Shin impatiently shook off Fugaku's hand and retorted, "You're just a newlywed kid. Save your money for buying milk powder for your son."
Then, gazing into the distance, Shin narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Now is not the time to rest. I still have strength left.
Since the western side has been cleared, it's time to support Tetsuka's team on the eastern front."
With that, he gave Fugaku a provocative glance and added softly, "Fugaku, you're still young. You don't understand the clan leader's grand vision... If you don't seize this opportunity, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shin vanished in a blur, leaving Fugaku standing there.
Fugaku opened his mouth but then sighed helplessly, shaking his head. "I never thought I'd be lectured by that stubborn old man."
Then, a smirk crept onto his lips as he murmured, "Hmph... As the root of the Uchiha, I don't need your lessons. And I certainly won't fall behind."
His figure flickered and disappeared from sight.
...........
Konoha, Hokage's Office~
"...So, if you become Hokage, wouldn't it make it easier for you to find the Child of Prophecy? You know better than anyone how much power an entire village wields," the Third Hokage said, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke.
His expression was solemn as he picked up a roster and continued:
"Hundreds of intelligence-gathering ANBU, thousands of Konoha shinobi—if you become Hokage, they will all follow your orders to monitor the Great Toad Sage's prophecy."
The Third's voice was filled with temptation as he stared intently at Jiraiya through the haze of smoke, waiting for his response.
"Well… But I'm really not ready to be Hokage… Besides, old man, you should know better than anyone how much of a pain that seat is, right?"
Jiraiya hesitated, his tone carrying a hint of temptation, yet he still shook his head.
"I do plan to fight Fūma, but that doesn't mean I have any intention of becoming Hokage. Those are two different things."
The Third Hokage slammed his hand on the desk in frustration and spoke slowly and firmly, "Fine… Then tell me, besides you, who else is fit to take my place?"
Jiraiya scratched his head, thought for a moment, and tentatively suggested, "Sakumo?"
The Third Hokage's face remained expressionless as he recalled Sakumo Hatake's recent unmotivated demeanor. He sighed and said, "Unfortunately, Sakumo's attitude toward the village has become somewhat uncertain."
"Even if his loyalty remains unchanged, with his fighting style, how would he face a shinobi like Uchiha Fūma?
Frankly, I doubt he could even break through Fūma's defenses with a single strike."
Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively. "That's an exaggeration, old man. I've seen it with my own eyes—Bijūdama-level attacks can make that guy flinch.
In terms of sheer destructive power, Sakumo's full-force slash isn't any weaker than a Bijūdama."
Saying that, Jiraiya sighed heavily, remembering the time Fūma had withstood a Bijūdama with nothing but his body to protect Minato, Tsunade, and himself.
'To think that things between Fūma and me have come to this… The world of shinobi truly is merciless,' Jiraiya mused internally.
"Since you refuse to be Hokage, let me ask you—how far have you come in finding the Child of Prophecy? Do you have a target?
Or do you just plan to wander aimlessly around the shinobi world forever?"
The Third Hokage looked at Jiraiya with disappointment. He never expected his most trusted disciple to be so blindly devoted to the words of those toads, as if ensnared in a genjutsu of the highest order—practically obsessed.
"Uh… well…" Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly and muttered, "The Great Toad Sage once said that one of my students would become the Child of Prophecy… or that I might inspire the Child of Prophecy through my writings."
"He even said that maybe I am the Child of Prophecy…"
Jiraiya touched the back of his head sheepishly, sneaking a glance at his teacher to gauge his reaction.
The Third Hokage furrowed his brows tightly.
He could make no sense of the Great Toad Sage's increasingly cryptic prophecies. 'Teaching students is one thing, but what does the power of writing even mean? Could it be referring to Jiraiya's awful novels?'
No wonder the Third was confused. Ever since Fūma's rise, the Great Toad Sage had revised his prophecy three times.
Not only were outsiders like the Third Hokage lost, but even the elder sages of Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku and Shima, couldn't decipher the old toad's intentions.
The Third Hokage shuddered at the thought of the Child of Prophecy being a shinobi who had achieved enlightenment through Jiraiya's… questionable novels.
'Perhaps it's actually a good thing if such a savior is never found.'
As for the idea of Jiraiya himself being the Child of Prophecy, the Third chose to completely ignore it.
After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage's eyes suddenly gleamed with an idea.
Feigning realization, he said, "I understand now. The Great Toad Sage wants you to cover all possibilities… So, Jiraiya, shouldn't your next step be to take on some students?"
"By mentoring the new generation, you can also work on your literary pursuits and improve yourself—simultaneously fulfilling all three aspects of the Great Toad Sage's prophecy."
"The true Child of Prophecy may be a hidden gem. Even if you have keen eyes, searching the entire shinobi world without a clue is a fool's errand.
But Konoha… isn't it the village of greatest potential? Do you truly believe shinobi from other villages would surpass Konoha's talents?"
"Moreover, as a Jōnin of Konoha, you already have a duty to nurture the next generation. That is the very essence of the Will of Fire!"
The more the Third spoke, the more serious his tone became. By the end, his words were a direct command.
Given the current situation, the Third Hokage was determined not to let Jiraiya leave Konoha. With Mount Myōboku's support and his mastery of Sage Mode, Jiraiya was far too valuable.
Jiraiya frowned, contemplating the Third's words. The logic was sound.
Konoha had always been a land of prodigies, renowned for producing generations of outstanding shinobi. It was likely that the Child of Prophecy would emerge here.
For over a decade, Jiraiya had subconsciously dismissed Konoha after failing to recruit Minato as a student. In a way, it was his own form of stubborn defiance.
But now, with the Great Toad Sage's prophecy becoming more uncertain, taking on students was at least a viable path.
More importantly, after traveling the shinobi world before the Second Great Ninja War, Jiraiya had despaired at the quality of shinobi outside the Five Great Nations.
And among those five, infiltrating the other major villages without getting himself killed was no easy feat—let alone finding disciples there.
After a moment's thought, Jiraiya slowly nodded. "Old man, I really am not suited for the Hokage position. Please continue to hold it."
Before the Third could argue, Jiraiya continued, "But as for taking on students, I accept. I'll stay in Konoha for the next few years."
Hearing this, the Third Hokage smiled in satisfaction and handed Jiraiya three files. "Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yūhi, and my son, Asuma Sarutobi—I'll leave them in your care."
Seeing Jiraiya hesitate, the Third waved a hand dismissively and added, "I'm giving you special permission—if you find other promising graduates in Konoha, you can add them to your team.
Finding the Child of Prophecy takes priority over the usual three-man squad rule."
"For now, focus on teaching. And stay away from Fūma. Lady Mito has warned me to prepare for the Nine-Tails' transfer soon. The village cannot afford any disturbances."
"Understood, Lord Hokage," Jiraiya replied, his expression turning serious at the mention of the Nine-Tails.
_____________________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ShadySmuggler