Konoha, Year 48.
The Konoha Grand Theater.
Konan stood on stage, leading the newly formed *Will of Fire Orchestra* created by Shigeo Aburame, singing a heartfelt song for the audience below.
**"In your embrace, there is warmth so vast, as deep and boundless as the sea."**
**"It's a love thicker than blood; we who live in its blessing understand."**
**"Moved by emotion, without hesitation, we call you Father."**
**"We only wish to live in your embrace."**
**"Ah… Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi."**
The melody was beautiful, and the lyrics touching. Konan's deep, tender voice, accompanied by a children's choir, made the performance even more emotional.
Sitting below the stage, the recently retired Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, couldn't help but feel his eyes water as he listened.
Instinctively, he turned to look at his son, Asuma Sarutobi, seated beside him. However, Asuma's wide-eyed, incredulous expression said it all:
*"The old man was really that great? How come I never knew?"*
Hiruzen's face darkened immediately.
*"Love them when they're three; resent them when they're old"*—this saying perfectly described Asuma, the little brat!
Refusing to dwell on his frustrating son, Hiruzen turned his attention back to Konan on stage.
Under his gaze, Konan continued to sing passionately:
**"Enduring storms and scorching sun, countless burdens you bear."**
**"The more we look up to you, the deeper our respect grows, your loving heart always for the people."**
**"Moved by emotion, without hesitation, we call you Father."**
**"We only wish to live in your embrace."**
**"Ah… Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi."**
What a magnificent performance!
Hiruzen couldn't help but smile warmly, a fatherly pride lighting up his face. The more he watched Konan, the more pleased he felt.
*"She's one of Jiraiya's students, isn't she? Though she grew up in the Land of Rain, her heart is clearly with Konoha. Plus, she's already engaged to that crafty kid from the Aburame clan. Very good!"*
His thoughts brought a gentle smile to Hiruzen's face as his eyes squinted slightly in satisfaction.
On stage, Konan began singing the final verse.
**"You are the parent of all Konoha's families, caring for the people with boundless love."**
**"This sentiment the people will never forget, your pure heart wholly dedicated to service."**
**"Moved by emotion, without hesitation, we call you Father."**
**"We only wish to live in your embrace."**
**"Ah… Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi."**
**"We only wish to live in your embrace."**
**"Ah… Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi."**
As the song ended, Konan and the orchestra bowed deeply before exiting the stage, receiving thunderous applause from the audience.
After serving as Hokage for over 30 years, Hiruzen Sarutobi, though retired, still commanded immense respect in the village.
Not far away, Minato Namikaze observed the scene with a complicated expression.
Sitting beside him, Shigeo Aburame leaned in and whispered, "How about I replace the Third Hokage's name with yours?"
"Uh…" Minato's expression instantly turned awkward, and he quickly waved his hands.
"Please don't. I don't deserve a song like that. Compared to the Third Hokage, I'm still far behind. By the way, have you visited Yoshida yet?"
"Yes!"
Shigeo nodded, his face reflecting some melancholy.
Yoshida, whose full name was Yoshida Akimichi, was the son of Akimichi Jimaru.
During the final battle with the Hidden Mist, Jimaru had used a special food pill, the *Three-Colored Law Pill*.
Though it successfully repelled the enemy, the pill's severe side effects claimed Jimaru's life in the absence of medical treatment.
Before his death, he entrusted his son to Minato Namikaze and expressed his greatest regret—not being able to taste Shigeo's special snack insects one last time.
What a glutton!
Thinking of Jimaru, Shigeo suddenly felt a pang of regret.
He believed that if he had returned to the village two years earlier, he might not have been able to save Jimaru but could at least have fulfilled his dying wish.
But now, it was too late to change the past. All he could do was cherish the present.
"Minato," Shigeo suddenly said, "I want to become a teacher at the Ninja Academy."
"You want to be a teacher?"
Minato was momentarily surprised but then nodded.
"There's nothing wrong with that. But why this sudden decision?"
"I want to be Yoshida's teacher—and your son's teacher too," Shigeo replied seriously. "I want to watch them grow up."
"Haha, that's a great idea!" Minato laughed. "But how are you so sure Kushina is carrying a boy?"
"Just a hunch!"
Shigeo chuckled and raised an eyebrow.
"Wanna bet? If it's a boy, let him be my godson. If it's a girl, she'll be Konan's goddaughter."
"Uh… this…"
Minato couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.
"That's hardly a fair bet. Everyone knows you're already engaged to Konan. The Third Hokage was right—you really are a sly one, Shigeo."
"Pfft… That nosy old man is so annoying!"
Shigeo shot a sideways glance at Hiruzen before turning back to Minato.
"So, do we have a deal? Refuse, and I'll make sure your son ends up the bottom of the class!"
"With stakes like that, do I even have a choice?"
Looking at Shigeo's mischievous grin, Minato sighed in resignation.
"Fine. I'm sure Kushina will agree too. Let's head back and tell her—bring Konan along as well."
"Deal!"
Shigeo agreed without hesitation.
After the performance, he brought Konan to Minato's home. There, they met Kushina Uzumaki, whose belly was already quite large. Her face glowed with maternal warmth.
Seeing the visitors, Kushina warmly welcomed them and went to prepare food in the kitchen.
Konan quickly joined her, offering help. The two women chatted happily, their laughter occasionally drifting into the room.
During dinner, Minato explained Shigeo's earlier "bet," and Kushina readily agreed.
The meal ended joyfully.
Before leaving, Shigeo reminded Minato to notify him when Kushina went into labor—he wanted to see his godson first.
This, of course, was an excuse.
In the original timeline, Kushina was attacked by Obito Uchiha during childbirth, resulting in the release of the Nine-Tails and leading to the tragic deaths of both Minato and Kushina.
Shigeo wanted to prevent this outcome.
Though cautious, Shigeo was not a coward.
When his loved ones' lives were at risk, he would not hesitate to stand up. It was a principle he lived by.
Whether he would succeed, he didn't know, but he was determined to try.
"Obito, the Nine-Tails—whoever it is, if you dare show up, I'll take you on."
On the way home, Shigeo resolved to face whatever challenges lay ahead.