"Escape?"
This word was new to him. Sarutobi Hiruzen froze in place, trying to comprehend it.
"The word 'escape' is something that Tōshirō always prefers," said Orochimaru, smiling. "The main reason he doesn't want to be a ninja is that he desires to live peacefully and comfortably."
"Living peacefully and comfortably?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was puzzled by these words.
Tōshirō currently spends most of his time sleeping during classes, and he already seems to be living a comfortable life. What could be more comfortable?
Orochimaru continued, "Tōshirō says that when ninjas carry out missions, they often infiltrate enemy territory and may face the risk of death. So, he doesn't care about becoming a ninja. Instead, a medical ninja doesn't need to infiltrate enemy territory but works in the background, so his life isn't at risk. I think Tōshirō's interest in becoming a medical ninja stems from this reason."
Shock appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.
Tōshirō, this boy, is completely different from the typical Uchiha nature.
In his mind, he believed that all Uchiha were battle-crazed and fearless, but Tōshirō seemed terrified of it all.
He then looked at Biwako and asked if she had spoken about the survival rate of medical ninjas during classes. She nodded affirmatively.
Jiraiya added a note about Tōshirō: "From this perspective, his behavior aligns perfectly with his personality. Although he doesn't care about becoming a ninja, when it comes to living comfortably, he becomes very serious. For example, last time, he personally asked me to teach him summoning techniques."
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze for a moment, recalling that he might have taught his students summoning techniques. So, he asked Jiraiya about Kuzan's progress in this area, but Jiraiya began stammering, "Um... the thing is..."
Before Sarutobi could ask more questions, Tsunade fired three consecutive questions:
"Did he ask you to teach him summoning techniques?"
"Are you proficient in summoning techniques?"
"When did this happen?"
Jiraiya replied, "Don't you remember? It was when I demonstrated the summoning techniques, and afterward, Tōshirō came to me asking to learn them."
Tsunade couldn't resist mocking him: "And with your level, you dare to teach others? It seems you're just misleading people."
Jiraiya's face turned red as he defended himself, "Who said I don't know? I was just training at the time, alright."
Tsunade moved past the topic because she knew Jiraiya well and knew he didn't like to lose: "Why does he want to learn summoning techniques?"
Jiraiya nonchalantly said, "Because he's lazy, don't you know his personality? Everything he does is to avoid hard work and enjoy a comfortable life."
"He thinks that sometimes, working alone is too exhausting, so he wanted to learn summoning techniques to have the summoned creatures do the work for him, like fetching things, shopping, or doing simple tasks."
Tsunade remarked in amazement, "This is so typical of Tōshirō. When it comes to living peacefully, he's willing to put in the effort, even if it's tiring at first."
Tōshirō's cooking skills are excellent, as he wasn't satisfied with the village's food, so he started learning to cook himself. Sometimes, even Tsunade had to admit that his mind was sharp, and he learned anything quickly, as long as he was interested. His only problem was that he lacked ambition, which was his greatest flaw.
Through the students' exchanges, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to understand Tōshirō's character better.
He is a talented person but tends to deviate from the right path.
Sarutobi Hiruzen started to think about guiding Tōshirō toward becoming a medical ninja so that the village could benefit from his talents instead of wasting them. This could also serve a political purpose.
As the student of the Second Hokage, Sarutobi had always felt a sense of caution toward the Uchiha clan, even though the Second Hokage never openly stated it.
The Uchiha clan worked as the village's police force and enjoyed high status and authority, but this was part of a strategy to monitor and control this powerful clan, perhaps gradually weakening them.
Since being part of the police force gives them authority, in reality, this job keeps them busy with small, insignificant matters, reducing their time for training and fighting. This was part of a plan to weaken them over time.
Although the Uchiha might realize this, they can't refuse it because it gives them a sense of confidence and power.
But even this step wasn't enough because the Uchiha were simply too powerful, which worried the rest.
The Sharingan is like a knife, and sharpening the knife is like training the Sharingan. Not to mention that sometimes this knife is sharpened to become a sword (Mangekyō Sharingan).
To sleep peacefully, the knife must be removed. But since the knife is tied to the eye and cannot be removed, an alternative solution must be found: removing the sharpening stone so that the knife becomes at least dull, reducing the likelihood of it causing fatal harm.
Assigning the Uchiha clan as the Konoha Police Force is a practical embodiment of this step.
Then a way must be found to use the knife properly. This knife should be used to slaughter pigs, and the cut meat should be served to the different ninja clans.
Medical ninjutsu is a practical embodiment of this idea. The theoretical power of the Sharingan is very suitable for medical ninjutsu. For example, during surgeries, the Sharingan's superior vision can greatly assist in performing complex operations, which would help reduce injuries and maintain the combat power of the ninja clans.
But unfortunately, most Uchiha prefer to pursue power, making this idea difficult to achieve. But with someone like Tōshirō from the Uchiha clan, this could be a beginning. Sarutobi believed that once an Uchiha takes this step, there would be room for discussion and perhaps space for operations in the future.
This way, not only would the Uchiha's combat power be reduced, but it would also help enhance the village's internal cohesion—making it a double-edged sword.
A half-dead Uchiha is a good Uchiha.
And even if Tōshirō doesn't awaken the Sharingan, it's fine. At least we've gained a medical ninja.
Although his motives may be impure, just wanting to avoid the battlefield and stay behind to heal others, this isn't a problem. As long as someone is willing to become a medical ninja, that's enough.
In the end, few are willing to become medical ninjas in this era.
If someone is willing, we shouldn't be picky.
Author's Note: Although some describe the Third Hokage as a good person and reject conspiracy theories, it can be said that rejecting conspiracy theories is itself a kind of conspiracy theory.
For example:
I won't speak on it; those interested will understand.
Returning to the main topic, in my humble opinion, the actions of Sarutobi Hiruzen can only be explained by a conspiracy theory.
I can only analyze Sarutobi Hiruzen's character by combining his background with the principle of judging actions rather than intentions.
Furthermore, I must analyze the Third Hokage from the perspective of the main character.
If the main character bets that the Third Hokage is a good person, they might not realize how much they're being deceived until it's too late.
Isn't that right, Uchiha Shisui?
It's better to be cautious than naive, as the saying goes.
Take this example: When the Second Hokage asked his students who would stay behind, Sarutobi Hiruzen volunteered without hesitation and said he would stay behind.
At first glance, it seems that the Third Hokage is showing nobility and courage, right?
But if you think about it carefully, is that really the case?
We should note that Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage right after that.
So here comes the question: After becoming Hokage, would he still have time to be a teacher for three students?
It's impossible, logically. Once you become Hokage, where will you find the time to be a Jonin sensei?
(Considering that in the anime, he was very young when he stayed behind, but was middle-aged when he was teaching the three students… what a paradox!)
Let's take a step back: There might have been a slight chance with Orochimaru and Tsunade, given that one had a special status and the other was a rare genius.
But what about Jiraiya?
How did Jiraiya, of all people, get the honor of being taught by the village leader and Hokage?
Jiraiya's talents didn't really show until after he signed the contract with Mount Myōboku.
In reality, Jiraiya cooperating with the other two Sannin was probably due to a lack of better options and a desire from the controlling forces to prevent interference from other factions.
Forming the Sannin team is interesting. Unlike Tsunade, who was born into the Senju clan, the other two came from civilian backgrounds. By that time, the Senju clan had likely been dismantled and integrated into the village.
Although the original story didn't mention it explicitly, the Senju clan later disappeared as if they had vanished entirely. The idea that such a powerful clan could be wiped out is unreasonable.
So, they must have been persuaded to dismantle and merge with the other clans.
The official reason might have been something like: to better integrate with the village and use the Senju clan's blood as a means to unite the village.
But upon closer inspection, that's just the surface. This way, the Senju clan lost their leader, their interests became unrepresented, and they became scattered and ineffective.
It's like the "rednecks" in certain areas who strongly support a particular figure. Despite all the controversy surrounding him, they continue to support him because he's their only voice. Without him, they have no one to speak for them, and without that voice, they can't achieve any of their demands.
Now, let's consider the benefits of this move:
The other ninja clans got rid of the largest interest group in the village without having to lift a finger, shared the profits, and gained the talents of the Senju clan, significantly enhancing the potential of their offspring.
This deal was successful by all measures.
At this point, with the Uchiha clan remaining as one of the original elites in the village, who else would they target? Uchiha talents aren't as "concealed" as the Senju's—once they awaken the Sharingan, they won't be so generous. They'll demand you to marry into their clan.
It seems I've digressed a bit.
To get back on topic: Sarutobi Hiruzen could only have taken the Sannin as students before he became Hokage.
By the time he became their teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen had probably realized that the Second Hokage was testing him, perhaps paving the way for him, making him legitimate.
In the real world, we've seen many such cases, haven't we?
Is it possible that Sarutobi Hiruzen was simple and pure in character? Yes, but the likelihood is very small.
If you were born during the clan wars era, your simplicity would have killed you long ago, and there wouldn't be anyone left to visit your grave.
Even if you were simple, your family members would certainly teach you the consequences of naivety.
Do you think everyone is like Asura, born with "heaven's blessing," ensuring you remain kind-hearted despite the harshest circumstances?
This is basically Stockholm syndrome, isn't it?
Even Asura was exceptional—immune to external influences, capable of turning the fiercest villains with just a few words, although by that point, the villains might already be on their way to the afterlife...
Only someone like Danzo, who lost his father and grandfather at an early age and didn't receive proper guidance, would be this reckless.
(He admitted this himself in his final moments, recalling the time when he was supposed to stay behind.)
Later, I imagine Danzo felt a lot of anger.
From Danzo's perspective, Sarutobi was destined to be Hokage. So why go through all this charade? Was it just to humiliate him?
Sarutobi's display of innocent feelings must have seemed disgusting to him! But Danzo couldn't complain or resist.
Because the Second Hokage had already given him the opportunity, but who backed down? It was Danzo.
And there were witnesses from their team, all watching the situation clearly.
Danzo was afraid, but Sarutobi was not.
Simply put.
You were given the chance, but you didn't take it!
I think the reason Danzo was so fixated on becoming Hokage later was that he couldn't swallow that humiliation at the time.
If I were Danzo and had students like the Sannin, I wouldn't be afraid. I would raise my voice as loud as I could and boldly and firmly say: "I can't leave this post, I will stay behind to protect the Hokage no matter the cost. Even if Madara or Hashirama came, they wouldn't stop me." (In parentheses).
(End of Chapter)
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