Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

After Mochizuki Hui said those words to Wind, he quickly returned to his daily ANBU life—patrolling in the mornings and standing guard in the afternoons. Living in a carefree and peaceful manner, Hui paid no attention to the possible ripple effects his words might have caused.

What Hui didn't realize was how his remarks had stirred up quite the storm in Konoha.

Three days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi, after finishing a mission with Tsunade and the others, was heading home alone. On his way, he encountered a young boy, about eight or nine years old, sitting by the lake.

The boy sat on the grassy shore, staring silently at the sunset. The soft golden light of the setting sun reflected off the lake, while the cool evening breeze gently tousled the boy's hair, revealing a face that was calm, yet faintly sorrowful.

This scene struck a chord in Hiruzen's heart, filling him with a sudden sense of melancholy. He paused for a few moments, then walked over to the boy and sat down beside him.

"It's a beautiful view," Hiruzen said, his tone light, as he gazed at the setting sun. "But watching it alone can feel a bit lonely. I love sunsets too. Let's enjoy it together."

Hiruzen assumed the boy might be a war orphan, sitting here alone with no home to return to. Thoughtfully, he didn't ask the boy why he wasn't at home, but instead offered to share the moment with him.

However, the boy gave Hiruzen a peculiar look, then responded in a surprisingly mature tone:

"Loneliness is a feeling born from the heart. I sit here watching the sunset alone not because I am alone, but because I'm learning to conquer that loneliness and master my own heart. A ninja without a strong heart will eventually become a slave to their own power. Only by mastering one's heart can a ninja truly control their strength and use it to protect the village and those they care about. You wouldn't understand."

After saying this, the boy stood up, glanced briefly at Hiruzen, and then turned to leave.

Hiruzen was left sitting there, stunned, his mouth slightly agape as he watched the boy's figure disappear around the corner. His expression gradually became more serious as he mulled over the boy's words.

"The strength of the heart… such profound insight. Perhaps I should also take a deeper look at my own heart, to see if it is weak or strong," Hiruzen muttered to himself, a thoughtful smile creeping across his face as he finally stood and walked away.

What Hiruzen didn't see was that, after disappearing from view, the boy stood watching some other children playing ninja games in the distance, his expression filled with envy. However, remembering his father's strict expectations, the boy let out a sigh and slouched off dejectedly.

That night, Hiruzen found himself unable to sleep.

The next day, he appeared in front of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, sporting dark circles under his eyes. He gave them a rather unusual task: "Understand your heart."

The assignment left Jiraiya thoroughly confused, prompting him to ask for clarification. In response, Hiruzen recounted the encounter he had the night before, causing Tsunade and Orochimaru to fall silent.

Jiraiya, however, was still completely lost but thought that the boy's words were even cooler than anything Hui had ever said.

Feeling inspired, Jiraiya decided to start acting like a philosophical sage, copying the boy's style. And so, the influence of that phrase began to ripple through the circles of newly graduated Genin, spreading from there to the ranks of Chunin, Jonin, and eventually throughout the village.

The phrase even reached the ears of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who, curious about its origin, had his ANBU investigate. It didn't take long for the trail to lead back to Hui.

Apparently, the boy's father had shared the phrase with him, a lesson the boy took to heart as he struggled to overcome his own loneliness. And as for the boy's father? He had heard it from a friend… none other than Wind.

Wind, of course, had no qualms about revealing that the original speaker was none other than Mochizuki Hui.

Tobirama was shocked.

He had already thought highly of Hui, considering him a remarkably talented and capable boy. But now, it turned out Hui was even more impressive than he'd realized. At only six years old, Hui possessed not only strength but also such profound wisdom.

A thought began to form in Tobirama's mind, a thought he had never entertained before.

If Hui was this exceptional in strength and insight, could he also excel in other areas? Like… politics?

If the boy showed even a fraction of this brilliance in political matters, it was conceivable that Tobirama could groom him for something far greater… Could he train this child to be Hokage?

Once the idea took root, it was impossible to dismiss. Although Tobirama had always assumed his successor would come from among his current subordinates, it didn't hurt to plan for the future.

The next Hokage might be set, but the next-next Hokage?

"Looks like I'll need to adjust how I nurture Hui…" Tobirama murmured to himself, a plan already forming in his mind.

Meanwhile, Hui was blissfully unaware of the fact that Tobirama had begun to harbor aspirations of grooming him to become Hokage. Instead, he was staring at a smug Jiraiya, deep in thought.

Just as Hui had returned home, he saw Jiraiya standing outside his house, staring pensively into the distance, trying hard to look like a wise old sage.

Curious, Hui had asked what he was doing, only for Jiraiya to throw Hui's own words back at him in a dramatic and pompous tone.

"Ah, you just wouldn't understand, would you? For someone as talented as you, it's hard to grasp the true meaning of having a weak heart. Not everyone is as exceptional as me, after all," Jiraiya said with a haughty grin, clearly enjoying the moment.

Hui's mouth twitched slightly in annoyance, and he replied coolly, "You forgot to add the part about protecting the village and the weak."

Jiraiya froze. "Wait… how did you know that was the next line? Did someone tell you this before?"

Hui let out a small sigh, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Because… I was the one who said it in the first place."

Silence.

Jiraiya stood there, speechless, his face slowly turning red with embarrassment.

Finally, without another word, he turned and walked away, muttering to himself, "I don't believe it. You're not going to fool me with that…"

But the moment he disappeared around the corner, his voice still echoing in the air, it was clear—he believed it.