While Hattori Heizo and Jiraiya were locked in battle, Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen watched from the sidelines. When they saw Jiraiya use his "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu," Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but cover his eyes.
"What?! What in the world is Jiraiya doing? My ultimate technique has been reduced to this," Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered.
Fumori Masaki knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen utilized the principle of shadow clones, applying it to shurikens. If chakra nature transformation was attached, the firepower of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu would be astonishing. Even without nature transformation, the sudden increase in shurikens could catch an enemy off guard.
However, Jiraiya completely failed to demonstrate the advantages of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, even believing his opponent had genuinely fallen for it, only to be fooled by a simple Substitution Jutsu.
"Honestly, as a ninja, how can he fall for such a simple trap?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
"He's still young and impulsive; he'll get better with time," Fumori Masaki said to Sarutobi Hiruzen, retracting his gaze.
"Hmm, I hope so. I just wonder what kind of ninja he'll become in the future, though I'm confident I can teach him well…" Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.
Fumori Masaki looked at Jiraiya again. At this moment, he was bickering with Orochimaru. Sarutobi Hiruzen probably wouldn't have imagined that this seemingly most unreliable student would, in the future, display extraordinary charisma.
"The Gallant Jiraiya" was the most fitting title for him. He accepted the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage, contemplating how to bring about change in the ninja world. Beneath his outwardly lecherous demeanor, a great wisdom was hidden. Compared to the other two, he was more like a sage.
"Happiness is not something a man should pursue." These were words Jiraiya once spoke, a philosophy worth pondering.
"Happiness, huh?"
Fumori Masaki thought for a moment, then, seeing some figures appear in the distance, said, "Hiruzen, we should go out. Kagami and Torifu have arrived."
"Ah, indeed, let's go quickly," Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced over and said hurriedly.
At this moment, Jiraiya and his two teammates, who were making a ruckus in the training ground, along with Hatake Sakumo and others, saw two other groups of people approaching. They recognized one of them: the head of the Uchiha clan, also the captain of the ANBU, who often appeared on the streets, looking after residents. Most people in the village knew him.
As for the other chubby man, most of them didn't know him.
Only Tsunade recognized him and waved, saying, "Uncle Kagami, Uncle Torifu."
Uchiha Kagami smiled in response. Akimichi Torifu, though stern in appearance, was actually a gentle person and revealed a faint smile.
Following behind them were their students. Akimichi Torifu was leading the younger generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, the new inheritors, because Akimichi Torifu was one of the previous generation's Ino-Shika-Cho and was well-suited to teach them. Of course, the Sarutobi clan, as witnesses to Ino-Shika-Cho, was also suitable as teachers, but since Sarutobi Hiruzen had other students, Akimichi Torifu should be the one to teach them.
Uchiha Kagami's students were representatives of the dōjutsu clans. Two were from the Uchiha clan, and one was from the Hyūga clan. Among those from the Uchiha clan, one was Uchiha Kagami's nephew, and the other was a talent recognized by Uchiha Kagami. The latter would likely become a pillar of the Uchiha clan. To avoid his efforts potentially being wasted later, he needed to ensure the next generation received his education early.
The other person, from the Hyūga clan, was not from the main family but from a branch family. This was mainly because the current head of the main family, Hyūga Hideaki, had no offspring. Even if he did, he wouldn't let someone from the Uchiha clan teach them. The traditional Hyūga clan adopted an internal cultivation method for their inheritors.
The major clans within Konoha Village basically had this special privilege, not needing their inheritors to attend the Ninja Academy to be taught by other teachers. This was Tobirama's appeasement and compromise to the great clans. Since Uchiha Kagami himself was the head of the Uchiha clan, there would be no objections even if he taught those from the Uchiha clan, making it a compromise.
"Have Hiruzen and Masaki not arrived yet?" Akimichi Torifu asked, looking around.
No sooner had he spoken than Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice rang out: "We're already here. In fact, you all are a bit slow."
Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fumori Masaki appeared before everyone. Jiraiya's group and Hatake Sakumo's group quickly went to their respective teachers. As Jiraiya passed Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sarutobi Hiruzen whispered, "Jiraiya, you'll need some serious special training from now on."
Jiraiya's body stiffened slightly. Oh no, his teacher had been hiding nearby all along, watching the entire duel from start to finish. What bad luck!
Jiraiya thought about how he had messed up Sarutobi Hiruzen's Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu and vaguely sensed what kind of training Sarutobi Hiruzen would implement. He instantly felt like crying, but then he had a change of heart: if he could endure it, his strength would definitely increase significantly. Then he would make that shorty pay!
Jiraiya was indeed big-hearted. At first, he was sighing over the impending special training, but he quickly thought of the positive aspects, even feeling that he was about to succeed, and couldn't help but break into a silly grin.
"What is he thinking?"
Asumi and Orochimaru, who were nearby, saw Jiraiya like this. Not having heard Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, they were quite puzzled, thinking Jiraiya was behaving erratically as usual.
Fumori Masaki looked at the disciples of Uchiha Kagami and Akimichi Torifu. Each one showed unique characteristics: the chubby, gluttonous Akimichi Cho, the lazy Nara Shikaku, the astute Yamanaka Inoichi, the Uchiha clan's Uchiha Naoki, Uchiha Kōki, and the Hyūga clan's Hyūga Kazuya—
Fumori Masaki and the others had each student introduce themselves. Apart from Jiraiya and Tsunade, who already had a rivalry and were less friendly, everyone else was meeting for the first time and greeted each other normally.
"You should all know that the Hokage-sama intends to propose a joint Chunin Exam to other countries. You are the important examinees representing our Konoha Village." After the students had all introduced themselves, the four teachers discussed and had Fumori Masaki step forward to explain, as he had, after all, been the one to propose this meeting.
"From my perspective, I hope you can spar with each other, train yourselves, and by sparring with different types of people, you can accumulate richer experience, so you won won't be at a loss when facing people from other villages," Fumori Masaki said. "Therefore, you will be studying together from now on. I hope you can all get along well."