A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Naruto and Eiji spent every day together, working hard to learn the techniques of ninjutsu.
Since Naruto's comprehension might not have been particularly strong, and Eiji had no teaching experience either,
the way the two of them taught each other seemed rather abstract to outsiders.
It was just like how Naruto taught Konohamaru the Rasengan in the book: first this, then that.
The advantage, however, was that Naruto's progress was fairly quick.
By now, he could throw a couple of punches that actually looked the part.
As for Eiji teaching Naruto while also giving him lessons in general knowledge, the Third Hokage showed no obvious displeasure.
During that month, Kakashi continued observing Naruto in secret every day, recording every detail and reporting it to Hiruzen.
Aside from feeling like he was about to burn out, everything was still going reasonably well.
Gradually, word of a Uchiha teaching the Demon Fox began spreading through the village.
Along both sides of the streets, groups of three or five villagers huddled together and whispered among themselves.
"Hey, look. The White Hair from the Security Division is standing beside that Demon Fox brat."
"He's quite handsome, but it's such bad luck that he's mixed up with that Demon Fox."
"I heard his name is Uchiha Eiji, and that he's even going to be promoted to something like a squad captain."
"Seriously? But he's so young."
"I have a friend whose friend married into the Uchiha family. She secretly told me that Fugaku is going to take him as his godson, so..."
At those words, everyone drew in a sharp breath.
Fugaku was going to take him as his godson?
"Ridiculous. Why don't you just say Fugaku divorced Mikoto and is now pursuing Lord Tsunade?"
"There's such a thing?!"
A tall White Hair widened his eyes. "Who did you say was pursuing Tsunade?"
Jiraiya gnashed his teeth in hatred. He had only been gone for a few days—how had someone already stolen his home?
When the villagers saw who had arrived, they immediately shut their mouths and scattered like startled birds and beasts.
"Hey, bastards, don't leave!"
Jiraiya rolled up his sleeves, wanting to give these ignorant villagers a good beating.
They didn't even bother to use their brains before gossiping.
Could Tsunade really get along with Fugaku?
That hopeless gambler didn't even know where she was being fleeced as a Fat Sheep.
Just then, an Anbu shinobi dressed in a robe came up behind Jiraiya.
"Lord Jiraiya, the Hokage wants to see you."
Jiraiya clicked his tongue. "You're lucky this time."
Soon, Jiraiya arrived at the Hokage's office.
Smoke filled the room, making it seem as though he had entered a mystical realm.
"Cough, cough, cough." Jiraiya waved his hand, then opened the window, grabbed several file folders, and frantically fanned the air.
"Old Man, smoke less. Aren't you afraid you'll smoke yourself to death?"
Hiruzen rolled his eyes and reluctantly set down his pipe.
"Jiraiya, you actually remembered to return to the village? And what's that thing on your head? Where's your Konoha forehead protector?"
Jiraiya waved his hand, looking completely unconcerned.
"Old Man, you know that I'm currently shouldering an important mission personally assigned by the great ones of Mount Myōboku: finding the legendary Child of Prophecy."
At that, Jiraiya became excited.
"Old Man, let me tell you. Over the past few years, I've traveled all over the Shinobi World, visiting places both large and small and meeting all kinds of people..."
Hiruzen waved his hand and interrupted the endlessly rambling Jiraiya. "Shut up. I don't want to hear it."
If Jiraiya hadn't already grown up, he really would have bonked him on the head a couple of times.
As his student, Jiraiya never thought about sharing his burdens. Instead, whenever he had nothing to do, he went looking for those giant toads.
If what the toads said had been useful, the Shinobi World wouldn't be at war every day.
Jiraiya suddenly remembered something.
"They said Naruto had gotten together with some Uchiha?"
"Yeah. Eiji's father was Kagami's student, and he inherited the same will."
At that, Jiraiya suddenly realized something.
"After all, Naruto is Minato's son. In principle, it would be better for you to take care of him."
"I think Naruto is doing just fine as he is. I'm carrying an important mission. How would I have time to teach a student?"
Hiruzen rubbed his aching lower back and twisted his stiff neck.
"I won't be able to hold the position of Hokage for much longer. It's about time you came back too."
Jiraiya shook his head like a rattle drum. "The Hokage's seat is too hot to sit on. I couldn't handle it. My lifelong wish is to find the Child of Prophecy as soon as possible."
"Get lost, get lost!" Hiruzen snatched up a scroll and threw it over. "Hurry up and leave. Just looking at you annoys me."
Jiraiya caught the scroll steadily and gently put it back where it had been.
"Old Man, take care of yourself. I don't know when I'll be back next time."
"Got it. Hurry up and go. Don't delay my work."
Jiraiya's smile faded. "Old Man, take care."
"Don't worry. I can still live for several more years."
Jiraiya's face twisted with hesitation at that. "I'll go to the Anbu to hand over some intelligence. Bye-bye."
With that, Jiraiya leaped out of the window and soon disappeared around the corner.
Watching Jiraiya's departing figure vanish, Hiruzen furrowed his brow deeply.
Over the past few years, he had clearly felt himself aging. Yet Konoha was currently short of capable successors. Who else could shoulder the responsibility of protecting Konoha?
And then there was the Uchiha problem. How was he supposed to resolve it?
He summoned an Anbu shinobi. "Call Danzo and the two advisers. We're holding a small meeting."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
At that moment, Danzo and the two advisers happened to be gathered together.
They were still discussing the Uchiha problem.
"Ryoma just delivered some information. Judging from it, the villagers' resentment toward the Uchiha and the Jinchuriki is growing stronger."
Danzo glanced at his two old friends.
"I really want to know what Hiruzen is thinking. How could he let the Uchiha come into contact with the Jinchuriki? Now he's even gone so far as to teach him ninjutsu."
Koharu hummed in agreement, deeply approving of Danzo's view.
"Our teacher once said that the Uchiha were a clan born evil. Even if Eiji seems to have inherited Kagami's will, who knows whether he'll be assimilated by those lunatics?"
"Once the Jinchuriki joins the Uchiha, Konoha will truly be finished."
Homura said, "Exactly. The Jinchuriki's power is far too dangerous. We must keep it firmly under our control."
But that raised another problem: how were they supposed to control Naruto?
Years ago, Danzo had proposed directly imprisoning Naruto and brainwashing him into a war machine loyal to Konoha.
But Hiruzen had strongly opposed the idea. The two of them had gotten into a fierce argument, nearly tearing the roof off the Hokage Building.
Afterward, Hiruzen had even suspended the Root Organization's funding for half a year to demonstrate that he had come to his senses.
Danzo had had no choice but to lower his head, and the matter had finally passed.
Thinking about it made Danzo seethe with frustration.
Although he was the adviser and appeared to be Konoha's second-in-command,
on many major matters, only Hiruzen possessed absolute authority.
Even with him and the two advisers combined, it was useless. Hiruzen could still veto everything with a single vote.
Danzo said, "The two of you, Hiruzen is muddleheaded about this matter, but the three of us can't follow his example."
The two of them looked at Danzo curiously. "What do you mean?"
A dangerous glint flashed through Danzo's eyes. "Hiruzen cares deeply about public opinion. If we spread rumors about the Uchiha everywhere, do you think he'll be able to sit still?"
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance. "That's it? It doesn't sound particularly special."
Danzo sneered. "What if the Uchiha can't withstand the rumors and raise their blades against the villagers?"
"Of course, if the Uchiha won't kill them, we can help them."
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