Jiraiya's speculation had painted Lin Mu as a pitiful, homeless orphan of the Senju Clan, abandoned and left to fend for himself.
Yet the more Lin Mu listened, the more reasonable Jiraiya's words seemed.
"Could I really have some connection to the Senju Clan?"
Lin Mu reached up and rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Of course, Lin Mu knew it was all just a joke.
His body really belonged to an ordinary war orphan. He had no special physique or Kekkei Genkai.
He had simply obtained Hashirama Cells and, with the system's help, transformed his physique into a Wood Style Body.
Still, Jiraiya's theory wasn't a bad thing.
Originally, Lin Mu had planned to blame the changes in his body on Orochimaru.
Looks like Orochimaru wouldn't have to take the fall this time!
"I know that suddenly learning you're from the Senju Clan might be hard to accept."
Seeing Lin Mu's stunned expression, Jiraiya thought his sound reasoning had left the boy speechless.
He reached out and patted Lin Mu on the back, then thumped his own chest and gave him a firm promise.
"Leave the question of your background to me. With blood this pure, your parents couldn't have been nobodies."
"I'll help you find out where you came from!"
Jiraiya had a fiery temper and was even more decisive in his actions.
As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up, said goodbye to Lin Mu, and leaped back out the window.
"..."
Lin Mu watched Jiraiya leave and took a long while to recover.
As expected of Naruto Uzumaki's future teacher. The man really did whatever he pleased!
But after thinking it over, Lin Mu realized this was a good thing for him.
He'd planned to blame the changes in his body on Orochimaru, but that was only his word.
Orochimaru might not come forward to deny it, but Lin Mu still had no proof.
Now things were different. With testimony from one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, Lin Mu would have much more room to maneuver in the future.
If he was officially recognized as a descendant of the Senju Clan, his standing in Konoha would rise considerably.
After all, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan had founded Konoha together.
Other clans, such as the Hyuga Clan, the Nara Clan, and the Sarutobi Clan, had only joined after Konoha was established.
What's more, both the First and the Second Hokage had been members of the Senju Clan.
With his Senju Clan heritage, Lin Mu would receive better training!
Hidden Leaf Village, Hokage's Office.
"What!"
Two startled voices rang out in unison.
They belonged to two of Konoha's senior advisors. Both were old enough to have lived in the same era as the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
They were true leaders of Konoha, men of great power and influence.
But the looks on their faces now, jaws practically on the floor, were a far cry from their usual solemn composure.
It wasn't their fault. The news Jiraiya had brought back was simply too shocking.
The illustrious Senju Clan had gradually fallen into decline after the deaths of the First and the Second Hokage.
They hadn't been wiped out like the Uchiha Clan, leaving only Sasuke Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha behind.
But they no longer had any outstanding figures as brilliant as the First and the Second Hokage.
At present, the only Senju who could still make a name for herself was Tsunade, Senju Hashirama's granddaughter.
And now Jiraiya was telling them he'd found a child with pure Senju Clan blood who had mastered Wood Style Jutsu.
How could they not be shocked?
"Jiraiya, are you sure there's no mistake? We can't afford any errors on this matter!"
Advisor Mitokado Homura's expression was grave. When he, Advisor Utatane Koharu, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shimura Danzō, leader of Root, had been young, they had all served as bodyguards for the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju.
They knew better than anyone how important Senju blood was!
"I don't think there's any mistake. Following Teacher Sarutobi's instructions, I investigated all the students who were in the stands during the Chunin Ninja Exams this past month."
Jiraiya was equally solemn now, no longer joking around like he had with Lin Mu.
"Only this child, Lin Mu, showed anything unusual. And I..."
"What about you?!"
When Jiraiya paused, Advisor Utatane Koharu hurriedly pressed him, her tone urgent.
"I saw the child use Wood Style Jutsu with my own eyes!"
"..."
At Jiraiya's answer, the two senior advisors fell silent.
If Jiraiya said he'd seen Lin Mu use Wood Style Jutsu with his own eyes, then it was almost certainly true.
He was highly trustworthy!
Once they were sure the report was genuine, the two advisors began to feel a rising excitement.
A Wood Style Body...
That was the physique of the First, Senju Hashirama. It was incredibly powerful!
Once Lin Mu had fully matured, Konoha would be able to rest easy throughout the entire Ninja World!
But the two senior advisors quickly concealed their excitement.
They were influential leaders in Konoha, after all. They had the self-control to keep their feelings in check.
Utatane Koharu spoke up:
"Jiraiya, could you take us to meet the child?"
There was a hint of a request in her voice.
"..."
After a moment's thought, Jiraiya slowly nodded.
Letting the two senior advisors meet Lin Mu would be a good thing.
The two advisors were delighted when Jiraiya agreed.
They could tell he cared deeply about this child of the Senju Clan.
His friend Tsunade was also a direct descendant of the Senju Clan.
That connection alone was reason enough for Jiraiya to protect the boy.
Fortunately, he had agreed.
The two senior advisors immediately stood, set aside what they were doing, and summoned assistants to give them instructions.
Then they followed Jiraiya to Lin Mu's home.
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of knocks interrupted Lin Mu as he focused on refining the chakra within his body.
Lin Mu frowned slightly, but still got out of bed and opened the door.
"Hey, Lin Mu! This time I came in through the door!"
Jiraiya greeted him with a smile.
"Ah, Mr. Jiraiya!"
Seeing that it was Jiraiya, Lin Mu quickly adjusted his expression and put on a look of admiration.
Then he opened the door all the way and invited Jiraiya inside.
Seeing the admiration on Lin Mu's face, Jiraiya was delighted.
The more he saw of this kid, the more he liked him!
Before you continue