Three days later.
Konoha Village, Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before his desk, holding a newly written appointment letter, his expression complex.
"Teacher, are you sure you want to do this?"
His voice carried obvious worry.
"Appoint someone of unknown origin as the Village's psychological Advisor?"
"And give him such high authority?"
Senju Tobirama sat in the Hokage's seat, watching Konoha Village outside the window with an impassive face.
"Hiruzen, sometimes the most dangerous enemy is also the most valuable ally."
"Su Yu is very special."
"His ability might be more terrifying than any Ninjutsu."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned in confusion.
"Terrifying?"
"Teacher, I've met him. He doesn't seem threatening at all."
"I can't even sense any Chakra."
Senju Tobirama turned his head, looking at his Disciple with a profound gaze.
"Hiruzen, what kind of person do you find most terrifying?"
"Is it a strong person who can destroy a mountain?"
"Or a wise person who can see through people's hearts?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"I don't know."
"It's the latter."
Senju Tobirama's voice was soft but carried a deep realization.
"Destroying a mountain only changes the terrain."
"But seeing into a person's heart can change the entire world."
He stood up and walked to the window.
"Su Yu made me doubt myself in less than an hour."
"He made me realize some issues I had never properly faced."
"If this ability were used against an enemy..."
Senju Tobirama didn't finish, but Hiruzen Sarutobi already understood his meaning.
Someone who could see through people's hearts was indeed more terrifying than any Ninja.
"Then, Teacher, how do you want me to arrange him?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
"Give him an independent office on the third floor of the Hokage Building."
Senju Tobirama's tone was calm.
"Let him serve the Village's Ninja as a 'Psychological Advisor', providing psychological counseling services."
"His Rank will be set as Special Jonin."
"Aside from top-secret missions, he can access most of the Village's information."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gasped.
Special Jonin authority was already a very high Rank in Konoha Village.
Usually, only Ninja who had made significant contributions to the Village or possessed extremely powerful abilities received such treatment.
"Teacher, won't this cause questions from others?"
"It will."
Senju Tobirama nodded.
"But, I need to observe him."
"I need to know what other secrets he's hiding."
"Having him in the open is safer than having him in the dark."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it and found it reasonable.
Indeed, rather than letting Su Yu operate in the shadows, it was better to give him an official identity for easier monitoring.
"Then, I'll go arrange it now."
"Wait."
Senju Tobirama stopped him.
"There's one more thing."
"Starting today, you will go to Su Yu for a psychological consultation once a week."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.
"What?"
"Teacher, why should I go..."
"Because you need to."
Senju Tobirama's tone was very serious.
"Hiruzen, as my Disciple, you might succeed to the position of Hokage in the future."
"The pressure of this position is much greater than you imagine."
"If you don't learn how to handle this pressure, you will repeat my mistakes."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the fatigue on his Teacher's face, and his heart stirred.
So, Lord Tobirama also felt pressure?
His Teacher, who was omnipotent in his eyes, also had moments of vulnerability?
"I understand, Teacher."
He nodded seriously.
"I will follow your arrangements."
Senju Tobirama showed a faint smile.
This was the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen such a relaxed expression on his Teacher's face.
"Go."
"Remember, don't reveal Su Yu's true origin to anyone."
"Tell everyone he's a newly recruited psychological expert for the Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the appointment letter and turned to leave the office.
Senju Tobirama sat back in the Hokage's seat, looking at the mountain of documents on his desk, and for the first time, he didn't feel annoyed.
Perhaps, Su Yu was right.
He truly needed someone to talk to.
At the same time.
On the third floor of the Hokage Building, in a newly furnished office.
Su Yu stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the bustling Konoha Village outside, his mood complex.
Three days ago, he was still a 'prisoner' under house arrest in an underground laboratory.
Three days later, he actually became the 'Psychological Advisor' of Konoha Village.
This change of identity made him feel somewhat unreal.
But at the same time, he also understood that the real challenge had just begun.
Senju Tobirama giving him this identity was definitely not out of goodwill.
Rather, it was to monitor him better.
Su Yu had to carefully hide his secrets under this surveillance, while also looking for opportunities to prepare for his future plans.
Knock knock knock.
The office door was knocked.
"Come in."
Su Yu turned around and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi walk in.
"Mr. Su Yu, congratulations on officially becoming a member of Konoha Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a polite smile on his face, but Su Yu could see the vigilance in his eyes.
"Thank you."
Su Yu nodded.
"However, I prefer everyone to call me Dr. Su."
"After all, a psychological counselor is also a type of doctor."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then nodded.
"Alright, Dr. Su."
"This is your work schedule."
He handed over a document.
Su Yu took the document and quickly scanned it.
The job content was simple: to provide psychological counseling services for the Village's Ninja.
However, at the end of the document, a line of small text caught his attention.
"Special Consultation Subjects: Hokage and his designated personnel."
Su Yu looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"What does 'Special Consultation Subjects' mean?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was a bit unnatural.
"It means that, in addition to ordinary Ninja, you also need to provide psychological counseling services for Hokage-sama."
"And, of course, other important personnel designated by Hokage-sama."
Su Yu understood.
It seemed Senju Tobirama was truly prepared to accept his 'treatment'.
For Su Yu, this was both an opportunity and a challenge.
The opportunity was that he could, in this way, gain a deeper understanding of Senju Tobirama and even influence his decisions.
The challenge was that he had to be careful not to reveal his true identity.
"I understand."
Su Yu nodded.
"Then, when does it start?"
"This afternoon, Hokage-sama wishes to have his first official psychological consultation with you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a strange implication.
"Also, starting next week, I will also come to you for regular consultations."
Su Yu raised an eyebrow.
It seemed Senju Tobirama not only wanted to receive treatment himself but also wanted his Disciple to receive treatment.
This was a wise decision.
As the future Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi indeed needed to learn how to handle the psychological pressure that came with the position.
"No problem."
Su Yu showed a professional smile.
"I look forward to my official meeting with Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and turned to leave.
But as he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Su Yu.
"Dr. Su, I have a question."
"What question?"
"Can you truly see through people's hearts?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was very serious.
Su Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Mr. Hiruzen, what do you consider the 'heart'?"
"Is it those deepest secrets?"
"Or those true thoughts that one is unwilling to admit even to oneself?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stumped by the question.
"I don't know."
"Actually, a person's heart is very simple."
Su Yu walked up to him.
"Everyone has fears, everyone has desires, everyone has weaknesses they are unwilling to face."
"All I do is help them confront these things."
"Just like you."
Su Yu looked into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
"What is your greatest fear right now?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's body stiffened slightly.
Su Yu's gaze was too sharp, making him feel as if his inner self was completely exposed before the other person.
"I..."
He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat.
"You are afraid that you cannot adequately fulfill the position of Hokage."
Su Yu's voice was soft, but every word struck Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
"You are afraid that you will disappoint your Teacher's expectations and betray the Village's trust."
"You worry that your abilities are insufficient to protect this Village."
"This fear makes you always overexert yourself, always wanting to prove yourself."
"But at the same time, this pressure also makes you overly cautious, afraid of making mistakes, and hesitant to make necessary decisions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned pale.
These words perfectly hit his deepest fears.
Fears he had never told anyone, not even willing to admit to himself.
"How... how did you know?"
His voice trembled.
Su Yu didn't answer directly but gently patted his shoulder.
"This is the job of a psychological counselor."
"We are not seeing through any secrets."
"We are just helping people recognize their true selves."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked deeply at Su Yu, then quickly left the office.
Su Yu watched his hurried retreating figure, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Very good.
The first impression was very successful.
Now, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a direct understanding of his abilities.
This would make him more convincing when facing Senju Tobirama.
Su Yu walked back to the window, looking at Konoha Village outside.
This place would be the starting point of his new life.
And it would also be the springboard for him to achieve his ultimate goal.
Resurrection.
True resurrection.
He must taste that bowl of ramen.
