~ Hello everyone! I hope you're having a great day.
~ This fanfic started on a whim, really, and I'm not entirely sure about it. So, don't be surprised if it ends up being dropped. :/
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Konoha Ninja Academy, Principal's Office
"Hm? Who called me?"
Startled awake by Hiruzen Sarutobi's loud shout, Jin rubbed his eyes, looking around blearily.
This damn brat...
Looking at Jin's state, Hiruzen rubbed his temples, beginning to doubt his own decision.
This was supposed to be his first formal meeting with Jin.
Although Hiruzen had been secretly watching over Jin's growth—
Stepping in during Jin's enrollment and after the incident where he injured the teacher—
And even using the Transformation Jutsu once to advise Jin about his drinking—
This was their first face-to-face, formal meeting.
Hiruzen had wanted to give Jin a kindly impression.
He had even prepared a gentle smile.
Only to look up and see Jin being carried in by two little girls, snoring loud enough to shake the heavens.
His carefully crafted kind expression, facing a snoring Jin—
Even with Hiruzen's renowned composure, he couldn't hold back and let out a loud shout.
"Old geezer, who are you? You woke me up."
Jin looked left and right, finally locking onto the target who had disturbed his sleep.
"O-Old geezer...?!"
Hiruzen's eye twitched.
At this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't yet the wizened old Third Hokage from the original story.
While not young, he still retained some vestiges of youth.
He'd heard this brat Jin had an annoying mouth, but he hadn't expected to experience it firsthand during their very first meeting.
'Considering he even gave this brat his name... don't get angry, don't get angry.' Hiruzen consoled himself internally.
"Jin! This is Lord Third Hokage! You can't speak like that!"
Nearby, Mr. Tanaka jumped in fright upon hearing Jin's words.
He quickly rushed to Jin's side, persuading him in a low voice.
"Th-Third Hokage?"
Jin removed his arms from Kurenai and Rin's shoulders and wobbled over to stand in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hey there."
Jin stared intently at Hiruzen for a long moment. Just as Hiruzen was about to lose his patience, Jin reached out and waved hello.
Hiruzen felt like his face was about to cramp up. This brat stared at me like an animal in a zoo for ages, just to say hello?
"L-Lord Hokage, Jin doesn't mean any harm! He just... had a little too much to drink today."
Seeing Jin's behavior, Mr. Tanaka nervously rushed to explain.
When explaining why Jin was like this, he found the words hard to say.
Alcohol was strictly forbidden in the Ninja Academy.
This excuse only highlighted his own failure as a teacher.
Mr. Tanaka felt close to tears, his future suddenly looking bleak.
"Ahem, ahem. It's alright, Shūichi. And you are Kurenai and Rin, correct? You may leave first. I have some matters to discuss with Jin."
Hiruzen had seen plenty of storms in his time. His earlier outburst was mainly due to the vast difference between this meeting and his expectations.
Hiruzen smiled dismissively and spoke.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Seeing Hiruzen didn't intend to blame him, Mr. Tanaka breathed a sigh of relief.
Kurenai and Rin looked worriedly at Jin, but constrained by the Hokage's authority and Hiruzen's currently amiable expression—
They retreated from the office along with Mr. Tanaka.
"You're Jin, right? I am the Kage of this village, the Third Hokage."
Hiruzen looked at Jin, his lip twitching, and began a simple self-introduction.
Did Hiruzen need to introduce himself to anyone else?
Who in the village didn't recognize him.
Which child in the village hadn't dreamed of becoming Hokage?
But Jin? Hiruzen genuinely wasn't sure if he even knew what a Hokage was.
After all, Jin had grown up clutching a wine bottle since childhood.
He had even done things like nearly cutting down Kakashi and the others as spies.
After the introduction, Hiruzen, as customary, launched into a speech about the Will of Fire for Jin.
"Where tree leaves dance, one shall find flames..."
Hooo— Hooo—
Hiruzen was speaking eloquently when suddenly, faint snoring reached his ears.
Hiruzen looked up. Jin had actually... fallen asleep?!
"Jin! Wake up!!!"
This damn brat! He can even fall asleep standing up?!
Hiruzen roared, looking at Jin standing there, sleeping soundly.
Composure? Screw composure!!!
Dealing with this brat, even the deepest composure would lead to death by anger!!!
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