Chapter 3

At the same time, it was necessary to consider the clans and take their reactions into account. Everything would be simpler and more peaceful if the Hokage had full authority…

Sighing heavily, Hiruzen glanced sadly at his completely burnt-out pipe. After tapping the ash into a special holder, he began to refill it.

Of course, the task of selecting can be delegated to the elders, who are just as versed in the village's internal politics, and then just sign off on the final decision. But there was still the choice of escorts for the genin to consider. Given the enormous losses in killed and wounded during the war, and the lack of good iryō-nin for the swift recovery of the latter, there were very few unoccupied shinobi who were not engaged in orders or patrols.

Essentially, there was no one to send as escorts. Without sufficiently strong escorts, the group might easily "disappear" on the way, given that "there are so many missing-nin now"! Sunagakure might resort to such treachery if there was a high probability of eliminating all traces without losing too many of their own people. The desert does an excellent job of concealing all traces on its own.

Shaking his head, the shinobi took a drag from his pipe, enjoying the aromatic smoke from the herbs, and exhaled a long white dragon that meandered through the room, obeying the will of its creator. A little chakra and good control—that was the whole trick. A delighted sigh came from behind, and Hiruzen smiled contentedly, turning to his younger son.

"Did you want something, Asuma-kun?"

The little boy, with his mouth slightly open, continued to watch the smoky creature as it gradually began to dissipate. After a moment, he shook himself and shifted his gaze to his father, who was smiling kindly.

"Ka-chan called us to the table," he reported, clearly trying to imitate someone, but his curious eyes glued to the smoking pipe spoiled the impression.

"Great, then let's not keep Ka-chan waiting," the Hokage nodded, tapping the smoldering ash onto a plate and putting his favorite smoking tool back in his pocket. "Let's go."

After all, Homura could handle the exam issues, and it was time for legitimate rest.

"To-san, can I do that too?" the boy asked, grabbing the adult's hand and enthusiastically pulling him out of the living room.

"Of course, but first you need to grow up a bit and not mention this to Biwako-chan, otherwise, we'll both be in trouble."

"Why?"

"Because she already disapproves of my habit, and if you start smoking too, I'll have to spend the night in the tower."

Recalling the day when Biwako had discovered his eldest son smoking a cigarette, Hiruzen barely managed to suppress a shudder. Not only had he had to avoid the house for an entire month and then sleep on the couch for another two, but the enraged kunoichi had managed to get so worked up that Hiruzen had to have his broken arm and a couple of ribs treated by iryō-nin in the hospital. He certainly didn't want a repeat of those not-so-distant events.

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