Hiruzen finally got so annoyed that he stopped his act. "Stop, stop! I'm getting dizzy!"
Torifū smirked. "What? Giving up the act?"
Hiruzen adjusted his clothes, coughing twice. "Ahem, what do you mean 'act'? I'm executing a mission assigned by my sensei. What about you? Why do you keep bothering me?"
Torifū looked around. This was a secluded little alley, rarely visited by anyone. If he hadn't been so idle, Torifū wouldn't have come here either. "Did Tobirama-sama assign you to this alley for your mission?"
Hiruzen mumbled, unsure what to say. Koharu stepped forward, making a shushing gesture to Torifū. "Shh, Torifū, we're just trying to sneak a break. Don't tease Hiruzen anymore."
To be honest, if it were a serious mission, Hiruzen and the others wouldn't be slacking off like this. But the key was, this mission wasn't serious. From the very first day, they had just wandered the streets, their task being to chat, stroll around, and eat and drink. It was interesting at first, but it had been three days, and it was really getting to them.
Initially, Danzō even tried to decipher the deeper meaning of his teacher's mission, but after three days, Danzō also gave up. He chose to slack off with Hiruzen. He believed his teacher might just want to use them to inflate the numbers, to make Konoha Village seem livelier.
"This mission is actually pretty good, so easy."
"You haven't seen Kagami-nii. He looks completely exhausted."
Koharu secretly chuckled. "Of course, I've seen him. I can only say I'm glad I'm not on that mission." Hiruzen and the others' current mission, though boring, wasn't tiring, and it was quite pleasant to slack off.
"By the way, don't tell Kagami, okay? If he knew we were this relaxed, he'd probably go crazy."
Torifū waved his hand. "Got it, Hiruzen-aniki. It's probably not good for anyone to know about slacking off! I won't say a word." Hiruzen patted Torifū's shoulder, looking pleased. "I trust you completely."
"Speaking of which, when will your mission end?"
Hiruzen mused. "Probably tomorrow or the day after? Once the Kage leave Konoha Village, the mission will be over."
"Yes, yes! Maybe we can even get some rest then!" Koharu was already fantasizing about how to spend her holiday. Danzō, meanwhile, remained as calm as ever, seemingly unconcerned with these matters. However, ending this boring mission must have made him quite happy inside. Danzō was a man whose emotions rarely showed on his face; only Hiruzen seemed to understand his true feelings.
"By the way, Hiruzen-aniki, how are things with Biwako-nee?"
At the mention of Biwako, Hiruzen's face flushed with shyness. "Oh, why bring that up?"
Hiruzen's words were full of awkwardness, giving everyone goosebumps. "Biwako has been especially good to me these past few days. She comes to bring me lunch every day. The time should be nearing now."
Indeed, no sooner had Hiruzen finished speaking than a girl's voice softly called from the alley entrance, "Hiruzen, are you there?" Hearing Biwako's voice, Hiruzen immediately forgot about Torifū and his teammates, rushing straight towards the alley entrance. Torifū and the others naturally followed, but they hid to the side, not wanting to disturb them.
"Biwako, didn't I tell you not to come today because it's too hot?" Hiruzen's words were filled with concern, which made Biwako very happy.
"You're one to talk! If I didn't come, would you just skip lunch?"
Hiruzen scratched his head sheepishly. "Hehe, it's fine to miss one meal. I'm very healthy!" Biwako directly shoved the bento box in her hand into Hiruzen's arms, then admonished him.
"Even if you're strong and healthy, you shouldn't skip lunch. If you don't have time, I'll make it and bring it to you."
"Got it?!"
"Got it!"
Torifū, hiding in a corner, couldn't help but exclaim at the sight, "Wow, Hiruzen-aniki is completely wrapped around Biwako-nee's finger!" Koharu also said from beside him, "Don't underestimate Biwako. She's very smart."
What she said was true. After all, Hiruzen was the young head of the Sarutobi clan, and he was quite handsome. He was also a disciple of Senju Tobirama, his strength not to be underestimated. There were countless young girls in the village who wanted to marry into the Sarutobi clan. Moreover, Hiruzen had inherited the true teachings of Sarutobi Sasuke, making him a genuine gold mine. To firmly hold Hiruzen in the palm of her hand under all these circumstances required a certain level of wisdom. And Biwako's strength as a kunoichi was also quite good, though she was much inferior compared to Koharu.
After delivering the bento, Biwako began chatting with Hiruzen about small everyday matters. Things like daily necessities, very mundane things, but they made Hiruzen feel very warm. And just as Hiruzen got into the swing of the conversation, Biwako said she had to go home. This made Hiruzen quite upset; he wished he could immediately end his mission and escort Biwako home.
"Playing hard to get, how brilliant."
Koharu smiled triumphantly. "Heh, don't underestimate the wisdom of a woman in love!"
"If this keeps up, Hiruzen-aniki will probably get married in a few years, won't he?"
"Be bolder! Maybe even have kids already..."
The two chatted about this and that, while Danzō leaned against the wall, eyes closed, looking melancholy and profound.
As for Hiruzen, after bidding farewell to Biwako, he reluctantly watched her leave before returning to find his teammates. But when he turned around, he saw everyone peeking out at him, and his face immediately turned red.
"You! You... you were eavesdropping on our conversation!"
Danzō spoke first. "Not me, it was them."
Koharu and Torifū didn't bother making excuses and simply admitted it. "I listened. What are you going to do, hit me?" This thoroughly annoyed Hiruzen again; the tender moment he had built with Biwako was completely shattered. However, Hiruzen, deep down, had a rather thick skin. His flushed face was only because he was reliving his conversation with Biwako.
"So you listened, it's no big deal." Seeing Hiruzen wasn't angry, Torifū ran over to him and whispered into his ear. "Hiruzen-aniki, when are you and Biwako-nee getting married?"
Hiruzen was genuinely stumped by the question. He had mentioned it to Sasuke once, and Sasuke also thought Biwako was good and suitable to be a wife. But the actual wedding date, that hadn't been decided yet.