LEARNED IT FROM A MANGA

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto or any other series mentioned here.

Hey everyone, here is the latest chapter. The reason why it took so long to update is that I have been trying to restore my bearings since 2020 kept throwing one little curveball after another. Really hoping 2021 turns out to be a whole lot better than this year. I also hate the fact that with it being an election year for the US presidency, it brings all the crazies out to where it would make Black Friday at Walmart seem like paradise.

To let you know, this is going to be a break chapter, just wanting to take a break from the pattern I got myself stuck in. Mainly to show some of the characters I have now just having a little time to themselves. Meaning this chapter is going to be on the short side. If you don't like it, don't say you haven't been warned.

On with the story

{Naruto}

Sarutobi Compound

It is a school holiday and Hiruzen decided to invite Naruto and his group of friends, the families of the group, and a few others for a time of rest. After what has been going on ever since the whole Seifer incident, Hiruzen felt everybody deserved a chance to unwind, after dealing with the foolish civilians on the council who think power automatically makes them wise.

On one part of the field, Choza is doing a good portion of the food prep, barbecue of course, with Inochi and Tsume by his side. Yoshino kept coming in, back and forth, between helping out with the food and telling her boys to stop being lazy.

"Oh come on Yoshino, let them get some sleep." Choza said, handling the grill,

Yoshino gave a small sigh, "I know, force of habit." She said, "I know Shikaku is dedicated to his work, but when he is off duty, I have to come up with threats that would motivate him to do his share around the house."

"Well, maybe you should consider this a break from motivating them." Tsume said, while handling the dog portion of the feast.

Giving a slight snort, "Yeah, you're right, even I deserve a break from those lazy men." Yoshino said, getting back to doing her part.

{NARUTO}

Over with Hiruzen, he is sitting on his porch, with the two Elders, having a senior moment amongst themselves. While at the same time, watching their grandchildren hanging out with some of the older kids.

"Okay Hiruzen, is there a reason why you insisted on us being here with that boy?" Homura asked.

"Yes Hiruzen, we thought that we agree that . . ." Koharu started to say.

"How about you stop pretending that Danzo is still in power." Hiruzen, said, shocking them both, "Or the fact that any of us still have any sort of compacity to keep doing our jobs for so long."

Both looked like they wanted to argue, but lately, they just couldn't find the strength to anymore. While the stupidity of the Civilian Council did wear them out quite a bit in terms of patience, they lost way more when Danzo decided to abandon the village. So now, they have been busy questioning each other on if their past actions were really for the good of the village, or something else.

"We shouldn't have let Danzo convince us that our power was absolute." Homura said, with a small sigh, "While we were honored when you picked us to be your advisors, over time, we ended up believing that lie."

Koharu gave a small sigh herself, "When we first got our positions, the war kept us under the same wavelength. Our first duty was to make sure the village survives the war and keep it safe afterwards. Everything we did was a big balancing act."

Hiruzen was smiling a bit, since he was on the road to reestablishing old bonds the right way. "When did Danzo finally convince you to start undermining some of mine decisions?" He asked.

"After you refused to force Mito Senju to become the village weapon for the umpteenth time." Homura said, "At first, we knew some of the reasons why you won't, one of them being out of respect for Hashirama-Sensei, another being out of fear of what she would do if somebody were to demand her of anything."

This caused all three to shiver at the memories of when they started out as shinobi. "While we were already disagreeing when you decided to end wars without conquering our enemies, we still had enough respect to keep Danzo from manipulating us." Koharu continued, "But over time, Danzo was starting to get to us to the point where our loyalties already shifted to him."

Hiruzen gave a small nod. "So what caused you to change your opinion on things?"

Homura gave a small sigh, "Udon did." He said, getting Hiruzen's attention, "He overheard me ranting to my son about everything, from the war to Naruto, and he started to ask questions."

"What kind of questions?" Hiruzen asked, while Koharu lowered her head, recalling a similar conversation with Moegi.

"One of them was what were to happen to the village if we kept fighting? What would have happened to us if we did try to invade other major villages?" Homura answered, "He even defended Naruto to where he started to ask what he has done for grown ups to hate him so much."

"I went through something similar with Moegi." Koharu said, "After a few minutes of talking to her in a way that a young child should understand, ended up with me understanding myself better." Releasing a small sigh, Koharu's face was starting to show serious regret, "When I tried to come up with a reason why a newborn baby was guilty of a crime, other than being born, I just couldn't. Everything I have done to him has finally caught up to me."

"So you finally regain your humanity again, I see." Hiruzen said, while blowing his pipe.

"We have indeed old friend." Homura said, "And right now, both Koharu and myself are trying to figure out on how we can start making things right."

"Well, all you can do is to take things one step at a time." Hiruzen said, getting nods from the two of them. "Although there is one thing, I would like for you to do when the time comes."

"You want us to retire with you once you pass the hat again, don't you?" Koharu said, not really asking.

"And this time old friend, we definitely should." Homura said, "Something we should have done years ago, and now we can see why Minato, er the Yondaime, wanted to impose that law about advisors and hokages leaving together."

"Along with going over laws to help deal with the Civilian Council, since Danzo only chose them to help deal with you." Koharu said, "Although there were times when Danzo was really reconsidering some things because of those fools."

"Although now, we need to keep an eye out for those who are moles in the worse way." Hiruzen said. The three then went to having what might have been their first pleasant conversation in a long, long time.

{NARUTO}

The day has gone as smoothly as can be, minus when, during a game of volleyball, Choji decided to use his clan's technique to spike the ball. Only for the ball to end up creating a big crater into the group. If it wasn't for Hiruzen's ability with Earth jutsu, Choji would have ruined the food due to flying dust.

By the end, everybody went home feeling full and relaxed from that day's activities.

[NARUTO]

Hey everyone, here is the latest chapter. Sorry for it not being much, I'm feeling a little drained from college finals. Also, if I were to try and include everybody into the chapter, along with the backstories, I would be going through quite the overload trying to squeeze them all in. Read and Review, and stay safe from the craziness that is the year 2020.