Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others turned their heads at the same time.
Asuma instinctively leaned back. The book tucked against his stomach bulged forward, pressing sharply against his shirt. The fabric, already a bit snug, stretched over a very obvious lump. You could almost make out the hard edge of the pages through it.
Jiraiya burst out laughing.
"Kid, what're you sneaking around reading? At your age, you definitely shouldn't be looking at the kind of stuff adults read."
"Hand it over. Big Brother Jiraiya is confiscating it. I need to… gather material. Not that I'd ever indulge in that kind of trash."
After all, once you've been caught in the rain yourself, you might as well tear up someone else's umbrella.
When Jiraiya was young and sneaked those kinds of books, Hiruzen had caught him red-handed. Instant social death.
Tsunade arched a brow. "Asuma, you should learn from me and your Orochimaru-nii."
"You won't amount to anything if you follow Jiraiya."
Hiruzen's expression darkened. "That's not necessary either."
One gambled. One dove too deep into Forbidden Jutsu.
If not for their talent and foundation, anyone else with Tsunade's and Orochimaru's hobbies would have ruined their life long ago.
Either crippled… or executed.
As for Asuma, Hiruzen didn't hold especially high expectations.
If the boy could grow into a generous and steady second-generation heir, that would be enough.
No rebellion. No trouble.
If he matured a little and helped polish his father's reputation among the next generation, even better.
Hiruzen beckoned. "What are you sneaking into the Academy with? Why so secretive?"
Asuma shuffled forward.
Jiraiya grinned and moved faster than anyone expected, yanking the book free. "Kid, face the righteous judgment of the great Jiraiya!"
The next second, his face fell.
He flipped through a few pages, unwilling to believe it.
On the cover were bold characters: "Essentials of the Sarutobi Clan's Fire Style."
Jiraiya stared.
What was wrong with this kid?
Since when did studying require this level of stealth?
Color crept up his face.
"Filthy mind, filthy heart. I knew Asuma wasn't that kind of child."
Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Still, where are you taking this? Be careful not to lose it."
Asuma's heart sank.
He hesitated, then decided honesty was better than digging a deeper hole.
"Father," he said, looking at Hiruzen, "my classmates and I formed a group at the Academy. We agreed to bring texts from home and improve together…"
Jiraiya nearly lost it again. Tsunade laughed outright.
A gang at the Academy?
As expected of Sensei's son. Organizational skills at such a young age.
Jiraiya teased, "Hey, Asuma, do you know what you're doing?"
"I know sneaking the text out was wrong. I was worried Father wouldn't agree…"
Asuma lowered his head. "But I promised my brothers. I can't go back on my word."
Hiruzen couldn't help smiling.
These little brats even had a sense of brotherhood.
"It's not that simple."
Jiraiya puffed up his chest, imitating the stern tone he remembered from Danzo Shimura. "You're forming factions. Setting up your own little mountain inside the Academy."
"I'd say you're plotting against the Hokage. The old man…"
He caught Hiruzen's glance and hurriedly corrected himself. "Sensei isn't old yet."
Hiruzen's build wasn't far off from Jiraiya's. If anything, he carried the solid strength of a man in his prime.
Calling him an old man didn't quite fit.
A giant question mark seemed to pop over Asuma's head.
"I'm plotting against… my father?"
The utterly confused look on his face made everyone laugh.
Objectively speaking, if it weren't for the fact that this "Azure Dragon Gang" had been formed by Asuma, the Academy teachers would probably have stormed in the next day to crush this lively little organization.
They'd have made every member stand on stage and read a self-criticism three times.
Technically, what Asuma was doing skirted the line.
Each clan's jutsu manuals were never meant to leave the family. Secret techniques, Chakra nature and shape transformation tips, practical insights. None of it was public.
Wrapped in the harmless label of "Academy student exchange," the act had stumbled into a gray area instead of a red one.
"Asuma, it's not that I disapprove," Hiruzen said calmly. "But there are several things you must keep in mind."
"First, know your limits. Mutual verification is fine, but if you encounter problems, you must seek help from adults. High-level Forbidden Jutsu will only harm you."
"Second, maintain confidentiality. Establish a set of rules and report it to the Academy teachers."
"Third, bring the other children along."
He smiled. "The best way to master a jutsu is to teach it. When you teach, you review. Don't forget to pull up the classmates behind you."
As Hokage, he couldn't focus only on the talented.
Reform could begin at the Academy.
As for the existing Genin and Chunin, stuffing them full of clan manuals in one go would mean little.
Talent set the ceiling.
That was why Hiruzen had chosen Kosuke Maruboshi among the Konoha Commissioners. The Eternal Genin understood the needs of lower-ranked ninja better than anyone.
Reforms based on that insight would be far more appropriate.
Asuma nodded vigorously.
"Father, I understand!"
"Don't worry. We'll unite and show Minato-sensei what we can do!"
Jiraiya blinked. "Minato-sensei?"
"Kakashi said Minato-sensei will come test us," Asuma replied.
Jiraiya laughed. "Then work hard. I'm sure you'll win."
He had absolute confidence in his student.
If these little brats could actually defeat Minato Namikaze, Konoha's future would be dazzling indeed.
Asuma rushed off toward the Academy, fired up.
With the Hokage backing his Azure Dragon Gang, he would personally take down Minato!
After he left, Hiruzen spoke.
"Jiraiya, take Minato to apply for the Flying Raijin."
Jiraiya froze. "Is that really necessary?"
"It has nothing to do with Asuma," Hiruzen said solemnly. "I've simply seen Minato's talent."
He paused, then added, "Though that gang's name is a bit too… distinctive."
"Tell Minato to rename it a study group."
Jiraiya sighed.
Poor Asuma. Trying to run after being found out?
Not a chance.
"If you're free, stop by the Academy and keep an eye on them. Maintain the proper scale."
"And have Minato give them some confidence."
Jiraiya nodded. "Sure. I don't have missions lately. I was thinking of writing a novel."
"Your novel…"
Hiruzen's thoughts shifted. "Come see me in a few days. I'll give you some outlines."
Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Sensei, you write novels now?"
Hiruzen waved him off.
He might not be able to write one from scratch.
But he could adapt.
A shinobi-world version of a classic love legend, lightly modified to promote the Sage Land Pill, would not be difficult.
And if Jiraiya truly had talent…
Once Konoha's welfare systems were fully established, he could branch into other genres.
For example, Saving Genin Ari of Konoha. Or Tragedy of the Hidden Mist.
Hiruzen fell into another line of thought.
Among Minato's peers, there weren't many who could grow alongside him.
Strong bonds between ninja were often forged through sparring.
A suitable rival could unlock each other's potential, just as he and Danzo once had.
But Minato Namikaze was already far ahead of his generation.
If he mastered the Flying Raijin, he would be even more extraordinary.
A faint smile touched Hiruzen's lips.
He had someone in mind.
If that person trained with Minato, they could truly "grow together."
The only issue would be arranging the identity appropriately.
The next day, however, the Hokage who so often assigned sparring partners found himself on the receiving end.
Danzo Shimura sought him out.
He got straight to the point.
"Hiruzen. Care to spar?"