Chapter 317: Hatake Sakumo "Retires"; Konan, How Have You Been Lately? [HN]

Chiya had just finished accompanying Tsunade and Uchiha Mikoto on a shopping trip. He rubbed his slightly aching temples.

His physical condition was already far beyond what it had once been, but whenever he thought about today’s shopping trip with them, he could not help feeling deeply moved.

His body was still not quite up to the task after all.

Shopping was probably even more exhausting than using Susanoo to sweep across four countries…

Chiya returned to the Hokage’s office.

He was just about to make himself a cup of tea and take a breather when there was a light knock on the office door.

Chiya raised an eyebrow, and a faint smile naturally appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“The door’s unlocked. Come in yourself, Sakumo. I just got some good tea leaves. You came at the perfect time.”

The door opened, and Hatake Sakumo walked in.

Today, he was rarely seen without his familiar ANBU uniform, and he was not carrying his chakra short sword, White Fang.

Instead, he wore a simple dark outfit. His short silver hair shone under the sunlight, and his face carried a relaxed expression.

He was also carrying a small food box.

“You’ve got quite a nose, Hokage.”

Sakumo teased him with a smile as he walked over to the tea table and sat down without ceremony, placing the food box on the table.

“I passed by the Three Color Dango shop and saw that they had just brought out some red bean filled ones. They looked pretty good, so I picked some up for you. You need something different from all that dry food you chew on while staring at documents all day.”

Chiya laughed and skillfully began warming the cups, washing the tea leaves, and brewing the tea.

The fresh fragrance of tea soon filled the room.

He poured Sakumo a cup of pale green tea and pushed it toward him.

“Give it a try. It’s new tea from the Land of Water. It has a flavor of its own.”

Sakumo picked up the cup, smelled the tea first, then took a careful sip and praised it.

“Hmm, it’s pretty good. It’s slightly bitter at first, but the aftertaste is strong.”

He put down his cup and glanced at Chiya’s young face, which already carried a faint sense of authority and fatigue, before asking casually, “So, what’s being Hokage like? Besides endless paperwork and endless arguments, isn’t there anything else?”

Chiya picked up his own cup and leaned back in his chair with a sigh of relief.

“Something else? Of course there is. Watching the village get better day by day and seeing all the little ones grow up, that feeling… isn’t bad.”

He paused and looked at Sakumo with amusement.

“What, did our famous White Fang skip work today just to check on how I’m enjoying my life as Hokage?”

Sakumo smiled, then shook his head.

He restrained his smile and leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more serious while still maintaining the relaxed atmosphere of a conversation between friends.

“Seriously, Chiya, sometimes when I look at Konoha now, it feels a little unreal. Do you remember when we first went onto the battlefield? There was killing everywhere, and we never knew whether we’d make it to the next day. Who would have thought that in such a short time, the village could become so… full of life?”

He pointed toward the piles of documents on Chiya’s desk.

“Even though you complain about these things all day, I know that without them, we wouldn’t have the peace we have now. You’ve done better than any of us could have imagined.”

Chiya silently drank his tea without interrupting the reflections of his old friend and senior.

He knew that Sakumo had not come today simply to praise him a few times.

Sakumo withdrew his gaze from the window and looked back at Chiya, his eyes carrying the clarity and calm that came from having experienced so much.

“Me? I’ve been in ANBU for more than ten years now. I used to think that White Fang would be my life’s final destination. Either it would break during a mission, or it would enter the grave with me.”

He gave a self mocking smile.

“There was even a period when I thought I’d taken the wrong path, and I almost drove it straight into my own chest.”

Chiya put down his tea cup, and his expression also became serious.

“That’s all in the past, Sakumo. The village needed the person you were back then, and it needs the person you are now.”

“I know.”

Sakumo nodded.

“If it weren’t for what you said to me back then, I might really have gotten stuck in that mindset and never found my way out.”

He paused, and his tone became especially relaxed.

“But now, I’ve truly figured things out, and I’ve learned to let go.”

He picked up a piece of Three Color Dango and took a bite, chewing slowly as though he were savoring it or perhaps organizing his thoughts.

“The war is over, and all the various powers fear your strength. As long as you’re here, they won’t dare start another war recklessly. The work ANBU does now is still important, but compared to those days when we lived on the edge of a blade, it’s practically retirement…”

Chiya seemed to have guessed what was coming, so he did not respond and simply looked at him quietly.

Sakumo swallowed the dango, patted the sugar from his hands, looked directly into Chiya’s eyes, and smiled warmly and calmly.

“So, Chiya, this old man thinks it’s time to make room for the younger generation. I’ve had enough of being the ANBU Commander. I want to take a break.”

The office fell silent for a moment.

Only the faint noise from outside and the soft bubbling of the tea could be heard.

Chiya looked at Sakumo and saw no reluctance or disappointment in his eyes.

There was only the relief of someone who had finally put down a heavy burden and the anticipation of a peaceful life ahead.

He suddenly remembered Sakumo from those years ago.

Back then, the conflict between rumors and his own principles had driven Hatake Sakumo to the verge of collapse, leaving his eyes dull and lifeless.

Compared with the calm man before him, who was now talking about retirement, they seemed like two completely different people.

Time really could change a person.

“Are you really sure?”

Chiya picked up the teapot and refilled both their cups, his tone calm.

“You’re not planning to keep holding White Fang and use it to intimidate those petty troublemakers?”

Sakumo smiled.

“Come on. With a great man like you sitting here, along with all your increasingly ridiculous disciples and juniors, what troublemaker would dare cause trouble in Konoha now? My little bit of skill is better saved for teaching my grandchildren later.”

He paused before adding, “Of course, if the village ever reaches a point where it needs these old bones of mine, I’ll be the first one to charge out. But for now… I want to see what it’s like to go fishing, or maybe see what becomes of that brat Kakashi.”

At the mention of Kakashi, Chiya smiled as well.

“That kid is doing very well in the Taijutsu Class now. He’s competing with Might Dai and his son all day. He seems to be working very hard.”

“Let him be. Young people have their own way of living.”

Sakumo waved his hand, his tone filled with openness.

Chiya fell silent for a moment.

For the village, Hatake Sakumo had made outstanding contributions. His retirement was a symbol of Konoha entering an era of peace, and he deserved respect and proper arrangements.

Personally, as his friend, Chiya was genuinely happy that Sakumo had found peace in his heart and was beginning to pursue the life he wanted.

“All right.”

Chiya finally nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

“Since you’re determined to take it easy, I won’t stop you. I approve your resignation as ANBU Commander.”

Sakumo let out a sigh of relief.

Although he had known that Chiya would most likely agree, hearing the answer directly still felt different.

“However…”

Chiya changed the subject.

“You’ll have to keep the title of Hokage Advisor. Show up at major meetings from time to time, so some people don’t forget that Konoha still has someone like you. Your benefits will be at the highest standard, so don’t be polite with me.”

“Fine. I’ll do as you say.”

Sakumo readily agreed. He knew this was Chiya’s kindness, allowing him to enjoy a peaceful life while retaining a certain position and influence.

“As for ANBU…”

Chiya lightly tapped his fingers against the desk.

“Let Fugaku take over for now. He’s steady and reliable, and he can keep things under control. That child Shisui is a piece of unpolished jade, but he still needs to be refined. Let him serve as a squad leader first and learn properly under Fugaku.”

“Yes, you’ve thought this through very carefully.”

Sakumo nodded in agreement.

“Fugaku has the ability, and Shisui has the potential. I’m at ease leaving ANBU’s future in their hands.”

The two continued chatting about trivial matters and reminiscing about some interesting events from the past. The atmosphere in the office remained relaxed and harmonious.

Once they had finished the pot of tea and the dango in the food box had also been eaten, Sakumo stood up to leave.

“I’m heading out, Hokage. Don’t keep calling me back for meetings when there’s nothing important. Don’t disturb my fishing.”

He waved casually and turned to leave the office, his back looking so relaxed that he seemed ten years younger.

Chiya watched the door close and shook his head with a laugh.

Hatake Sakumo was able to put down his heavy responsibilities and enjoy his retirement life.

Without a doubt, it was one of the best signs that this was an era of peace.

After settling his thoughts, Chiya returned to his desk and began handling the remaining documents.

Most of them were routine reports on village affairs. The three members of the Fire Kage Cabinet had already discussed the necessary responses, and they were simply waiting for him to approve them.

Chiya quickly began making his approvals.

When he came across a letter from the Land of Rain, his movements slowed.

The envelope was made from paper produced in the Land of Rain, with faint water patterns on it. A simple paper crane was printed on the seal.

This was Konan’s unique mark.

Chiya opened the envelope and took out the letter.

The handwriting was neat and firm, just like Konan herself.

The letter began with a formal greeting and a description of Amegakure’s recent efforts toward peaceful development and economic growth.

However, as he read further, the tone seemed to become gentler.

In her capacity as a diplomatic representative of Amegakure, Konan formally proposed establishing a deeper comprehensive cooperative partnership with Konoha.

It would not be limited to economic trade.

She also hoped to develop cultural exchanges and even cooperation in non sensitive fields such as education and medical care.

At the end of the letter, she wrote:

“…The Land of Rain longs to escape the shadows of the past and move forward together with partners who sincerely pursue peace.

“Under your leadership, Konoha has displayed the prosperity and openness that we long for.

“I look forward to your reply and hope we can discuss this in person.”

Chiya’s fingers gently brushed over the words “discuss this in person” on the letter.

For some reason, he seemed to see Konan’s cool expression before his eyes, along with the slight change in her gaze whenever she saw him.

The Land of Rain held a strategically important location.

The Akatsuki founded by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan now led Amegakure and had become an important force in stabilizing the region.

Deepening cooperation with them would bring more benefits than disadvantages to Konoha.

And personally, he was also willing to give Konan and her companions some support.

Chiya thought for a moment.

Then he picked up his brush and wrote a single sentence in reply.

“Three days from now, let’s discuss this in Konoha.”

After finishing the reply, he called for an ANBU member.

“Take this letter to Amegakure!~”

“Yes, Hokage!”

As he watched the ANBU member leave, Chiya’s gaze shifted slightly.

That cool figure appeared in his mind once again.

‘Konan, how have you been lately?’