419 Learning Ninjutsu in a Glance

The next day.

Shinju sat alone in the Hokage's office, bored, propping his head up with one hand and muttering to himself.

"Again with this… ninjutsu data, curse marks, artificial humans."

"What does that mysterious person actually want? Don't tell me he's trying to monopolize all of the shinobi world's technology?"

At some point, Sasuke appeared in the room without a sound. In a low voice, he said to Shinju,

"Shinju, don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just go with the flow."

Shinju: Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

"When did you come in?! You couldn't even announce yourself?!"

Sasuke spread his hands, looking helpless.

"You've had your head down the whole time since I came in. You looked deep in thought, so I didn't say anything."

"Oh, right. The company's been developing steadily. Raimon is planning a team-building trip to boost camaraderie among the staff."

"I already agreed. What do you think?"

Hearing that, Shinju nodded.

"Sounds good. Relaxing a bit will help them work more seriously."

"By the way, is the location decided?"

Sasuke nodded immediately.

"Yeah. The Land of Hot Water, right next to the Land of Fire. Their hot springs are famous—it's a major tourist spot."

"The Land of Hot Water?"

Shinju's expression turned thoughtful. The name felt very familiar.

"I went there once when investigating the Ketsuryūgan. Come to think of it, Hidan was from that country too. That place doesn't just produce hot springs—it also produces cultists…"

Sasuke couldn't help curling his lips.

"That was ages ago. And the Land of Hot Water has been cracking down hard on cults lately—you barely see them anymore… (||๐_๐)"

Shinju nodded. "Alright then. Since you've all decided, go ahead."

Then Sasuke looked Shinju straight in the eyes and continued,

"What about you? Are you coming with us?"

"Shinju, look at how exhausted you've been since becoming Hokage. It's time for a break. Naruto can already cover for you…" Sasuke said earnestly. (๑ت๑)

Shinju: (๑`･ᴗ･´๑)

"Alright!"

He'd spent his whole life doing good deeds—resting was something he deserved!

Even though he'd just spent all of yesterday playing mahjong, soaking in hot springs was still absolutely necessary! (σ≧︎▽︎≦︎)σ

...

The next day.

Naruto buried his head in paperwork, his hands flying, brimming with motivation.

"This is Shinju acknowledging that I can finally handle things on my own!! ୧⍢⃝୨"

"I've gotta take care of everything in the village these next few days!"

Beside him, Shikamaru stood holding a stack of documents, one hand on his forehead, utterly speechless.

"Is there any chance Shinju just wanted to skip work and go have fun?"

Naruto: "I don't believe it! Shinju said I'm the one he trusts the most, and that only I'm fit to be acting Hokage! ୧⍢⃝୨"

Shikamaru rubbed his forehead. (ー_ー)!!

Just what kind of bewitching potion did Shinju feed Naruto?!

...

New Future Company.

The employees were neatly dressed, gear on their backs, faces full of excitement as they waited for Shinju.

"Being able to work under the Hokage—it's a blessing I must've earned over several lifetimes!"

"Exactly! I've only been here half a year, and I already get to go on a company trip! Hokage-sama is the best!"

"Inside the company, shouldn't we call him Chairman instead of Hokage…?"

...

On the way to the company, Shinju ran into Yūhi Kurenai-sensei, who was holding a baby.

After the Fourth Shinobi World War ended, Kurenai married Asuma-sensei, and they had a daughter. Asuma named her 'Mirai'.

"Sixth-sama," Kurenai greeted respectfully when she saw Shinju.

Even though he was used to the title by now, Shinju still patiently said,

"Just call me by my name, sensei…"

"Mirai, this little girl is so cute. ∩_∩"

Kurenai smiled and introduced Shinju to baby Mirai.

"Mirai, look—this is the Sixth-sama. Say—"

Mirai was only a few months old and couldn't talk at all. She just stared at Shinju with her big, watery eyes, her face full of innocence.

No matter how hard Shinju's heart was, it softened at the sight.

He remembered that when Sarutobi Mirai was born, he'd been swamped with official duties and had only sent a perfunctory gift…

So Shinju casually pulled out a Flying Thunder God kunai from his ninja pouch.

"This is for Mirai…"

Kurenai: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ

Giving a kunai to a baby not even a year old?!

The Sixth Hokage's way of thinking was as unconventional as ever!

Still, out of politeness, Kurenai accepted it and thanked him.

And it was precisely this tiny gesture that went on to shape Sarutobi Mirai's future!

Afterward, Shinju bid Kurenai farewell and headed to the company.

Amid the cheers of the employees, Shinju used the Flying Thunder God Technique and transported everyone all at once to the Land of Hot Water!

...

The Land of Hot Water.

A certain hot spring town.

Shinju and Sasuke soaked in the hot springs.

Amid the steamy mist, Sasuke's face was flushed.

"Soaking in hot springs feels amazing! ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )"

Shinju looked just as blissful.

"It really is. The two best things in the world are hot springs and holidays. (ﾉ∇︎〃 )"

Their appearance drew the attention of the men around them.

"Look over there—the black-haired guy and the red-haired guy!"

"Those two are really handsome…"

"Yeah, later when they bend down to pick up the soap… hehehe… (๑`･ᴗ･´๑)"

Hearing this, both Shinju and Sasuke felt a chill run down their spines!

They immediately went to the restroom and changed their appearances!

Damn it! Being handsome is a crime too?!

Sure enough, when the two returned, the men's conversation had shifted to something else.

"What a shame the two hot guys left. Otherwise I'd really ..... (ﾉ∇︎〃 )"

"Forget that. Have you heard about the recent disappearances?"

"The cult just got cleaned up, and now human traffickers are popping up again. Who knows when the Land of Hot Water will finally be truly peaceful?"

"Be content! With no wars in the shinobi world, things are already peaceful enough!"

"Oh right, I heard an urban legend recently. Supposedly there's a hot spring in the northern mountains where you can see deceased loved ones. It's creepy as hell! (°A°`)"

"That sounds way too fake. If you want dreams fulfilled, you might as well go to the Leaf Village. I hear the Sixth Hokage there is a master of fulfilling dreams—you just pay a tiny bit and you can see your departed family…"

"A tiny bit, or an enormous bit? I heard that even though the Sixth Hokage is young, he's a total money-grubber! (´°Δ°`)"

"Exactly! If I had the choice, I'd still want to go to the dream-fulfilling hot spring!"

"I'd rather go to the Leaf… I heard the Sixth Hokage is really good-looking! I wonder if he's my type! (⌯︎¤̴̶̷̀ω¤̴̶̷́)✧︎"

"Please calm down!"

After hearing all this, Sasuke struggled to hold back his laughter and lightly patted Shinju beside him.

"Didn't expect you to become famous in this way."

Shinju's face darkened. ¯\(ツ)/¯

"I help people fulfill dreams purely based on my mood. I've never even set a price. How did these rumors get so twisted? It's infuriating!"

"But that dream-fulfilling hot spring they mentioned sounds pretty creepy. If we have time, we should go check it out!"