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

Chapter 245 A Gift from a Senior

After saying that, Mitomon Yan slowly took out a few scrolls.

The scrolls looked quite old, with some wear on the edges, but they were all very well preserved, with complex sealing incantations written on them in special ink.

Without a word, he shoved the reels into the hands of the two children.

"Take it."

"This is a gift from your seniors as we meet."

The cool, heavy feel of the reel came from my arms.

Yahiko and Konan were completely stunned as they held the scroll.

They looked down at the priceless ninjutsu scroll in their arms, then looked up at the elder with a gentle smile on his face.

An unprecedented sense of happiness, a sense of belonging to be recognized and accepted, swept away all the pretense they had built with strength and maturity, like a torrent.

Xiao Nan's nose tingled, her lips trembled, and she could no longer hold back.

"Wow--"

Crystalline tears welled up in their eyes, but eventually could not be held back any longer, turning into large droplets that rolled down their tender cheeks.

Finally, it hit the ground, spreading out a small patch of dark water.

Yahiko's situation wasn't much better.

This usually strong and optimistic little boy, who prides himself on being a man, also had tears in his eyes, and his vision blurred instantly.

He blinked desperately, trying to hold back his tears, but the unruly liquid kept flowing.

They have experienced too much malice and indifference, which is why this sudden bit of kindness and warmth seems so precious and so heavy.

Holding the scroll in my arms felt like holding the most precious treasure in the world.

"Thank you... thank you Elder Yan!"

Before the words were even finished, the two small figures could no longer contain their excitement and rushed into Mitokado Homura's arms.

Yahiko buried his head in his chest, while Konan clung tightly to his arm and burst into tears.

In recent days, Jiraiya-sensei's care and concern for them has made them feel an unprecedented warmth.

At this moment, Elder Yan's sudden and weighty gift and acceptance completely shattered their last line of defense.

So... the world isn't entirely dark after all.

It turns out... there really is a sudden surge of emotion that wells up in my almost cold chest.

When the two children suddenly hugged her, Mitokado Yan's body stiffened for a moment.

As an advisor and elder of Konoha, he was used to arming himself with rationality and rules, and used to keeping his distance from others.

But at this moment, she felt the two children in her arms trembling slightly and heard their suppressed cries.

Mitokado Homura's heart, hardened by political affairs, was completely melted.

He slowly raised his hand, somewhat clumsily, and gently patted the backs of the two children, soothing them in a voice so gentle it was almost imperceptible to himself:

"Okay, okay, stop crying."

"From now on, Konoha will be your home."

"Here, no one will bully you anymore."

Jiraiya stood to the side, watching this scene, and all the witty remarks he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

She scratched her long white hair, feeling a mix of emotions.

He never expected that Elder Yan, who was known for his seriousness and rigidity, would have such a tender side.

It seems that the changes brought about by Hiruzen-sensei have penetrated every corner of the village, and even the most traditional and stubborn elders have begun to radiate new light.

This is Konoha.

A warm and loving family.

After a while, Yahiko and Konan's crying gradually subsided.

Somewhat embarrassed, they withdrew from Mitokado Yan's embrace, hastily wiping the tears from their faces with their sleeves. Their little faces were red from crying, and their eyes were swollen like two small walnuts.

But their spirits were brighter than ever before.

Jiraiya glanced at his two disciples, who were now crying like little kittens, and winked smugly at Mitokado Homura, mouthing silently, "See? I had good taste, didn't I?"

Mitokado understood what he meant, but simply smiled and shook his head without replying.

He stood up, regaining the composure and dignity befitting a Konoha elder, but his aura was much gentler than before.

He turned his gaze back to the distant mountains, which were completely bathed in the golden light of the rising sun, and his heart was filled with an unprecedented determination.

Hiruzen...

The future you long for has already begun to take root and sprout in this land, with new seeds already being sown.

The wind is warmer now.

"Alright, quickly put away the treasures Elder Yan gave you."

"This is your capital for protecting yourselves and realizing your dream of peace in the future!"

Yahiko and Konan nodded emphatically, carefully tucking the rolls away close to their bodies, their movements as devout as if they were performing some kind of sacred ritual.

After doing all this, Yahiko raised his head, looked at Jiraiya, and then at Mitokado Homura.

In those eyes, washed clean by tears, shone a light called faith.

"teacher!!"

He announced loudly.

"I've made up my mind!"

"From now on, I want to become a strong ninja like you, to protect the village and maintain peace!"

The young man's declaration was clear and resounding, echoing in the cool morning air, carrying a powerful and moving force.

Jiraiya laughed heartily, placed his large hand on Yahiko's head, and vigorously rubbed it, making a mess of the little boy's freshly combed hair again.

Mitokado Homura didn't laugh. He simply watched quietly as these two children, reborn and with a renewed light in their eyes, stood before him. After a long while, he slowly nodded, his gesture solemn, as if responding to an incredibly important promise.

"it is good."

A single word, yet it carries immense weight.