Chapter 249: The Fifth Hokage
Inside the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already begun his new day's work. However, the wrinkles between his brows were deeper than usual. Recently, there were far too many things troubling him—the Chunin Exams proceeding, traces of Orochimaru moving within the village, and that Jiraiya's deliberate avoidance of the Hokage position...
What weighed even more heavily on his heart was intelligence brought back by Gekko Hayate at great cost not long ago—Otogakure and Sunagakure seemed to be plotting something against Konoha in secret, with targets pointing toward himself... and Naruto! The intelligence indicated the leader of Otogakure was very likely Orochimaru who had infiltrated Konoha.
Assassinate himself? Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, slowly exhaling smoke. He harbored no fear of death—decades ago when he first stepped onto the battlefield, he'd already made peace with sacrificing himself for Konoha. What truly concerned him was who would inherit Konoha's Hokage position after he fell.
He'd held this position far too long... He knew that in other villages, perhaps some would mock him behind his back for clinging to power... but the truth was, Konoha truly couldn't find a next-generation Hokage capable of shouldering the burden.
After Namikaze Minato's untimely death, of the once-legendary "Legendary Sannin," one had defected and two had been away from the village long-term. And the jonin currently in the village... his own son Asuma and Kakashi's strength still fell somewhat short of "Kage" level... as for Might Guy... just imagining a future where all Konoha ninja might wear green bodysuits shouting "youth" gave him a headache.
Precisely because of this, when Jiraiya returned to the village, he'd been so eager to push this former disciple into the Hokage position. This was practically the most suitable and consensus-gathering choice available now.
The second matter weighing on him was what the intelligence mentioned—"seizing Naruto"? This was the core source of the Third's anxiety and confusion! Capturing a jinchuriki? This was typically only done during total war as an extreme action to weaken the enemy's strategic power!
He couldn't understand why Orochimaru, or the forces behind him, would target Naruto at this particular time. But regardless, merely thinking of the dangers Naruto might face and the disasters they could trigger left the Third Hokage feeling utterly exhausted. His worry was so great that by early morning, the entire Hokage office was already enveloped in thick smoke rising from his pipe.
"Old man, I'd advise you to smoke less. I'd hate to see you collapse in that chair before you even retire."
Hearing this familiar yet somewhat irreverent voice, the Third Hokage turned his head, his gaze meeting Jiraiya, who had just nimbly flipped in through the window and landed steadily.
"I thought you'd keep hiding until the Chunin Exams ended. That saves me the trouble of going to the village gates later, or even running to Mount Myoboku to drag you back..."
The Third tapped his pipe, ashes falling softly. "Also, can't you use the front door like a normal person?"
Jiraiya grinned mischievously while brushing dust from his clothes, saying carelessly, "I was wondering why I haven't seen ANBU around town lately. Front door? That's not my style."
After a brief silence, the Third Hokage took one more deep drag from his still-smoking pipe. He chose to cut directly to the core.
"...You came specifically to find me about that boy Naruto, didn't you?"
Through that crystal ball, he'd long known that Jiraiya had been inseparable from Naruto recently; Jiraiya's appearance now wasn't merely for casual chat.
Jiraiya's playful smile slightly faded. He walked to the desk, supporting himself with both hands as he leaned slightly forward.
"Old man, you... are planning to make Naruto the future Hokage, right?" His voice lowered slightly. "But you should know better than anyone how those villagers... look at that child?"
The Third Hokage's eyes dimmed at this. He slowly set his pipe down completely.
"This is indeed my responsibility. My hesitation back then created the current situation... which is precisely why I don't know if... hastily revealing his true identity as the Fourth Hokage's son..."
Human nature is utilitarian—people often only feel guilt about past debts when they desperately need someone.
He feared that revealing Naruto's origins now wouldn't immediately overturn prejudice but would instead provoke stronger backlash, placing even greater pressure on Naruto. He wanted to make amends, yet feared his decision would hurt that child again. He found himself in a terrible dilemma.
"But that boy Naruto isn't the type to turn a blind eye to others' suffering," Jiraiya's tone carried unmistakable pride. He straightened his posture, his gaze burning as he looked toward the Third.
"True, the village's attitude is certainly troubling. But even if Naruto himself has already stopped caring about those cold glances, when danger arrives and others need help, he'll still unhesitatingly step forward and choose to save them."
Jiraiya's voice became even more steady and powerful. "Old man, do you know what level Naruto's strength has actually reached?"
Without waiting for the Third to ponder deeply, Jiraiya delivered his answer with resounding certainty.
"If we're just talking about pure power... Naruto right now is probably as strong as Minato and Kushina combined."
"At least far stronger than you and me currently."
The Third Hokage's pupils contracted slightly. He understood Jiraiya—knew his former student would never speak carelessly about such matters. Moreover, he'd already personally witnessed through his crystal ball Naruto's astonishing display of wielding Nine-Tails chakra. Yet hearing such blunt and shocking evaluation, he still found it hard to believe. His fingers unconsciously tightened around his pipe.
"Anyway," Jiraiya's tone returned to its usual carefree manner, "let Naruto face the coming events himself. I have faith he won't disappoint us."
Finally, Jiraiya took a deep breath, closed his eyes, reminiscing about recent years. After a moment, he reopened them, his gaze now completely free of hesitation.
"And I won't repeat your mistakes, old man. After the Chunin Exams end... I'll take on the Fifth Hokage position."