The Sannin Take Office · The Gears of Technology Begin to Turn

Naturally, Team 7 was personally led by Toji.

It was an old Konoha tradition.

His affairs kept him busy, leaving him no time to guide the three of them in meticulous detail, but he would provide them with every resource available.

With the talent the three of them possessed, as long as the resources were in place, they could grow steadily on their own.

Compared to conventional ninja training, what mattered more was having them enter the research institute and officially become fuel burning for the Hokage.

After eleven years of careful cultivation, it was finally time to reap the results.

Tsunade and Orochimaru were not surprised by this assignment. Only Hiruko wore an ecstatic expression; he had never expected to have the chance to become the Hokage's disciple.

The surrounding students cast envious looks their way.

The Third Hokage's circumstances were special. He certainly was not the strongest among the guiding Jōnin, but he definitely possessed the most resources.

Becoming the Third's disciple meant that all the hardships of one's life were basically over. No matter which path one took afterward, one's ninja way could only rise.

The class assignments overseen by Uchiha Ayano continued.

The 106 graduates were divided into thirty-five ninja teams, with one person left over—

"Team 36. Guiding Jōnin: Hiruzen Sarutobi. Member: Jiraiya."

Senju Kenyu moved swiftly. Once he reported Jiraiya's name to the principal, the team assignment was settled.

The venue fell silent for an instant, followed by hushed murmurs.

"It's Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

"Someone actually dared to become his disciple."

"Who is Jiraiya? I've never even heard of him—"

Jiraiya, at the center of the discussion, folded his arms and paid no attention to his classmates' strange looks, completely ignoring the noise around him.

Toji was not surprised by this outcome either. He did