The Second Person to Thank Me

With Fugaku's tacit approval, the Security Division's recruitment went very smoothly.

Not only were the wages offered by the Uchiha decent, they were thirty percent higher than what one could earn from ordinary part-time work.

More importantly, the Uchiha had opened up a channel for learning ninjutsu.

Do not underestimate these unremarkable techniques. Many children of civilians might only get to touch ninja tools while they were at school.

They might not even come into contact with something as ordinary as the Great Fireball Technique in their entire lives.

With these conditions in place, quite a few villagers steeled themselves and walked in.

It doesn't matter who I follow.

Having meat to eat, ninjutsu to practice, and the ability to protect themselves when they encountered bandits—this was their greatest wish.

As for the danger...

With the great Hokage overseeing things, what danger could there be in Konoha?

It was not as if anyone could wipe out the entire Security Division, right?

For all these reasons, the Security Division's expansion went exceptionally smoothly.

Hiruzen naturally knew about it, but he had no way to interfere.

The management regulations for the Security Division left behind by Tobirama clearly stated that the Uchiha had the right to recruit relevant personnel, with the specific candidates determined according to circumstances.

And under the current circumstances, they really needed people!

Besides, they were recruiting civilians. What kind of trouble could they possibly cause?

Hiruzen was quite at ease with them.

They could deal with the other Ninja Clans when the time came.

It was not until a week later that the recruitment, onboarding, and training were completely finished.

The Security Division's arrangements were simple enough: civilian ninja would handle missions that were not particularly dangerous.

The main force would be used to maintain order in Konoha.

With the addition of fresh blood, the clan members who had previously complained nonstop relaxed considerably.

You could ask me to carry a blade onto the battlefield and fight the enemy.

If I died, it would mean I lacked ability and deserved it.

But if you asked me to pick up trash or clear the sewers, I would secretly curse your ancestors for eight generations.

A few days later, with everyone's recommendation, Eiji was successfully promoted to deputy captain of the Security Division.

Fugaku was the captain. Promoting him any further would be impolite.

After dealing with these matters, Eiji managed to free up some time.

He sent Xiao Hei to knock on Naruto's door. Before long, Little Blondie came running over with eager little steps.

Little Naruto had not seen Eiji in a long time and missed him somewhat.

"Teacher Eiji, you're finally back."

Without waiting to say anything else, Naruto immediately pulled out a Kunai and showed off a series of quick moves. "How was I? While you were away from the village, I practiced diligently every single day."

Eiji gave him a thumbs-up. "Not bad. In the future, you'll definitely become an excellent ninja like the Fourth Hokage."

But before that, let me manage the village for you for the next seventy or eighty years.

"Hehe." Naruto shook his head smugly. "I learned the Clone Technique too."

Eiji had taught Naruto the Clone Technique before. He had not expected Naruto to actually practice so hard every day.

As he spoke, Little Naruto exhaled.

He formed hand seals with both hands. "Clone Technique!"

With a bang, the smoke cleared, revealing a crooked little figure.

Before Eiji could comment, it vanished.

"Uh, I made a mistake that time. I'll try again!"

"Clone Technique!"

"Again!"

"Clone Technique!"

As Naruto's side went bang, bang, bang, Jiraiya, who had been spying nearby, looked thoughtful.

"It seems the Nine-Tails' Chakra has quite an impact on Naruto."

"Who's there!"

Eiji flung a Kunai. It flew past Jiraiya's hair and slammed into a tree.

"Brat, are you trying to kill me?"

Jiraiya cursed as he walked over. "Come here, come here. Stick your head over here. Let's see whether I'll give you a beating."

"So it's Lord Jiraiya. You were sneaking around, so I thought Orochimaru had come. What do you want?"

Jiraiya's teeth ached with frustration.

"You little brat, what do you think I want? Old Man keeps pestering me every day, asking why I haven't started teaching you yet. He's driven me half mad."

Eiji froze. He had not expected Hiruzen to care so much about this matter.

No, wait. Is he trying to make me his disciple?

This is obviously making me choose a side.

While the two of them argued, Naruto curiously examined Jiraiya.

"Is this strange uncle also a member of Teacher Eiji's family? He has white hair too."

Sometimes, Eiji was amazed by Naruto's imagination.

If having the same hair color makes people relatives, wouldn't that make me Tobirama's grandson and Kakashi's younger brother?

Jiraiya could not help laughing either. This was the first time in several years that he had met Minato's son.

"Little Naruto has grown so big. The last time I saw you, you were still in your mother's belly."

Naruto immediately became interested. "Uncle, you knew my parents?"

"Of course. Your parents were, uh, very remarkable ninja."

Hearing this, Naruto almost jumped for joy.

He finally knew a little more about his parents.

If I ask a little more, maybe I can get their pictures too.

Naruto had already made up his mind. He would buy a picture frame and put it on the table. It would be just like having them by his side.

Just thinking about it made him happy.

"Uncle, do you have pictures of my parents?"

Jiraiya immediately became serious. He thought for a long time.

"I'm sorry, I don't."

"Oh. All right."

Naruto looked a little dejected, but he still very politely expressed his thanks.

"Thank you for telling me about my parents." He rummaged around in his pocket for a long time before pulling out a sparkling Shuriken.

"This is the first Shuriken I bought myself. I'll give it to you as a present."

Jiraiya's voice trembled slightly. "Thank you. I, Jiraiya, accept it."

"You're the second person to thank me. I think I've made another friend."

Jiraiya could not help asking, "Who was the first?"

"Of course it was Teacher Eiji. He was also the first friend willing to play with me. That night, I was really hungry, and Teacher Eiji treated me to a bowl of ramen with lots of roast pork..."

Several hours later, Naruto lay on the blanket, snoring loudly in his sleep.

Every now and then, he even laughed. He seemed to be having a pleasant dream.

"Eiji, thank you for taking care of Naruto."

"I simply couldn't bear to watch a Descendant of Heroes become the Demon Fox everyone cursed and hunted."

Jiraiya was silent for a moment. "I've been searching for the Child of Prophecy all this time, so I neglected..."

Eiji waved his hand, cutting Jiraiya off. "Whether it's Lord Jiraiya or Senior Kakashi, your reasons don't matter to me."

"Lord Jiraiya, do you truly think that ethereal Child of Prophecy is more important than living a good life in the present?"