[Education Evaluation]
When the Sky Screen's voice sounded again, Hiruzens across all timelines involuntarily straightened their backs. The elderly Hiruzen in the Hokage office unconsciously tightened his grip on his pipe.
Prime Hiruzen of Konoha Year 37 stopped his hand from reviewing documents. Even the young Hiruzen of Konoha Year 20, who was hurrying back to the village, slowed his pace.
The earlier diplomacy evaluation had already torn them apart, and the Sky Screen had previously made clear mention of Orochimaru's defection. The mood of Hiruzens across every timeline was like that of a student waiting for exam results—both expectant and anxious.
Meanwhile, alone in the Land of Lightning, Tobirama leaned against a giant tree, his silver hair shimmering faintly in the moonlight, his eyes fixed on the Sky Screen.
As the founder of the Ninja Academy education system, he cared more than anyone about how that system would be passed down and developed in later generations.
'This kid Hiruzen… I hope he hasn't ruined my life's work.'
But across the Shinobi World, civilians and shinobis alike were filled with anticipation.
Shinobis from every hidden village, ronin in taverns, farmers in the fields, guards at border outposts—everyone raised their heads, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.
This was the inside story of the Hokage, more thrilling than any novel or tale. Even if what the Sky Screen said wasn't entirely true, it was still good entertainment.
In the Shinobi world, such entertainment was truly rare.
The Sky Screen's voice continued:
[Hiruzen Sarutobi can be said to have made outstanding contributions to education. He refined the Ninja Academy educational system founded by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and integrated the "Will of Fire" into the curriculum. This effectively unified Konoha's ideology and cultivated more excellent Shinobis for the Village, promoting Konoha's long-term stability.]
---
[Land of Lightning]
Tobirama looked at the Sky Screen, his tense lips relaxing slightly. The bark of the giant tree he leaned against had cracked in several places from his unconscious pressure, but now those cracks stopped spreading.
"At least the general direction seems fine."
Tobirama's voice carried a hint of satisfaction; it wasn't easy to cultivate a qualified successor.
Back when the Ninja Academy was established, there was much opposition within the village. The various clans were worried about their secret techniques leaking out, and even more worried that civilian children would threaten the status of the Shinobi clans.
It was he who had pushed through all objections to establish the Ninja Academy education system.
Looking at it now, Hiruzen not only continued this vision but also expanded upon it. Integrating the "Will of Fire" into the curriculum was a particularly clever move. Ninjutsu could be learned, Taijutsu could be trained, but ideological unity was the very foundation of a village's long-term stability.
"However…"
Tobirama's eyes narrowed slightly.
"His temperament could use some more honing."
He recalled the issues mentioned earlier by the Sky Screen: diplomatic compromise, problems in domestic balancing.
Hiruzen wanted too badly to be a good person, to satisfy everyone. That kind of personality might be fine as a teacher, but as a Hokage, it fell far short.
Tobirama looked up in the direction of Kumogakure, his gaze sharp and piercing.
"Now that I'm not weighed down by those six, Kumogakure can't restrain me. With the Flying Raijin in my arsenal, even if negotiations break down, withdrawing safely won't be a problem."
"After returning to the village, I'll need to give Hiruzen some more guidance. The seat of Hokage is not so easy to occupy."
---
[Konoha, Year 37]
Prime Hiruzen heard the Sky Screen's evaluation and let out a long sigh of relief.
'It seems I've done fairly well in terms of education. At least I haven't disgraced the system that Tobirama-sensei founded.'
He walked to the window and looked toward the Ninja Academy. It was evening now, and the students should have already been dismissed, but a few children were still practicing on the training ground.
Among them, a yellow-haired child was particularly conspicuous. From a civilian background, but gifted with extraordinary talent—he had already been taken as a disciple by Jiraiya.
"The Will of Fire…"
Prime Hiruzen repeated the phrase softly.
He had been the one to add that to the curriculum. Now it seemed that decision had been correct.
The Sky Screen's voice continued:
[Of course, he is most famous for nurturing his three disciples: Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—who would later be hailed as the "Legendary Sannin." Each of them achieving extraordinary mastery in Medical Ninjutsu, senjutsu, and Ninjutsu research respectively, their fame resounding throughout the Shinobi World.]
The image shifted accordingly: three young faces appeared on the Sky Screen.
Tsunade wore a green combat uniform, her blonde ponytail tied high behind her head, a diamond-shaped Byakugō seal on her forehead. She stood with her arms crossed, a confident and radiant smile on her face.
Jiraiya's white hair wasn't yet very long, only reaching his shoulders. He wore a cynical, carefree smile, but his eyes were serious.
Orochimaru hadn't changed much—still long black hair, pale skin, with an expression so focused it bordered on cold indifference.
Across the world, people who saw these three were thrilled.
"Ah! Tsunade-sama is so beautiful!"
A young kunoichi on the streets of Konoha cupped her face and exclaimed.
"Lord Jiraiya was so handsome when he was young! Completely different from now!"
In a tavern, several middle-aged Shinobis sighed with emotion while drinking.
"Lord Orochimaru… so this is what he looked like as a young man?"
Shinobis from a small nation discussed in low voices.
---
[Konoha, Year 10 · Senju Clan Grounds]
Hashirama sat cross-legged on the porch of his home's courtyard.
When Tsunade's image appeared on the Sky Screen, he suddenly sat up straight.
"Ah! Is that little Tsuna in the future?"
"She really did grow up into a fine young lady!"
The current Tsunade was only five years old, chubby-cheeked, spending her days following him around and learning to gamble.
"The Legendary Sannin…"
Hashirama stroked his chin.
"That title sounds pretty impressive."
But looking at the empty courtyard, he felt a deep sense of loneliness.
---
[Konoha, Year 50 · Hokage Office]
Minato and Kushina stood side by side at the window, looking at the young Sannin's images on the Sky Screen.
Kushina pointed at Jiraiya and couldn't help but smile.
"Jiraiya-sensei when he was young… is completely different from his current 'Pervy Old Man' image! He was actually quite handsome!"
Minato also smiled, but there was a hint of sentimentality in it.
"Yeah, sensei really was… quite different when he was young."
Nowadays, Jiraiya spent most of his time traveling abroad, rarely returning to Konoha. Whenever he did come back, he brought new novel manuscripts, loudly asking Minato for his opinions, but really he was just looking for an excuse to see his student and the village.
[On a side note, if everyone is curious about the strength comparison among the Sannin. Judging from their career records, there is no doubt that Jiraiya is the strongest, Orochimaru is the best at surviving, and Tsunade, while slightly weaker, as a Medical Ninja had the greatest impact by founding the Medical Ninja System.]
Kushina held her husband's hand and said:
"I didn't expect that Jiraiya-sensei was actually the strongest among the Sannin."
Minato gently nodded. He knew Jiraiya's true strength, he knew about the Sage Mode his teacher kept hidden.
---
[Another timeline]
Prime Hiruzen was slightly stunned upon hearing this evaluation.
"Jiraiya… the strongest?"
Among his three disciples, Orochimaru had the highest talent, understanding everything instantly and even inferring more. Tsunade had inherited the Senju bloodline, possessing enormous chakra reserves, and had astonishing talent in Medical Ninjutsu. Jiraiya… to be honest, had been the slowest of the three as a child, the slowest to learn, and always slacking off to spend time writing novels.
But this slowest disciple would become the strongest of the Sannin?
Currently, Jiraiya was in his twenties. Although he had already shown impressive strength, he was indeed still a bit behind Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"It seems this kid really grew up in the future."
Hiruzen showed a gratified smile.
But what did "Orochimaru is the best at surviving" mean?
Was it meant literally?
Prime Hiruzen frowned.
He understood Orochimaru well, especially his near-obsessive pursuit of the truth of Ninjutsu—particularly research related to "immortality."
"Could it be…"
A thought emerged, sending a chill through Hiruzen's heart.
But he quickly shook his head, suppressing the thought.
'It seems I need to have a good talk with Orochimaru.'
As for Tsunade pioneering the Medical Ninja system, that made Prime Hiruzen's eyes light up.
He had also noticed the high casualty rates on the battlefield, but changing tradition was not easy.
"It seems Tsunade's proposal is feasible."
Prime Hiruzen made a decision.
"Then let's stop hesitating and implement it."
The earlier it was put into practice, the more Konoha lives could be saved.