The Place You Belonged Was Where the People Who Missed You Were
Jiraiya remained silent for a long time after watching Hiruzen Sarutobi leave the office.
Upon his return, he didn't immediately head straight to the Hokage Building.
Instead, he wandered around the village and naturally noticed the differences.
The Konoha Security Department is no longer solely staffed by the Uchiha Clan; it now involves the participation of all the major clans of Konoha.
Even the Council of Elders disappeared.
Although he received some news while traveling.
However, the impact was much greater after they returned to the village to understand the actual situation.
With Danzo dead, the other two elders were effectively placed under house arrest.
Konoha also seems to have taken on a different look.
"Jiraiya- senpai, would you like to come with me?"
Hagoromo then stood up Jiraiya.
"Um?"
Jiraiya snapped out of his daze and realized he was thinking of Naruto.
After a long silence, he finally said, "Not for now. I'll stay in the village for the next few days."
After saying that, he walked out of the office with heavy steps.
Hagoromo rubbed her nose, shaking her head inwardly.
They're all such awkward people. But Captain Kakashi, you've already taken on this mission after leaving the Anbu.
Hagoromo was naturally aware of the Hiruzen's plans.
Even if Kakashi were to leave the Anbu, it wouldn't change Kakashi overnight.
However, Jiraiya's return also gave Hiruzen Sarutobi another way to handle the situation.
After all, when it comes to the Sannin...
Only Jiraiya's open-mindedness could help some people get through this.
Even if this person is unreliable.
Hagoromo was closing the office door when she suddenly paused, realizing what she was thinking.
So, did Kakashi's habit of always having a erotic book with him start from this time?
Okay~
If Kushina were alive, Jiraiya would have been beaten up by her.
Kakashi, already somewhat weakened by the Sharingan, is now truly inescapable.
Hagoromo chuckled softly, turned around, and walked out of the Hokage Building.
--
Nighttime, above the Hokage Rock in Konoha.
Jiraiya was lying on the rock statue of Minato Namikaze, staring blankly at the starry sky.
A bored Toad was squatting beside him, occasionally dozing off.
This seems to be the first time in a long time that he hasn't gone to check out the hot springs after returning to the village.
"Lord Jiraiya."
A voice came, and Kakashi, wearing a mask, slowly walked over Jiraiya.
"Oh? Kakashi, I didn't realize you'd grown so tall."
Jiraiya remained lying on the rock statue, only slightly shifting his gaze towards Kakashi.
"It's been so long since I've seen Lord Jiraiya, he's still the same..."
Perhaps because he saw an old friend, Kakashi became a little more talkative.
"Haha, time flies, and I've already entered middle age."
Jiraiya laughed heartily, "Time flies so fast."
He was just a young man about the same age as Kakashi before.
"Did the old man send you?"
After finishing his small talk, Jiraiya turned directly to Kakashi and asked him a question.
"Yes, the Hiruzen Hokage said that I should step down from my position as Anbu Captain and will now follow you Lord Jiraiya."
Kakashi nodded in response, expressionless.
"That's really true, so fast... They were looking for me before I even got back to the village, but now that I'm back, they can't wait for me to leave."
Jiraiya said irritably, then looked up at the sky again.
The two sat there on Minato Namikaze's Hokage Rock, remaining silent for a long time.
After a long while, Jiraiya finally spoke again.
"Kakashi, it's been so long, it's time to let go."
"Not to mention that you lacked ability back then, even I, who was capable, wasn't there."
"That's how everything was arranged."
"So, it's time to move on."
Kakashi listened to Jiraiya's rambling without missing a single word, but did not respond.
"Hey, I never thought I'd end up nagging like an old man."
Jiraiya stood up and made a self-deprecating remark.
"Lord Jiraiya, where do you think people ultimately go?"
Kakashi's unexpected remark startled Jiraiya.
He grabbed Kakashi in an annoyed tone and slapped him hard on the shoulder.
"Kakashi, this style doesn't suit you."
Jiraiya first laughed and teased Kakashi, then pointed to the Konoha in front of the Hokage Rock.
"The place you truly belong is where the person who misses you is."
"From another perspective, it's the same."
After saying Jiraiya stood up and waited for Kakashi.
After a long while, Kakashi's eyes gradually brightened, and he patted his pants and stood up.
"Lord Jiraiya, aren't you going to go take a look?"
Jiraiya naturally knew who Kakashi was referring to.
He shook his head and said, "Not yet, it's not time. Besides, I heard my junior brother is taking very good care of him."
"Come on, I'll show you around this time."
After saying that, Jiraiya jumped down and rushed towards the Konoha Gate.
Kakashi touched his blindfold, glanced once more at Konoha below, and then followed Jiraiya.
--
"Croak--!"
The Toad that had stayed in place had just woken up when it found itself all alone.
Just as I was stunned, I heard footsteps beside me.
Hiruzen Sarutobi dangling from his lips, slowly walked to the Hokage Rock, gazing in the direction of the Konoha Gates.
"That brat is still so willful and willful."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at the Toad at his feet and reached out his hand.
The Toad, who had intended to refuse, suddenly seemed to receive some message and leaped onto Hiruzen Sarutobi's shoulder.
"Hagoromo."
Hiruzen Sarutobi called out.
"Yes, Master."
Hagoromo, who had been standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, responded.
"For the time being, let's use Shadow Clones to help with the teaching at the Ninja Academy."
Hiruzen Sarutobi on his pipe, narrowed his eyes, and spoke slowly.
"I need you to carry out the mission."
"Yes, Master."
Hagoromo thinking for a moment, Yu Yi nodded in agreement.
The Shadow Clone Technique can also be rewarded based on the level of instruction in class, although the rewards will be somewhat small.
However, at this stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi is clearly making a strategic move.
Hagoromo naturally agreed, since he could create Shadow Clones as long as he didn't use Ninjutsu.
It has existed for quite a long time, not to mention the scrolls for Reverse Summoning.
--
Early in the morning, Shikamaru was rubbing his eyes as he stepped out of his house when he saw his teacher standing at the crossroads waiting for him.
Shikamaru quickly ran over, saying as he spoke:
"Teacher, why are you here so early in the morning?"
Seeing Hagoromo, Yu Yi smiled warmly and said, "Teacher has to go on a mission recently, so for the next period of time, a Shadow Clone will be going to school to teach."
"I'm also here to tell Shikamaru that you must remember to arrange for Naruto to train at the training grounds every day after school."
"No problem, teacher!" Shikamaru nodded in response.
"These three scrolls are about the development of your secret techniques; you can give them to Ino."
As she spoke, Hagoromo took out three scrolls and placed them in Shikamaru's hand.
"If you don't understand something, you can ask your father; he should be able to explain it to you."
"I'll be trotting in on you for a while, Shikamaru. When you get back, the teacher will ask you to play some Go."
As she spoke, Hagoromo patted Shikamaru's head and then immediately dispelled the Shadow Clone.
"Teacher, really..." Shikamaru rubbed his head helplessly.