huh?!"
Tejima Shinichi's mouth parted slightly as he let out a startled grunt.
"In such a hurry?"
Hearing this, Hiruzen set down his pipe, sighed softly, weariness hard to conceal, exuding the twilight aura of an old man.
"After this year, I'll be seventy. I've been Hokage my whole life, held Konoha together my whole life; it's time… to enjoy my twilight years!"
"And that… is exactly what you said—the future belongs to you!!!"
"…"
Tejima Shinichi was momentarily speechless.
Perhaps because of past prejudices against Hiruzen, the words sounded odd to him, yet he could feel the sincerity behind them.
'Enjoy retirement, huh… then as you wish!'
After a brief silence, Tejima Shinichi spoke up.
"My plan… may be the exact opposite of yours, sensei."
"Oh?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, interested. "How so?"
"After the Chunin Exams, I intend to leave my current squad. I want Karin to join Yamato-sensei's team and take my place."
The proposal surprised Hiruzen. He pondered a moment, then looked sharply at Tejima Shinichi as if something had clicked. "Is it because of… your Wood Release?"
Tejima Shinichi nodded; he'd expected the question.
After all, when he fought Shukaku, the Wood Dragon had displayed Magnet Release abilities in front of many witnesses.
Outsiders might chalk it up to a special Wood Release application, but Hiruzen—Konoha's Hokage, privy to the First Hokage's secrets—would sense something unusual.
"Yes." Tejima Shinichi admitted frankly. "My Wood Release—or rather, the Wood Dragon Technique—seems to have a strange effect on Tailed Beast chakra. After devouring Shukaku's chakra, the changes it showed—you saw them, sensei."
As he spoke, his gaze turned thoughtful.
"I want to know whether this trait applies only to Shukaku, the One-Tail or to all Tailed Beasts. It concerns the essence of Wood Release and… many future possibilities."
Hiruzen's eyes grew solemn; he understood his student's intent.
"So you plan to leave the Village, travel the Ninja World, find other jinchuriki and test your hypothesis?"
"Not necessarily a full journey, but whenever there's news of a jinchuriki, I must leave the Village," Tejima Shinichi said firmly. "It's something I have to clarify. Staying in the Village on routine missions won't give me answers."
The meeting room fell into a brief silence.
Hiruzen studied Tejima Shinichi deeply and offered no further discouragement.
When a disciple's strength and vision had reached this level, any "protection" could become a shackle.
A true eagle needs to soar across vaster skies.
What he needed to do was clear away future worries and prepare for the new power that might reshape the landscape when his student returned.
Moreover, the "travel" Shinichi spoke of wasn't long-term exile but frequent extended missions: once a jinchuriki's trail surfaced, he'd go verify and return.
The rest of the time could still be spent in the village... gradually handling administrative tasks—best of both worlds.
"I understand." Hiruzen finally nodded slowly. "Since this is your decision, then… go for it!! The Village will manage things here."
Hearing Hiruzen's unquestioning support, Tejima Shinichi stood and bowed.
"Thank you for your support, sensei."
Hiruzen waved a hand, gratified by the solemn gesture.
"Rise. Between teacher and student, no need for that."
Shinichi straightened, saw the weariness in Hiruzen's brow, and raised the topic again.
"Sensei, if you truly feel tired, Konoha… isn't without someone who can temporarily shoulder the Hokage's burden."
This was the second time Shinichi had brought it up.
The first time, Hiruzen had taken it as mere comfort; now, with Shinichi's strength and vision evident, Hiruzen was genuinely intrigued rather than brushing it off.
"Oh? Then in your mind, is there a suitable candidate?"
Without hesitation, Tejima Shinichi spoke a name.
"Lady Tsunade."
The moment the name left his lips, Hiruzen's pipe-hand froze, his gaze drifting as if seeing that once bright-smiling blonde woman.
At last he gave a soft grunt and nodded slowly.
"Ah… Tsunade, huh…"
He weighed it quickly: Jiraiya would never be chained to a desk, and among those with ability, prestige, and qualification to succeed without rocking the Village, only his former student—Princess Tsunade—remained.
"It's been… many years since I last saw her," Hiruzen mused, voice wistful. "I wonder how she's… living these days."
He didn't commit immediately, but Shinichi could see Hiruzen had taken the suggestion to heart and deemed it viable.
Tejima Shinichi said no more.
Transferring the Hokage seat was a monumental matter; it couldn't be decided in a few words.
"All right, the second exam is about to begin. You may go."
Shinichi rose and bowed once more to Hiruzen.
"Yes, sensei. I'll take my leave."
Hiruzen nodded, watching him with gentle eyes.
Without another word, Shinichi turned and left the meeting room, gently closing the door behind him.
The heavy wood door cut off the inside from the outside.
Shinichi didn't leave immediately; he paused in front of the door for several seconds.
He tilted his head slightly, as though his peripheral vision could pierce the wood and see Hiruzen sitting within.
In his mind echoed everything they'd just discussed—
'Wants to retire… does he? Enjoy his twilight years… does he?'
Shinichi asked himself these two questions.
Who treated him well, who merely used him, who supported him when he was insignificant, and who schemed after his worth was revealed—Tejima Shinichi had his own scale; he wasn't blind or foolish.
Hiruzen might have compromised on issues like Danzo, but toward Tejima Shinichi—from the moment he accepted him as a disciple—his support and guidance had been unreserved.
He could feel that sincerity.
Therefore… 'Then enjoy it,' Shinichi murmured inwardly, eyes growing deep. 'The worries that tire you, the storms that might disturb your retirement…'
'I'll sweep them away for you.'