Konoha's Dark Side Among the Higher-Ups

Watanabe's cooking did not disappoint Jiraiya and the others. The three of them ate their fill at Watanabe's home.

"It's a shame we're not adults yet. Otherwise, it'd be even more enjoyable with some sake," Jiraiya sighed, smacking his lips.

Watanabe was surprised to hear that. He had not expected Jiraiya to be so rule-abiding.

"If you want to drink, then drink. It's not like anyone's watching us." Both he and Jiraiya were orphans, free of restraints.

Jiraiya shook his head vigorously and said solemnly, "No. Drinking before adulthood will affect the development down there... Uh, Watanabe, you're an exception. You're already fully developed."

Watanabe was speechless. "..."

"Now that we've graduated, we won't be attending class in the same classroom every day like before. From now on, every time we meet will be one less time we have together." Jiraiya spoke from the heart, beginning to say sentimental things.

"Don't be fooled by how I'm always laughing and joking around. The only people I can truly call friends are Orochimaru, Hiruzen, and you, Watanabe. If Tsunade didn't hit me, I could barely count her as one too."

Hiruzen and Orochimaru were deeply moved. Jiraiya considered them friends, and they felt the same way about him.

After all, there was a difference in status between them and the children of the ninja clans and noble families in their class. They could not truly open their hearts to one another, and they could all sense it.

"If you run into any trouble in the future, just say the word. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll do my best," Hiruzen said after a moment of silence.

Orochimaru nodded.

Jiraiya burst out laughing and slapped Hiruzen hard on the shoulder. "Isn't that just taking advantage? Watanabe and Orochimaru ranked first and second in the graduation exams. Their futures are definitely brighter than ours."

His little scheme exposed, Hiruzen immediately flushed red and stammered, "I-I didn't mean that!"

Orochimaru's expression gradually turned strange.

Watanabe could not help laughing. His three deskmates each had their own endearing qualities.

The Ninja Academy's graduation exam was like the imperial examinations of ancient China. After graduating, one would first spend several years carrying out missions at the grassroots level to gain experience, then steadily climb the ranks step by step. The ultimate goal was to enter Konoha's core administration. This was also the only chance for common-born children to rise through the ranks.

The better one's graduation results, the better the resources, treatment, and promotion speed after graduation would naturally be. Just as Jiraiya had said, with Watanabe and Orochimaru's grades, their prospects were indeed very good.

The four of them chatted until late into the night before parting ways, agreeing to gather for another meal at Watanabe's home when they had the chance.

Before falling asleep, Watanabe found it rather surreal. He had not expected to become friends with Jiraiya, Hiruzen, and Orochimaru in the last few days before graduation. In Konoha, he was finally no longer alone aside from Tsunade.

The next morning, Watanabe was awakened by his alarm on time.

The graduation exams had ended, and the Ninja Academy did not require them to report until noon. With nothing to do, Watanabe lay in bed reviewing ninjutsu.

A little after eight, someone knocked on the door outside. Watanabe quickly got out of bed.

"Senior Mito, what brings you here?"

Seeing the familiar white-robed girl outside the door, Watanabe was greatly surprised.

"Would it be convenient for me to come in and sit for a while?" Senior Mito asked politely.

"Of course. Please come in."

Watanabe treated her as if she were his future mother-in-law, afraid that he might fail to receive her properly. He hurried to the kitchen to boil water and make tea.

Senior Mito quietly surveyed the surroundings. Seeing that the house was kept neat and tidy, without the slightest trace of messiness or filth, her favorable impression of Watanabe increased by several points.

He was a thoughtful boy.

"Senior Mito, please have some tea."

Before long, Watanabe placed the freshly brewed tea before Senior Mito.

Senior Mito smiled faintly. "You don't need to be so formal. Just treat me as an ordinary elder."

"That's only natural," Watanabe replied. "Senior Mito is an elder in my eyes."

Senior Mito paused, finding something indescribably strange about his words. Had he already decided that he would be with Tsunade?

After taking two light sips of tea, Senior Mito directly stated her purpose. "I came to tell you something. Hiruzen has already decided on his disciples."

"You aren't among them."

Watanabe raised an eyebrow, and a flash of disappointment crossed his eyes.

"May I ask who he chose?" Watanabe's smile carried a trace of bitterness.

Senior Mito did not hide it. "Orochimaru and Jiraiya."

"So it's the two of them..."

Watanabe was no longer surprised. If even he, the top-ranked graduate, could be passed over, it was hardly strange for Hiruzen to accept Jiraiya, whose grades were merely above average, as a disciple.

"Do you know why Hiruzen didn't consider you?" Senior Mito asked.

Watanabe nodded. "I can roughly guess."

Senior Mito was somewhat surprised. She had thought Watanabe would know nothing about it, but he actually had an answer.

"Tell me."

"The Third probably wants to keep Tsunade in check and prevent her from standing out too much. At the same time, he wants to support several candidates who can compete with Tsunade for the position of Fourth Hokage."

Senior Mito fell silent at his words. As she remained silent, the air around them grew heavy.

Watanabe did not care anymore. Senior Mito had asked for his opinion, so he might as well speak frankly and boldly.

"Why do you think Hiruzen had such intentions?" Senior Mito asked.

Watanabe said, "Because other than that, I truly can't think of any reason the Third would refuse to take me as a disciple. Whether in strength or talent, I'm better than Orochimaru and Jiraiya."

Senior Mito countered, "But have you considered that Orochimaru and Jiraiya are both commoners? If Hiruzen wanted to support a rival for Tsunade, he should have taken Hyuga Rei or another child from a ninja clan as his disciple."

Watanabe shook his head. "Children from ninja clans have the opinions of their clan elders to consider. They wouldn't follow the Third's wishes completely. Naturally, the Third would want disciples who listened to him."

Senior Mito fell silent again. After a long while, she let out a long breath and sighed. "I underestimated you. I never expected you to think that far ahead."

After that brief exchange, Senior Mito's impression of Watanabe had been completely refreshed. Not only was this child outstandingly strong, but he was also exceptionally intelligent and mature for his age. His perspective on matters was even more penetrating than that of most adults.

"Senior Mito thinks so too?" Watanabe probed.

"Mm."

Senior Mito did not avoid the matter and admitted it.

"I watched Hiruzen grow up. When Tobirama took him as a disciple, he was about the same age you are now."

"Hiruzen's contributions to Konoha surpass even mine. I have to admit that he is a very competent Hokage—perhaps even more competent than Hashirama and Tobirama. But no one is perfect, and he has his flaws."

"His flaw is his greed for power. He has occupied the Hokage's seat for more than a decade now, longer than Hashirama and Tobirama combined. Over the years, Konoha has produced many outstanding talents, yet Hiruzen covertly suppressed them. He has shown no intention of stepping down and yielding his position to someone worthy."

Senior Mito did not treat Watanabe as an outsider. She told him about the dark side of Konoha's upper ranks that few knew of. This was also the main reason she had come to find him today.

Watanabe listened intently. He knew that Senior Mito's willingness to tell him such things meant that she had already acknowledged him as her granddaughter's husband.