The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

"Goodbye."

"Yo, heading out for dinner, junior?"

Inside the Hokage Building, a young Konoha shinobi gently closed the office door. As he turned around, he saw the shinobi from the adjacent office—responsible for managing the village registry—stretching as he stepped out and greeted him.

Aside from a few key departments that required night shifts, most of the shinobi working in the Hokage Building adhered strictly to a 6 AM to 6 PM schedule. When the time came, they clocked out and headed home for dinner.

"Our office seniors are just too hardworking. I bet they won't leave until around 6:30 or 7 at the earliest."

Shaking his sore shoulders, the junior expressed his admiration for his seniors' dedication.

"I'd say, other than the night shift staff, our dispatch department is probably the last to clock out in the entire Hokage Building."

"That's not entirely true."

The senior waved a finger in front of the younger shinobi, then pointed upward.

"The last one to leave the Hokage Building... is Third-sama. According to the night shift folks, he often doesn't leave the office until midnight, and sometimes he stays overnight."

"As expected of the Hokage-sama. I see... For the sake of the village's stability, he really puts in the effort. Compared to that, leaving work on time like I do is just..."

Such conversations were common in the Hokage Building.

As the chatter outside gradually faded, Hiruzen knew that most of his subordinates had already left for the day. In other words...

"Heh heh... Time to check on how everyone in the village is doing."

Unable to wait, he pulled a crystal ball from a drawer and set it on the desk. Making sure no one would disturb him at this hour, Hiruzen activated the Telescope Technique, heading straight for the bathhouse as his first destination.

"As the Hokage, it's my duty to observe everyone's physical condition—to see if they're well-fed, if their nutrition is balanced..."

Hiruzen even gave a thoughtful explanation for his actions. Not that anyone else was in the office to hear it...

"What the—?!"

Just as the bathhouse scene appeared in the crystal ball, Hiruzen couldn't help but blurt out in shock.

The usual sight of beautiful women was nowhere to be seen. In their place was a crowd of onlookers and a collapsed wall.

Had the village been attacked? Why target the bathhouse?

As Hokage, Hiruzen immediately summoned the Anbu.

"Who's on duty today?"

A masked Anbu with a monkey visage appeared before Hiruzen.

"Third-sama."

"Saru?"

Seeing the mask, Hiruzen was clearly taken aback.

The man before him was none other than his eldest son. He'd long served in the Anbu, silently protecting the village, rarely appearing in the public eye.

Subconsciously moving the crystal ball aside, Hiruzen gave his order.

"Go investigate the bathhouse immediately. Find out exactly what happened."

"Yes!"

With a bow, Saru vanished in an instant.

...

"Your medical skills have really improved, Kame."

Leaning against the doorframe, Tsunade spoke as she saw the medic-nin finishing the post-surgery cleanup and preparing to rest.

"You flatter me. If not for your guidance, this surgery wouldn't have gone so smoothly. Speaking of which... Jiraiya-sama is one of the Legendary Sannin, just like you—how did he end up so badly injured in the village..."

Kame gave Tsunade a respectful bow. His tone was filled with both reverence and curiosity—what kind of person could drive someone as strong as Jiraiya to the brink of death?

"Don't be overly modest. Even without me, you could've saved Jiraiya."

Tsunade waved the compliment off and changed the subject.

"Alright, enough of that. Since Jiraiya's out of danger, I'll be heading off. Oh—his wallet is at the payment counter. However much it costs, just take it from there."

As the one responsible for Jiraiya's condition, Tsunade clearly didn't want to linger on the topic. She brushed it off casually and turned to leave.

But just as she turned around, a familiar figure blocked her path.

Having been briefed by Saru, Hiruzen had arrived without delay.

"T-T-Third-sama!"

Still in his surgical attire, Kame rushed over to stand behind Tsunade, bowing deeply to Hiruzen.

"Heh, it's Kame. I remember you—back then, you fought bravely on the battlefield, even participated in the operation to encircle Hanzo the Salamander. What made you decide to become a doctor?"

With a complicated look at his former student, Hiruzen gave a gentle smile and turned to Kame, accurately reciting the man's history.

"Third-sama, I responded to Tsunade-sama's call to form a medical ninja corps. I enrolled in the hospital to learn so that more comrades can receive treatment in time on the battlefield!"

Hearing that Hiruzen still remembered him, Kame was so moved that tears welled in his eyes.

After a few words of encouragement and sending Kame on his way, Hiruzen waited until it was just him and Tsunade in the room. Then, under Tsunade's disapproving gaze, he pulled out his pipe, lit it, and bit down on it.

"I've heard what happened. Even if Jiraiya was peeping, you didn't need to hit him so hard, Tsunade."

"Hmph..."

Faced with Hiruzen's mildly reproachful tone, Tsunade snorted and turned her head away. After composing her thoughts, she muttered, blushing slightly,

"He chose the worst possible time to peep... when I was already in a bad mood..."

"Sigh... I originally planned to send him and Minato on a mission. But now..."

Hiruzen rubbed his temples in frustration. He thought about sending Tsunade instead, but then remembered her hemophobia—clearly not an option. Not to mention... that fear was partially his fault.

After all, someone Shizune's age back then wouldn't have been sent to the battlefield unless he'd personally approved it.

Sigh...

"Well, let's leave it at that. Hopefully, this incident will teach that fool Jiraiya a lesson. What do you think—how long until he recovers completely?"

Not knowing what else to say to Tsunade, Hiruzen shifted the topic to Jiraiya's condition.

"A month should be enough. I'll handle his follow-up treatment myself."

Seeing that Hiruzen didn't blame her for the incident, Tsunade took the initiative to take responsibility for Jiraiya's recovery.

"Very well, then."

Hiruzen gave her a long look, seeing how unwilling she was to engage with him. He waved his hand and turned to leave.

Orochimaru, that guy—he'd rather busy himself with petty side jobs than seek him out directly. Tsunade was keeping her distance. And Jiraiya—who never seemed to return to the village...

As a teacher... had he really failed so badly?

Thinking of his own family, a tightness formed in Hiruzen's chest. He longed to talk to someone—someone who would truly listen.

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo