Watched by his teacher's shocked, doubtful, and bewildered gaze, Orochimaru felt he ought to say something.
"Jiraiya heard that Shimura Kizaru was going to become my student, and there have been rumors about Shimura Kizaru circulating in the village lately..."
Unlike Tsunade's blunt summary, Orochimaru recounted the whole story in great detail.
After hearing Orochimaru's account, Hiruzen Sarutobi's shock eased considerably.
Jiraiya had underestimated his opponent and hadn't used his signature ninjutsu. That was why Kizaru, who had been hiding his true strength, had defeated him so easily.
If that was all there was to it, then Hiruzen could just about accept it. Accept it, my foot!
Even if Jiraiya had underestimated him, lacked information, and been restricted from using certain ninjutsu, he was still a twenty-year-old elite ninja on the verge of reaching his peak. Yet he'd been beaten by a six-year-old child.
What an idiot!
As Hiruzen Sarutobi grumbled inwardly about his unreliable student, he couldn't help being astonished by Kizaru's talent.
Potential worthy of the First!
The Shimura Clan had first made that claim themselves. Later, it spread through the village, prompting many villagers to discuss and agree with it.
But no matter what others said, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself didn't believe it.
As a student of the Second Hokage, Hiruzen had witnessed the First in action when he was young.
The sheer force of his presence, and the destructive power of his ninjutsu, had left an indelible impression on Hiruzen.
No one could ever reach that height again. It was beyond the realm of what a ninja could attain. He was practically a god!
That was Hiruzen Sarutobi's private assessment of Hashirama Senju, the First.
With such a vivid memory, Hiruzen had never accepted the claim that Kizaru had the potential of the First.
Shimura Kizaru would surely become a top-level powerhouse one day, a pillar of the village. But he still fell short of the First, the God of Shinobi!
That was Hiruzen Sarutobi's assessment of Kizaru.
But after hearing Orochimaru's account today, Hiruzen began to question his judgment for the first time.
Could he really have been wrong? Was that child the next First? Did he truly have the potential of the First?
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi badly wanted a smoke, but Tsunade was sitting right in front of him, so he held back.
His office couldn't withstand a few punches from Tsunade.
Suppressing the sudden craving, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his thoughts in turmoil, looked at his two grown students, then at the photograph on his desk of himself with the three of them as children.
An idea suddenly came to him.
Shimura Kizaru had not only an almost absurdly strong body and an enormous amount of Chakra, but also outstanding talent in both Taijutsu and ninjutsu.
It would be a waste to put such a well-rounded super-genius in the hands of either Orochimaru, who excelled at ninjutsu, or Tsunade, who excelled at Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu.
Shimura Kizaru needed an excellent teacher who was powerful, experienced, and well-rounded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked around the office. Given how strict and demanding the requirements were, who could possibly fill that teaching role besides him?
I'm not boasting, but among the living ninjas of the Shinobi World, when it came to being a well-rounded ninja, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Professor of Shinobi, dare to call myself number two. Who would dare call themselves number one?
Satisfied with his reasoning, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and looked back at his two students.
He raised his right hand to his mouth and cleared his throat a few times to ease the awkwardness, then began thinking about how to persuade them.
As their teacher, poaching his own students' student was a little underhanded. But to keep Kizaru's talent from going to waste, and for the sake of the village's future, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will make this tiny sacrifice!
The thought gave Hiruzen Sarutobi even more confidence.
"Ahem!"
After clearing his throat again, Hiruzen Sarutobi had his approach ready.
"From what you've said, that child has remarkable talent in both ninjutsu and Taijutsu," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, pretending to ask the obvious.
"Yes!" Tsunade replied.
Orochimaru didn't say anything, but nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I'll have to think carefully about assigning a teacher to that child," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, putting on a troubled expression as he "pondered."
"Old Man, what are you getting at?" Tsunade asked urgently, sensing something was off.
"Tsunade, you're certainly accomplished in Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, but you're not particularly skilled in other ninjutsu," Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked.
"What's the problem? Second Grandfather left behind so many records on ninjutsu. The kid can just practice on his own," Tsunade retorted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "No, that would hold the child back and waste his talent for ninjutsu."
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru and remarked, "Orochimaru, you're highly accomplished in ninjutsu, but your Taijutsu is nowhere near as good as Tsunade's."
Orochimaru nodded, accepting his teacher's assessment.
"Finding a teacher for this child really is a tricky matter! There doesn't seem to be anyone among the village's younger generation who meets the requirements." Hiruzen Sarutobi put extra emphasis on the word "younger."
Bang!
"I've got it!" Tsunade suddenly slammed the table and shouted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tsunade's excited expression and wondered, Is my little cotton jacket, usually full of holes, finally getting what I'm hinting at?
It's about time! At long last!
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was congratulating himself, Tsunade continued.
"Why don't Orochimaru and I teach him together? I'll teach him Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, and Orochimaru can handle ninjutsu," Tsunade said confidently. "With the two of us training him, there's no way that child's talent will go to waste."
"Good point!" Orochimaru thought, agreeing and feeling tempted by the idea.
"That does sound pretty good!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought so too.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly rejected the idea.
For the sake of the village's future, such an outstanding child should be taught by me personally!
The thought of training a future God of Shinobi made Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart race. He couldn't resist.
"I've made up my mind. I'll teach Shimura Kizaru myself! For the sake of the village's future, I'll take on this difficult task, no matter how much it costs me," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.
"What?" Tsunade jumped to her feet.
Orochimaru opened his eyes as well, staring at his teacher in surprise.
"Being Hokage is a demanding job, but to keep that child's talent from going to waste, and for the sake of the village's future, the extra effort will be worth it!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly.
What a shameless old man!
Tsunade looked at her teacher, wanting to curse him out, but managed to hold her tongue.
Orochimaru took it better. He had already yielded the student to Tsunade, so he was only a little surprised.
"I'll talk this over with Danzo. There's no need for you to try to talk me out of it." Worried Tsunade might say something too harsh, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly settled the matter.
"Hmph!" Tsunade crossed her arms and gave an unhappy snort.
Hiruzen Sarutobi paid no attention to her attitude. With a kindly smile, he continued, "From now on, Kizaru will be your junior. You should take good care of him."
"Fine!" Tsunade replied coldly, then turned and stormed out.
"Teacher Sarutobi, I'll go check on Tsunade," Orochimaru said quickly, turning to Hiruzen Sarutobi as he watched her head for the door.
"Go ahead," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile. "Sorry for the trouble, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru smiled in reply, then immediately turned and hurried after Tsunade.