"Reform?"
Jiraiya was somewhat puzzled. He did not understand why Minato Namikaze wanted to carry out reforms.
The village had only just ended its war with Iwagakure and was at a time when it needed to recuperate. Carrying out such sweeping reforms would inevitably give the other ninja villages an opening to exploit.
After all, Konoha had yet to sign a peace treaty with Kumogakure.
Minato Namikaze gestured for Jiraiya to sit, then said, "The village's slogan is that the Will of Fire burns forever, yet its light can only illuminate civilian ninjas. It cannot reach the corners occupied by the Ninja Clans and the upper ranks."
"But if we want to reform these Ninja Clans through the Will of Fire, they will inevitably push back."
"Kushina and I alone cannot withstand that backlash. We can only rely on your prestige, Sensei. This is a small request from your disciple. If it puts you in a difficult position..."
Before Minato Namikaze could continue, Jiraiya said solemnly, "Minato, what you said makes sense. I fully support your decision. Go ahead and do it."
"Then thank you, Jiraiya-sensei..." Minato Namikaze said with heartfelt gratitude.
However, Jiraiya's full support for Minato was not merely because Minato was his disciple. It was also because of the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
The prophecy said that someone would bring peace to the Ninja World, and now it seemed that person should be Minato.
Minato was powerful and practiced the Will of Fire. He was the last person who might become the Child of Prophecy. Jiraiya desperately wanted to see what peace in the Ninja World would look like.
With Jiraiya's support, Minato Namikaze became increasingly aggressive in his reforms.
At first, he targeted ordinary Jonin and small families. Gradually, this expanded to medium and small