Having finally obtained the Yin Seal he had long dreamed of, Gojo Yoru was delighted, yet unexpectedly calm.
Just as he had thought before.
The fact that Uzumaki Kushina could bring the Scroll of Sealing from Hidden Whirlpool Village before him seemed simple, but was actually incredible.
After all, the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools and Hidden Whirlpool Village had been caused by the Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu.
Moreover, Gojo Yoru was certain that the Fuinjutsu seized by those major nations could only have been ordinary and advanced sealing techniques and Barrier Ninjutsu at most.
The truly rare and powerful Fuinjutsu could never be casually passed around. Even clan members who had contributed to the family could only receive a one-time individual scroll.
Those scrolls might even bear restrictions like the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and the Mind-Reading Defense Technique.
Nearly every Secret Jutsu Clan possessed such measures, mainly to prevent clan members from betraying them or having their corpses looted, which could lead to the clan's secret techniques being leaked.
As a prestigious ninja clan that had endured for a thousand years, the Uzumaki Clan's Scroll of Sealing was second only to Konoha's own Scroll of Sealing in value.
If placed in the Ninja World, it could absolutely ignite the Second Shinobi World War at once.
And now, this thing was simply sitting right in front of Gojo Yoru.
Without the tacit approval of Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Hiruzen, this would have been impossible!
In Gojo Yoru's eyes, this scroll was a signal.
A signal that both Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Hiruzen approved of him and intended to cultivate him.
Otherwise, no matter how lovestruck Uzumaki Kushina was, those two great figures would never have allowed her to do something so impulsive.
They must now have high hopes for Gojo Yoru, hoping he would learn the Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu and gain the ability to handle a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki going out of control in the future.
At the same time, they hoped he could suppress and reform the Nine-Tails alongside Uzumaki Kushina.
Thinking of this, Gojo Yoru felt even more delighted than he had upon obtaining the Yin Seal.
This meant that his relationship with Uzumaki Kushina had received "official recognition." Even if she became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, those higher-ups would not dare interfere. They might even support the two of them from behind the scenes and use resources to cultivate Gojo Yoru.
After Uzumaki Mito died, unless Gojo Yoru developed differences with Sarutobi Hiruzen or completely fell out with him, no trouble would come looking for him as long as he remained in Konoha.
As long as he displayed outstanding talent and strength, Gojo Yoru's future path would be completely unimpeded.
"Teacher Sarutobi, why are you acting so strangely today? You actually invited Orochimaru and me over for dinner?"
"You brat, you have the nerve to say that? What kind of master-disciple relationship has the teacher taking the initiative to invite the disciple? If I hadn't invited you over, would you never show me any filial respect?"
"Ahem... I haven't gone on a mission in a long time. I'm broke."
"Then why don't you hurry up and work?"
"No, I still need to stay in Konoha to gather material. I'm planning to write a novel. Once I earn some royalties, I'll properly show you my filial respect."
"Oh? Come, tell me more."
That evening, Sarutobi Hiruzen unusually invited his two disciples, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, to dinner at his home.
Orochimaru was helping Sarutobi Biwako in the kitchen, while Jiraiya and Sarutobi Hiruzen drank and traded barbs at the dining table.
Of his three disciples, Orochimaru made the Sarutobi couple the proudest and most satisfied, but the one who got along best with Sarutobi Hiruzen was the irreverent Jiraiya.
One had inherited his ninjutsu legacy, while the other had inherited his lecherous legacy. They shared common interests.
Having learned plenty of Sarutobi Hiruzen's embarrassing history, Jiraiya behaved as casually and arrogantly in the Sarutobi household as if it were his own home.
After dinner, Sarutobi Biwako refused Orochimaru's offer to help wash the dishes, and the three master and disciples moved from the dining room to the tea room.
Orochimaru took over the task of making tea, while Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe and puffed away.
Jiraiya could not be bothered with such formalities. He sat cross-legged on the tatami and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen before getting straight to the point. "Teacher Sarutobi, do you have some instructions for us?"
"Can't an old man simply want to have a heart-to-heart talk with his disciples?"
The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, Jiraiya gave him a disdainful look. Even Orochimaru, who was rinsing the tea leaves, shot Sarutobi Hiruzen a sidelong glance.
"You two brats, what kind of looks are those?" Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately snapped.
"Give me a break, Teacher Sarutobi. You're the only one who would promote Orochimaru to chunin and then hand the entire squad over to him." Jiraiya mercilessly mocked him. "If the three of us hadn't been strong and lucky, we would've died dozens of times already."
"If I hadn't raised you so freely, would you have the strength you possess now?"
"Fine, fine, I can't argue with you." Jiraiya raised his hands in surrender, then asked again, "So what heart-to-heart talk did you want to have, Teacher Sarutobi? Don't tell me it's about the women's bathhouse."
"You brat, don't say it so loudly." Sarutobi Hiruzen made as if to strike Jiraiya with his pipe, frightening him into covering his head with both hands.
Orochimaru watched the scene with a smile.
After some horseplay, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally got to the point. "You have both been jounin for some time now, and your overall abilities are excellent. But you are still missing one link. Have you ever considered becoming Jounin Instructors, training several subordinates, and seeking out outstanding candidates to inherit your legacies?"
Jiraiya's eyes immediately lit up. "Teacher Sarutobi, do you want us to become Nawaki's Jounin Instructors?"
"Nawaki's Jounin Instructor has already been decided. Even your teacher has no authority to interfere." Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand and pointed at the ceiling.
Jiraiya instantly deflated, his face full of disappointment. "If it isn't for Nawaki, then I'm not interested for now. The candidates Orochimaru and I have our eyes on still have a long time before graduation."
"Oh? Who have you two taken an interest in?" Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately became intrigued. He had not expected these two disciples to quietly find him two grand-disciples without saying a word.
"They won't enter fifth grade until April. Orochimaru has his eye on the Top Student, while I've chosen the second-ranked student," Jiraiya answered honestly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately looked toward Orochimaru, his smile carrying a deeper meaning. "Sa and Mio's child is your disciple?"
Orochimaru understood what Sarutobi Hiruzen meant and chuckled. "It seems Teacher Sarutobi has noticed him as well. Of course, he is simply that outstanding."
"It isn't just me. Lady Mito is also paying attention to him."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's answer changed both Orochimaru and Jiraiya's expressions.
There were very few people Sarutobi Hiruzen would respectfully address as "Lady."
And in present-day Konoha, there was only the wife of the First Hokage, the founder of Konoha.
Although the Senju Clan had already integrated into Konoha, and even Tsunade and Nawaki had abandoned the Senju surname.
As long as this great lady remained alive, the Senju Clan still existed.
She represented not only the Senju Clan, but also the First Hokage.
And every ninja clan in Konoha was a supporter of the First Hokage.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen had said earlier, this great lady was "the higher-ups."
Even the Hokage had no authority to interfere with her decisions.
Before you continue