The Hokage's Decision

Under the gaze of his teacher, which was filled with shock, confusion, and bewilderment, Orochimaru felt he should say something.

"Jiraiya heard that Shimura Kizaru was going to become my student, and combined with the recent rumors circulating in the village about him..."

Unlike Tsunade's blunt and crude summary, Orochimaru recounted the entire sequence of events in great detail.

After hearing Orochimaru's account, the shock in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart eased significantly.

Jiraiya had been careless and failed to use his signature ninjutsu, which was why he was easily defeated by Kizaru, who had been hiding his true strength.

If that was the case, then he could barely accept it. Accept it, my foot!

Even with carelessness, lack of intelligence, and restricted ninjutsu, Jiraiya was a twenty-year-old elite ninja nearing his peak, yet he had been defeated by a six-year-old child.

What an idiot!

While Hiruzen complained in his heart about his unreliable student, he was simultaneously stunned by Kizaru's talent.

The potential of the First Hokage!

This had started as a claim by the Shimura clan itself, but it had since spread throughout the village, sparking discussion and agreement among many villagers.

But regardless of what others said, Hiruzen himself did not subscribe to this notion.

As a student of the Second Hokage, Hiruzen had witnessed the First Hokage in action with his own eyes when he was young.

That kind of overwhelming power and the destructive force of his ninjutsu remained fresh in Hiruzen's memory.

No one could ever reach that height again; it was a realm beyond what a ninja could attain—it was simply godlike!

This was the evaluation Hiruzen held in his heart for Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage.

It was precisely because of this deep impression that Hiruzen had never truly accepted the assessment that Kizaru possessed the potential of the First.

Shimura Kizaru would certainly become a top-tier powerhouse in the future and could become a pillar of the village, but compared to the God of Shinobi that the First was, he was still lacking!

This was Hiruzen's assessment of Kizaru.

But today, after hearing Orochimaru's account, Hiruzen felt doubt creep into his judgment for the first time.

Could he really be wrong? Was that child the next First? Did he truly possess the potential of the First?

At this moment, Hiruzen really wanted a smoke, but the presence of Tsunade sitting before him made him hold back.

His office could not withstand a few of Tsunade's punches.

Suppressing his sudden craving, a slightly unsettled Hiruzen looked at his two grown students, then at the photograph on his desk of himself with his three childhood students.

At this moment, a thought suddenly arose in Hiruzen's mind.

Shimura Kizaru not only possessed monstrous physical constitution and chakra, but he also had exceptional talent in both taijutsu and ninjutsu.

For such a well-rounded super genius, it would be a pity to hand him over to either Orochimaru, who specialized in ninjutsu, or Tsunade, who excelled in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu.

Shimura Kizaru needed a powerful, experienced, and well-rounded teacher.

Scanning the entire office, Hiruzen realized that for such a strict and demanding position, who else could be qualified besides himself?

It wasn't that he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was bragging, but when it came to the comprehensive quality of a ninja in the Shinobi World, he, the Professor of Shinobi, dared to call himself second—who would dare call themselves first?

Thinking this, Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction and looked back at his two students.

He raised his right hand to his mouth and coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness, beginning to think about how to persuade the two in front of him.

Although it was a bit underhanded for a teacher to snatch a student away from his own disciples, for the sake of not wasting Kizaru's talent and for the future of the village, he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would make a small sacrifice!

With this thought, Hiruzen felt even more confident.

"Ahem!"

Coughing again, Hiruzen had already prepared his script.

"Hearing you both say this, it seems that child has outstanding talent in both ninjutsu and taijutsu," Hiruzen said, feigning ignorance.

"Yes!" Tsunade replied.

Orochimaru didn't speak, but he nodded in agreement.

"In that case, I must consider the arrangements for that child's teacher very carefully," Hiruzen said, putting on a troubled expression while "deep in thought."

"Old man, what exactly do you mean?" Tsunade sensed something was wrong and asked urgently.

"Tsunade, you certainly have excellent attainments in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, but you aren't particularly skilled in other types of ninjutsu," Hiruzen commented to her.

"What's the problem with that? The Second Hokage left behind so much ninjutsu data; just let the brat practice it himself," Tsunade retorted.

Hiruzen shook his head, disagreeing. "No, that would delay the child and waste his talent in ninjutsu."

After speaking, Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru and commented, "Orochimaru, you have excellent attainments in ninjutsu, but your taijutsu is still far behind Tsunade's."

Orochimaru nodded, acknowledging his teacher's assessment.

"Arranging a teacher for this child is truly a thorny issue! Among the village's young generation of ninjas, there doesn't seem to be anyone who meets the requirements," Hiruzen said, emphasizing the word "young."

Bang!

"I have an idea!" Tsunade, who had been listening to Hiruzen, slammed her hand on the table and shouted.

Looking at Tsunade and seeing the excitement on her face, Hiruzen wondered to himself: had his usually rebellious student finally understood his intentions?

It hasn't been easy! It really hasn't been easy at all!

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was sighing with emotion, Tsunade continued speaking.

"Why don't you just let Orochimaru and me be his teachers? I'll be responsible for teaching him taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, and Orochimaru can handle the ninjutsu," Tsunade said, full of confidence. "With the two of us training him together, that child's talent definitely won't go to waste."

That makes sense! Orochimaru thought, feeling a sense of approval and intrigue.

That actually sounds pretty good.

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.

But soon, Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed the idea.

For the sake of the village's future, such an outstanding child should be taught by me personally!

The mere thought of being able to cultivate a future God of Shinobi made Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart race; he couldn't refuse.

"I have already made up my mind. As for that child, Shimura Kizaru, let me teach him personally! For the sake of the village's future, I don't mind the extra work; I will take on this challenge myself!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with an air of indifference.

"What?" Tsunade stood up, agitated.

Orochimaru also opened his eyes, looking at his teacher in surprise.

"Although there is much to do as Hokage, it is worth the extra effort to ensure that child's talent is not wasted and for the sake of the village's future!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a firm tone.

Shameless!

Tsunade looked at her teacher, wanting to curse him out loud, but she forced herself to hold it in.

Orochimaru was fine; he had originally been willing to yield the student to Tsunade, so he was only slightly surprised.

"I will go speak with Danzo about this matter, so there is no need for you to try and persuade me otherwise." Worried that Tsunade might say something out of line, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly settled the matter.

"Hmph!" Crossing her arms over her chest, Tsunade let out a cold snort of dissatisfaction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind Tsunade's attitude. With a kind smile on his face, he continued, "From now on, Kizaru will be your little junior brother. You must take good care of him."

"Understood!" Tsunade replied coldly, and, fuming with anger, she turned and walked out.

"Teacher Hiruzen, I'll go check on Tsunade." Orochimaru watched Tsunade head toward the door, then quickly looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said.

"Go ahead," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile. "Thank you for your hard work, Orochimaru."

After responding with a smile, Orochimaru immediately turned and chased after Tsunade.