"That little girl named Tenten is quite promising. She has some talent for space-time techniques. But she already seems to be trying to forge a new path on her own, so I only taught her a few basic ways to use the Summoning Technique and combine it with other techniques... She might create a path no one has ever walked before."
"Karin is different. I'm not particularly fond of her temper. Though she's from the Uzumaki Clan, she isn't very interested in their Sealing Jutsu. In that case, even if she has the talent, she won't achieve much in that field. If we're thinking about her future, I'd actually suggest she seek out Tsunade. She might learn something from her."
When Jiraiya discussed his plans for the girls, he sounded considerably more reliable and competent. The Third's blood pressure dropped a little, and he kept nodding as he listened.
"Then what about the two from the Hyuga Clan?"
At the mention of the Hyuga Clan, Jiraiya's expression changed slightly, growing more serious.
"Old man, do you want the truth?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. I just think that, judging by your old temperament, this is what I ought to suggest: the village should guard against the possibility of a Hyuga Clan rebellion."
Jiraiya spoke with an affected air of profundity.
"...You little bastard, stop taking veiled digs at me!"
The Third immediately took back his earlier opinion that this fellow was reliable.
He was indeed getting old, and he had to admit his strength had declined considerably.
But after so many years of political maneuvering in the village, how could he fail to recognize that Jiraiya was indirectly criticizing how he had handled the Uchiha Clan affair?
After returning this time, neither Tsunade nor Jiraiya had originally intended