Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 246 Breakfast in the Morning Breeze

Mitomon Yan sat down again on the wooden stool beside the chessboard.

His movements were unhurried, and the flexion and extension of each joint carried the calm rhythm unique to those who had long held high positions.

Reaching out, I picked up the ceramic cup on the low table. The buckwheat tea inside had long since lost its heat and was now cool.

He didn't care at all, and calmly took a sip in the dim morning light.

The astringency of tea and the aroma of wheat are just like my state of mind right now: clear-headed and resolute.

"Ha—ah—"

Jiraiya stretched out lazily without any regard for appearances, his joints cracking as he sat back down.

Yahiko and Konan exchanged a glance, carefully holding the scrolls that were more important than their own lives, and obediently sat side by side on a stool not far away.

They lowered their voices, gently tracing the intricate and mysterious runes on the scroll with their fingers, imagining themselves wielding powerful ninjutsu and protecting their region in the future.

That little dream shimmered faintly in the morning air.

For a moment, the only sounds in the entire tent were the occasional crisp sound of chess pieces hitting the board and the children's soft whispers.

This peaceful and serene scene created a strange resonance.

Just then, the tent flap was silently lifted by a hand.

The morning light, like a golden waterfall, poured in instantly, outlining a slender figure.

The newcomer was dressed in a Konoha Jonin uniform, with shoulder-length black hair, handsome features, and an air of composure and elegance ingrained in his very being.

It was none other than the head of the Yuhi clan, a family of illusionists—Yuhi Shinku.

"Wow, Zhen Hong, good morning!"

Before Kurenai could speak, Jiraiya grinned, his figure flashed, and he darted over, wrapping his arm around Kurenai's shoulder.

Yuhi Shinku's body stiffened for a moment, but she quickly relaxed, a smile appearing on her handsome face.

"Good morning."

Jiraiya raised his signature thick eyebrows, his usual nonchalant expression softening and becoming somewhat serious.

"How is the situation?"

Kurenai's gaze first passed over Jiraiya, landing on Homura Mitokado by the chessboard. She nodded slightly in greeting before replying:

"It's okay for now."

He paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Just a few days ago, they sent out several reconnaissance teams to try to infiltrate the Land of Fire."

Jiraiya stroked his chin, his long, snow-white hair swaying slightly with his movement.

"oh??"

At the edge of the chessboard, Mitokado Homura, who had been silent all along, gently tapped the chessboard, making a soft tapping sound.

He shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his aged face.

"Hehe, we've blocked them all."

"The defensive line that the Yuhi and Kurama clans have solidified cannot be broken through by a few reconnaissance squads."

After hearing this, Jiraiya's eyes suddenly lit up, as if two flames were burning within them.

"Oh, right!"

He slapped his thigh, excitedly approached Mitokado Homura, and enthusiastically suggested, "Elder Homura, in that case, why don't I lead a team and sneak in directly!"

"....."

Upon hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi instinctively raised her right hand and covered half of her face with her palm.

This elegant and composed illusion master was inwardly ranting and raving.

Small-scale reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance operations, and minor skirmishes, are commonplace along the borders of the various ninja villages, a tacit game of testing each other's limits.

But you, Jiraiya, led the team to fight?

Kurenai Yuhi simply couldn't imagine that scene.

One of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, and a direct disciple of the Hokage—that status alone completely changes the nature of the situation!

This is no longer a mere friction; it's tantamount to slapping the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, across the face!

Given Onoki's notoriously irritable temper and stubborn nature, could he tolerate it?

Can he watch where you rub it?

He would definitely go berserk on the spot, wave his hand, and personally lead the main force of Iwagakure to charge over.

At that point, the hard-won peace will instantly turn into a meat grinder where blood and flesh fly everywhere.

The situation quickly spiraled out of control.

Mitokado Homura had obviously thought of this as well. He raised his hand and pressed it down lightly, signaling Jiraiya to calm down.

"No need."

The voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"These are just petty tricks that can't be brought to the table. Our mission is to defend, not to provoke."

Mitomon En lightly touched the chessboard with his finger, placing it on the tengen line that runs vertically across the board.

"This is the border."

He raised his head, his cloudy eyes gleaming with unparalleled wisdom, and looked directly at Jiraiya.

"Onoki is an old fox. He sent people here just to test the waters, to probe the strength of our defense line."

"Hiruzen placed us here to make us a wall. An iron wall that Iwagakure can see and touch, but won't forcefully crash into."

"Instead of using a spear to actively stir up a hornet's nest."

"As long as they don't escalate the situation, we'll maintain the status quo. Remember, Jiraiya, staying put is victory."

These words were like a bucket of ice-cold water, instantly extinguishing the restless flame in Jiraiya's heart.

"...Understood, Elder Yan."

He scratched his fluffy white hair in frustration, absentmindedly walked back to the chessboard, and casually picked up a black piece.

"Clatter".

The crisp sound of a piece being placed broke the brief silence.

Mitokado Homura and Yuhi Makoto's gazes fell simultaneously on the newly placed black stone.

That move was incredibly bad, abandoning a large area of ​​contestable territory – it was like cutting off one's own arm.

Looking at the terrible chess set in front of them, the two of them simultaneously recalled another dashing and unrestrained white-haired figure.

That guy's chess skills, and this idiot in front of me, are like a perfect match – a hidden dragon and a phoenix.

"sough--"

Just then, a light footstep sound came from outside the tent, and a young member of the Sunset Clan walked in silently, carrying a wooden tray.

"Elder Yan, Lord Zhen Hong, Lord Jiraiya, breakfast is ready."

On the tray were several steaming rice balls and several cups of amber-colored buckwheat tea poured into earthenware bowls.

The simple food, however, exuded a reassuring warmth in this desolate frontline camp.

"Thank you for your hard work." Mitokado Yan nodded gently.

After putting down his things, the young ninja quietly slipped away.

"Haha! Dinner's ready!"

Jiraiya immediately recovered and called out loudly to the two children not far away.

"Yahiko, Minami, come and eat!"

Yahiko and Konan immediately ran over, still somewhat reserved in front of their elders.

Mitokado Yan smiled, picked up a rice ball, and handed it to Konan.

"Eat up, replenish your strength. It's an important training course for ninjas."

"Thank you... Elder."

Xiao Nan was somewhat flattered and thanked him softly before timidly accepting the gift with both hands.

Jiraiya, without any hesitation, grabbed two rice balls in each hand and stuffed them into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out like a hamster.

"Mmm...delicious!"

He mumbled his praise, "Wow, it's really red! Your people have amazing skills!"

As Yuhi Shinku picked up the teapot, he turned his wrist slightly, his movements elegant and steady.

The golden tea soup, like a thin thread, was precisely poured into the empty cups in front of the two children, not a drop more, not a drop less.

After doing all this, he smiled and replied, "Our clan has opened a few bento shops in Konoha. You can come and try them next time you go back."

"I'm starting!"

Yahiko, imitating Jiraiya, picked up a rice ball and took a big bite.

"Awoo!"

The sweet aroma of the rice, mixed with the rich flavor of roasted sesame seeds and the perfectly balanced tanginess of the pickled plums, exploded in my mouth.

"tasty!"

He exclaimed happily, his eyes narrowing into slits.