Chương 30: Chapter 28 - Teachers

Arriving at the Hokage's office, Jiraiya couldn't help but form a defeated smile, shaking his head, remembering the times when he was just a student, summoned for a meeting for doing something... indecent. Or just being a nuisance. But this time around, he was here to do an official report, as a proper shinobi of the Leaf and not as a kid who got caught sneaking into the hot springs.

"Enter," came Hiruzen's voice after Jiraiya's knuckles tapped against the doorframe. Answering, he slid the door open and shut it behind him, hands tucked into his sleeves, suddenly feeling like he was twelve again, looking at his aging teacher. He couldn't help but sigh in his mind, realizing how many more aging wrinkles covered his face... Way more than he ever remembered.

As for the Hokage, he sat behind his desk, of course, pipe in hand, its smoke filling the room, making Jiraiya's nose wrinkle, just as it did when he was a child.

"Well?" Hiruzen asked, not looking up from the document he was reading.

"Did they satisfy your high standards?"

"Hmph, you say it as if I were like Orochimaru!" Jiraiya snorted, rolling his eyes, "But barely. Still, they will do well."

"I'm sure of that," He finally smiled, looking up at him and gesturing to the chair opposite his desk, "Sit down and give me your report." He added, in the same tone he always did when asking his students to review what they had learned. As if put under a genjutsu, Jiraiya dropped into the seat with a sigh, rolling his shoulders, a bit annoyed that his body still acted without thinking when hearing that tone, causing a nostalgic expression to linger on his face for half a second… which then faded away.

When he spoke again, his voice was collected and much more serious than before.

"They passed with flying colors."

"Oh?" Hiruzen nodded, a bit surprised at that, "All three?"

"All three," Jiraiya repeated, "And not by accident."

"Hmm... Do explain."

"They got the bells, which I did not expect," Jiraiya leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment as if organizing his thoughts, "The bell test wasn't the interesting part, though, but the way they acted. Or rather... What they didn't do."

"The boys did look more mature than their ages suggest," Hiruzen agreed, leaning back in his chair, lifting his pipe to take a puff.

"They are, and they didn't fracture," Jiraiya continued, "Not just that, in their actions when fighting, there was no hesitation, no silent negotiations on who will follow who, how they will work together, no instinctive sacrifice of the weakest link, but instead, to make sure their chain held together."

"Kushina is indeed weaker than the two," Hiruzen said calmly, "But then this means they can compensate for the wrench I had thrown into their cooperation. Good. It would help them keep in mind that not everyone can do what they can. If that doesn't get taught early, in the future their actions may cost a lot of lives to be lost on the battlefield..."

"I don't think that will be an issue," Jiraiya answered after a brief pause, "And from the two, there is clearly one that is born for the leading position." He added as he shifted forward, resting his forearms on his knees now.

"The boy named Minato took command immediately. He assigned roles, adjusted on the fly, and to my surprise, the Uchiha kid didn't argue or try to compete with him. I expected that two such talents would go head to head to be the leaders of their groups, but he just... did not."

"It is one of the interesting things that I had also noted," Hiruzen agreed as he exhaled slowly through his pipe.

"I still remember how you and Orochimaru couldn't do the same at their age. Or even now."

"Exactly." Jiraiya nodded at once, grimacing a little, "And the most interesting thing is that the way the Uchiha kid bows his head, without a second thought... And that fact... that one worries me."

"Huh?" The pipe stilled in the Hokage's hand for a moment, genuinely surprised, "Because of the Sharingan?" he asked carefully.

"No," Jiraiya shook his head, "It has nothing to do with the eyes, but because of the restraint he is showing. I don't know... something just felt... off?" Falling silent, Jiraiya also knew that what he said got Hiruzen's full attention.

"I don't know..." He shrugged in the end, "I just felt he was more calculating than how he shows it, and I don't know if he is hiding something or hiding his true self."

"You told me the same thing about Orochimaru a few times already."

"And I am still telling you that!" Jiraiya added, raising his voice for a moment, "You should start listening to me, Old Man! But we are not here to talk about us..."

"I agree," Hiruzen smiled faintly.

"How did they do with the psychological part?"

"They didn't even flinch." Jiraiya snorted, crossing his arms, pursing his lips.

"As expected," the Hokage nodded, seemingly very happy about the results.

"So, besides the two boys... How's Kushina?" Hiruzen asked at last.

"Besides being the weakest of the three," Jiraiya leaned back again, his gaze drifting toward the window behind his master, "She's… raw. She needs a bit of time, before she takes on the role of a Jinchūriki, but she will become a literal monster, because she already has enormous chakra reserves," he continued, "But paired with a terrible finesse. I will have to work on that part, so her gifts can properly work not just in combat but in an emergency, on the damned fox itself, keeping it sealed away."

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"She used them?" Hiruzen asked, "The chains?"

"Oh, yes, and she can manifest them well enough," Jiraiya confirmed, "They are poorly controlled, highly taxing, but she can do it. They indeed sent someone with great potential to be able to manifest them at such a young age."

"Mhm..." The Hokage nodded, blowing the smoke out through his nose, "But I'm afraid they sent her here not only because we asked them, but because there are issues brewing, hidden under the surface..."

"Inside the clan?"

"No," Hiruzen answered, shaking his head, "Around them. I am planning to go there soon to show everyone else that the Land of Whirpools and Konoha are still the strongest of allies. Hopefully, that will deter everyone who has ulterior motives against the Uzumakis." While speaking, the Hokage closed his eyes briefly, worry flickering across his expression before his experience and discipline buried it deep down.

"There's something else, isn't there?" Jiraiya asked, noticing his master's fingers playing with the pipe, a dead giveaway.

"Yes..." Hiruzen's fingers tightened around it at once, "But don't worry, Danzō will not interfere."

"He always does," Jiraiya replied flatly, "The question is whether he succeeds... But I am glad to see that you are finally taking some of my warnings seriously."

"He is not an enemy of our Village," Hiruzen exhaled, tapping his pipe against his table, "And Orochimaru is there too. He is my student, like you are..."

"..." Jiraiya wanted to say something, but in the end, he gulped it down, keeping it to himself.

"So," the Hokage said after a momentary pause, settling back in his chair.

"Will you take them as your genins?"

"..." Jiraiya didn't answer immediately, knowing that it would be a commitment, but... finally, he opened his mouth, "Yeah," he said, "I will."

"Good."

"But understand this," Jiraiya added, pointing a finger at him, "I'm raising people as I see fit, I teach them as I see fit, and I take care of them... as I see fit."

"Of course," Hiruzen laughed a little, looking at him, "Nobody will interfere with that."

"Then we're on the same page." Jiraiya also smiled as he stood, stretching his arms over his head.

"I assume you prepared some missions for us, hm?"

"In fact..." The Hokage glanced at his final student, "I did not. They are your little disciples now... You will choose it for them." After the intensive first day, arriving back home, the house felt… different the moment I stepped inside. For some reason, I felt a bit nervous after striding through the front door, immediately looking around, but nothing was broken. So... there was no break-in... Then what was I feeling?

Thinking about it, I slipped my sandals off at the door, frowning slightly, heading into the living room.

"…Renji?" my mother called the moment I stepped onto the wooden floor, making it creak, "You're home earlier than expected."

"I finished training for the day," I answered, walking in and holding back the news that I would be officially a genin, learning under one of the Sannins, because that was when I saw him. Oh... He sat there with my parents, Uchiha Fugaku, his hands resting calmly atop the desk, holding a teacup, probably in the middle of discussing something with them. At the moment, his dark hair was neatly tied back, his expression pretty much unreadable, but...

Looking at my parents, he had to bring home just as big a piece of news as I was about to drop on them, with how fidgety they looked. But mine had to wait...

"Ah," Fugaku said, turning his gaze to me.

"Long time no see, Renjiro."

"…Yes," I replied carefully, gently bowing my head, "Chief."

"I'm not that yet, but thank you for your continued support," He said with a soft smile.

"It is only the question of when and not if," Father added, but I noticed the stiffness in his voice... I know he told my mom he disliked some of the news and rumors about Fugaku, but he was still a Uchiha, so he wasn't showing it directly to someone who later would surely become the head of the clan.

"Please," my mother said gently, trying to smooth the moment, gently nudging my dad under the table, "Come, sit, Renji. We were just… discussing your recent advancement." So this was about me... huh? Without making them wait, I knelt beside my father, while I could feel Fugaku's attention settle fully on me now, examining me.

"Early graduation," He began, "Then being assigned under Jiraiya of the Sannin. Impressive!" Damn it! You broke the news before me?! Tsk... I wanted to tell my parents that! Now all the big surprise is for nothing... Haaah...

"You're well informed," I replied, holding back my actual thoughts.

"One must be in my position," he answered me, "especially when the clan's future is involved in deciding who will be their teacher." I do hope he is not here to tell me Jiraiya can't teach me... Because I am not leaving that group.

"I've already congratulated your parents," Fugaku continued, lifting his teacup, taking a sip, "Especially for raising a child like you... That is no small feat." What a sweet talker... just like when he assured me I was not in trouble for beating others. I just hope he is not here to cash in that favor. Looking at my parents, my mother smiled, flustered at that comment, while my father nodded once, unmistakable pride flickering through his eyes.

"Renjiro," Fugaku added after my eyes returned to him, "your Sharingan needs proper training." I didn't answer... he was right about that. So this was about who will train me...

"He is right," my father said to me, seeing that I remained silent.

"Fugaku-sama wished to make you an offer."

"I would like," Fugaku continued after nodding at my Dad, "to instruct you. Privately," he added quickly, "In matters of the Sharingan alone, teaching you its control, the restraint, everything."

"I..." I began, already trying to use an excuse that was probably way too apparent. Even he knew it before it left my mouth, countering it.

"This would not replace your current sensei," he said smoothly, "Jiraiya-sama is a formidable shinobi, and I have no intention of interfering with your team either. This is all about your eyes, Renjiro. About the responsibility of the Uchiha clan: the Sharingan," he leaned closer, not breaking eye contact with me, "That gift is ours only. No outsider can teach you its limits or its dangers, and wielding it without understanding is more dangerous than you know..."

"I understand," I muttered as I looked at my parents one more time, then for a moment I could hear their dying screams, just for a brief second or so. No. This was not an inevitable future. And honestly...? Going under Fugaku was not a bad idea nor a bad approach. If I can get close to him, if I can get into the core of his group and get to the issue before it grows out of proportion and out of control, maybe I can stop the massacre before it becomes a reality.

"I would be honored." I answered firmly, bowing my head towards Fugaku, "I will do my best... I promise."