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

Chapter 120 An Afternoon Tea Invitation from Mito

Hiruzen Sarutobi was particularly pleased with the family gathering with Sakumo Hatake and his son.

Looking at Kakashi and Asuma, those two little guys, one calm as water and the other passionate as fire, yet able to play together so harmoniously, he seemed to see a microcosm of Konoha's future.

After seeing off Sakumo and his son, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his room feeling completely relaxed.

He hummed a tuneless little tune as he prepared to go to his study to finish up the remaining, less urgent documents for the day.

"Hiruzen".

His wife, Biwako's, gentle voice came from behind him.

He turned around and saw Biwako smiling as she walked towards him, holding an exceptionally beautifully made invitation.

The invitation was made of a special kind of paper with a faint fragrance, and the seal was printed with a familiar spiral pattern in red wax.

"This is...?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised.

"It was just delivered by someone sent by Lord Mito."

Biwako handed him the invitation, saying, "She said that on the day the farm's directly operated store opened, she also had someone buy some tomatoes. After tasting them, she thought they were very delicious and wanted to invite us to have afternoon tea together tomorrow afternoon and chat."

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted the invitation and touched its smooth surface.

He opened the invitation, and a delicate fragrance of ink wafted out.

The handwriting on the invitation was elegant yet powerful, each stroke conveying a sense of age and a refined demeanor.

"...I know you have worked hard for the country, but you also need to recuperate. I heard that the farm has a new batch of tomatoes, which are sweet and delicious, comparable to the fruits of my hometown in the land of whirlpools. Tomorrow afternoon, I will prepare some light tea for you and hope you will come with your wife so we can chat and enjoy each other's company. —Mito Uzumaki"

This was more than just a simple afternoon tea invitation.

This is Mito Uzumaki, a living legend who witnessed all of Konoha's history, expressing goodwill and recognition to himself.

Since he took over as Hokage, Lady Mito has kept a low profile and stayed out of politics, but nothing that happens in the village can escape her wise eyes.

From internal reforms to winning wars, and now to the infrastructure boom and agricultural revolution.

The old man observed every decision he made and every reform he implemented.

"You're so kind, Mito-sama."

Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully put away the invitation. "Then we'll go pay a visit tomorrow."

"OK."

Biwako smiled and nodded. "It's been a long time since I've visited Lady Mito. Perfect timing, I'll bring some of the newly brewed osmanthus honey from our yard so she can try it."

"Um."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, and began to make plans in his mind.

Besides maintaining their relationship, he had another purpose in visiting Lord Mito.

He wanted to see what kind of torture had been inflicted on the Senju clan's sole heir, Senju Nawaki, whom he had placed high hopes on and who had been "carefully nurtured" by Tsunade and Orochimaru.

Counting the time, it's been almost half a year since I last saw that kid.

I wonder how Orochimaru, that mad scientist, and his violent female disciple, have tamed that hot-blooded, immature personality.

The thought of the tragic fate that Nawaki might face made Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips involuntarily curl upwards.

"What are you laughing at?"

Looking at the somewhat mischievous smile on her husband's face, Biwako asked curiously.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly suppressed his smile and coughed twice. "I was just thinking about what kind of gift I should bring tomorrow."

"If it's just a visit... bring some of our newly brewed osmanthus honey..."

"Not enough, not enough."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said seriously, "Lady Mito is of noble status. Bringing only osmanthus honey would make us seem insincere."

"How about this, I'll personally go to Hengwen Farm first thing tomorrow morning to pick some of the freshest strawberries and cucumbers, and also get a few pieces of the best Konoha Pork tenderloin..."

Biwako looked at her husband's endless ordering of food and was both amused and exasperated.

She knew perfectly well that this guy was probably craving something too.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Biwako just smiled gently and straightened his slightly wrinkled collar.