Jiraiya's previously languid expression froze in an instant.
His brow furrowed slightly.
Whatever had come to mind, his eyes immediately turned somewhat cold again.
"What unfortunate timing. I can't take on that role..."
Hiruzen immediately grew somewhat agitated.
Disregarding his dying body, he half sat up, raising his voice:
"This is a decision!"
"As my student and one of the Sannin, if you aren't qualified, who else can take over the Hokage position?!"
Jiraiya looked at his aged teacher before him and suddenly found it somewhat ironic.
Once upon a time, Konoha had been brimming with talent.
Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, had long coveted the Hokage position.
Among the younger generation, his own student, Minato Namikaze, had been there to shoulder the burden.
Beyond them, there were also the Uchiha, who had always desired the Hokage position, as well as the other shinobi clans.
But Hiruzen's thirst for power had been too strong. He had clung tightly to the Hokage position and refused to let go, even resorting to political struggles to that end.
Tsunade and Jiraiya had left the village precisely because they did not want to become embroiled in those political struggles.
He had intended to lay all of this bare without mercy.
But looking at his teacher, at those eyes filled with expectation and even a trace of pleading...
In the end, his heart softened.
So even his teacher, the "Shinobi Hero" who had once awed the shinobi world, could end up like this?
Jiraiya fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly:
"Isn't there another one of the Sannin?"
"I'll go persuade Tsunade to come back and take over the Hokage position."
"That should settle it, shouldn't it?"
Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance with Hiruzen and immediately nodded:
"Indeed, that child Tsunade is very suitable