Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya were all Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciples, and he trusted them greatly. Now that the three of them had grown into capable Ninja, it was time to give them more responsibilities, and some things needed to be explained to them.
"Uchiha Itachi? Uzumaki Kushina seems to have a good relationship with him. I heard Kushina mention him before.
But is that kid really that talented? Can he really compare to Kagami-senpai?" Tsunade also knew Uchiha Kagami. An Uchiha who could be recognized by the Lord Second, who was hostile to the Uchiha, was indeed a good person.
As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't lead them on missions, so many of those missions were led by Uchiha Kagami. During that time, Uchiha Kagami indeed taught them a lot.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, looking at Uchiha Itachi, who was chatting with Uzumaki Kushina and Minato Namikaze, and said, "This child, Itachi, is the youngest Uchiha in history to awaken his Sharingan.
He has already achieved good mastery in Fire Release and Lightning Release. Even without the Sharingan, he has the strength to graduate early.
If he hadn't applied for early graduation, your history of early graduation might have been broken by him.
As for now, I suspect he might already have Chunin-level strength."
"Oh? A six-year-old Chunin?" Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Itachi with interest, his snake-like tongue licking his lips.
"I'm just saying he has strength comparable to a Chunin. As for whether he can become a Chunin, he still needs to pass the assessment. Moreover, since he didn't actively apply for early graduation, I won't proactively make him graduate either," Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded with a light cough.
Tsunade followed his gaze and looked at Uchiha Itachi. For some reason, she felt a sense of familiarity from this child.
What's going on with this Uchiha?
"Tsunade, are you interested in becoming his teacher?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, pointing at Uchiha Itachi.
"Me, become his teacher?" Tsunade blinked. She had just been wondering why Uchiha Itachi gave her such a familiar feeling, and now Hiruzen Sarutobi gave her such a proposal: "Although my surname isn't Senju, I still have the Senju clan bloodline in me. He's an Uchiha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe and said with a chuckle, "What's the problem with that?
Didn't Teacher Tobirama also take Kagami as his disciple? Shodai(1st)-sama even allied with the Uchiha to establish Konoha.
Now the Senju clan has disbanded, and the Uchiha are also a part of the Village. This child, Itachi, is also a part of the Village. Why can't you take him as a disciple?
This might even become a beautiful tale. He needs you to protect his growth."
In fact, he could have easily let Uchiha Itachi become Orochimaru's disciple, but after a moment of hesitation, he still chose Tsunade.
Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously still favored Orochimaru to become the next Hokage. If Itachi were to become Orochimaru's disciple, Uchiha Itachi might indeed become a Hokage successor then.
Nawaki's talent would likely struggle to compare with Uchiha Itachi's.
Of course, if you add the Senju's fundamental support, ten Uchiha Itachi wouldn't be a match for Nawaki. The villagers of Konoha would be more willing to support the Senju clan.
But in that case, the Uchiha Clan would likely become even more chaotic.
Having Tsunade become Uchiha Itachi's teacher would eliminate this problem. To compensate Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Mikoto could become Orochimaru's disciple, thus giving the dove faction two main pillars, led by Uchiha Itachi and supplemented by Uchiha Mikoto.
Then Uchiha Itachi would be from the Hokage lineage but would find it difficult to become Hokage. In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, this was the best outcome.
It wasn't that Hiruzen Sarutobi was prejudiced against Uchiha Itachi or scheming against him; it was simply that the Uchiha were not suitable.
As friends and comrades, the Uchiha were very reliable, but if an Uchiha became Hokage, who knew what would happen?
Believe it or not, if an Uchiha became Hokage on the first day, he would dare to declare war on the Ninja World on the second day, and then Konoha would be gone!
Tsunade was silent upon hearing this. Once Uchiha Itachi became her disciple, the Uchiha clan would likely be in turmoil again, especially the hawkish members, who would view Uchiha Itachi as a thorn in their side.
Uchiha Kagami became Senju Tobirama's disciple because Senju Tobirama's strength was sufficient, but what did she, Tsunade, have?
Moreover, Tsunade inwardly admitted that she wasn't the most suitable person to teach Uchiha Itachi.
Orochimaru was!
As for Jiraiya, Tsunade simply ignored him.
"Think about it carefully. This child is quite difficult right now!" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said, "If you take Uchiha Itachi as your disciple, I can allow you to take Uzumaki Kushina as your disciple later as well."
"Kushina?" Tsunade showed surprise. Tsunade was somewhat aware of Kushina's possible future fate.
Tsunade originally thought Kushina might never leave Konoha in her lifetime.
Unexpectedly, Teacher Sarutobi actually agreed to let her take her as a disciple.
"Mm! Kushina is a good child. She has also found her bonds in Konoha. As her older sister, you can't just ignore her, can you?
Moreover, you are the most suitable person to teach her, aren't you?
If she can learn Lady Mito's Sealing Jutsu, as well as your Super Strength and Medical Ninjutsu, even if she only becomes a Ninja, she can still stand on her own in the future." Hiruzen Sarutobi was also very satisfied with the children in the Ninja Academy now.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi, Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Itachi, Uzumaki Kushina, Hyuga Hiashi, Hizashi, plus the new generation of Ino–Shika–Chō—these were all the cream of the crop among Konoha's new generation.
As long as they grew up, Konoha's future was promising!
Tsunade admitted she was tempted. She knew Uzumaki Kushina, her cousin, who had been brought up by her Grandma, very well.
Regarding her talent in Sealing Jutsu, Grandma said Kushina's talent was no worse than hers.
And the Uzumaki Clan's physique and vitality would allow Uzumaki Kushina to learn Super Strength and Medical Ninjutsu, which would likely be a permanent solution.
Thinking of this possibility, Tsunade admitted she was tempted.
At this moment, Minato Namikaze had already stepped onto the training ground. His opponent was a member of the Sarutobi clan. In this battle, Minato Namikaze showcased his solid fundamentals and his ability to seize opportunities to the fullest, defeating his opponent with great rhythm.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, that blonde kid, do you know him?" Jiraiya's eyes lit up when he saw Minato Namikaze.
As a Ninja from a civilian background, Jiraiya naturally had a fondness for civilian Ninja. In Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya saw a reflection of his past self. This child is like me.