Arima had just stepped into the private room, holding Tsunade in his arms, when he heard footsteps behind him.
He turned around to see two young men entering the yakiniku restaurant at that exact moment.
The one on the left looked friendly, his eyes radiating boundless energy and vitality.
The one on the right had a much sharper, more serious gaze. He seemed to be arguing with the person beside him, which made his already narrowed eyes look even more intense.
Recognizing them, Arima realized they were none other than Hiruzen and Danzo.
He hadn't seen them in months, and a wave of warmth surged in his chest. He quickly waved at the two of them.
Hiruzen and Danzo had just come from a briefing with Anbu.
They were in charge of the entire Anbu operation, both members of the Second Hokage's personal guard unit and his trusted disciples.
Normally, they were so busy they barely touched the ground.
As they stepped into the restaurant, they were still deep in a debate about a reconnaissance team stationed at the front lines.
When they saw their Arima waving at them from nearby, they finally paused their argument and walked over.
Hiruzen was genuinely happy to see Arima again after so long.
He approached Arima, studying him closely. Stroking his chin in thought, he said with a puzzled look, "I don't know if it's just my imagination, but you seem to have changed a bit."
Before Arima could respond, Hiruzen clapped his hands lightly.
"That's it, you've grown taller. It's only been half a year, but time really flies. Before long, you'll be as tall and strong as your big brother here."
Danzo, who was usually reserved and rarely spoke casually, was also pleased to see Arima again.
His stern face softened a little.
He had originally wanted to exchange a few warm words with Arima, but Hiruzen had jumped in first, so he simply pressed his lips together and watched quietly.
When he heard Hiruzen's emotional outburst, he commented dryly.
"Hiruzen,how can you call yourself tall and strong?"
Hiruzen let out an awkward laugh but quickly retorted.
"Danzo, you bastard. You're really going to throw shade in front of Arima? I've heard way too many people call me short, get in line. You're definitely behind Kagami at least."
As soon as he finished, Hiruzen looked at Danzo's disgruntled expression and broke into hearty laughter.
He knew Danzo's weak spot well.
Danzo always had to win, always had to be better, no matter what.
But he had the annoying habit of comparing his weaknesses to others' strengths, claiming it was a way to hold himself to higher standards.
For instance, Hiruzen was better at mastering all five elemental ninjutsu.
Kagami surpassed him in genjutsu and taijutsu.
Homura was more refined in strategy, Koharu excelled in tactical planning and formation, and even Torifu had a bigger appetite than him.
Watching the two of them bicker, Arima couldn't help but laugh. He knew they shared a deep bond and relied on each other a lot.
The scene reminded him of Jiraiya and Orochimaru. He thought, Someday, those two will probably grow up to support each other like this too.
At that moment, Arima gave Tsunade a look, signaling her to greet the two men.
The young girl understood right away, nodding quickly.
She turned to the arguing duo and said, "Hiruzen-nii, Danzo-nii, stop fighting already, I'm hungry."
Arima instantly put a hand to his forehead. What a mistake, he thought.
Sure enough, Hiruzen immediately stopped bickering and smiled warmly at the girl in Arima's arms.
"Little Tsunade, your brother Hiruzen is amazing. Why don't you become my student in the future? I'll make sure you're just as strong as your Arima-nii."
Tsunade lit up and nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, okay. Once I graduate, you'll be my teacher. I want to learn all kinds of ninjutsu like Arima-nii."
She had heard her brother mention all of his senpais before.
About Hiruzen, he had said. He's a master of all five elemental natures, a true leader in the making. That high praise had left a strong impression on her.
She had even asked her granduncle once what he thought of Hiruzen. She remembered clearly how he had said, If it weren't for your Arima-nii, the next Hokage would most likely be Hiruzen.
So when she heard Hiruzen offer to teach her, she was thrilled.
Danzo, who was already less expressive than Hiruzen, was just a beat too slow to react.
Listening to their conversation, it seemed like they were silently acknowledging Hiruzen as the oldest among them.
He gave a soft "hmph" in displeasure. No way would he admit to being the second disciple.
Seeing the sparks begin to fly again between the two, Arima quickly intervened.
"Let's head inside and have some hot tea. The weather's getting colder by the day. Let's warm up a bit. Things must be tough at the front lines too, right?"
That successfully redirected their attention. After all, it was their disagreement about the front line strategy that had brought them here still arguing.
Hiruzen favored a steady, methodical advance. Danzo found that too conservative.
He believed the Konoha's strength far outmatched Kumogakure, so they didn't need to worry about their rear lines.
They should pierce through enemy territory like a spear, striking directly at the heart. As long as supply lines held, they could deliver a decisive blow.
Hiruzen thought that was far too reckless and didn't back down from the debate. And so the two had been arguing all the way here.
After hearing Arima's words, Hiruzen scratched his head gloomily.
"Yeah, it's getting colder and colder. We need to get those supply routes set up quickly. A lot of folks probably won't make it back in time for the New Year this year."
Then he grinned again.
"But honestly, those big dark-skinned guys have it worse than us. They're not used to the cold at all. For now, we've got the advantage with the weather."
Danzo thought Hiruzen was being far too optimistic. How many ninja are actually afraid of the cold?
He didn't trust the enemy's mercy. If given the chance, they'd surely go for the kill without hesitation.
Danzo responded, "Hiruzen, you're being naive. We should be preparing for the worst. I heard that the Kinkaku and Ginkaku squad from Kumogakure is terrifyingly strong.
Even the teacher would have trouble against them. There's intel suggesting they once ate the flesh of the Nine-Tails and now possess immense and sinister chakra."
Hiruzen had to admit Danzo had a point. His entire defensive strategy centered around preparing for an assault by the Kinkaku Force.
Arima had also learned a lot about Kinkaku and Ginkaku from his granduncle.
The two brothers had always been formidable, but after being swallowed by the Nine-Tails and somehow surviving, their power had become monstrous.
Their chakra surged endlessly, and even Arima's granduncle found them a handful.
Just then, the restaurant's door opened again.
Someone lifted the warm curtain and walked in. The four people inside turned to look, and saw Koharu and the other three had arrived together.
Arima quickly waved to them. The four, seeing Arima with Hiruzen and Danzo, walked over.
Koharu looked Arima up and down as soon as she reached him.
After a moment of scrutiny, she smiled and said, "Our Arima one has changed quite a bit, huh?
Come here, let your senpai give you a hug. Back when you were born, I was the one who fed you milk, you know."
As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around both Arima and Tsunade, pulling them into a warm embrace.
Arima felt a bit embarrassed. His senpai always teased him with stories from his baby years.
But he had to admit, unlike Hiruzen and Danzo who smelled like sweaty gym bags, Koharu always smelled fresh and clean.
His heightened senses didn't help. Ever since his five senses had been enhanced, he was far more sensitive to smells and sensations than most.
Tsunade didn't like being held by Koharu. But the little girl didn't have the strength to resist and could only wriggle helplessly in Koharu's generous embrace.
Eventually, Koharu let Arima go and began ruffling his hair while starting a playful bickering match with Tsunade.
Arima finally slipped out of her arms and let out a long breath. I'm alive. I was about to suffocate.
Afterward, he greeted Homura, Torifu, and Kagami respectfully.
He felt awkward when it came to Kagami. He didn't know what to say.
But Kagami gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder and casually struck up a conversation, which helped calm Arima's nerves.
The eight of them, realizing it wasn't very appropriate to keep standing in the doorway, finally headed into the room and sat down together.
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