"It seems this kid found a suitable successor for you." Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh after a while.
For people of Jiraiya's age, a good disciple who can inherit one's will is invaluable.
"What? Are you interested in taking on a student?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow and turned to Jiraiya.
"No chance. That kid Shinji acted too quickly." Jiraiya shook his head.
His target was Minato's son, Naruto. However, Naruto was already Shinji's disciple, and he had learned about it.
If he were to ask Naruto to become his student, Shinji would certainly agree, but Naruto himself definitely wouldn't. That kid is a bit stubborn.
Shinji's position in Naruto's heart was no longer just that of an ordinary teacher.
"Serves you right." Tsunade pouted.
She didn't want to stay in Konoha, purely because she felt this village was no longer what her grandfather and granduncle would have wanted to see. Moreover, the title of the so-called Senju Princess didn't bring her anything.
But Jiraiya was different. As the Third Hokage's disciple and the Fourth Hokage's master, if Jiraiya had stayed back then, he might have already been the Fifth Hokage now.
"Don't say that. But I still have to thank Shinji." Jiraiya waved his hand. He had no interest in that position.
"Hmph!"
Hearing this, Tsunade rolled her eyes.
She understood Jiraiya's gratitude, wasn't it just about setting the two of them up?
That kid! She'd find an opportunity to settle the score with him later!
She had only planned to stay a few years, but she never expected to be stuck with Jiraiya.
"Aren't you going to look for the so-called Child of Prophecy anymore?"
As one of the Sannin, Tsunade naturally knew about Jiraiya's matters.
A prophecy from Mount Myōboku had caused him to travel all over the Ninja World for ten years, day in and day out, just to find that so-called Child of Prophecy.
"Hehe, it's a secret." Jiraiya shook his head.
Since last time, the Great Toad Sage hadn't summoned him again. Even Fukasaku and Shima hadn't said much about it.
However, Jiraiya was beginning to understand. Given the current momentum, Shinji might indeed be the one to quell future conflicts in the Ninja World.
"You're being cryptic." Tsunade was quite annoyed by Jiraiya's answer.
But she didn't ask any more questions. After all, the traditions of each Sage Region were different.
Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest were known as the Three Great Sage Regions. Although they seemed to be in the same camp, they each had their own goals.
"I'm too lazy to deal with you people." Tsunade stretched, got up, and walked towards Sakura.
Now that she knew Sakura's talent, Tsunade was determined to teach Sakura well.
As for why she didn't teach Shizune properly?
That was because she had no choice at the time.
The life of being able to be lazy and have someone else take care of things was simply too enjoyable.
Jiraiya shook his head, his mind drifting to another old friend.
Orochimaru, how are you doing?
—
Land of Rice Fields.
An underground secret base.
"This is getting more and more interesting."
Orochimaru put down the beaker in his hand, a hint of excitement unconsciously appearing in his eyes.
His low voice made the experimental subjects behind him shiver involuntarily. They were terrified that this pervert's gaze would fall upon them.
Orochimaru glanced back, then walked out of the laboratory.
Although he stayed indoors, always in the underground base, he received all necessary intelligence immediately. This time, he received information about the Land of Water.
The Fifth Mizukage had actually sent a team to Konoha, and Kumogakure had done the same. This made Orochimaru involuntarily think of Itachi, who had come to find him then.
Just thinking of Itachi made Orochimaru's blood boil involuntarily.
The Uchiha bloodline, what perfect power!
Thinking of this, Orochimaru unconsciously looked at his left hand. This left hand of his had been countered when he tried to ambush Itachi head-on. He had no choice but to cut off his arm to escape.
"Heh heh, Itachi, since you want to understand the Akatsuki, then go and see."
"I hope that when you're surrounded by those madmen, you can keep your body safe."
"You are the most perfect vessel."
Arriving outside an underground room, Orochimaru suddenly stopped and turned to look inside.
A white-haired youth was desperately fighting various experimental subjects, single-handedly battling dozens of them. He actually managed to prevent any of the experimental subjects from escaping the underground room's entrance.
"Hmm?"
Kimimaro, feeling the gaze, involuntarily turned to look.
Upon seeing Orochimaru, countless bone spikes erupted from his back, eliminating all the experimental subjects in the underground room.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Kimimaro respectfully approached Orochimaru, kneeling on one knee.
"Heh heh, Kimimaro, it seems you've grown stronger again." Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro before him with great satisfaction.
This was the body he valued most before he met Itachi. Unfortunately, after seeing Itachi, Kimimaro's body no longer held much attraction for him.
Moreover, Orochimaru, who could be considered skilled in both medicine and poison, could tell that Kimimaro suffered from a so-called Kekkei Genkai illness.
"How's your body lately?" Orochimaru glanced at the blood-soaked underground room and asked Kimimaro softly.
Kimimaro respectfully bowed his head and replied, "Please rest assured, Orochimaru-sama, I will adjust my body as soon as possible."
Orochimaru understood upon hearing this. He nodded, then turned and walked out.
"Make sure to take good care of your body, Kimimaro, it belongs to me."
Even though Orochimaru wasn't very interested in Kimimaro's body now, he still said this.
Itachi's body wasn't available yet, and Kimimaro was the only one he could consider.
"Kabuto, it's really a shame you can't come over right now."
Thinking of another genius he had taken in, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
Kabuto couldn't get out for the time being. Otherwise, he could have tried to treat Kimimaro.
Currently, Orochimaru was also helpless against Kimimaro's Kekkei Genkai illness.
He had some confidence in experiments or other Jutsu, but he had no way with so-called Medical Ninjutsu.
"Ho, I heard Tsunade has also returned to Konoha."
"What kind of person is that junior?"
Orochimaru involuntarily thought of Shinji, that junior who, with only the strength of an ordinary Jonin, had escaped from him back then. He inexplicably became a little interested.