Knock knock—
Shinji knocked on the Hokage Office door and, after receiving a response, pushed it open.
As he opened the door, he said, "Sensei, didn't we just see each other this morning? Why did you suddenly call me over in such a hurry?"
Hiruzen didn't respond until Shinji closed the door.
Shinji turned his head in confusion, only to see a tall figure standing in front of him. Immediately after, he felt his shoulders being pressed by a pair of large hands.
He looked up and saw a middle-aged man with white hair, wearing a half-helmet with the character 'oil' written on it, and red markings at the corners of his eyes.
He was smiling as he looked at Shinji and then said, "It seems you're my junior?"
Shinji was momentarily stunned. As he hadn't used Chakra perception when he entered, he hadn't detected Jiraiya's presence. Moreover, unlike Orochimaru's chilling, murderous aura, Jiraiya exuded a mountain-like pressure. Coupled with his physique and height, it gave Shinji a great sense of oppression for a moment.
"Hello, Jiraiya-senpai." Shinji said with a warm expression.
Seeing Shinji break free from his pressure so quickly, Jiraiya showed a hint of surprise.
Hiruzen, sitting in his office chair, saw this scene and chuckled, saying, "Shinji, come here. Don't mind your unreliable senpai."
"Yes, sensei." Shinji readily agreed.
He first nodded to Jiraiya, then walked towards Hiruzen.
Jiraiya said with a carefree attitude, shaking his head with a laugh, "Old man, don't be so heartless towards me just because you have a new disciple."
Hiruzen glared at Jiraiya in exasperation, voicing his long-held wish. "Then why don't you come back and lighten my load? Don't make an old man like me have to stay here every day."
"No, I'm not suited for that kind of thing."
Jiraiya waved his hand in direct refusal. If he had to do as Hiruzen said, he estimated he'd be the first to crack.
Hearing this, Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh.
Seeing Hiruzen's reaction, Jiraiya quickly changed the subject, "Alright, let's talk about Orochimaru first."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. He remembered Hiruzen had said before that he had been asking Jiraiya to return, yet, he had received no response. Now, with just information about Orochimaru, Jiraiya had eagerly rushed back, likely without stopping.
Was Orochimaru truly his love? And Tsunade just an accident?
Hiruzen had no good attitude, glancing at Jiraiya as he spoke, "What do you need to know? Didn't I just tell you the specific information?"
Jiraiya chuckled, walked over to Shinji, and patted his shoulder again. "That's different. Ultimately, Shinji was the first to face him directly, so I need to understand the situation."
Shinji felt a bit helpless. With such force, anyone with a weaker body would fall apart.
To divert Jiraiya's attention, Shinji could only reluctantly speak, "Jiraiya-senpai, what do you want to know?"
Ipon hearing Shinji, Jiraiya stopped his actions and began to ask questions, getting to the bottom of everything.
After a long while, as Shinji picked up his second cup of tea and drank it, Jiraiya finally stopped and sat aside, beginning to ponder.
For a moment, the only sound in the entire office was the click-clack of Hiruzen's pipe.
After a while, Hiruzen finally spoke, "Jiraiya, tell me your plan."
Jiraiya, who had been deep in thought, snapped out of it and looked at Hiruzen with a strange expression, asking, "Old man, what plan?"
Hiruzen put down his pipe, his face serious as he asked, "What are your thoughts on Orochimaru?"
His soft-heartedness last time was enough for him to regret it. This time, he didn't want to repeat it.
Jiraiya said without much conviction, "What thoughts? I'll go tie him up and bring him back,"
If Orochimaru were truly that easy to catch, he wouldn't have just walked away when Jiraiya tried to stop him during his defection.
"I disagree." Hiruzen tapped on the desk, his tone becoming serious.
Seeing Hiruzen's demeanor, Jiraiya's face froze, and then he spoke, "What's wrong, old man? Given the current situation, in the entire village, am I not the only one with the strength to face Orochimaru?"
Jiraiya wasn't wrong about that. In terms of one on one, only Jiraiya could ensure he wouldn't be killed by Orochimaru. Of course, that's if he took it seriously.
"Jiraiya, I used to think that too, but..." Hiruzen said, then glanced at Shinji.
"So far, Orochimaru's actions have gone too far. Whether it was his past experiments or now attacking border outposts, those who lost their lives were Konoha ninjas."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Jiraiya naturally knew that his words were very grave.
After a long pause, Jiraiya, feeling his mouth dry, slowly said, "Don't worry, old man, this time I won't hold back."
Jiraiya's declaration did not satisfy Hiruzen, who shook his head. He raised a hand to stop Jiraiya from interrupting him and slowly said, "The intel gathering will first be carried out by you and Kakashi together. But as for the action, I need you to report back before you begin."
"Old man, you know Orochimaru's strength. One slip-up, and let alone Kakashi, everyone you send will be in mortal danger."
Jiraiya's expression was extremely serious. It was precisely because he understood Orochimaru's strength that he wanted to go to him himself, rather than having Konoha send others to act with him.
Hiruzen spoke with conviction, "Jiraiya, I am old, but I don't want to leave the mistakes of the past unresolved until after I die."
Since his change in mindset and the Uchiha clan's loyalty, he had gradually come to understand that his past indecisiveness could sometimes harm people.
Jiraiya stared blankly, as if seeing his master for the first time.
No, it should be said that he seemed to see again the teacher who was like a ninja hero, just as he had been when he had first begun teaching them.
"I can give you time to gather intel, but once there's an opportunity for action, I hope you can inform me immediately."
"Leave one of Mount Myōboku's contact toads in the village. Have it notify me as soon as there's any news."
Hiruzen then stood up, walked slowly to Jiraiya's side, and patted his arm.
"Consider it me doing a little more for Konoha."
"By the way, Naruto is Shinji's disciple now. If you want to see him, just have Shinji take you."
After saying that, Hiruzen walked out of the Hokage Office.
(End of Chapter)
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