Jiraiya often considers and reflects on many things, though he rarely speaks them aloud. If something seems too complicated, he chooses to avoid it. After all, he's on a mission to search for the "Child of Prophecy."
If Jiraiya were exactly as portrayed in the original series, he would have opted to stay out of the mess. He never wanted to get dragged into this swirling vortex of conflict, nor did he see a way to calm it down. So his only option would be to distance himself.
But now, with Tsunade there to take on responsibility, Jiraiya didn't need to avoid it. Tsunade, who had no interest in power, had accepted the position of Head of Logistics only because Takuya had urged her into it. If Takuya could get her to take that position, then why not go further?
If Tsunade stepped up to be the Hokage, all the qualifications were there. Status, reputation, strength, and wisdom — she was the perfect candidate for the Fourth Hokage. Instead of letting the higher-ups fumble around or allowing Orochimaru and Danzō to meddle, they should just push Tsunade to the top.
That's it! I need to have a talk with Takuya.
The more Jiraiya thought about it, the more he realized he was onto something. He hurried out of the command center and made his way to Takuya's squad's tent.
"Ha! Guess my timing was perfect," Jiraiya chuckled, catching the aroma of roasting meat before he even reached the tent. His serious expression softened into a mischievous smile as he tiptoed closer like a thief.
"Hey!" Nawaki grinned as he picked up a juicy piece of meat, but just as he opened his mouth to take a bite, it disappeared.
Where did it go? I just had a huge chunk of meat!
"Don't even look; it got stolen right out from under you. You might as well change your name from Nawaki to Clueless," Takuya teased, nudging him with a smirk.
Thankfully, Takuya had anticipated this and prepared extra, including some for Jiraiya. Otherwise, Jiraiya would've been left watching enviously, which might have ended up with Minato feeling compelled to share his portion with his teacher.
"Jiraiya, that was way out of line!" Nawaki shouted indignantly, jumping up to scold him.
"Haha! It's piping hot... Ah, but it's delicious!" Jiraiya laughed, evading Nawaki's kicks while tearing into the meat. Nawaki was nearly in tears with frustration.
Sensei, come on! Minato wanted to hide his face, feeling the secondhand embarrassment.
Takuya handed the last skewer to Nawaki, finally calming him down.
Seriously, the guy already had a piece on the grill, but he just had to take it from Nawaki?
Jiraiya continued to tease his students, leaving Minato with a facepalm and Nawaki fuming, waving his fists in the air.
"Enough, already!" Takuya muttered, activating his Sharingan, its three tomoe spinning in warning. Jiraiya froze, his playful smile fading as he immediately straightened up.
He definitely didn't want a taste of Takuya's cringe-inducing Genjutsu routine.
With a sigh of relief, Minato glanced at his skewer, and after a moment's hesitation, decided to keep it for himself. Jiraiya had already eaten his share, so there was no need to sacrifice his own portion.
Even though Jiraiya continued to eye his skewer, Minato didn't offer it up — he was too hungry himself.
After finishing his food and a cup of tea, Jiraiya finally got to the real reason he'd come. "Takuya, I wanted to have a word with you."
Can't he say it here? Takuya glanced at Minato and Nawaki, then nodded and followed Jiraiya out of the tent. He gave a quick instruction, "Get everything packed up while I'm out. When I get back, we'll head to the coastal camp."
"What do you think Jiraiya wants to discuss with Takuya?" Nawaki nudged Minato curiously.
Minato wiped his hands calmly, "It's probably something confidential. Jiraiya-sensei wouldn't keep it from us otherwise. Just focus on packing, and don't even think about eavesdropping, or you know how Takuya will react."
He knew telling Nawaki not to spy wouldn't stop him, so he brought up Takuya's potential reaction, knowing Nawaki would reconsider if he didn't want to risk getting scolded.
Nawaki cleared his throat awkwardly, standing a bit straighter. "Come on, do I look like someone who can't control his curiosity?"
"Be confident and drop the 'look like.' You are that person. Now quit stalling and get to packing," Minato said, giving Nawaki a knowing look.
Nawaki fell silent, shaking his head and mumbling as he packed.
Takuya and Jiraiya walked down to the coast, stopping atop a large rock overlooking the waves.
"You've noticed that Sakumo-senpai has been getting a lot of pushback lately, haven't you?" Jiraiya asked. He was certain that sharp-minded Takuya, who'd faced similar ostracism himself, would understand Sakumo's predicament.
Takuya gazed out over the vast sea, nodding thoughtfully. "Yes, it's become more obvious recently."
"Recently?" Jiraiya blinked, surprised.
Takuya turned, "Ever since he accepted the honorary title of Hokage's Right Hand, things have changed. It was something that should've been refused, but the Hatake clan's strong warrior code and respect for the Daimyō meant Sakumo didn't question it."
So it started there? Jiraiya hadn't considered it before; the title had been suggested by the Daimyō and instantly approved by the Third Hokage. He hadn't realized how much it complicated things.
"This was just the beginning, though. Now, we're seeing the full fallout."
"Probably." Takuya's tone was detached. "You'd have to ask Hokage-sama and Orochimaru about the details. Since Orochimaru started associating with Danzō, he's become a different person."
The once confident and friendly man was now cold and distant, a constant aura of "keep away" surrounding him. Orochimaru's face might still wear a smile, but anyone perceptive enough could feel the chill emanating from him.
"He wants to become the Fourth Hokage, so he's been targeting Sakumo-senpai. My teacher hasn't supported him outright but hasn't stopped it either," Jiraiya muttered.
Stop it? Ha! He'd be lucky if the Hokage didn't fan the flames, let alone intervene.
Takuya settled cross-legged on the rock, throwing his arms wide as if to embrace the sea.
What is he doing now? Jiraiya thought, raising an eyebrow.
"Anyway, if there's nothing else, I'm heading back," Takuya said, sensing the conversation veering off track.
"Wait!" Jiraiya reached out to stop him. "I actually do need to talk to you!"
Then get to the point already! Takuya thought, resisting the urge to kick him into the ocean.