Inside the Hokage's office, smoke drifted through the air.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, drew a long breath from his pipe. His gaze passed through the curling wisps of smoke and landed on the white-haired man sitting across from him.
Jiraiya was sprawled carelessly on the sofa with one foot propped up on the tea table, flipping through a copy of Make-Out Paradise.
"Jiraiya."
Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"How do you see the current situation in Konoha?"
Jiraiya did not look up, his tone offhand.
"Sensei, what else is there for me to see? I just sit back and watch. If you have something to say, say it directly. You know I hate riddles."
Hiruzen gave a wry smile and gently tapped his pipe against the ashtray.
"The major clans of Konoha are all stirring. Under Chiya's leadership, the Uchiha Clan has grown increasingly assertive. The Hyuga Clan is also seeking more influence. And as I grow older, I feel more and more that my strength is falling short. Konoha needs a new leader."
Jiraiya finally set down the novel in his hand, and raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
"I would like you to become my successor."
Hiruzen looked directly into his student's eyes.
Among his three prized students, Orochimaru had become a rogue ninja and was out of the question. Tsunade had the bloodline, being the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and would naturally be the top candidate to succeed as Hokage. However, Tsunade had grown too close to the Uchiha.
That left only Jiraiya as the one student he could consider.
A brief silence fell over the office.
Jiraiya suddenly burst out laughing, doubling over.
"Old man, what are you talking about? You want me to be Hokage?"
"I am serious."
Hiruzen's voice was steady and firm.
Jiraiya's laughter stopped abruptly.
He scratched his head, and for once wore an earnest expression.
"Sensei, you know me. I am not suited for work this serious. I would rather travel the world searching for the legendary Child of Prophecy..."
"But Konoha has always been in your heart."
Hiruzen spoke calmly, cutting him off.
Jiraiya's expression faltered slightly.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the bustling Konoha below.
"Sensei, you must have known all along I would not agree, right?"
Hiruzen showed no change in expression even after Jiraiya saw through him. He simply lit his pipe again and waited for him to continue.
"However..."
Jiraiya turned around, and a sharp gleam passed through his eyes.
"I do have a suitable candidate in mind."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen let a look of interest show.
"Minato Namikaze. My student."
Jiraiya's tone carried pride.
"Cheerful and gentle, with outstanding talent. A bit of an airhead, but very sensible. More importantly, he has wanted to become Hokage since he was a child. He has a heart that genuinely thinks of Konoha."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.
Minato Namikaze, a talented civilian ninja and Jiraiya's direct student. Hiruzen had met Minato before. He had a very favorable impression of him. Otherwise he would not have summoned Jiraiya today out of the blue.
"Minato Namikaze? That is indeed a solid choice. However..."
"However what?"
"He is still too young. He needs more experience."
Hiruzen said slowly.
"And while his strength is decent, it is limited against ninja with kekkei genkai. He needs to improve."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up.
"Improve? Sensei, you are not talking about the Scroll of Seals, are you?"
Hiruzen gave a meaningful smile.
"For the sake of Konoha's future, this investment is worth it."
Jiraiya suddenly understood everything. He pointed at the Third and laughed.
"You sly old man! You had it all planned from the start to have Minato take over, and you went around in such a huge circle just to get me to bring it up myself!"
Hiruzen unhurriedly exhaled a smoke ring.
"This is called guiding things along their natural course."
Jiraiya nodded.
Then he left the Hokage's office.
He went to Minato's home, called him out, and walked all the way up to the Hokage Rock.
Jiraiya stood facing the wind, looking down at the prosperous Konoha below.
Behind him, Minato stood respectfully.
"Minato!"
Jiraiya spoke suddenly.
"Do you want to read the Scroll of Seals?"
Minato's eyes went wide with surprise.
"Sensei, this..."
Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh and clapped his student on the shoulder.
'I had been thinking about trying to get the Scroll of Seals for you before, and to think the old man already had this in mind.'
His expression suddenly turned serious.
"But once you have read the Scroll of Seals..."
"It means you will be shouldering a much heavier responsibility."
Minato took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
"I understand, Sensei. For Konoha, I am willing to bear it."
Jiraiya smiled with satisfaction.
'This student of mine is really reassuring!'
He gazed into the distance and let out a sigh of relief.
'The future of Konoha, I leave it to you.'
"..."
Three days later, Konoha Hospital.
Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains into the delivery room, adding a touch of warmth to this special day.
Uchiha Fugaku carefully cradled his newborn son in his arms, his eyes full of the joy of a first-time father.
Uchiha Rinbi leaned weakly against the headboard, a look of happiness spread across her face.
"Itachi. That is your name."
Fugaku said softly, his fingers lightly touching the infant's delicate cheek.
The infant Uchiha Itachi seemed to sense his father's warmth and reached out with a small hand, grasping at the air.
Just then, the door to the hospital room was gently pushed open.
Chiya walked in with Shisui and Mikoto, carrying a gift.
"Congratulations, cousin."
Chiya said with a smile.
"The Uchiha Clan has a new member."
Fugaku quickly stood to welcome them.
"For the Clan Head to come personally, truly..."
Chiya waved his hand and cut him off.
"No Clan Head today. Just family."
He walked to the infant's side and looked closely at Uchiha Itachi.
'So this is Uchiha Itachi?'
'The one who, using his Mangekyō, carefully held back against his younger brother's Three Tomoe Sharingan, one against seven, cautiously measuring his strength for fear of accidentally going too far and getting killed by his brother?'
But no matter what.
Uchiha Itachi was yet another genius of the Uchiha Clan.
Of that there was no doubt.
The tragedy of the original story. Chiya would naturally not let it happen again.
"What a beautiful child. His eyes look like Rinbi's."
Mikoto had already pressed forward eagerly.
"Let me hold him!"
She carefully took the infant, her eyes full of maternal tenderness.
"This child will surely grow up to be a remarkable ninja."
Shisui stood behind Chiya, curiously rising up on his toes and peeking around both sides.
Chiya noticed Shisui's movements and stepped aside so he could see Uchiha Itachi.
"Shisui, this will be your little brother from now on. As an older brother, you need to guide him well."
Shisui nodded gravely.
"Yes, I will, Clan Head!"
Fugaku and Rinbi looked at each other and smiled.
"It is wonderful that Itachi will have such a sensible older brother like Shisui to guide him."
Chiya took out a delicate amulet from his coat and gently placed it beside the infant's swaddling cloth.
"I made a special trip to the Fire Temple to get this. May he grow up safe and healthy."
Fugaku nodded, moved.
"Thank you, Cla... Chiya."
"We are all family."
Chiya said warmly.
"Once Itachi is a little older, let him train together with Shisui. I believe they will surely become the Uchiha's new pride."
A warm feeling filled the hospital room.
Outside the window, Konoha's cherry blossoms had begun to bloom. Pink petals drifted in the breeze, as if celebrating the arrival of this new life.
Even the shadow of war seemed to have faded.
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