Taking a Disciple!

Inside the office of the Third Hokage, smoke swirled as he puffed on his pipe with leisurely contentment, seemingly savoring this brief moment of tranquility. However, to the Sannin who had just returned from their mission, this composed posture was undoubtedly a challenge to their patience.

Tsunade stood with one hand on her hip, pointing at the Third Hokage with the other, her voice laced with clear displeasure: "Old man, whatever it is, just spit it out. We've been on this mission for so long, I'm exhausted. I need to go back and get some real sleep. Plus, I have to congratulate my two younger brothers, Nawaki and Liuxia, on their promotion to Chunin. I can even use this as an excuse to make Liuxia cook a huge feast—just thinking about it makes my mouth water."

Her tone revealed an infinite longing for good food and an urgent need for rest, clearly showing her dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage's stalling.

Jiraiya stood to the side, looking equally impatient: "Exactly, Old Man, say what you need to say! I still have materials to collect!" His heart was filled with curiosity about the outside world and an impulse for adventure; the young ladies waiting for him to "save" them made him feel the urgency of time.

Orochimaru stood quietly to the side, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of unquestionable resolve: "Agreed. Old Man, I still have experiments to conduct, so just say what you have to say." A glimmer of thirst for knowledge flickered in his eyes; his focus on his experiments made him appear impatient with anything unrelated.

The Third Hokage looked at his three disciples, reading the urgency and impatience in their eyes. He tapped his pipe gently, blowing away the last wisp of smoke, and finally spoke: "Alright, alright, I'll say it. You've all worked hard, but I summoned you this time because there is an important mission that requires your wisdom and strength."

His voice carried a hint of gravity, causing the Sannin to focus instantly. They knew that when the Third Hokage spoke in this tone, it meant the matter at hand was no small affair.

Inside the office, the Sannin protested almost in unison: "Don't tell me we have to head out on another mission the moment we get back!" Their faces were etched with fatigue and dissatisfaction; they were clearly resistant to the suggestion of another deployment.

The Third Hokage smiled slightly. While he felt helpless regarding these unruly disciples, he knew full well how hard they had worked. He waved his hand to soothe them: "No, no, don't talk nonsense. I'm not some kind of devil. You completed your mission excellently, so you will all have a period of leave."

Hearing this, the expressions on the Sannin's faces visibly relaxed, but the Third Hokage's next words made them freeze: "Tsunade, the Feudal Lord came by this time and mentioned that you haven't visited him in a long while. He hopes you will take Nawaki to see him."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, seemingly unenthusiastic about this sudden family visit: "Grandfather, huh? Fine, no problem. It's all your fault, Old Man, for working us so hard in the past."

The Third Hokage felt a twinge of guilt. He knew that as Hokage, he was indeed strict with his disciples, but it was for the sake of the village's future: "It's all for the village! You are all the pillars of Konoha!"

He cleared his throat and continued: "Ahem, anyway, there is one more thing. You are all elite Jonin of the village now, and I hope you will start taking on the role of team-leading Jonin. This is something you should have done long ago."

However, the Sannin's reactions were surprisingly consistent, their replies sounding almost simultaneously:

"No way!" Tsunade's voice was firm.

"Refused!" Jiraiya's stance was equally clear.

"What a drag!" Orochimaru expressed his reluctance with a calm face.

The Third Hokage's gaze drifted between his three disciples, thinking to himself that these students indeed needed more guidance and persuasion. He gave a light cough, breaking the brief silence: "How about this: you all start preparing to lead students! As it happens, Nawaki will be handed over to you, Orochimaru!"

"Nawaki-kun? I have no problem with him." Upon hearing the Third Hokage's arrangement, Orochimaru felt that while leading a team was troublesome, he was willing to take on Nawaki, whom he had watched grow up. Although the boy was a bit dim, in this world where he had no family, Orochimaru had long viewed Nawaki as his own flesh and blood, treating him like a younger brother.

"Huh? My brother? How come you didn't ask me about this arrangement!" Although Tsunade had no objection to Orochimaru taking on Nawaki, as his older sister, she protested the distribution of authority over her brother. Her brows were tightly locked, clearly dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's decision.

"Nawaki! Why didn't you give him to me! We have a great relationship, I even gave him..." Jiraiya hurriedly interjected. In his pursuit of Tsunade, he did indeed have a good relationship with Nawaki. However, he often gave Nawaki those unsavory books he wrote, which made Tsunade furious—she had even beaten Jiraiya up over it and strictly forbade Nawaki and Liuxia from learning any of that nonsense from him.

The Third Hokage watched their interaction, feeling a warmth in his heart. Though their personalities were vastly different, the bonds between them were incredibly deep. He knew that these bonds were the most precious treasure of Konoha.

"Alright, alright, you are all Nawaki's family, and you all influence his growth," the Third Hokage soothed them. "Orochimaru, you take Nawaki. Tsunade, Lady Mito has already agreed, and Nawaki himself has no objections. Jiraiya, your relationship with Nawaki is indeed good, but you must be mindful of the influence your works have on him."

He paused, then continued: "As elite Jonin of the village, your responsibility is not just to fight, but to cultivate the next generation. I believe you can do this well."

The Sannin looked at each other; though they each had their own thoughts, they eventually nodded.

"But since Nawaki is taken care of, what about little Xia? Why not let me take him! He has a high aptitude for medical ninjutsu; with a little cultivation, he will definitely surpass me in the future!" Tsunade began to ask about the arrangements for her other brother, though she noted that he wasn't exactly well-behaved when he was with her.

"Liuxia? I've arranged for him to teach the Will of Fire at the Ninja Academy for a while." The Third Hokage felt quite satisfied with his arrangement as he recalled it. It not only strengthened Liuxia's education in the Will of Fire but also suppressed the possibility of him continuing to gain prestige through missions. Truly, I am not someone who only knows how to apply seals like Danzo.

"What? The Ninja Academy, that place for retirement? Why would you arrange for him to go there!" Tsunade was anxious the moment she heard this. The Ninja Academy was usually a place managed by ninjas who had no future prospects or had retired due to injury. Putting a ninja with such outstanding talent as Liuxia there was burying his potential and wasting his gift!

"Tsunade, don't be impatient. It's only a temporary arrangement. Besides, you just got back and haven't grasped the situation yet—that kid is even more excellent than you think!"