On the other side of the battlefield, Tsunade sat on the canopy of a tree with her hands underneath her breasts, and while watching the battle between Naruto and Sasuke, she asked Jiraiya, “Is it really true?”
“What?” asked Jiraiya somewhat distracted.
“You know… about what you told Sensei… you plan on taking Uchiha Sasuke as your disciple, is it really true?” asked Tsunade.
Jiraiya nodded, “Yes.” And explained, “From what Gamamaru-sama has told me. Uchiha Sasuke will play a major role in determining the future of the Shinobi World.”
Tsunade was surprised, and asked, “Does that make Uchiha Sasuke the ‘child of the prophecy’ you have been searching for all your life?”
Jiraiya shrugged, “I don’t know. What I know is that Uchiha Sasuke is important for the future of the Shinobi World. Since that’s the case, it is my duty to make sure that I guide him on the right path. A duty that I failed to fulfill with Nagato.”
“I see. Still, it’s surprising that Gamamaru-sama would put such importance on someone from the Uchiha Clan.” Said Tsunade, and added, “Since you have made your decision, you have to carefully explain to Hyuga Kuroto as well. That kid is smart and not someone you can deal with easily.”
Jiraiya raised his eyebrow, and asked, “What makes you say this?”
Tsunade said lightly, “I heard that just after the Assessment of the forest of death, he had a dispute with the elders of the main family of the Hyuga Clan… the result of the dispute surprised me… Hyuga Kuroto incapacitated all the elders and walked out unscathed… What’s more surprising is that this entire dispute happened in the middle of a major clan meeting where the Patriarch, as well as other clansmen, were also present, and not anyone dared to do a thing to him.”
Jiraiya was stunned, “Such a thing happened within the Hyuga Clan?”
Incapacitating all the elders of the main family and still walking out unscathed is a big thing, therefore, Jiraiya is quite surprised upon hearing this news.
Tsunade nodded, and added, “Not only this, but I also heard that the Patriarch of the Hyuga Clan has forbidden the others from trying to punish him via the ‘Caged Bird’ Cursed Seal, so the main family has no effective method of punishing him, so they are a little bit wary of him.”
“That’s really something…” muttered Jiraiya impressed, and questioned, “Do you know what caused this dispute?”
Tsunade said, “I am not certain, but I did hear that the cause of the dispute was related to Hyuga Neji’s performance in the assessment. The elders of the main family were dissatisfied with his disciple’s performance and wanted to punish the child, however, Kuroto didn’t allow such a thing to happen… hence the dispute.”
Jiraiya folded his hands over his chest, and said, “This means he puts a lot of value on his disciple, otherwise, he won’t go to such lengths for his disciple.”
Tsunade nodded with a chuckle, “I guess… that’s why I told you that you would have to explain it properly to him…”
Jiraiya sighed, “I understand what you are saying Tsunade.” And added, “The very reason I took the kids to Mount Myoboku was upon his request, it was to reward him. Since Sasuke was selected instead of either of them, I thought that I would find another opportunity to reward him… the problem is… I don’t know how to reward him.”
Tsunade said with a smile, “You don’t have to feel so troubled. Sensei told me about some of his plans yesterday. If the plan succeeds, then Kakashi will become the Godaime Hokage… and once Kakashi becomes the next Hokage, there will be a need for an Advisor Council for Kakashi. And Hyuga Kuroto can be made one of the Advisors.”
Hearing Tsunade’s words, Jiraiya frowned, “Make him a member of the Advisor Council?”
“I had the same expression as you when Sensei told me this… Huh… wouldn’t that be interesting… a member of the branch family of the Hyuga Clan being a member of the Advisor Council?” said Tsunade with a smile.
Aware of the fact that Hyuga Kuroto is a member of the branch family of the Hyuga Clan, and seems to have developed a dispute with the main family, Sarutobi Hiruzen still plans to make Kuroto a member of the Advisor Council to support the next Hokage… this seems rather odd.
Sandaime’s intention of restricting the main family of the Hyuga Clan by using a Hyuga shinobi is clearly visible. Thinking of this, Jiraiya couldn’t help but ask, “Has Sensei finalized this?”
Tsunade shook her head, “He seems to have such intentions… as for what exactly he will do, that will depend on the situation at that time. What I can tell you is that Sensei is slowly paving the way for Kakashi to inherit the position of the next Hokage, of course, this is not a short-term process, it will take some time. Besides, at this time, Kakashi doesn’t seem to be ready to become the Hokage either.”
Thinking so, Tsunade looked in the direction of Kakashi.
Unlike the Cannon, although the current Kakashi is too different, he is not lost on the path of life, he has the determination to move forward, not only has he successfully mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, but he is also actively training Eight Inner Gates Formation, so his strength is nothing to be worried about.
The only problem with Kakashi at the moment is that he is too preoccupied with something in his mind, unless Kakashi manages to free his mind from that, he won’t be ready for Hokage.
Jiraiya muttered, “He too has a lot going on in his life.”
“Everybody has.” Said Tsunade as she shook her head and added, “But he will be free very soon.”
Jiraiya nodded, “Yes… he is Minato’s disciple. Kakashi won’t disappoint.” Then he suddenly thought of something, and asked Tsunade, “So… who do you think will win the duel? Minato’s son… or my disciple?”
Tsunade turned her attention to the battlefield and replied, “Uzumaki Naruto.”
…
Back to the Battlefield
With his hands in his pocket, Sasuke looked at Naruto standing opposite him and said coldly, “Naruto… I admit that I had underestimated you… however… I don’t intend to give up my position of number one to anyone… and you are no exception!”
Naruto with his hands folded behind his neck said with a chuckle, “What are you talking about Sasuke? Haven’t I already taken your position!”
Sasuke was irked by Naruto’s words, and said, “For a brief time yes… However, I am going to take back my spot! Don’t get me wrong… you are strong all right. With your strength, it wouldn’t be difficult to be number one in some other generation… but your luck is not good… I am also in this generation… and I won’t allow anyone to surpass me!”
“Humph…!” Naruto snorted coldly, then he bit his finger and said while weaving the hand signs, “Then I am going to show you that I have surpassed you!” and shouted, ‘Summoning Jutsu!’
Poof!
With a burst of white smoke, the figure of Garaga appeared on the battlefield. Standing on the head of Garaga, Naruto said to Sasuke, “Didn’t you say that you have a powerful Summon as well? Bring it out…! I don’t believe that your summon is stronger than Garaga!”
Sasuke’s lips arched in a smile as he leisurely took out his hands from his pockets and while weaving the hand signs, he replied to Naruto, “Today I am going to show you your place!” then shouted, ‘Summoning Jutsu!’
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om