After hearing Jiraiya's speculation, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a while.
"Perhaps there's another possibility. They're after Naruto, and their goal is to win him over through these methods, then find an opportunity to take him away."
"That's possible too."
Jiraiya thought Hiruzen Sarutobi had a point.
"Anyway, old man, I think we need to investigate this Nohara Himawari."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took another two puffs from his pipe.
"But Konoha really can't spare anyone right now. The final round of the exams is coming up soon, and the Daimyo from every nation will be coming to watch. We also have to ensure we have enough people to keep them safe..."
"All right, leave the investigation to me."
Jiraiya volunteered to investigate Nohara Himawari's true identity.
"I'll stay by Naruto's side for now under the pretext of teaching him ninjutsu, then try to make contact with that Nohara Himawari."
"Good. I'll leave it to you, then."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction. It wasn't that he didn't care about Naruto. On the contrary, as Hokage, he cared a great deal.
After all, Naruto was both the Fourth Hokage's son and the village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. How could he possibly not care?
It was precisely because he cared that he entrusted this matter to Jiraiya.
After all, Jiraiya was his student, someone he could trust. If the fellow's heart hadn't been elsewhere rather than in the village, he might have been the best candidate to succeed him.
"All right, that's settled for now. But there's one thing I need to tell you."
"What is it, old man?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke solemnly.
"No matter what your investigation turns up, you must keep it under wraps until the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams are over. Do you understand?
As long as nothing happens to Naruto, any other problem