The conversation quickly shifted in another direction.
"Sensei."
Jiraiya asked curiously:
"What was the Daimyo's Palace like when you went there today? How does it compare to Konoha?"
Hiruzen set down his teacup and thought for a moment.
"The Daimyo's Palace and Konoha are two very different places."
"How so?"
"Konoha is a village of ninja."
Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"Everything revolves around missions, training, and becoming stronger.
Half the people on the streets are ninja, while the other half are merchants serving ninja.
The atmosphere is tense, but straightforward. There isn't much beating around the bush."
He paused.
"The Daimyo's Palace is different.
It is the political center of the Land of Fire. Officials, merchants, and envoys from all over come and go there.
On the surface, everyone is amiable, but people have to take several extra turns when they speak or act.
It is lively, certainly, but that liveliness... is different from Konoha's."
Tsunade looked thoughtful.
"When I came here as a child, my father said something similar.
He said that at the Daimyo's Palace, a single sentence could have several meanings."
"That's right."
Hiruzen nodded.
"So at the Daimyo's Palace, listen and observe more, speak and act less.
When you begin taking on higher-level missions in the future, you may need to come here. You'll understand then."
Jiraiya scratched his head. "It sounds so complicated... Konoha is still simpler."
"Simplicity has its advantages, and complexity has its necessities."
Hiruzen smiled.
"Konoha needs to protect the Land of Fire, so it must deal with the Daimyo's Palace.
Only by understanding and cooperating with one another can the Land of Fire remain more secure."
As he spoke, he looked at his three students.
"You all saw different things today.
Jiraiya saw human connections, Tsunade saw victory and defeat, and Orochimaru