Even If They Knew, They Didn't Take It Seriously

He paused there, giving Hibari a deep, searching look.

"In fact... if you wanted to be Hokage, I think there's a very good chance you could be in the future."

"Me, Hokage?" Hibari was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Forget it, let's just drop that idea."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked taken aback, his face full of surprise. "What? By the sound of it, you don't even think much of the Hokage's position?"

"That's not it." Hibari waved his hand and said with a chuckle, "The Hokage is, after all, an incredible position. Among the ninjas in the village, who wouldn't want to be a beloved Hokage like Lord Hashirama?"

"Then what do you mean?" Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at him.

Just as Hibari said, the vast majority of ninjas in the village had dreamed of it at one time or another.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was no exception; he had often thought about how he would lead Konoha to continued prosperity if he were to become Hokage.

"The Hokage is too exhausting, and not free at all." Hibari grinned. "If you ask me, being an advisor is much better. If you don't want to do it anymore, you can slack off, or just resign altogether..."

He laughed for a while, then suddenly put his smile away, his tone becoming more serious.

"Besides, this village isn't just up to us in the Senju Clan to decide.

To say something perhaps inappropriate—Lord Hashirama is, in some respects, truly not suited for the Hokage's seat. He knows it himself, but the current situation forced his hand."

Hibari lowered his voice. "I accidentally overheard him telling the Second Hokage that once the situation stabilized, he would resign and invite Lord Madara to be Hokage... but now that Lord Madara's whereabouts are unknown, that plan has naturally fallen through. But Hiruzen, you've noticed it too, haven't you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to these "treasonous" words, yet there was no surprise on his face. He was a man of the Hokage Building; he knew exactly what the situation was with the Hokage.

Since Hibari had brought it up to this point, he stopped hiding it and nodded. "Yes... the Hokage is indeed intentionally grooming the teacher, and is gradually handing over power to him."

"Then I don't need to spell out what that implies, right?" Hibari raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as well. "You kid, you know quite a lot and see things clearly... That's right. If nothing goes wrong, the position of the Second Hokage will definitely be the teacher's. And as it stands, everyone in the village, except for the Uchiha Clan, has already accepted this as a given."

"The Uchiha Clan is no match for the Second Hokage; they can't stir up any trouble." Hibari waved his hand, his tone certain. "So the Second Hokage will definitely take the seat. That means our Senju family will have produced two generations of Hokage.

Do you think if I were to take over as the third, the villagers would accept it? Even if they did, our Senju family would be too embarrassed to keep holding onto it!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Hibari and smiled.

"You kid, it's way too early to be thinking about this. Why not wait for one or two other Hokage to serve in between, and then you can take it after two or three terms?"

"Hahaha, forget it!" Hibari shook his head, laughing. "I don't have the patience for that."

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen said, after two or three terms, the Senju family could indeed reclaim the position. By then, presumably, no one would say anything.

Hibari waved his hand at this, looking completely indifferent.

"By the time that happens, I won't have any interest in the Hokage's seat anymore."

He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and grinned. "This village is simply not enough to keep me occupied. The world outside is so vast; I have to go out and explore to really feel alive."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"You have quite the ambition, complaining that the village is too small? If the Hokage or Master Tobirama heard you say that, you'd be in for it."

"That's what Tsunade is for." Hibari shrugged. "Maybe she'll amount to something and become Hokage? Anyway, let's not talk about that. Seriously, Hiruzen, I think you have a good chance of succeeding the Second Hokage and becoming the Third Hokage."

He paused, stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth, and chewed as he spoke. "Work hard."

"Me?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, then smiled candidly. "Coincidentally, I am actually striving toward that goal."

He didn't hide it when he said this; after all, wanting to be Hokage wasn't a shameful thought. Admitting it openly only made him seem more upright.

As a direct disciple of Master Tobirama, it was only natural to want to inherit his mantle, and the Sarutobi Clan certainly had the standing for it. So Hibari didn't tease him, just nodded naturally.

"I believe in you."

"Heh, you brat, your tone is getting bolder." Sarutobi Hiruzen was amused and scolded him with a laugh. "Do I need your approval?"

But laughter aside, he picked up his cup, took a sip, and looked at Hibari.

"Should we get to the point? You specifically asked me here; it couldn't just be to treat me to barbecue, could it?"

"Hahaha, of course not." Hibari waved his hand with a smile. "Given the current situation, the Ninja Academy is definitely happening. I figured you'd be going there to teach soon, so I wanted to recommend two reliable prospects... oh, speak of the devil."

Before he finished speaking, his gaze drifted outside the window.

Sarutobi Hiruzen followed his line of sight. He wasn't surprised that Hibari wanted to recommend someone.

The Sarutobi and Senju clans were closely linked, and he had earned his position as Master Tobirama's disciple partly through that connection. Now that he was capable and heading to teach at the Ninja Academy, Master Tobirama had already instructed him to look after little Tsunade.

He understood the implication; it was essentially telling him to take Tsunade as a disciple. The debt of gratitude to his teacher was heavy, so he wouldn't refuse, and besides, Tsunade was mischievous but possessed the blood of the Senju, and her talent was unquestionable—more than enough to be his student.

Furthermore, if this opportunity were made public, countless people would fight for it; even the Uchiha Clan wouldn't refuse such a good thing.

Now that Hibari wanted to recommend others, it piqued his interest. He looked up and saw two young boys walking toward them after spotting Hibari.

"These are..." Sarutobi Hiruzen was curious.

Hibari first beckoned the two children to his side before speaking. "These two are the good material I scouted for you. This one is Orochimaru, and this one is Jiraiya."

He was already familiar with Orochimaru, and as for Jiraiya, he often hung around with Orochimaru, and Hibari had interacted with him a few times and found the kid quite interesting.

If Orochimaru's family background was ordinary, then Jiraiya's was even worse—an orphan whose parents were commoners who hadn't survived the chaotic times.

He currently lived in Konoha on a monthly relief stipend, and Hibari occasionally helped him out. Moreover, the kid hadn't shown any astonishing talent yet, unlike Orochimaru, who had shown his intelligence early on.

Therefore, not many people in the village knew him, and even if they did, they didn't take him seriously.

"Come here, you two." Hibari draped his arms around the shoulders of Orochimaru and Jiraiya. "Say hello to this uncle. He's quite famous, even if he is just a tiny bit less impressive than me... This is Sarutobi Hiruzen.

I intend for you two to take him as your teacher, so hurry up and call him 'Teacher'."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up at the words. He had heard about the Ninja Academy that morning and was just thinking about signing up; he hadn't expected to run into such an opportunity in the afternoon.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was a well-known genius of the Sarutobi Clan, proficient in five elemental ninjutsu, and held in high regard in the village. Usually, he wouldn't even have the qualifications to get close enough to speak to him.

Orochimaru really hadn't expected Hibari to be this generous. Not only did he buy him books, but he also planned to recommend him as a disciple to such a powerful figure.

He was truly grateful, but given his personality, he didn't show it, only looking calmly at Sarutobi Hiruzen and saying softly, "Teacher."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had often heard Hibari mention Orochimaru, always praising his talent. Seeing his calm demeanor now, he appreciated him even more and responded with a smile, "Hibari has mentioned you quite a bit. Not bad."

On the other hand, as soon as Jiraiya heard about finding a teacher, he immediately became unhappy. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hibari! You said you were treating me to barbecue, that's why I came! How did it turn into finding a teacher?"

Hibari raised his hand and gave him a smack on the back of the head. "Show some respect, call me Hibari-nii!"

After taking the hit, Jiraiya muttered unwillingly, "Hibari-nii..."

Hibari then continued, "I'm doing this for your own good. You're always running around without supervision, causing all sorts of trouble. How many times have I had to clean up after you?"

Scolded like that, Jiraiya wilted and stood there obediently. Seeing him like that, Hibari continued, "You can't keep living so recklessly. Although your talent isn't particularly outstanding, your perseverance is real; you're willing to stick with things.

There are two types of people in this world: geniuses, and the hardworking type of genius. This Orochimaru next to you belongs to the former.

And you... I see you as the latter. So, to keep you from wasting your time, I went out of my way to find you a teacher. From now on, follow your Uncle Sarutobi and learn well, understand?"

Jiraiya felt a warmth in his heart as he listened. Although he was a bit of a rascal, he had known who was good to him and who wasn't since he was small. He just felt a bit embarrassed at the moment.

Seeing Jiraiya's awkwardness, Hibari smiled again and patted his head. "Jiraiya, you're young, but you're sensible now. You need to think carefully about the path you take. You're always shouting about wanting to be a ninja, right?

I think this is the right path, which is why I found you such a good teacher. With Hiruzen looking after you, at least you won't have to worry about your next meal..."

Hearing this, Jiraiya stopped acting out. He nodded and said in a muffled voice, "Thank you, Hibari-nii..." Then he turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen and also said, "Teacher."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, accepting the title, and said, "The hardworking type of genius? Then you'll have to show me what you've got."

"Hahahaha, don't worry, Hiruzen, I guarantee he won't let you down!" Hibari laughed as he replied, then beckoned to the two children, "Come on, sit, sit! Order whatever you want to eat; today, let your teacher treat you to a good meal, don't be shy!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been smiling, froze completely and quickly spoke up, "Hey, hey! What nonsense are you spouting? Didn't you say you were treating me to barbecue? How did it become me paying the bill?"

"What nonsense?" Hibari said righteously. "You know as well as I do, where would I get the money? My money is all taken by Lord Hashirama... ahem, anyway, the Hokage doesn't pay me, so I have no money. So of course, you have to pay!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his shameless face, speechless for a moment. After a long while, he leaned in closer and whispered, "How about... we split it fifty-fifty, deal?"