The corner of Jiraiya's mouth twitched slightly. "Forget I said anything!"
"Taking three along is no different from taking one. All three lack experience, and Kakashi has no time, so you'll have to put in a little more work.
"Besides, weren't you looking for Orochimaru? Hinata has the most powerful Byakugan in the Hyuga Clan. Even Hiashi can't compare to her."
Jiraiya rubbed his cheek, looking helpless. "You know I need to gather material. Hinata's a little girl; she really shouldn't come with me.
"The same goes for Sasuke. I don't have the Sharingan, so I'd better not interfere with his growth."
"You don't need to teach them ninjutsu. They've all found their own paths.
"Naruto chants Buddhist scriptures, Sasuke studies Confucianism, and Hinata practices Taoism. All three are different, and each believes their own path is the right one.
"The most important thing you can do is let them experience more of the world and strengthen their aspirations.
"They're about to enter a period of explosive growth. Experiencing more now will help them grow better."
"Uh..."
"If there were another way, I wouldn't have come to you. Kakashi has no time, the Uchiha Clan is like that, and Hyuga Taichi spends every day cultivating in seclusion."
Hearing this, Jiraiya recalled the Uchiha he had met when he first entered the village. They were either showing off or looking everywhere for people to play games with.
Sasuke hadn't been influenced by them either, constantly calling himself "this exalted one" and "this great emperor." His reputation and Itachi's were polar opposites.
Jiraiya even wondered whether Sasuke would have been beaten to death already if not for Uchiha Itachi.
Hyuga Taichi went without saying. His being in Konoha was no different from his being absent. He hid away every day without seeing