Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

Before Hatake Sakumo could open his mouth, Shinki smirked and quipped, "That outfit looks great on you—very elegant."

Sakumo sighed heavily.

"Elegant or not, I already regret wearing it. Can it compete with your Hokage battle robe anyway?"

The two settled into a tavern, finding solace in the late-night quiet. After ordering a few side dishes, Sakumo, his face already showing worry, drank a few glasses of sake in quick succession.

Shinki raised an eyebrow.

"Careful, senior. Not everyone can handle drinking like Jiraiya."

Sakumo chuckled bitterly, his tone tinged with frustration. "Jingyi, do you think I was wrong? I regret putting on this Hokage half-sleeve. Ever since then, everything's changed. The Hokage hasn't summoned me in weeks, and even my peers are keeping their distance."

"Is it really just because of a piece of clothing?" Shinki asked, sipping his drink slowly.

Sakumo let out a heavy sigh. "That's the thing. I don't think it's just the clothing. It feels like something else has shifted, something I can't control."

"Senior," Shinki began, leaning forward, "the clothes aren't the problem. It's your attitude."

"My attitude?"

"Yes. Daimyo's gifts may be a reward, but don't forget—no matter what they give you, you're still a Konoha shinobi first. That's your identity, and no reward can change it. Yet, you've let this acknowledgment from the Daimyo faction overshadow your roots."

Sakumo blinked, confused.

"And then there's the matter of Hokage ambitions," Shinki continued, his tone sharper now. "Whether you realize it or not, that half-sleeve signals to others that you have aspirations for the Hokage seat. And let me tell you, senior, that's a minefield you've stepped on."

Sakumo froze. His mind reeled, piecing together Shinki's words.

"But isn't dreaming of becoming Hokage normal for young ninjas? Why should wearing this shirt shatter that dream?"

Shinki shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips. "Dreams are one thing. Reality is another. Haven't you heard the saying? Dreams are full, but reality is skinny."

Shinki tugged at his Hokage robe.

"You see me wearing this, but do you know why it doesn't threaten the Third Hokage?"

Sakumo remained silent, his brows furrowed in thought.

"It's because the Hokage knows I have no interest in his position. I've made that clear, and Tsunade's presence as a potential Hokage candidate only reinforces that. No matter who wants the role of Hokage, they can't avoid Tsunade's influence. That's a fact. Even Jiraiya and Orochimaru aren't exceptions."

Shinki sighed and placed a firm hand on Sakumo's shoulder.

"Senior, wake up. Dreams are fine, but chasing them without understanding the political landscape will only bring trouble—to you, your family, and even your children."

Sakumo's face paled as the weight of Shinki's words settled on him. His sake sat untouched as he stared blankly into the distance, the flicker of hope he had carried now dimmed.

Shinki finished his meal in silence, leaving Sakumo to wrestle with his thoughts.

As he stood to leave, Shinki clapped Sakumo on the back.

"You've got time to figure things out, senior. Just remember—sometimes stepping back is the smartest move."

The Reality of the Hokage Office

Walking back to the Senju ancestral house, Shinki reflected on the broader implications of their conversation.

Sakumo's dreams had been pure, but Konoha's political machine was anything but. The Hokage office wasn't just about strength or ambition—it was about understanding the village's intricate web of alliances, loyalties, and power struggles.

Shinki sighed. "If only dreams were enough."

Sakumo, meanwhile, sat motionless in the tavern, the weight of reality pressing down on him.

He wasn't broken—at least, not yet. But he'd begun to see the harsh truth Shinki had laid bare. The path to the Hokage seat wasn't just steep—it was littered with traps, enemies, and sacrifices he wasn't sure he was willing to make.

In the end, the Third Hokage's reign continued, and Konoha's political landscape remained as murky as ever.

For now, Hatake Sakumo would retreat to his family, training quietly and avoiding the spotlight.

And Shinki?

He returned home, content to wield his influence from the shadows—where dreams, ambitions, and reality often collided.

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[Naruto: Maelstrom Of the Uzumaki]