The Third Hokage smiled. "Who would've thought my most mischievous student would learn to worry about an old man like me after only a few years?"
Jiraiya laughed awkwardly. "You're hardly old. You're in your prime. In your current shape, you could easily serve another twenty years as Hokage."
"I don't want to work myself to the bone for the rest of my life. Biwako's pregnant again. This time, stay in Konoha a while. At least wait until your little brother is born before you leave."
"Then I should congratulate you in advance, Sensei. I'll be staying in Konoha for a while. I won't be leaving anytime soon."
The Third Hokage looked puzzled. "That doesn't sound like you. Is something important going on?"
Jiraiya nodded, his expression turning serious again. "Do you remember the civilian student Fugaku took on?"
"You mean Minato Namikaze? He's an outstanding boy. He's made great progress under Fugaku's guidance. By graduation, he may well be the top student of his year."
"He is outstanding. I went to Mount Myoboku a few days ago. I've told you before about the Great Toad Sage's ability to glimpse the future in his sleep.
"This time, the Great Toad Sage saw Minato Namikaze in a dream. Minato will play a crucial role in future changes across the shinobi world. The sage also said I would take him as a student and should teach and guide him well."
The Third Hokage fell silent for a while. "That's tricky. Fugaku discovered the boy and took him on as a student first."
"It's fine. I'll talk to Fugaku. If he agrees, I'll stay in Konoha and serve as a jonin instructor for a while."
"That would be good. If Minato Namikaze truly has such an important role to play in the shinobi