Faced with his teacher's shocked, doubtful, and confused stare, Orochimaru felt he ought to explain things properly.
"Jiraiya heard that Shimura Kizaru was going to become my student," Orochimaru said evenly. "On top of that, there have been quite a few rumors about him spreading through the village lately."
Unlike Tsunade's blunt and simple summary, Orochimaru recounted the entire matter in detail from beginning to end.
After hearing the full story, Sarutobi Hiruzen's shock finally eased.
So that was how it happened.
Jiraiya had underestimated his opponent, failed to use his signature ninjutsu, and been cleanly defeated by Kizaru, who had hidden his true strength.
If that was the case... then Hiruzen could barely accept it.
Barely.
Even so, the fact remained that Jiraiya—a twenty-year-old elite shinobi nearing the height of his prime—had been beaten by a six-year-old child.
What an idiot.
Hiruzen couldn't help cursing his unreliable disciple in his heart, but at the same time, he found himself even more shaken by Kizaru's talent.
The makings of the First Hokage.
That was what the Shimura clan had first claimed, and later the words spread through the village, stirring up discussion among the villagers. Before long, more and more people had started to agree with it.
But no matter what the village said, Hiruzen himself had never accepted that evaluation.
As Tobirama Senju's student, he had seen the First Hokage's might with his own eyes when he was young.
That overwhelming power... that monstrous scale of destruction... even now, the memory remained vivid in his mind.
No one could ever reach that height again.
That was no longer a realm ordinary shinobi could touch.
That was the realm of a god.
That was Hiruzen's true view of Senju Hashirama.
Because of that impression, he had never truly believed that Shimura Kizaru possessed the so-called "talent of the First Hokage."
In Hiruzen's eyes, the child would undoubtedly become one of the village's top pillars in the future. He would become a powerful shinobi—perhaps even a legendary one.
But to stand at the level of the First Hokage?
Not enough.
That had always been Hiruzen's judgment.
Yet today, after hearing Orochimaru's explanation, Hiruzen found himself doubting that judgment for the first time.
Was I wrong?
Could that child truly become the next Hashirama?
Did he really possess that kind of potential?
At that moment, Hiruzen suddenly wanted a smoke.
But with Tsunade sitting right in front of him, he forced the urge down.
His office wouldn't survive even a few punches from her.
Suppressing both his craving and his confusion, Hiruzen looked at the two grown disciples before him, then lowered his gaze to the photograph on his desk—the one of himself with his three students when they were younger.
And suddenly, a thought came to him.
Shimura Kizaru did not merely possess monstrous physical strength and chakra reserves. His talent in both taijutsu and ninjutsu was also outstanding.
A prodigy that well-rounded could not simply be handed off to Orochimaru, who specialized in ninjutsu, or Tsunade, who excelled in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu.
No.
Shimura Kizaru needed a teacher who was powerful, experienced, and above all... complete.
And when Hiruzen considered the entire village, one conclusion became unavoidable.
Who besides him could possibly qualify for such a demanding role?
Hiruzen straightened slightly.
Not to boast, but among all the shinobi currently alive, when it came to being a truly all-rounded ninja, if he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dared call himself second, who would dare call themselves first?
The more he thought about it, the more satisfied he became with that conclusion.
He nodded faintly, then looked back at the two disciples before him.
Raising a hand to his mouth, he coughed lightly to hide the awkwardness, while his mind turned to how he could persuade them.
Yes, yes, as their teacher, snatching away the disciple they were arguing over was admittedly a little shameless.
But for the sake of not wasting Kizaru's talent—and for the village's future—he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would simply have to make this small sacrifice.
The more he framed it that way in his mind, the more justified he felt.
"Ahem."
After another cough, Hiruzen finally spoke.
"From what you've both said, that child's talent in both ninjutsu and taijutsu is exceptional."
"Yes," Tsunade answered immediately.
Orochimaru said nothing, but nodded in agreement.
"In that case," Hiruzen continued, putting on a thoughtful expression, "we need to consider very carefully who should guide him."
"Old man, what do you mean by that?" Tsunade immediately sensed something was off and narrowed her eyes.
"Tsunade," Hiruzen said calmly, "your attainments in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu are indeed outstanding. But in other ninjutsu, you are lacking."
"What's the problem with that?" Tsunade shot back at once. "Second Grandpa left behind plenty of ninjutsu research. That brat can learn the rest on his own."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"No. That would only delay him and waste his talent in ninjutsu."
Then he turned toward Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, your mastery of ninjutsu is excellent. But when it comes to taijutsu, you are still far behind Tsunade."
Orochimaru gave a small nod, accepting the assessment without protest.
"That makes this a truly difficult matter," Hiruzen said, putting on an even more troubled look. "Among the younger generation of shinobi in the village, there doesn't seem to be anyone suitable enough for such a demanding role."
He deliberately stressed the words younger generation.
Bang!
"I've got an idea!" Tsunade suddenly slammed both hands onto the table and spoke up loudly.
Looking at her excited face, Hiruzen's heart stirred for a moment.
Could it be...?
Could it be… had Tsunade, of all people, actually understood what he was getting at?
Now that was rare.
Just as Hiruzen was feeling emotional,Tsunade spoke again.
"Wouldn't it be fine if Orochimaru and I both taught him?" she said confidently. "I'll handle taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, and Orochimaru can teach him ninjutsu. With the two of us training him together, there's no way that brat's talent gets wasted."
That actually does make sense, Orochimaru thought, and he found himself genuinely tempted by the suggestion.
Not bad, Hiruzen admitted inwardly.
For a brief moment, even he felt the plan had merit.
But only for a brief moment.
For the future of the village, a child this exceptional should still be taught by him personally.
The moment Hiruzen imagined himself guiding the growth of a future shinobi god, his heart stirred.
He couldn't let that chance go.
"I already have a better arrangement," Hiruzen declared calmly. "I will personally teach that child, Shimura Kizaru. For the sake of the village's future, I'm willing to shoulder this burden myself."
"What?!" Tsunade shot to her feet at once.
Even Orochimaru widened his eyes, staring at his teacher in surprise.
"Although the Hokage's duties leave me with precious little free time," Hiruzen continued in a solemn voice, "for the sake of that child's future and for the sake of the village—even if it means working harder, it will be worth it."
Shameless.
The word rose instantly in Tsunade's mind.
She wanted to say it out loud.
Barely, barely, she held it in.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, was merely surprised. He had already yielded Kizaru to Tsunade in his heart, so Hiruzen stepping in only caught him off guard—it didn't sting quite the same way.
"I'll go discuss this matter with Danzō myself," Hiruzen added at once, clearly worried Tsunade might say something outrageous if he gave her the chance. "There's no need for either of you to persuade me."
"Hmph!" Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and snorted in open displeasure.
Hiruzen paid no attention to her attitude. Instead, he smiled kindly and said, "From now on, Kizaru will be your little junior brother. Make sure you both take proper care of him."
"Yeah, yeah," Tsunade replied coldly.
Then, dragging her anger behind her like a storm cloud, she turned and strode out of the office.
"Sarutobi-sensei, I'll go after Tsunade," Orochimaru said, glancing toward the doorway before looking back at Hiruzen.
"Go ahead," Hiruzen said with a smile. "Thank you for your hard work, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru returned the smile faintly, then turned and quickly followed after Tsunade.
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