Danzo asked, "Hiruzen, did the Uchiha brat send these things?"
Hiruzen suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Danzo, you are too well-informed, you even know what happens in my office."
No, you, I…
Go to hell.
Danzo felt that Hiruzen's mind was broken.
Although he was temporarily suspended for investigation, he was still the second-in-command, after all.
Besides, they came openly, so it was reasonable for him to know, right?
But Hiruzen was clearly in a fit of pique, he didn't care about that.
How dare Danzo monitor him?
It has always been the Hokage monitoring others. There's no reason for others to monitor him. It seems Danzo still holds too much power.
Seeing that Hiruzen was in a bad mood, Danzo spoke in as calm a tone as possible, "Hiruzen, these so-called evidences are very likely fabricated."
"Fabricated?"
"Exactly. How could I have done such a big thing so quietly? This is clearly those brats trying to frame me."
Hiruzen, however, sneered, "You and Uchiha have always been at odds. Satoshi might have such intentions, but what about Kakashi? Would White Fang's son do such a thing?"
"Also, the one leading the team is my disciple, Jiraiya."
"What's more, there's Tenzo. He never tells a single lie."
"Danzo, do you not believe them, or do you not believe me, the Hokage?"
In truth, Danzo didn't believe anyone. He only believed himself.
Danzo said, "Hiruzen, do you know how deep that brat's schemes are? You cannot treat him as a simple child."
Hiruzen shook his head. "I only know that Satoshi inherited Kagami's will, single-mindedly devoted to protecting his beloved Konoha."
Danzo stared intently at Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, stop bringing up Kagami. How many years has he been dead? What 'Kagami's will'? It's all his disguise."
"The inherently evil Uchiha clan can never be trusted."
Hiruzen immediately flew into a rage. "Then tell me, who can I trust? Can I trust an advisor who colludes with rogue ninjas and acts disloyally?"
"No." Hiruzen suddenly lowered his voice, "There will be no more advisors."
Danzo's head buzzed. "Monkey, what do you mean?"
Hiruzen said, "Danzo, effective today, your position as Hokage Advisor is revoked."
Danzo couldn't believe what Hiruzen was saying. He had been the second-in-command his entire life. Now, for such a trivial matter, was he going to be dismissed from his position?
Danzo warned, "Monkey, the Uchiha only have darkness in their hearts. Trusting them will only cost you your life."
"Get out."
"Monkey!"
"Get out!"
"Hiruzen, you will regret this."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
After Danzo finished speaking, he pushed open the office door and walked out.
"Tobirama-sensei, you saw it all, didn't you? Hiruzen actually believes the Uchiha's nonsense now. You should have chosen me back then…"
—
Hokage Building, on the rooftop.
Hiruzen stood quietly here, overlooking Konoha, which he had governed for decades.
Tap... Tap...
Jiraiya stood beside Hiruzen. "Old man, you called for me?"
Hiruzen asked, "How is it?"
Jiraiya scratched his head. "How is what?"
"That little fellow Satoshi, what do you think of him?"
Jiraiya thought for a moment and said, "Different from typical Uchiha. He's a child with good intentions, I suppose."
Hiruzen turned around, looking up at his student, who was much taller than him.
"I want to entrust Satoshi to you. Guide him well, just as you guided Minato back then. Let him become a qualified inheritor of the will of fire."
Hearing this, Jiraiya felt a headache coming on.
"Old man, I have a lot of things to do. How would I have time to teach him?"
"And…"
Jiraiya said cautiously, "This child is, after all, an Uchiha by surname."
"Precisely because he is an Uchiha, his qualities are all the more precious. Didn't Tobirama-sensei choose Kagami as his guard back then?"
Jiraiya knew Kagami, an Uchiha who died young. He had earned Tobirama's trust. It was a pity he died young.
As if remembering something, Hiruzen suddenly smiled, then said something quite disrespectful, "Sometimes, don't you think this child resembles Tobirama-sensei a bit?"
Jiraiya thought for a moment and said, "If it's the hair color and red eyes, then yes, a bit."
Slap!
Hiruzen smacked Jiraiya on the head.
This student was just like this, never serious.
"He has Tobirama-sensei's qualities."
Jiraiya quipped, "Old man, you don't seriously think Satoshi and Tobirama-sama could have some kind of bond, do you? That's too ridiculous."
With that, he burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Hiruzen didn't speak, he just quietly watched Jiraiya.
Jiraiya covered his mouth.
"What you teach him is not just power, but the heart to sacrifice everything to protect his comrades and the village."
"He has great potential. If he doesn't receive the correct guidance, he will go astray."
After speaking, Hiruzen turned and left.
"What you teach him, he can also teach Naruto."
Jiraiya let out a long sigh.
Naruto, Minato's son.
How could he forget? That little fellow was Satoshi's shadow now.
Jiraiya did not refuse Hiruzen. As a devout follower of Mount Myōboku, his first reaction was whether this matter was arranged by fate.
According to the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, a Child of Prophecy would appear and change the dynamics of the Ninja World. And this ninja would be his student.
Over the years, Jiraiya had taken in many students but none of them were the Child of Prophecy.
Could it be that he was finally receiving a little favor from destiny?
Jiraiya irritably rubbed his head, he shouldn't have come back.
Never mind, the old man didn't say he had to teach him Ninjutsu or anything. He would just teach him some principles.
—
Soon, Satoshi, who was sharpening his blade at home, was called out by Jiraiya.
Jiraiya said, "From today onwards, I am your teacher."
Satoshi gave Jiraiya a disdainful look. "Respected Jiraiya-sama, I know it's not very polite to say this, but can you teach me how to peep or write erotic novels?"
Jiraiya considered giving Satoshi a flick on the forehead but hit only air.
"If the old man hadn't spoken, I wouldn't bother with you. Ninjas who want to be my student could line up from here to the Land of Hot Water."
Jiraiya waved his hand. "Alright, then…"
"Then Jiraiya-sama, you should go back first. I have to work the night shift tonight. I'll contact you when I have time."
"What did you say?"
While Jiraiya was stunned, Satoshi had already darted off.
—
"I'm late, sorry."
Satoshi took a sip of water. "Let's go, time to relieve the senpais."
As several Uchiha walked along the road, Inaho clearly had something to say.
"Satoshi, do you know? Itachi is reporting to the Anbu tomorrow."