One day later, at the Daimyō's Residence.
After leaving Konohagakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his party traveled day and night. After nearly two days of relentless travel, they finally arrived within the territory of the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
"Shinnosuke, come with me to see the Daimyō. The rest of you, disperse and maintain vigilance."
Naturally, it was impossible to bring so many people when meeting the Daimyō. Hiruzen gestured with his hand, instructing the two ANBU squads accompanying him to scatter and stand guard from the shadows.
"Yes!"
Several ANBU shinobi responded. Their figures flickered and instantly vanished from the spot.
"Shinnosuke, take off your mask," Hiruzen said after a brief pause. "Meeting the Daimyō is different from ordinary missions. There's no need to conceal your identity."
"Hokage-sama, that doesn't seem to follow protocol."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke hesitated before speaking.
Hiruzen sighed inwardly. His son was excellent in many ways—but he was far too rigid and lacked a bit of flexibility.
Years ago, when Hiruzen had come to the Daimyō's residence to report on village affairs, he had deliberately brought Shinnosuke along. His intention had been to familiarize Shinnosuke with the Daimyō and allow him to build a relationship, in case it might be needed someday.
After all, with the situation in Konoha growing increasingly turbulent, even Hiruzen himself could not predict what might happen in the future.
He had learned from the way he raised Shinnosuke. His education had been far too strict. By the time Hiruzen realized the problem, Shinnosuke's personality had already solidified and was difficult to change.
So when raising his younger son, Sarutobi Asuma, Hiruzen had loosened the reins.
But perhaps he had gone too far the other way—Asuma now behaved more like a street delinquent than the son of the Hokage.
Being a father was truly difficult.
Shinnosuke frowned slightly. Although he did not agree with Hiruzen's decision, he still removed the ANBU mask from his face.
Hiruzen nodded and said,
"This time, I'm not only meeting the Daimyō as the Third Hokage, but also as the head of the Sarutobi clan."
With that, he shook his head slightly and walked toward the Daimyō's palace first.
When they arrived at the palace gates, Hiruzen followed the proper protocol and submitted the official documents. Then he waited quietly at the entrance, deliberately lowering his posture—giving the Daimyō full respect.
After the documents were delivered, it wasn't long before a figure walked out from within the palace and approached them.
The man was very young. From the cloth hanging at his waist, embroidered with the character "Fire", it was clear that he was one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve who served the Daimyō.
"The Third Hokage-sama, the Daimyō is already waiting in the main hall. Please follow me."
The young man bowed politely to Hiruzen and gestured for them to proceed.
However, when Hiruzen's gaze inadvertently fell upon the clan emblem embroidered on the man's collar, his pupils suddenly shrank.
His voice even changed pitch.
"Uchiha…!"
Hiruzen stared at the young man in shock. After confirming he had not mistaken the emblem, he shifted his gaze to the man's face.
"You're Uchiha Shisui?! Why are you here?"
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Hiruzen's mind.
Shisui had made a brilliant name for himself during the war between Konoha and Kirigakure. Hiruzen had personally reviewed his files—there was no way he could mistake his appearance.
Yet here he was… standing in the Daimyō's palace.
Shisui merely smiled calmly.
"The Third Hokage is joking. I am currently one of the Daimyō's guardian shinobi. Naturally, I must remain by the Daimyō's side."
Hiruzen cast him a long look before saying slowly,
"The Uchiha clan has certainly given this old man quite a surprise."
"Guardian Shisui, please lead the way. I would like to meet the Daimyō."
Shisui's expression remained unchanged. He simply gestured ahead and walked toward the palace.
Shinnosuke, however, frowned.
"Uchiha Shisui, you are a shinobi of Konoha. Why did you take up an official post outside the village without authorization? That violates the rules."
Shisui replied calmly,
"Lord Shinnosuke, you misunderstand. I am indeed a jōnin of Konoha, but I belong to the Konoha Military Police Force. All of my actions fall under the authority of the Police Force. I do not require approval from the rest of the village."
Shinnosuke's expression hardened.
"But the Konoha Military Police Force is only responsible for maintaining order within the village. It has no authority to send you outside the village on missions."
Shisui answered evenly,
"If that is the case, then perhaps you should ask the Chief of the Konoha Military Police Force yourself. I am merely following orders."
"You—!"
Shinnosuke was about to argue further.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen cut him off sharply.
"That's enough. This matter ends here. Now is not the time to argue about it."
Although Hiruzen himself was dissatisfied with the Uchiha clan overstepping their authority, the situation had arisen too suddenly. He could not yet determine what deeper implications lay behind it.
Continuing to argue here would only make him a laughingstock.
It would bring him no benefit whatsoever.
Shinnosuke clenched his jaw but ultimately fell silent.
Soon after, they arrived in a magnificent golden hall and saw the Fire Daimyō seated at the head of the chamber.
"Reporting to the Daimyō—the Third Hokage of Konoha has arrived."
Shisui bowed respectfully before stepping aside to stand behind the Daimyō.
Hiruzen and Shinnosuke both bowed.
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
"Hahaha! Lord Sarutobi, what a rare guest!"
The Daimyō laughed heartily.
"The last time we met was at the beginning of the war, when you came to request military funding. Please, sit."
Hiruzen smiled somewhat awkwardly.
"During wartime, village affairs were overwhelming. I was unable to visit Your Excellency regularly. Please forgive my discourtesy."
"It's nothing," the Daimyō waved his hand casually. "You're the Hokage after all—being busy is normal."
Then he looked at Hiruzen with interest.
"But I heard that you've already resigned from the position of Hokage. Did you come here this time to formally report it?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"I am already advanced in age. During this war, I made several incorrect decisions. I am no longer fit to continue serving as Hokage."
"I have already announced this at the village council."
"This time, I have come to formally submit my resignation."
With that, Hiruzen bowed slightly.
"I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hereby resign from the position of Hokage."
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 + chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789