Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 155: Running in the Sunset

Among the students attending today's entrance ceremony, Kakashi was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding. However, he wasn't the most outstanding.

You might ask, My 50-50 Kakashi is entering school. My son, the son of Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, is attending school, and he's not the most dazzling?

That's right!

The White Fang? Just a Hokage candidate.

The real standout was none other than the son of the Third Hokage—Sarutobi Asuma!

Yes, the same Asuma who would one day have a bounty of thirty-five million ryō on his head and infamously father a child out of wedlock.

---

"Third Hokage-sama!"

"Third Hokage-sama!"

"This must be your son, Hokage-sama. Truly a fine young man!"

The speaker turned to look at Sarutobi Asuma, who was chatting animatedly with a cute girl with red eyes—Kurenai Yūhi.

Indeed, a "fine young man" who had already spotted the prettiest girl in the crowd.

Accompanying Kurenai to the ceremony was her father, Shinku Yūhi, a respected jōnin and advanced instructor for Konoha's chūnin and genin.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, noticing his son clinging to the young girl, looked slightly embarrassed. What he didn't realize was that Asuma had already known Kurenai for some time.

Shinku Yūhi, however, didn't seem too concerned about the children's interactions.

As Hiruzen arrived, other ninja parents began to gather around to greet him.

---

"Sakumo, Duy, you're here early! Hmm? Tonari, you came too?" Hiruzen greeted them warmly.

The fact that Hiruzen remembered Might Duy, a perpetual genin with little presence, showed his remarkable memory and political acumen. He treated Duy with the same respect as Sakumo, a Hokage candidate, making the usually boisterous Duy tear up in gratitude.

"I've never attended an entrance ceremony before, so I thought I'd see what it's like and make up for that regret," Tonari replied with a smile.

Hiruzen paused, then recalled that Tonari had been a transfer student, skipping straight to the graduating class. Most had thought Tonari, given his small stature back then, would start in the first year. Yet, he had surprised everyone by choosing the most challenging path—and succeeding spectacularly.

Four years later, Tonari's name was widely known in Konoha.

Hiruzen's smile deepened. "Good. Come along, then. I'll show you what an entrance ceremony looks like."

He placed a hand on Tonari's shoulder, guiding him into the school. The sight did not go unnoticed by the crowd.

---

Tonari matched Hiruzen's pace, the two strolling side by side.

"Third Hokage-sama, you seem to be in high spirits lately. Since Jiraiya-sama's return, you must've received quite a few 'goodies' from him, right?" Tonari teased with a playful smirk.

Hiruzen froze for a moment, eyeing Tonari cautiously. Somehow, the boy's tone suggested he knew more than he let on.

Tonari, however, didn't press further, changing the subject. He respected Hiruzen, but some matters were better left unsaid.

Still, Tonari couldn't help but admire Hiruzen. The man had fathered Asuma in his forties—a testament to his vitality.

"Truly, Hokage-sama, age is just a number for you!" Tonari remarked, giving a thumbs-up with genuine admiration.

Hiruzen, unsure of the exact compliment but pleased nonetheless, stroked his beard with satisfaction.

---

As they reached the ceremony grounds, Hiruzen glanced at Tonari. "You've grown taller lately. Soon, you'll be a fully independent shinobi."

Tonari's recent growth spurt had brought him nearly to Hiruzen's height. His once diminutive stature had been a source of many jests, but those days were behind him.

With his body now developing rapidly, Tonari was entering a critical phase for his growth—not just physically, but also in terms of strength.

He had sought out Might Duy's guidance specifically to maximize his physical potential, hoping to push his limits and possibly learn the Eight Gates technique. If mastered, the Eight Gates combined with his taijutsu prowess would make him a terrifying force.

---

The entrance ceremony began, led by Hiruzen himself.

As always, his speech revolved around the Will of Fire, emphasizing its importance to Konoha. Though some might find it tedious, his words planted seeds of loyalty and purpose in the minds of the young students.

For Hiruzen, these ceremonies were essential. Building the next generation's foundation in the Will of Fire ensured Konoha's future unity and strength.

---

Among the new students were many names that would one day shape Konoha's history:

Kakashi Hatake

Might Guy

Asuma Sarutobi

Obito Uchiha

Rin Nohara

Genma Shiranui

Kurenai Yūhi

Ebisu

Aoba Yamashiro

Raidō Namiashi

Each of them would leave their mark, for better or worse.

---

Tonari's gaze eventually landed on a solitary figure—Obito Uchiha.

The boy stood in a corner, his goggles and tracksuit giving him an unremarkable appearance. Despite his cheerful facade, the loneliness in his eyes was unmistakable. With no family accompanying him, he watched others with a mix of envy and longing.

Not far away, a kind-hearted girl with a bandage on her face—Rin Nohara—noticed Obito's isolation. She approached him with a warm smile, striking up a conversation.

In Obito's eyes, Rin was an angel descending from the heavens.

"Ah, young love," Tonari mused, a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

---

The ceremony dragged on for three long hours, Hiruzen's speech as long-winded as ever.

By the end, the sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the village.

As Tonari walked home, hands behind his head, his thoughts drifted to the undercurrents stirring within Konoha.

The discussions around the Fourth Hokage candidates—Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru—continued to intensify.

More concerning, however, was the potential fallout of these debates.

The incident that weighed most heavily on Tonari's mind was the impending tragedy of Hatake Sakumo's death.

Sakumo's demise, should it occur as in the original timeline, would leave Konoha weakened at a critical juncture. The loss of the White Fang, a figure whose mere name struck fear into the hearts of enemies, would be a blow far greater than even Orochimaru's eventual defection.

---

"Should I intervene?" Tonari pondered, his expression conflicted.

Sakumo's survival could drastically alter Konoha's trajectory. Yet meddling with such significant events carried its own risks.

"Maybe I'll decide when the opportunity presents itself," Tonari muttered, letting the thought linger as he continued his walk home.

The sunset bathed the village in hues of red and gold, a serene end to a day full of beginnings.

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*