SFS Chapter 452 Gaps in Time
Chapter 452 Gaps in Time
The first rays of morning sunlight, filtering through the curtains and accompanied by the clear chirping of birds, skipped into Hiruzen Sarutobi's bedroom.
There were no alarms or urgent military reports, only the tranquil yet vibrant symphony of a morning in Konoha Village.
In the distance, the bell tolled for the start of the ninja academy's classes, and the faint sounds of early-rising street vendors hawking their wares and the laughter of neighboring children chasing and playing could be heard.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.
"woke up?"
He heard his wife Biwako's gentle voice beside him. She was already dressed and preparing the Hokage robe for him to wear today.
"Um."
Hiruzen Sarutobi responded, sat up, and felt the breeze blowing in from the window, carrying the fragrance of earth and grass—the scent of morning.
"What do you want to eat today? Miso soup with grilled fish, or something simple like rice balls?"
Biwako placed the folded clothes by the bedside, asking him questions as she skillfully tidied his bedding.
"Rice balls, please. Keep it simple."
"it is good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put on his casual clothes and went into the washroom.
Turn on the tap, and warm water flows out.
This is a new achievement of Orochimaru's Team Zero last year - a small chakra hydroelectric generator based on the drop of a reservoir dam. Although the power is not large, it is enough to support the hot water supply for families around the Hokage Building and several main roads.
When he finished washing up and came out of the room, there were already neatly shaped rice balls on the dining table, along with a small dish of pickled cucumbers and a bowl of steaming clear soup.
Simple, yet incredibly heartwarming.
He sat down, picked up a rice ball, and casually asked, "Where's Asma?"
Biwako paused for a moment as she served him soup, then smiled gently.
"You forgot? Asuma went out of the village on a mission with Shinnosuke, and he probably won't be back for another two days."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped chewing.
He then remembered that it seemed to be true.
That little brat who used to whine to me for breaking a flowerpot is now a genin capable of carrying out missions independently.
Time flies so fast.
I can still vividly recall the boy's excited expression when he first received the headband, and his pretentious, serious demeanor when he first wore the Konoha vest.
"What's wrong? Are you worried?"
Biwako noticed his momentary lapse in concentration and gently pushed the soup bowl towards him.
"...A little."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hide anything. He picked up the soup bowl and took a sip, the warmth sliding down his esophagus into his stomach. "Although Shinnosuke is leading the team, this is still the first time we've gone on such a long trip."
"He's already a ninja, Hiruzen."
Biwako sat down opposite him and gently comforted him, "This is the path he chose."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.
He looked out the window at the village bathed in the morning light.
Yes.
"you're right."
He finished the soup in his bowl, suppressing the worry that belonged to his father, and returned to being the composed Hokage. "I'm done eating."
Donning the Hokage's robes, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped out of his house, preparing to head to the Hokage Building.
The streets of Konoha were already bustling and orderly in the early morning.
"Good morning, Hokage!"
"Sandaime-sama!"
The villagers and ninjas passing by stopped and bowed to him in greeting.
Their demeanor exuded a heartfelt warmth and respect, as if they were treating a highly respected elder.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded in response to each of them.
He walked along the Hokage Avenue, a wide and flat main road that ran through the entire village.
Shops line both sides of the road.
The entrance to the mountain flower shop was filled with budding flowers, and wisps of smoke were rising from the chimney of the Akimichi BBQ restaurant, the irresistible aroma of meat wafting from afar.
The most eye-catching is the Muye Ecological Farm direct-sale store, located in a prime location at the crossroads.
Before dawn, a long queue had already formed in front of the store. The queue included civilians, ninjas, and even a few well-dressed purchasing agents who looked like they were from the Daimyo's prefecture.
Not far away, a new three-story building is under construction; it is the village's planned new public library.
A group of Hyuga clan members stood under the scaffolding, their Byakugan activated, meticulously inspecting the structural stability of each beam and pillar, like the most precise human-shaped quality inspection instruments.
Their expressions were focused and proud.
Hiruzen Sarutobi even saw young Uchiha Shisui being surrounded by children from several different clans, shyly using a small ball of fire to light something for them.
The children cheered and swarmed around him as he ran towards the training field in the distance.
Everything was so harmonious and so full of life.
This village is getting better and better at an unimaginable speed.
But why is this feeling of belonging to a classmate growing stronger in my heart?
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a sigh that only he could hear, and quickened his pace toward the source of all evil—the Hokage's office.
Pushing open the office door, a familiar scene came into view.
A mountain of documents.
The stack on the left is a "Supplementary Draft on the Second Five-Year Modernization Plan for Konoha Village" submitted by Shimura Danzo's Konoha Construction Team.
On the right is a stack of reports from Hatake Sakumo's Konoha Ecological Farm entitled "Report on the Hybridization and Breeding of Konoha No. 3 Pigs and the Optimization of Winter Feed Ratios," which has a faint...smell of pig feed in it.
There was also a stack of documents in the middle, titled "Emergency Explanation Regarding the Upcoming Budget," presented by Nara Shikazuki...
My temples started to ache slightly.
At noon, Hiruzen Sarutobi declined Akimichi Torifu's kind invitation to visit Akimichi BBQ to inspect their new garlic pork belly, and instead went alone to Ichiraku Ramen on the street corner.
The shop isn't big, but it's always packed with people.
He found a corner to sit down and ordered the most basic tonkotsu ramen.
"Your ramen is ready!"
The owner placed a steaming bowl of noodles in front of him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a mouthful of noodles, and slurped it into his mouth.
The rich broth, the chewy noodles, and the familiar flavors spread throughout the mouth.
In the evening, after finishing the last document, Hiruzen Sarutobi stretched and prepared to go home.
An undercover agent appeared silently behind him, kneeling on one knee and presenting a small scroll with both hands.
A standard task report.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took it and unfolded it.
It was submitted by Shinnosuke.
The above records the start and end times of the task, the route details, and a signature confirming the completion of the task in a standard format.
Everything is going smooth.
"very good."