Master and Disciple Clash

"Any developments with the Uchiha?"

Jiraiya did not immediately understand what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant.

What was there to investigate? He had wandered the streets that afternoon and heard plenty, along with the information he had gotten from the Izakaya owner.

Over the past two months, the Uchiha Clan had completely changed its image. They had gone from being hated and feared by everyone to having countless villagers eager to grow closer to them.

Many among the younger generation even regarded the current Uchiha as the ideal standard when choosing a partner.

At first, Jiraiya had found it unbelievable. But after looking into it, he discovered that although the Uchiha were somewhat aloof toward strangers, once they got to know someone, they were willing to treat them with genuine sincerity.

When it came to romantic relationships, they were simply the envy of others. Uchiha men and women alike were remarkably attractive, and they remained devoted to one partner in love. Their other half did not even need to worry about anything—if anything, they only had to fear being overwhelmed by that burning affection.

Most importantly, the Uchiha were a clan with the Sharingan bloodline! Unlike the Hyuga, who did not permit marriage with outsiders so easily, any man or woman could marry into the Uchiha Clan as long as their partner was an Uchiha.

As long as their future children displayed talent as ninja, the clan would spare no expense in training them.

What was more, whether they were ninja or civilians, nearly all Uchiha could achieve something in their respective fields. Their accomplishments as ninja were well known; the Sharingan was the best proof of that.

Any ninja who awakened the Sharingan could hardly find an opponent among those of the same rank.

As for civilian Uchiha, ordinary people might not know this, but any Chunin or experienced Genin knew that Uchiha explosive tags and shuriken-series ninja tools were welcomed throughout the Ninja World. The Ninja Cat Clan even secretly sold their tools in other villages and countries.

With so many advantages combined, the initial difficulty of getting along with the Uchiha was hardly a drawback in the eyes of the village now. Instead, it had become an advantage.

Furthermore, the Uchiha's recent decision to delegate authority over the Police Force had greatly increased both villagers' and ninja's favorable impression of them.

Every sign showed that the Uchiha truly wanted to ease their relationship with the village.

Jiraiya only felt that the old man was worrying too much in his age. Still, it was understandable for someone sitting in the Hokage's seat to prepare for danger in times of peace. He might as well listen to the old man and investigate more thoroughly for him.

"Fine, old man. I'll set out tomorrow and look into the Uchiha's current internal situation."

Seeing that Jiraiya did not refuse too much, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. With you agreeing to this, the burden on my heart has eased considerably."

"Is there anything else you want to ask? If not, go back and rest early. You reek of alcohol. You must have just returned to the village today and already drunk quite a bit."

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi took up his pipe and headed for the office door, preparing to leave.

"Wait, old man."

Jiraiya suddenly called out to stop Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around. His heart suddenly trembled, and he lowered his head slightly as he looked at Jiraiya.

"What is it, Jiraiya? Is there something else you want to ask?"

Jiraiya slowly turned around. His gaze had become far sharper than before, and anger showed plainly on his face.

"Don't you intend to tell me about Naruto?"

Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if a needle had pierced his heart. The reason he had wanted to leave so quickly was precisely because he did not wish to mention Naruto to Jiraiya.

"Since you're asking that, you must have already visited Naruto. Don't worry. He's very safe in the village, and I go see him from time to time as well."

Although he felt guilty, sacrificing Naruto's childhood for the sake of the village had been unavoidable. He could only hope that Minato and Kushina, in the Underworld, would forgive him.

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say that, Jiraiya unconsciously clenched his fists, and the armor on his hand creaked.

His eyes locked firmly onto Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Safe? Yes, very safe indeed. With several Anbu ninja watching him like shadows every moment, how could he possibly not be safe?!"

"You know that's not what I mean! I want to know why! Why is Naruto, the son of the Fourth Hokage, so unwelcome in the village? Why is he even regarded as an omen of misfortune—as the Demon Fox?!"

"Minato and Kushina sacrificed their lives, even wagered Naruto's life, and this is how the village repays them?! Can you face Minato and Kushina in the Underworld?!"

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was Jiraiya's guilt toward his disciple, but he erupted at that moment and voiced the doubts buried in his heart.

Faced with his disciple's accusations, Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to evade them. But at this point, there was no avoiding it. He could only carry through with the choice he had made in the past. His expression hardened, his bearing changed in an instant, and his eyes turned cold and merciless.

"Jiraiya, those rumors were spread by Danzo back then in order to bring Naruto into Root. What happened cannot be undone, and I have already punished Danzo."

"Saving Naruto and keeping him from growing up in Root was already the utmost I could do..."

"Shut up! How ridiculous!"

Jiraiya directly cut off Hiruzen Sarutobi before he could continue.

He stepped toward his former teacher one pace at a time, feeling only that the Third Hokage before him was no longer the same man he remembered—not the kind and approachable teacher of his memories.

"Is this what you call doing your utmost? Letting him live alone in a rundown little apartment?"

"Letting him go hungry every day, until even a bowl of ramen became a luxury he could only dream of?"

"Showing up occasionally to toss him a few scraps of concern and encouragement, enough to make Naruto happy for an entire day—caring for him as though you were training a disposable soldier?"

"As Hokage, can't you even meet his most basic needs? Is this truly what you call doing your utmost?!"

Jiraiya seemed to pour every ounce of strength into speaking those words one by one. His eyes were bloodshot, and even his gums bled, the blood trickling from the corners of his mouth.

Seeing Jiraiya like this, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know what to do for a moment, and regret stirred in his heart.

Yes, I could have done all of that...

But after another thought, he hardened his heart.

"Jiraiya, letting Orochimaru go back then was the grave mistake caused by my soft heart."

Hearing that, Jiraiya gradually calmed down. He did not interrupt again and chose to keep listening, determined to hear him out.

"Now, I cannot let Naruto, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, become filled with unstable factors because of my soft heart."

"Konoha's former talents—White Fang committed suicide, Tsunade left the village, Orochimaru defected and fled, and you have been wandering outside the village all this time. I must keep Naruto, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, firmly under control! Everything is for the village!"

After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, master and disciple fell into a brief silence.

Only after a long while did Jiraiya raise his head and look at the elderly man before him. Though only past fifty, his hair had long turned completely white. His body was no longer as straight as it had been in Jiraiya's memories; the heavy burdens had long bent his spine, and he could only rely on smoking every day to relieve the pressure in his heart.

Thinking of his own actions over the years, he had spent all his time outside the village searching for the "Child of Prophecy" spoken of by the Great Toad Sage. Later, because of his obsession with Orochimaru, he had left the village to pursue him, leaving this lonely old man to guard Konoha alone. Had he not made mistakes as well?

Jiraiya could understand what Hiruzen Sarutobi had done to Naruto, but he could never agree with it. He could not watch his beloved disciple's orphan endure such a miserable life, as though he were living in a prison.

"Old man, I understand. From now on, I'll take care of Naruto. I'm not leaving this time."

With that, he leaped out through the window and left, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi standing alone where he was, lost in thoughts no one could know.