13 Chapter 13 - Third Hokage

The following day, Mikumo woke up after a somewhat sleepless night and joined her grandmother for breakfast at her residence.

Towa noticed the bags under her granddaughter's eyes and chuckled.

"I see you didn't get that much sleep, dearie."

"Ahaha...I was just a little bit excited, that's all."

"Well, Ayane has already informed your parents about your attendance at the academy today. She will also escort you to the academy and get you settled."

"Mhm, got it."

"Also, before you go, I've prepared an outfit for you."

"Hm?"

"Ayane, bring it."

Ayane suddenly appeared kneeling next to Towa holding a stack of clothing.

"Here it is, Towa-sama."

Mikumo examined the outfit prepared for her. It comprised of a thin mesh chainmail inner shirt, a black shirt on top of that, a blue and white half hakama, and a red obi. As for the pants, it was long and green.

"Wow, It's perfect. I love it, thank you, grandma!"

Towa nodded and chuckled.

"I figured you would want something like this, so I didn't go with traditional kimono dress attire. Ayane will prepare a few copies for you as well, go ahead and get changed."

Mikumo took the ninja attire prepared for her and swiftly got changed.

After a few short moments of admiring her new outfit, it was time to head to the ninja academy.

Mikumo made her way outside of the Senju estate with Towa and Ayane. Once the trio reached the gate, it was time to head all the way to ninja academy, which was deep into the village center, near the Hokage tower.

"Ayane, I leave my granddaughter in your hands."

"Rest assured, Towa-sama, I will see Mikumo-sama safely to the academy."

Towa nodded firmly and then knelt down next to Mikumo.

"Don't keep me waiting too long, come visit when you can, okay?"

"I will grandma, I'll try to come over as often as possible. Maybe you can teach me some Jutsu when I visit?"

Towa chuckled and patted Mikumo's head.

"Cheeky brat, only coming over when you want something, is that it?"

"Ahaha..."

"Well alright, off you go."

"Okay, see you later, grandma!"

Mikumo waved her grandmother goodbye and started heading towards the ninja academy.

After Mikumo left, a ninja appeared kneeling next to Towa.

"Towa-sama, Tsunade-sama is calling for you."

Towa nodded with a stern expression and headed back into the Senju estate.

***

It took nearly two hours of walking to reach the village center from the Senju estate. As Mikumo and Ayane got closer and closer to the academy, Mikumo noticed the difference between the village center and the residential district.

'Hmm, there's a lot more buildings here everywhere. Oh, look at that, it's the Hokage tower!'

Mikumo raised her head and stared at the large red tower with the kanji character of 'fire' on it.

"Ayane, we're almost there, right? That's the Hokage tower right in front of us."

"Yes, Mikumo-sama. We're almost there. The academy is located directly to the left of that tower. I've already submitted your application yesterday and it was accepted. Before we head to the tower, however, we have to go see Sandaime-sama."

Mikumo raised an eyebrow at the news.

"Hm? What for?"

"Because your application to join was after the admission period, it required Hokage-sama's approval. The request was made personally by Towa-sama, so Sandaime-sama was interested in meeting you."

"Hrm...I see..."

Mikumo bit her thumb and started to think.

'Well, I hope it's just a friendly meeting.'

Before long, Mikumo and Ayane entered the Hokage tower. The receptionist already expected their arrival, so they quickly made their way to the office of the Third Hokage.

Once they arrived in front of the office, Ayane lightly knocked on the door.

"It's open, come in."

Ayane opened the door and the pair entered the Hokage office.

Ayane knelt down on one knee and introduced herself and Mikumo.

"Hokage-sama, Senju Guard Ayane and academy applicant, Mikumo Kashima-sama, reporting."

Mikumo also bowed lightly as well.

"My name is Mikumo Kashima, it's an honor to meet you, Hokage-sama."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully examined every move Ayane and Mikumo made starting from when they entered the office. Hearing their polite greetings, he smiled and nodded his head, although his gaze remained on Ayane.

"It's nice to see you again, Ayane. How have you been doing these days?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama, I've been doing well."

"Haha, that's good. How about Towa-sama? I haven't seen her in a long time, please give her my regards when you see her."

"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama, Towa-sama is healthier than ever. I will relay your words."

"I see, very good."

Hiruzen's gaze lingered for a moment on Ayane after hearing her response but didn't say more. He then shifted his gaze over to Mikumo.

"Mikumo, I hear you want to become a ninja, do you mind if I ask why?"

Mikumo nodded and answered.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. I recently discovered I have a talent for ninjutsu, so I want to become a ninja to protect my family and the village."

Hiruzen nodded happily, satisfied by the answer.

"I see, good good, I wish you luck, Mikumo. The village needs youngsters like you to carry on the will of fire to protect the innocents within our village. If you ever need any help, don't be a stranger, I'm not that scary, hahaha!"

Mikumo nodded and smiled.

"Thank you, Sandaime-sama."

'Good thing I prepared an answer beforehand. Since staying low-key with my family background is impossible, I have to try to stand out. I don't want to be low-key anyway. The best way to ensure my safety is to stand out as much as possible, and by mentioning my family, that lets Hiruzen and the advisors think I can be controlled. They won't be guarded against me. I'll be able to safely develop while grandma and Tsunade work their political magic in the background. Now, all I have to do is show off my merit and I will at least be safe from being sent off as a sacrificial pawn in the war.'

Hiruzen took out a stack of papers and placed them on his desk.

"Okay, I won't delay you any longer. Here is your approved application, take them over to the dean of the academy."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Ayane stood up and politely took the stack of documents from the desk.

"You may go now, I look forward to seeing your progress, Mikumo."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I won't disappoint you."

After thanking the Third Hokage, Mikumo and Ayane promptly left the office.

'Whew, I really can't read this old man. Is he a good guy or not, I can't tell.'

Mikumo rubbed her chin as she followed Ayane out of the building and toward the academy.

'From my memory, I feel like he's a good person at the very least, but his reliance on Danzo to shoulder the village's 'darkness' is concerning. Hiruzen might not wish to do me or my family any harm, but he won't necessarily protect me against Danzo. For now, I need to shine brightly so I can give that old man a little bit of confidence in his backbone at least. Hiruzen will protect promising individuals who he thinks inherited the will of fire, so that's what I'll show him.'

Mikumo then turned to look back at the office.

'As for Danzo and the advisors, I'll rely on grandma and Tsunade to pressure them politically against acting against the clan. My family and I will be protected as a by-product. For now, let's just hope things work out the way I hope.'