The familiar voice and breath made Sarutobi Hiruzen raise his eyes. Looking forward following the voice, he saw a tall and burly middle-aged man with white hair hanging down around his waist. The word "oil" was written uninhibitedly on the forehead protector, and there were two traces like tears. General red marks snaked down under his eyes.
In addition, the red outer coat is matched with a brown lining, wearing wooden clogs, and carrying a huge scroll.
This is his image. He is also one of the Sannin of Konoha, Jiraiya. However, although he was named the Sannin of Konoha by the outside world, there was no identity symbol on him that could tell him at a glance that he belonged to the ninja of Konoha.
Moreover, when he was walking outside, he no longer took the initiative to claim to be a ninja of Konoha, but instead regarded himself as the Toad Sage of Mt. Myoboku.
Looking at the man in front of him, an inexplicable sadness escaped the Sandaime's heart at this moment. Among the once-famous Konoha Sannin, now he was the only one left who could be summoned back from the outside.
While the white-haired old man looked at the visitor silently, the latter also looked at the former intently after raising questions.
The dim light illuminated the Sandaime's old, wrinkled face, and after taking off the hat that symbolized the Hokage, his head of white hair was extremely eye-catching.
Not only is it limited to appearance, but also the spirit of the other party seems to be much more restrained than when they met three years ago, or decadence is more appropriate to describe it.
Looking around, there was actually no one of the three old men who used to sit in this room with the old man Hokage.
I even heard that not long ago, senior Danzo Shimura was actually called a traitor to the ninja, and had fled Konoha and hid in the ninja world... This kind of thing is not human. The sight makes those who come feel deeply sad.
[Three years,] [What happened in these three years. ] As he murmured in his heart, the unruly attitude on the man's face also subsided a little unconsciously.
"I'm old and can't hold on much longer." Just one word lowered the atmosphere in the room.
"Duanzo also made an unforgivable mistake because of his obsession that he could not let go, and fled the village a few months ago."
"Konoha is currently in a state of drought." Without directly responding to Jiraiya's question, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who put down his cigarette, slowly told the current situation of Konoha.
What he showed was that of a kind elder talking to the wanderer returning home about the changes in his family over the years.
In response to this, the visitor did not respond aloud, but quietly looked at the white-haired old man, and waited for what was bound to happen.
"Now, are you still looking for the so-called [Child of Destiny] for the one from Mt. Myoboku?" Sure enough, after a short pause, the Sandaime, who was sitting behind the Hokage, spoke again.
"But, if even Hashirama-sama, who once calmed down the troubled times, cannot be called a [Child of Destiny], then what kind of person can be called a [Child of Destiny]?"
"Things like fate have always been in everyone's own hands." This time, he added without waiting for Jiraiya's response.
There is also a hint of dissatisfaction with, or disapproval of, what the visitor is doing.
"come back."
"Konoha needs you now."
"For this reason, I can recommend this position to you." There was no joking in Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice, and his eyes were staring straight at the disciple in his field of vision, as if he wanted to put all his psychological See the whole process clearly.
As long as the other party wavers even a little bit, he will use all his strength to carve out this breakthrough!
And this has been carefully considered. Because when that day comes, he is mentally prepared to die with the Nine-Tails, the natural disaster that wipes out the Uchiha wilderness.
By then, not only the threat posed by the evil clan will be eliminated, but the name of Konoha will also be preserved.
The only loophole at the moment is that without him, and with Danzo Shimura having defected to Konoha, and the two advisors being dismissed by him to the Daming Mansion, the entire village will inevitably fall into chaos without a leader for a while.
Such chaos will most likely give external forces an opportunity to invade. Especially Sunagakure Village, which is trying its best to promote this chuunin exam with unknown intentions!
Therefore, before the chaos comes, Konoha must re-establish a new backbone, so that it can survive the most difficult moment after the chaos!
Although there are a series of knowledgeable people in the village such as Nara Shikaku, Hinata Hizashi, etc. But it's still not enough. Their strength and qualifications are not enough to stabilize the overall situation!
And the name of Sannin is just enough! ! This is also the fundamental reason why even if Tsunade will not come back, Sarutobi Hiruzen is trying his best to bring Jiraiya back.
After all, let alone whether the former has recovered from the grief of losing his brother and his lover in so many years, the mere fact of suffering from hemophobia is enough for him to choose to give up recommending the other party to become the next Hokage.
"About this decision, I can announce it in public tomorrow." Seeing that Jiraiya didn't speak for a long time, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to increase the stakes.
At this point, he has no better choice and no more time to wait for Sarutobi Asuma to truly grow up, inherit his mantle, and take charge of his own business.
If Orochimaru, one of the three ninjas, was standing here today, he would definitely accept this proposal happily.
Unfortunately, the visitor was Jiraiya. Apart from the criticized habit of voyeurism, there are no other desires at all.
As for ambitions and ambitions, there is no need to mention them.
"The Great Toad Sage has lived for thousands of years. He has experienced more things than Senior Hashirama, and even the changes in the history of the entire ninja world."
"Therefore, its predictions must be well-founded."
"So, I will still go down this path." Jiraiya answered without any hesitation.
"Besides, old man, you know very well that I have a laid-back temperament, and I am not suitable to sit in this serious position that carries huge responsibilities."
"Getting Tsunade back to take on the responsibility of being Hokage is about the same, I think." He continued to add, while also giving some constructive suggestions.
Because the old man's state of vision really made him feel something bad. This feeling is like being entrusted to a lonely person!
"Of course, I have no problem with you continuing to sit in this position." Jiraiya crossed his arms and laughed, relaxing the atmosphere in the room.
After all, in the final analysis, the other person is his first teacher, and they have the purest, happiest, and most unforgettable past between them.
These friendships and bonds cannot be easily erased. He didn't want to see the other party showing such a twilight state.
"Ha, after all these years, you haven't changed at all." Sarutobi Hiruzen had already expected Jiraiya's answer.
He picked up the cigarette rod and took a long puff. The turbid smoke that puffed out also suppressed the hint of compulsion and some radical thoughts rising in his heart.
Because he knows that he cannot use a strong attitude to impose his will on his disciple, otherwise, it will only push the other party to go in the left direction of his will.
"Of course I will send someone to find contact with that girl Tsunade."
"But you know how much damage those previous battles caused to her."
"If you want to bring that child back to his hometown, such a recall is useless."
"What is needed is: an opportunity." After calming down his emotions a little, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
"Perhaps, you can get her back." Suddenly, another possibility occurred to him. After all, the relationship between the three ninjas is probably closer than the relationship between myself and them.
Especially between Jiraiya and Tsunade.
"If I haven't found a suitable successor to the Fifth Hokage when I abdicate."
"Then, you can find Tsunade for me and take over this position."
"Compared to me, she might be more willing to listen to your persuasion." At this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen's mood became slightly more relaxed.
Because in general, Tsunade is indeed more suitable for the position of Hokage than Jiraiya, who is casual by nature.
And in addition to the name of Sannin, she also has the identity of the granddaughter of the first generation Hokage. Such a level of status also makes it easier for him to be recognized by the ancient families in the village.
Although, the former suffers from hemophobia and can no longer consider himself a qualified ninja, let alone a deterrent Hokage.
But, there is Jiraiya! By then, once Tsunade really becomes the fifth generation, can he really let Tsunade, who is suffering from hemophobia, stay alone in the village and continue to travel in search of the so-called "Child of Destiny"?
At least, it will never leave easily until this fatal weakness of the opponent is completely resolved.
This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's determination. So sure of the character and behavior of these two people! Jiraiya must have a way to bring Tsunade back.
Tsunade's condition would certainly not allow Jiraiya to leave the village calmly. If two of the three ninjas stand in Konoha, then this generation will have nothing to worry about.
After thinking about this, the Sandaime, who was smoking a cigarette, showed a slight sense of peace of mind. This may also be the most comfortable time he has felt in recent days.
"?"
"don't want."
"Not going."
"How could that violent maniac listen to me?"
"Old man, you are really good at picking on people." Jiraiya's face was full of resistance, and he even said teasing yin and yang words.
Although he has not yet put such a proposal into action, he can already imagine the painful scene of being rejected in front of the other party, or being punched away by that guy.
So, definitely don’t!
"No."
"You don't have to belittle yourself."
"Only you can complete this task, because you have grown up together." This time, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not let Jiraiya refuse under any circumstances.
Because this is related to the future of the entire Konoha!
"If you don't want to become the next Hokage and want to continue on the path of finding the [Destiny Child], I won't stop you."
"But this is the only thing, please promise me, Jiraiya."
"Do you want to see the village where you were born and raised gradually decline and decline?"
"During this lean period." The Sandaime's voice was filled with rich emotions for the village.
Such emotions also brought Jiraiya back to some memories of the past. The days of studying under the gentle guidance of Hiruzen-sensei, the days of playing, practicing, and growing with Tsunade and Orochimaru.
That was his purest past. It was in this past that Jiraiya, who was already in middle age, hesitated.
At the same time, the old man's humble plea rang in his ears.
"This is also my only request in the last period of my life."
"This is also a request for all of Konoha."
"Please, Jiraiya." As he spoke, the old man actually put down the cigarette rod in his hand and bowed his head slightly towards the man in his field of vision.
Even if no one is present at this moment, this gesture is humble enough and sincere enough.
After all, he was the Sandaime Hokage. He is the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, the leader of the five great ninja villages! !
"What are you doing, old man?"
"Can't I promise you?" Seeing his teacher's attitude, Jiraiya's originally rock-solid will completely shattered in an instant.
Such a scene and such words made it really impossible for him to directly reject the gray-haired old man.
"Thank you." He blurted out his sincere thanks. This result can be regarded as completely letting go of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Next, is the final showdown between himself and Uchiha.
"Then I will go out early tomorrow morning to look for Tsunade." For a moment, Jiraiya didn't know how to respond to the Sandaime's current attitude, so he could only find an excuse in a hurry and prepare to leave.
Anyway, as long as he finds Tsunade and brings her back, everything after that will have nothing to do with him.
"Wait, there's no need to be in such a hurry."
"You haven't been back for such a long time. Please stay in the village for a while this time."
"And I have another thing that I need you to do." Hiruzen Sarutobi objected, and directly made another request that had been prepared for a long time.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Do you remember this name?" Without waiting for the other party to respond, he threw out a name that the other party could not avoid directly.
"Naruto." Hearing the sound, Jiraiya, who wanted to escape, immediately stopped his thoughts and murmured. Because if he remembered correctly, this name should have been given by himself!
"Well, that boy is the Yondaime's descendant."
"I want you to teach him and make him a qualified ninja."
"Of course it's more than that,"
"I also hope that he will have more love for this village. After all, his life has not been good these years." Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a low voice.
As for the other reason, it was naturally impossible for him to reveal it. That is, in order to give Uzumaki Naruto one more bargaining chip when he faces Uchiha Ara in one month!
!
