Akira crossed his arms while watching the father and son squirm under the weight of his silence.
Sarutobi Sasuke had already overstepped-anyone could see that. In any other situation, rebellion against the alliance would have earned exile or worse. Yet Akira stood there without concern or judgment, as if it had nothing to do with him.
He wasn't interested in titles or command; the position of Hokage was just another burden he had no desire to shoulder. What really bothered him was that strange moment earlier-how his body reacted the instant he tried to refuse Hiruzen.
His finger flicked in Hiruzen's direction.
"Come here."
Despite the boy's hesitation, he obeyed immediately with stiff legs and wide eyes.
"What are you afraid of? I won't eat you."
Instead of relaxing, both father and son straightened up even stiffer at that comment. Akira sighed through his nose and leaned forward just enough to shift the tension around them.
"Everyone wants to be a leader-but it's not easy. You'll have to be strong, smart, and know how to manage others. Especially things like recommending allies properly-using both friends and enemies when they qualify-and understanding those around you."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Hiruzen looked uncertain, eyes darting to his father. Sasuke gave him the smallest of nods. That was enough for the boy to step forward again and answer with cautious certainty.
"I understood… a little bit."
Akira nodded once and reached for the table beside him. He grabbed the banana set aside for Mito and peeled it slowly.
"Want one?"
Hiruzen hesitated, unsure if it was actually being offered. He nodded slowly anyway.
"…Okay."
Akira handed it over without looking, then turned away and yanked open the small refrigerator beside him.
"Want milk now?"
"Yes," Hiruzen said without thinking.
Akira pulled out the bottle-then drew it back when the boy reached for it again, wearing the same blank expression on his face as before.
"No~give."
There it was again-that creeping resistance inside his own body. As soon as he'd tried to reject Hiruzen again, the discomfort in his chest returned strong enough to choke back his next sentence.
His brows furrowed slightly as he turned that feeling over in his head. It wasn't just irritation-it felt almost physical, embedded in muscle and bone. Reflex-like discomfort. He stared down at the bottle in his hand longer than necessary.
"There's… really some problem with this kid," he whispered under his breath.
Before Akira could go deeper into thought, Hashirama's familiar footfall echoed on stone behind them again-casual as always and patting empty pockets with one hand.
"Yo-Akira! Ah… Sasuke and Hiruzen are here too."
"Hashirama-sama." Both father and son straightened immediately.
Hashirama waved lazily at them before leaning closer with eyes full of curiosity.
"What were you guys talking about just now?"
Akira's lips curled at the opportunity tossed conveniently into his lap. If he couldn't figure out what made Hiruzen untouchable-maybe Hashirama could trigger the reaction himself.
"This kid said he wants to be leader someday," Akira said calmly, then added with half-smile, "Do you want to adopt him as your student?"
Sasuke nearly choked on air. Hiruzen froze mid-bite of banana. Both looked physically pained by what they just heard-but Hashirama only laughed, completely missing the slip of tongue Akira had deliberately left in the phrasing.
"Hahaha! That's great! A boy should have ambition! Leading isn't easy though. Hiruzen-you ready to start learning?"
It took Sasuke only one second to understand what was being offered. He turned toward his son hurriedly.
"Quick! Thank your teacher!"
Hiruzen dropped instantly to his knees and pressed his palms together on the floor.
"Teacher Hashirama!"
Hashirama laughed louder at that and clapped Hiruzen's shoulders with both hands-none the wiser about anything beneath the surface of what just happened.
Akira leaned back in place with arms crossed again and looked away briefly.
"Did Hashirama not hear what I said? Or is he really just that blind?" He glanced over to where Tobirama usually lurked during discussions of this weight. "Tobirama would've been suspicious immediately… He'd test for sure if this 'can't reject' thing is even consistent."
Determined to keep testing what was happening to him, Akira stepped forward again and ruffled Hiruzen's hair with one hand.
"Well then-if this makes you happy-how about you treat us to dinner?"
Hashirama winced immediately.
"That… might be tricky…"
Before he could ask for money outright again, Akira tossed him a coin pouch from inside his coat and turned away without ceremony.
"Use it wisely."
"Hehehe…"
Hashirama grinned while weighing the pouch in hand and gave Hiruzen another hearty pat on the back.
"Let's go then-the teacher's buying today!"
"Yes!"
Sasuke bowed low again as they walked off together-this time with deep sincerity instead of desperation.
"Truly… thank you, Lord Akira."
Akira narrowed his gaze at him without responding right away. He didn't find the gratitude offensive-but there was little comfort in it either.
"Your son becoming Hokage isn't my concern," he said flatly. "Just don't blame me if he becomes someone everyone hates someday."
He pulled out another scroll from inside his sleeve-a blank one this time-and scribbled down several lines quickly before handing it off to Sasuke next.
"Payment for my help."
Sasuke bowed even deeper this time when he received it.
"As long as it's within my ability-I won't fail you."
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Akira flicked his wrist and gestured toward the door without waiting for further thanks or fuss. Watching both of them bow once again before leaving, he stepped away from the noise entirely to return to his study in silence.
Only when Sasuke opened the scroll did he finally stop walking-and stared blankly at the contents written within.
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