Sarutobi's Personal Interests

Hyuga Hiashi had thought it over carefully.

They loudly proclaim themselves the strongest clan, establishing their own independent kingdom within the clan: creating their own family rules, training their own heirs... Hmm, the last clan that did this seems to have grass growing half a person's height on their graves by now, right?

If the Hokage were to encounter a weak and unstable regime, with high-ranking officials undermining them and a lack of capable successors, the Hyuga Clan Hokage would be helpless against their current situation. However, for the moment... it's best to be pragmatic and adaptable!

Therefore, he simply put Hanabi into Konoha's orthodox promotion system and established more connections with the village to demonstrate the Hyuga Clan's inclination. Inviting Sakura Haruno to be Hanabi's mentor was also a statement; things that were too far off might not come to fruition, but at least it showed his attitude.

Sakura Haruno was aware of some of Tsunade's thoughts; the Fifth Hokage genuinely intended to change the Hyuga.

Of course, the Hyuga Clan is at least loyal to Konoha, so they can't be treated the same way as the Uchiha. Tsunade wants to address the Caged Bird Seal system. This outdated system is increasingly unsuitable for Konoha's current situation. From the village's current political perspective, the Hyuga Clan's actions are a typical example of harming their own people and are unpopular. Given this trend, as long as Konoha develops steadily, the Hyuga Clan will have to make changes sooner or later.

The Hokage lineage's mission has always been to suppress powerful clans and support smaller ones, thus maintaining a balance of power in Konoha. Any capable and ambitious Hokage would not miss such an opportunity to achieve great things.

There was no need to discuss these matters with Hiashi. After a few simple pleasantries and settling the matter, Sakura rose to take her leave.

She thought that her job Jonin the Jonin team was over.

Actually, no.

On the way back, Sakura was informed by Anbu that the Hokage wanted to speak with her.

When she arrived at the Hokage's office, she discovered that both Hokage had something to discuss with her.

"Sakura, what do you think... about you becoming Jonin instructor for six months to a year next year?" Tsunade asked Gate of Opening from behind her desk.

"Huh? Another team leader?" Sakura Haruno was taken aback. She had just Hiashi to be Hanabi's team leader Jonin, and she didn't expect her master to make the same request.

"Is it the Hyuga Clan who want you to be Hanabi's instructor?" The Third Hokage stood by the window, smoking his pipe, and said with a smile, "It's about five years apart, so it doesn't conflict."

It seemed the two had already discussed the Hyuga Clan matter. Tsunade frowned slightly and said calmly, "Hiashi seems to have a high opinion of my disciple..."

With the Hyuga Clan acting so sensibly, how could she possibly slap them to establish Hyuga Clan authority? The Fifth Hokage was having a bit of a headache.

The Third Hokage chuckled and said, "That's a good thing! So, Sakura, would you like to be the team Jonin, Jonin?"

"Being a team leader is no problem, but I need to have suitable students!" Sakura blinked, not giving a definitive answer.

"A suitable student...?" The Third and fifth generations exchanged a glance.

Let's go take a look!

The two Lord Hokage brought Sakura Haruno to the Ninja Academy.

Ever since she came here to take the written Chunin Ninja Exams, she has been too busy to set foot in her alma mater again.

"I feel a little nostalgic." Sakura Haruno smiled as she watched the children practicing Taijutsu combat on the training field.

Although she was only three years older than these children.

No matter how busy the two Hokage were, they would still visit the school from time to time to show their faces to the children and make their presence known. So even the first-year students recognized them. Among the children running laps, several immediately waved excitedly and shouted at Sakura and her group, "Third Lord Hokage! Lord Fifth Hokage!"

There was also a voice calling out "Sister Sakura, Sister Sakura," which was Hanabi Hyuga.

"Let's go take a look over there." The Third smiled and waved to them, then the three of them headed towards the practical training field where fifth and sixth graders were mixed together.

"Even students of average talent, after studying at the Ninja Academy for two or three years, can master the basic application of Chakra and be ready to carry out missions, fight, and even kill. In times of war, this was commonplace and seemed to have no problem," the Third said as he walked. "But in times of peace, we extend the graduation period to five or six years or more, forcibly keeping students in school for two or three more years. Do you know why?"

He turned to look at Sakura Haruno, waiting for her answer.

"Is it to wait for the students to mature mentally?" Sakura answered without hesitation.

"That's right. In fact, pushing children who have been trained to the age of eight or nine into the cruel world of ninjas, even if they seem capable of handling it, will only harm children who are not yet mature both physically and mentally."

"Prematurely engaging in high-intensity combat will deplete the body's potential, which is like pulling up seedlings to help them grow," Tsunade continued. "But physical problems can be treated, while psychological trauma can be permanent, and the wounds may never heal!"

"There have been many extreme examples in this regard..." Tsunade sighed.

The Third Hokage nodded and summarized, "That's why we require Ninja Academy students to graduate at eleven or twelve years old, and after graduation, they need instructors to guide them, all to help them grow healthily. If you become an instructor, remember that this is your responsibility—not only to help them train and improve their strength, but more importantly, to guide their mental growth and maturity."

Sakura Haruno nodded silently.

After walking a few steps, we arrived at the edge of the training field.

"Looking at these lovely children, I really wish they could have entered this cruel ninja world a little later," the Third Hokage said, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the students on the training field.

"They'll have to face it sooner or later," Sakura shook her head and said, "That's just how the world is. After more than a decade of peace, some individuals and organizations are already starting to stir."

"My only hope is that when they're my age, they won't have to face those 'Shadow' level enemies like I have!"

Sakura Haruno told a lame joke.

However, this joke isn't very funny because... that kind of thing might actually happen.

Yes, they are currently lying low, but who knows when they will resurface; I believe that when that happens, a real bloodbath will ensue.

Furthermore, after so much peace, the power accumulated by the various ninja villages has grown increasingly immense; Iwagakure and Kirigakure are not the only ones affected, but Kumogakure's military strength has also expanded significantly. To be honest, the possibility of the Cloud Ninja starting a war is becoming increasingly high.

Therefore, the likelihood of these kids facing top-tier ninjas head-on after graduation is increasing; perhaps their only advantage over Sakura Haruno is that they don't have to face multiple such formidable enemies one after another.

Because they would probably die upon encountering the first one.

"Sigh... The world is on the eve of a turbulent storm. It may seem calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging. No one can be certain how the future will unfold." The Third Hokage took a long drag on his cigarette, his expression somber as he slowly said, "We can only prepare ourselves."

"Luckily we have you now," Tsunade laughed. "Otherwise, we wouldn't even have a suitable person to carry out the mission of tracking down clues about Akatsuki."

"Furthermore, Sasuke and Naruto have grown up very quickly, as have the others. Your class of students are all trustworthy! It's possible that we won't find such an outstanding class again for many years to come!"

"This year's students are quite good," the Third said, flicking his pipe as he watched the students fighting on the training field. "Sakura, do you have any that catch your eye?"

Sakura Haruno hesitated for a moment.

"Those sixth-graders?" she asked hesitantly. "They all seemed pretty average."

While she doesn't expect every subordinate to be as talented as the members of Team 7, with her abilities, wouldn't it be alright for her to be a little reserved?

Sakura still hoped that her first batch of subordinates would be ninjas with potential.

Otherwise, if they grow up too slowly, the cruel world of the future won't wait for them.

If things could be peaceful, she would be interested in playing a simulation game.

The Third Hokage pointed to the training ground next to him and said, "No, look at the fifth-year students."

Sakura looked over and saw two students starting a match. After watching for a while, she was a little surprised.

"Those two are really talented in both Ninjutsu and Taijutsu! The girl is even stronger," Sakura Haruno said, then suddenly realized the two looked familiar. "Right, aren't they the two guys who hang out with Konohamaru? What are their names again?"

Those three kids used to follow Naruto around. But after Jonin, Naruto didn't have time to play with them often, so he saw them less often.

Sakura Haruno never imagined that the snotty-nosed boy who followed Naruto around two or three years ago and the arrogant girl would now be agile Ninja Academy students!

"Their names are Udon and Moegi," the Third Hokage replied with a smile. "And my grandson Konohamaru, all three of them are ready to become ninjas, both mentally and physically. They no longer need to stay in the academy! I plan to have them graduate a year early next year. What do you think?"

So, the Third meant for her to become Konohamaru's team leader?

Well, even the Lord Third has his own selfish motives...

They've already found a powerful teacher for their grandson; among Jonin Konoha who can lead a team in Konoha right now, Sakura Haruno is indeed the strongest! And her intelligence and temperament are both top-notch. As for her lack of experience as a first-time leader... that's not a big problem.

Therefore, the Third arranged for Konohamaru to graduate early... After all, the later it got, the closer the peace of the Shinobi World would come to an end!

That's really a lot of effort.

She would certainly give the Third face in such a situation. However, Konohamaru's strength would also need to reach a certain level.

Sakura walked over.

"I'll test them out for myself!" Sakura Haruno is going to fight these guys herself!

(Third update presented, as a bonus chapter to repay the 0 monthly votes received at the end of last month!!)

(I had a social engagement this afternoon, so this chapter is late...)

(The bonus chapter for monthly pass holders has been fully paid!)

(This National Day holiday, I'm working myself to the bone writing, so I'll be updating 1k words a day during this period! I've kept my promise! I'm a man of my word! Please vote for me and subscribe!!)