Chapter 14: Jiraiya
Kakashi and Uchiha Kagami were summoned to the Hokage's office ahead of schedule. For Kagami, it was his first close encounter with the Third Hokage since the beginning of school.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, known for his constant smoking, still had his pipe, even with the two young shinobi before him, sending wisps of purple smoke into the air. It was hard to equate this elderly, stooping man with the highest authority in the Land of Fire.
Yes, the highest authority.
Since the inception of the hidden village system, decisions of war and peace rested in the hands of each village's Kage. Did the Second Hokage need to involve the Daimyo in peace agreements with the Hidden Cloud? Did the Third Hokage need the Daimyo's approval to mobilize his forces?
The Daimyo mainly had symbolic authority, leading the civilians, while the real power rested with the Kage. Even when Danzo took brief command, a single glance from him silenced the Daimyo.
But what good was that approval? If Konoha's Jonin didn't vote for him, Danzo remained a temporary placeholder at best. Only those whose faces were etched into the Hokage Rock could truly be called Hokage.
Kagami gathered his thoughts and nodded. "I've heard of Jiraiya, a powerful shinobi with the title of Sannin."
Hiruzen smiled warmly. "You two are very talented. I think you're ready to graduate early and train under Jiraiya. If you do well, you may even become his disciples. His current disciple, the youngest Jonin, Minato Namikaze, has become quite remarkable."
Jiraiya... Minato Namikaze...
Kagami's mind raced.
Although the Third Hokage had later let the Uchiha massacre go unpunished, it was clear that, up until then, he had sought reconciliation with them. Allowing Minato, who had a strong connection with the Uchiha, to take office could have been part of that plan.
Minato Namikaze was highly respected. As a beacon of light, he even won favor with the notoriously protective Uchiha clan, despite their strict policies. He hadn't even become Hokage yet, and still, the Uchiha respected him.
Becoming part of Jiraiya's team would be a clear signal of goodwill from the Third Hokage.
After all, the Hokage position traditionally passed down from mentor to pupil. Sarutobi was signaling that the Uchiha still had a chance.
Originally, he had his eye on a different Uchiha boy—Obito—whose kindness made him an unlikely Uchiha. But now, both Kagami and Kakashi were struggling with emotional wounds. Kagami was withdrawn, and Kakashi's father had left him with a sense of loss. Both needed the warmth of the "Little Sun" to help heal.
Sarutobi's answer to darkness? Minato Namikaze.
Kakashi, still numb from his father's departure, simply nodded at Sarutobi's words, indifferent. If Kagami hadn't insisted on staying at the academy, he would've wanted to graduate long ago.
Kagami saw no reason to refuse.
If nothing else, Jiraiya's teaching skills were undeniably exceptional. His students—Nagato, Minato, and Naruto—all reached Kage-level. Even Yahiko had become the leader of the Akatsuki. Becoming his disciple was a worthwhile opportunity.
Besides… the whole "master-apprentice struggle" was practically a tradition in Konoha.
Poof.
"Yo! You two must be Kakashi and Kagami!"
A tall man with white hair was squatting on the Hokage office's windowsill. His white hair fell to his waist, with red lines below his eyes standing out prominently.
…
"You idiot! Can't you use the door?"
Watching the window creak dangerously, Hiruzen exploded in frustration.
Landing on the ground with a loud thud, Jiraiya casually patted Hiruzen's shoulder. "Relax, old man. You don't need to get so worked up."
"Hmph! If you know I'm getting old, then hurry up and take over my responsibilities!"
Hiruzen's ideal choice for the Hokage was Jiraiya—loyal to the village, protective of his friends, powerful, peaceful, and sharing similar… interests.
"Hahaha! Spare me, that's not a position I'd be suited for."
With a laugh, Jiraiya turned his attention to the two kids.
"Let's keep it simple: I'm Jiraiya!"
…
That's it?
Kagami had expected some grand speech about the Toad Sage.
"Kakashi Hatake."
"Uchiha Kagami."
Even simpler introductions from the two boys.
"Kagami, huh…" Jiraiya scratched his chin thoughtfully. "The old man mentioned an old comrade with the same name."
"That was my grandfather," Kagami replied bluntly.
Unlike other transmigrators, he fully embraced his identity. His grandmother, Shisui, and most of his clan were family to him. Their kindness toward him was something he'd never forget.
"Is that so? Then you can call me uncle!"
"And Kakashi, too! Sakumo helped me out plenty of times."
With that, Jiraiya pulled both boys close, his scratchy hair brushing against their cheeks.
Kagami instinctively wanted to attack him.
He struggled but realized he'd have to use his full strength to break free. Reluctantly, he resigned himself.
Exasperated, he said, "Jiraiya-sama, you smell strongly of women's perfume."
…
"Hahaha, you're mistaken—that's just the smell of the world. You'll experience it someday too!"
Jiraiya awkwardly released them, exchanging a glance with Sarutobi, and the two old men quickly looked away, pretending not to notice each other.
He hopped back onto the windowsill, beckoning to the boys.
"Come on, you two. I don't take just anyone under my wing. Your first test is to catch up to me!"
Kakashi glanced at Kagami.
"What're you looking at? It's not like we're close," Kagami muttered, then watched the white-haired boy go after the white-haired man, shaking his head in resignation.
This Jiraiya's overly social. I'm too reserved for this.
Hiruzen, amused, said, "If you don't hurry, you'll lose to Kakashi."
…
You really know how to provoke an Uchiha.
Kagami scoffed. "I'll give him a three-minute head start and still beat him."
"Haha, I like the confidence."
Kagami jumped onto the windowsill, pausing to glance back at Hiruzen.
There really wasn't any malice in those eyes. Such a complex man.
But then, people were inherently complex.
Gathering chakra to his feet, Kagami took off in an instant.
Before long, he caught up to Kakashi, not bothering to leave any parting words, merely flashing him a view of his back.
That jerk! Ignoring me like that!
Kakashi gritted his teeth, increasing his pace, but the distance continued to widen.
Gradually, Kagami noticed something odd. Up ahead, Jiraiya suddenly sped up, moving at a pace well beyond a typical Jonin, disappearing from sight.
It was as if something urgent had occurred.
Feeling a shift, Kagami activated his Sharingan, crimson light glinting in his eyes.
He saw it…
He sensed it…
A violent chakra presence…
It was the Nine-Tails!
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