Twice. Since he had reincarnated, Ando had eaten meat at the orphanage only twice. The first time was on head matron Takara’s birthday. He remembered it clearly because he had gotten lucky and ended up with two pieces of meat in his meal.
Isobe had made a fuss about it and attracted the head matron's attention. But in the end, the woman just laughed it off and told Ando to keep it. It was also the first time he had heard the strict woman’s laughter. It did not sound as evil as he thought it would.
The second time was during the dragon festival, a local celebration to commemorate the day the Senju and the Uchiha made peace and ended the war in the region. It honored the founding of the hidden village of Konoha and its leaders: Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
And today, they were having meat again, making it the third time. Ando knew something was up, but he couldn’t remember if there was anything special about the day. Shrugging to himself, he made his way to his usual table and waited for what was to come.
As the room filled with bustling conversations, an authoritative figure stepped forward, instantly commanding attention. The atmosphere seemed to shift, as if the very air recognized the gravity of her presence. With a stern expression etched upon her face, her piercing eyes scanned the crowd.
Taking a deep breath, Takara raised her hand, signaling for silence. The room gradually fell into hushed whispers, then complete stillness. Without the need to shout, her voice traversed the room like a wave of water. Every syllable was enunciated with precision, carrying a weight that demanded immediate attention.
“Everyone, quiet down for a while,” she declared. “I have important news to share! The Hokage, our exalted leader and the most important person in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, will be gracing us with his presence today. He will be arriving around nine.” She paused for a second to let the information sink in before continuing. “I want all of you to be on your best behavior. I don’t want any ruckus, and I don’t want to see any sign of trouble. Follow these instructions diligently, and you will avoid facing the consequences of displeasing me. Have I made myself clear?”
The orphans nervously bobbed their heads up and down. “Very good. You may get back to your meal.”
The head matron scanned the room one last time with a superficial smile on her face before walking away.
Ando let a small smile tug at his lips as he observed the orphans slowly evacuate the tension. He had no doubt that Miss Takara knew how to handle the kids. She commanded respect effortlessly. He felt like the woman had an interesting story, but he was too scared to approach her.
Time passed quietly as the orphans followed their daily routine, studying until the bell rang at nine. They headed to the gathering hall, where Ando joined the others on a large carpet in the center of the room. He glanced around, taking in the scene, then focused on the podium ahead.
An old man in a white robe and wearing a red triangular hat stood at the front. His face was marked by wrinkles, his beard whitened by time, but there was no mistaking the vitality in his eyes. He was dressed in a long red robe that covered all but his feet, topped with an open white coat and a white scarf. He held a brown smoking pipe in his right hand, while his left hand rested on his back.
He smiled as he waited for the children to fill the hall. Only when the last child was seated and focused on him did he finally open his mouth.
“Greetings, my dear children. I hope you have all been doing well.” The man gave the room a kind smile as he started his speech. “I have once again come to wish you all a happy new year. I would have come earlier if I could, but alas, my duties to the village have kept me busy.”
He sighed playfully and shook his head. “I really do hope that once you grow up, you will be able to help me shoulder this burden. I am getting too old to do this.” His easygoing manner unconsciously prompted the children to relax. Yet, there was something about him that kept them attentive. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, or the sound of his voice. It transmitted a message, telling everyone in the room to pay attention to the seemingly ordinary old man standing at the front.
It was very different from the feeling that the head matron, Takara, evoked. One gave the feeling that you had to follow because it was the rule. The other made you feel like you had to listen because it was the right thing to do.
“Today, my dear children,” the man continued, “I want to share with you the two most important values that will shape your lives and the lives of those around you: gratitude and responsibility.”
He paused for a moment, allowing the words to sink in before continuing. “Gratitude is the key to appreciating the blessings that life offers us. It is about recognizing and acknowledging the kindness, love, and support we receive from others. It's easy to take things for granted, but when we cultivate gratitude, we open our hearts to the beauty and abundance that surrounds us.”
The man smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “But gratitude alone is not enough, my dear children. We must also embrace responsibility. It is our duty to take care of ourselves, our families, and our community. Responsibility means doing what is right, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. It means standing up for what we believe in and making a positive difference in the world.”
He paused once again, allowing the weight of his words to settle among the young minds. The Hokage could see the minds of the children churning. He had no doubt that more than ninety percent of his words flew right over their heads. Sadly, they lacked the experience and the necessary knowledge to truly digest his words.
But even so, even if only ten percent was retained, he would be satisfied. They could take it step by step.
“As you grow older,” the man continued, “remember that true greatness lies not in power or wealth but in the ability to be grateful for what you have and to take responsibility for making the world a better place. Each of you has the potential to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem.”
The frowns on the children’s faces deepened. Some even scratched their heads. The Hokage let out a lighthearted laugh at the display. It was indeed a good idea to leave the confines of his office and walk around from time to time.
“Alright, it seems like I have been boring you long enough with my talk. What I want to hear about right now is you. How have you been, my children?”
The orphans were hesitant to stand out and start talking to him. It was only natural. He had to push them a little. “I heard that the head matron Takara is quite the strict person. You can’t be afraid of her, right?” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “If so, you don’t have to worry. I am the Hokage. With me here, nothing will ever happen to you.”
“Matter of fact, I’m quite curious about why you are so scared of her. Could it be that she has been bullying you? Let me know and I’ll find justice for you!”
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He could see the results of his words in an instant. The children immediately started to relax, their taut nerves unwinding. A few even stepped forward and raised their hands.
“Alright, you! The young handsome boy at the back. What wrongs has Takara committed against you?”
“L-lord Hokage, Miss Takara once spanked me because my bed was wet. I swear it wasn’t me. It was my roommate—”
Ando watched the exchange unfold with a smile on his face. The children's eagerness to pour out their hearts to the Hokage was palpable. If their words were to be believed, one would think that Miss Takara was the most malevolent person to have ever walked the earth. It was an intriguing show, and the Hokage played along, encouraging them. The old man even produced a scroll from seemingly thin air and began taking notes.
Ando couldn't help himself and burst into laughter, caught up in the contagious mood. It was amusing to think that this unassuming man was actually the strongest person in the village. Truthfully, Ando hadn't expected the Hokage to be like this. He had trouble reconciling the image of the almost doting old man with the scheming leader he had in mind. He almost resembled a parental figure to the children.
However, the lighthearted atmosphere shifted when Isobe decided to voice his grievances.
“Lord Hokage! I have a complaint, although it doesn't feel like a complaint. But it has left me feeling upset,” Isobe proclaimed, rising from his seat, perhaps empowered by standing within the group. Maybe he simply craved some attention. Ando couldn't be sure, but he too was curious about what could have disturbed the boy.
“Ah, judging by your expression, it must be something quite complex. Please, tell me, what happened that left you feeling this way?” the Hokage encouraged him, wearing an expression of understanding and support.
“Well, it's like this. A few days ago, during dinner, I noticed that my friend had a lot more meat on his plate than me. And... it made me angry. I didn't like that he received more meat than anyone else. I didn't like receiving less,” Isobe revealed, his words piquing Ando's interest. The friend mentioned in Isobe’s story was Ando, and he had indeed noticed Isobe's evident dissatisfaction. However, there didn't seem to be a need to bring it up with the Hokage.
“I... I'm not really angry at my friend for getting more meat. I mean, it's good for him. But I disliked how the head matron completely ignored it. She always tells us we're equals. So why didn't she do anything that day?” Isobe continued, his frustration evident.
The Hokage observed the boy for a moment, then scanned the room for the person mentioned in the story. It didn't take him long to identify Ando—a small, yet weirdly muscular boy sitting close to Isobe with a frown on his face.
“It appears that you're more upset about the difference in treatment than your friend receiving more meat. And that, young child, shows that you have a strong sense of justice,” the Hokage began, his tone calm and assuring. “It's completely normal to feel this way, but I want you to know it's not your fault. Sometimes, things may seem unequal or unfair, but it doesn't diminish your worth. It could be a mistake or a misunderstanding—”
“But it happens frequently, and it's not fair. This wasn't the first time. And I feel like nobody cares about what I need or how I feel,” Isobe interrupted, his fists clenched in frustration.
The Hokage studied the young boy, noticing his balled-up fists and the deep loneliness etched on his face. Isobe lacked a parental figure to rely on, someone who could advocate for him. That feeling of isolation had been building up, finally erupting over what could be considered a trivial matter.
Hiruzen could empathize. These were the very reasons that compelled him to leave the confines of his office, despite his demanding schedule. These orphans needed care. Rising from his seat, he approached Isobe with a steady gait. Placing a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder, he crouched down, meeting him at eye level.
“I hear you, and I care about what you need and how you feel,” the Hokage reassured him. “Sometimes, it might seem like things are unfair, but it doesn't mean people don't care. Let's try to talk to the caretakers and explain how you're feeling. They may not be aware of what happened or how it made you feel.”
Isobe lowered his head, nodding silently. His long blonde hair concealed his face, but the damp patches forming on the ground betrayed his tears. The Hokage offered his shoulder a comforting squeeze before rising to address the others.
“My dear children, life isn't always fair, and sometimes it feels as though no one understands our struggles. But know this: your voices matter, and your feelings are valid. It's crucial to express ourselves, even when it feels difficult or scary.”
He paused, letting his words settle, then continued.
“As your Hokage, it is my duty to protect and guide you. I will listen to your concerns, advocate for your well-being, and work tirelessly to create an environment that fosters equality and compassion. Each one of you deserves to be treated with respect and kindness.”
The Hokage's gaze shifted from face to face, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
“Remember, my young friends, you are not alone. Together, we will address the injustices and make the necessary changes to ensure that every child under our care feels valued and loved. Your happiness matters, and I promise you, we will strive to make it a reality.”
Sitting amongst the crowd, Ando observed the unfolding scene with a sense of unease. On one hand, he couldn't deny feeling moved by the Hokage's speech and the genuine empathy he displayed. However, a nagging sense of doubt tugged at Ando's thoughts, creating a discrepancy between the Hokage's current demeanor and what he thought he knew about the man.
Ando couldn't shake the fact that this seemingly compassionate and supportive figure was the same Hokage who had led countless individuals to their deaths. It felt contradictory and left him questioning the authenticity of the Hokage's words. How could someone with such a history of making difficult decisions and facing the grim realities of leadership suddenly embody this level of compassion?
The conflicting emotions within Ando cast a shadow of doubt over the Hokage's intentions, making it difficult for him to fully believe in the sincerity behind the man's actions. But who was he to judge the man? What did he know about him? Better yet, what did he really know about this world?
His conflicted thoughts did not escape Hiruzen's notice. From the corner of his eye, the Hokage observed the unusually muscular child frow at his words. And recognized him as the one who was the subject of the previous kid’s troubles.
Another spy? he tentatively thought. The youngster’s body showed signs of training. And his eyes betrayed a sense of maturity that the others did not have. But Hiruzen quickly squashed down that idea. Spies would not be so open about their uniqueness. He did not exclude the possibility of the boy trying to play reverse psychology. But ultimately, it was too early to tell.
“Boy, I can see that something is troubling you. Is there something the matter?” Hiruzen approached Ando, observing the flicker of panic that briefly flashed across the boy's face. Coming to a stop in front of Ando, the Hokage offered a warm smile. “Are you alright?”
[The system has detected an elevated level of stress in the user’s spirit!]
[Do you wish to counter it with Gamer’s Mind?]
Without hesitation, Ando accepted the prompt, allowing the calming effects of Gamer's Mind to wash over him. Instantly, his mind cleared, and the gears of his thoughts began turning once more, no longer paralyzed by panic.
“Lord Hokage... that person Isobe was referring to, it was me,” Ando admitted, his voice tinged with a trace of fear. “I can't help but feel troubled that my actions have caused him such distress. It was never my intention for things to turn out this way.”
He offered an excuse and lowered his head, unable to meet the Hokage's gaze, a mix of guilt and anxiety weighing heavily upon him.
“I understand,” the Hokage responded, offering a gentle chuckle. “It seems like, just like your friend, your just nature is weighing down on your thoughts. But do not worry, child.”
The Hokage paused, his expression becoming more serious, conveying a sense of understanding and maturity.
“You see, life is filled with moments where unintentional actions can impact others deeply. It's essential to learn from these experiences and strive to make amends, when possible,” the Hokage advised, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom. “True growth comes from acknowledging our mistakes and taking steps to rectify them. You have shown remorse, which is a sign of character. Even though there has been no fault on your part. Your ability and willingness to reflect on yourself is a quality that not many have. Use it well, you will find many opportunities to learn and grow from.”
The Hokage placed a reassuring hand on Ando's shoulder, his voice filled with genuine compassion. “Remember, we all stumble and make mistakes along the way. What truly matters is how we choose to rise above them and make things right.”
As the old man removed his hand from his shoulder, Ando could not help but ponder over what the true meaning behind those words could be.