"Rest assured. With your achievements and strength, you are fully qualified to serve as Hokage. And as my disciple, I will support you as well. These old bones of mine can still hold on for a few more years. During that time, I can assist you in the office and help you handle affairs."
Hearing this, Jiraiya immediately thought of when his own disciple had served as Hokage. The same excuse had been used then—assistance. Although every order had been issued in the Fourth Hokage's name, they had actually been reviewed, interfered with, and sent out through the Third Hokage.
Using the excuse that he was still unfamiliar with the Hokage's duties, he had even been unable to command the Anbu and numerous shinobi.
"Heh, the same old routine? Even when it comes to your own disciple, you refuse to let go and treat him like a pawn?"
The more Jiraiya thought about it, the colder his heart became. Looking at that once-familiar face, it now seemed so foreign, utterly devoid of the kindness from when he had taught the three of them. No wonder Orochimaru had ultimately defected after he and Tsunade left.
Faced with such a teacher, so obsessed with power, Jiraiya finally made up his mind. He cast aside the lingering thought of preserving his teacher's last shred of dignity and solemnly questioned him without hesitation.
"Teacher, haven't you realized it yet?"
"Realized what?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, thinking Jiraiya simply did not want to become Hokage.
"You have already grown estranged from Konoha's major clans! And Konoha is becoming weaker and weaker." Jiraiya spoke with heartfelt anguish.
"What? The major clans? Cough, cough. Jiraiya, who told you that? I am the Hokage. How could I possibly be estranged from them? They can barely wait to support me."