Feeling Danzo's intense gaze, Jiraiya shifted awkwardly in his seat.
"No, Elder Danzo, you should handle the ANBU matters instead," he said.
"I cannot let you shoulder responsibilities that do not belong to you," Jiraiya refused cleanly, yet Danzo shook his head.
"As an advisor to the Hokage, it is my duty to bear more responsibilities!"
"So leave it to me!" Danzo's gaze remained fiery, fixated on Jiraiya's rear.
If I sit there for even a moment, I'll extend my life by ten years!
Jiraiya hesitated for a moment at his words, but seeing the intensity of Danzo's gaze, he refused again.
"No, these trivial matters, I'll handle them myself."
Danzo sighed in disappointment. He had only wanted to sit in the Hokage's chair for a moment. What was wrong with that?
With a sigh, Danzo left.
Jiraiya didn't pay much attention and continued his work, muttering curses under his breath.
Danzo departed with ease, but in his heart, he thought: it's only a position.
One day, I will truly sit on the Hokage's throne!
Then it won't matter where I sit—the position itself is mine!
This was why Danzo left so lightly.
Though he wanted to sit there, he knew the position was merely symbolic.
"Yuki Seisui!"
"You'll never become Hokage!"
Time passed quickly, and the next day dawned.
Yuki Seisui stared in disbelief at Uchiha Setsuna, who had come over to freeload breakfast. Before he could speak, Setsuna said:
"Seisui's cooking keeps improving."
"I haven't eaten it much myself."
Setsuna looked at Yuki Seisui, feeling conflicted.
His own granddaughter hardly ever cooked for him, yet she made meals daily for this kid.
It left him with a strange sense of resentment.
His dissatisfaction eventually turned into a cold snort.
Yuki Seisui looked at his face, utterly bemused.
Just as Setsuna was about to bring up the duel, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared at the doorway.
Since it was early morning, Yuki Seisui hadn't closed the door.
Seeing Hiruzen, he froze for a moment.
Why is it today that it's Setsuna, and now Hiruzen too?
Did I stir up a nest of old men?
Seeing Yuki Seisui and Setsuna, Hiruzen chuckled and walked in.
"Ha ha ha, just came to check on you two. Didn't expect you were having breakfast."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Though he said "disturbing," he plopped down without hesitation.
Yuki Seisui exchanged a helpless glance with Setsuna and said:
"Grandpa, have you eaten yet?"
"If not, have some here."
"Much obliged," Hiruzen said without hesitation. "I haven't eaten yet anyway."
"Today, I'll have my meal here with you."
Yuki Seisui didn't mind; an extra set of bowls and chopsticks was no problem.
After they finished eating, Hiruzen looked at Setsuna with a grin:
"Didn't expect to see you here too."
"Hmph, I'm at my granddaughter's and her husband's place. Is that strange?!"
Setsuna frowned, teasing: "And you… what brings you here?!"
Both old foxes knew the other's purpose, but neither said it aloud.
Setsuna hated Sarutobi second only to the naturally evil Senju Tobirama.
And Hiruzen felt the same—if he disliked anyone in Konoha, it was Setsuna.
This radical Uchiha, who tried to assassinate his teacher and opposed his Hokage succession.
But that was all in the past.
Now, they bore no grudges and could even converse.
The prerequisite, of course, was that Yuki Seisui was the next Hokage.
Hiruzen had no intention of changing that.
Thus, there was no conflict between them, though the dislike lingered.
The two exchanged a few jabs before Hiruzen asked:
"Little Seisui, are you dueling Minato today?"
"Yes," Yuki Seisui nodded, suddenly realizing why they had come.
He wasn't an idiot—he could guess easily.
"May I observe?" Hiruzen asked bluntly.
Having dealt with Yuki Seisui for so long, he knew he didn't like unnecessary roundabout questions, so he asked directly.
Setsuna, surprised, glanced at him and said:
"I'd like to watch too."
Yuki Seisui took a deep breath, slightly helpless:
"It's just a regular spar with Minato, nothing worth watching."
"Hahaha," Hiruzen chuckled. "No matter, I just want to take a look."
"Same here," Setsuna agreed.
"Just to see your and Minato's strength, so we can plan better in the future."
"Same here," he repeated.
"All right then," Yuki Seisui said reluctantly but accepted it.
There was no harm in revealing his abilities to Minato.
He didn't fear tricks or schemes, and neither would Minato with Flying Raijin.
The three chatted until noon, when Minato finally arrived, fashionably late.
As he kicked open the door, Hiruzen's heart skipped a beat, sensing a familiar aura.
But this was Yuki Seisui's home—Danzo couldn't possibly be here.
He relaxed, then looked over to see Minato stepping in.
Hiruzen's heart skipped again.
Minato is starting to resemble Danzo more and more.
Seeing Yuki Seisui's casual demeanor, Hiruzen knew he had chosen his successor well.
This one has style.
"Hokage-sama?"
"Elder Setsuna?"
"What are you doing here?!" Minato's eyes widened in surprise.
Hiruzen and Setsuna said nothing, instead looking at Yuki Seisui.
Yuki Seisui immediately understood and explained:
"Grandpa Hiruzen and Grandpa Setsuna came to watch our sparring."
Minato glanced at both of them, unsure what to say.
All this fuss for a simple sparring match?
He instinctively touched his ninja pouch, feeling a bit uneasy—unsure if he should use it.
If it were just him and Yuki Seisui, it'd be simple…
But reading his thoughts, Yuki Seisui said:
"Just use whatever you normally would."
…..
Completed version available on Available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]