"The second floor must be built directly on top of the first, and the first must be built solidly on the ground."
Hiruzen was inspecting the ninja school's ongoing massive expansion project, offering guidance on the bustling construction site. As everyone knew, he cared deeply about education.
It was already close to the time of the Chunin Exams, and most of the participating teams from other villages had already arrived in Konoha.
Behind him followed his secretary and several leaders and teachers from the ninja academy. All of them were taking notes, diligently recording the insights and demeanor of their leader.
"Concise and profound, what you mean is that just as a towering building must be built from the ground up, constructing a school and educating children also requires a solid foundation. Children are the future of Konoha. Your words are truly thought-provoking," a teacher gazed in admiration at Hiruzen, someone he had always looked up to and aspired to emulate.
"Iruka, you really do have a Hokage-like mind for education," Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction, taking a deep puff from his pipe.
"You flatter me, Hokage-sama," Iruka beamed with pride at being praised by his idol.
"It's too much of a waste for you to be just an ordinary teacher, you should take on more responsibility in the education sector."
At that moment, a staff member from the Hokage Building came hurrying over with news. "The Fourth Kazekage has expressed interest in touring Konoha's new developments together with you."
Hiruzen waved his hand in agreement, welcoming the Kazekage's visit.
Seeing the Kazekage approaching in the distance with his entourage, Hiruzen's expression grew slightly complicated, he was finally seeing this wayward disciple again.
Just thinking about this traitor's outrageous patricide made his chest ache with phantom pain. Over the years, he had shown more love to these three apprentices than to his own children, especially Orochimaru, who had always been his favorite.
The betrayal was truly heartbreaking.
And ever since this traitor had unethically summoned the First and Second Hokage in a combined assault, rumors had spread that the Hokage line had some sort of tradition of being betrayed by their own students, it all started with him.
In his generation, things had been so different: fathers were loving, sons respectful, brothers got along. Even Danzō had spoken words of praise about Tobirama and him before his death.
But Orochimaru? Born evil.
Hiruzen itched to capture him on the spot.
But now wasn't the time. Once the enemy initiated their "Konoha Crush Plan," they'd be surrounded three layers deep and know true despair. All of Konoha's jonin were present in the village. Even Jiraiya had been recalled.
After this "Suna Crush Plan," the Will of Fire would blow straight into the Land of Wind.
Hiruzen took a hard drag on his pipe, put on his official Hokage smile, and greeted the Kazekage.
"Welcome to Konoha."
"The honor is mine." The Kazekage gave a faint smile.
He glanced around the busy construction site, and finally let his gaze rest on Hiruzen's face for a long time. Slightly dazed, he then said, "Konoha's development is truly astonishing, no wonder it's the head of the Five Great Nations."
"Hahaha, you're too kind. I've heard that under your leadership, Suna is also thriving."
If it were really Rasa hearing that, he would have thought, He is being sarcastic again, I'm one step from digging in a mine, and he calls it thriving?
But since this was Orochimaru, he didn't feel anything in particular. Instead, he stared directly at Hiruzen and said, "Still, I can't compare to you, who seem even more vigorous with age."
"Hahaha, ninjutsu is profound and vast."
Bullshit! You're clearly dabbling in forbidden jutsu! You're definitely researching the First Hokage's cells! You've fallen too, you hypocritical old man!
Sensei, oh sensei, you too have been defeated by time…
Orochimaru, though clearly the villain here, felt a pang of sorrow. Even as someone who had long embraced cruelty and darkness, seeing the teacher who used to chant "Will of Fire" every day now clearly corrupted too, it made him feel the harsh passage of time and how much the world had changed.
Originally, he had come here just to show off. He had planned it all out: before the fighting started, he'd rip off his human-skin mask with a dramatic hiss, to show the old man just how impressive his research had become.
But now? Just forget it!
You've fallen too.
The two walked side by side, with their entourages maintaining a respectful distance behind them. Iruka still held his little notebook, occasionally glancing up at the Third Hokage's back.
"The expansion of your Ninja Academy is truly grand. It seems you have invested quite a bit of heart and soul into education," the Kazekage suddenly remarked with a faint trace of mockery.
"Education is the foundation. The children are the hope for the future," Hiruzen replied calmly and steadily.
"Heh… You are absolutely right," the Kazekage chuckled softly.
Hiruzen then began to outline his Konoha Academy City plan, asking Iruka to assist in explaining the upcoming holistic ninja education system focused on moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor development. The visiting Suna ninjas from the countryside listened in complete confusion.
"The goal is to expand the education zone a hundredfold within five years. All of Konoha's ninjutsu will gradually be integrated into the academy's curriculum, to foster a new generation of well-rounded, capable, and idealistic ninjas. Under the Will of Fire, every child will have both an education and skills to master."
"The daimyō? The clans? They're all supportive of me. The will of the people is the will of the Hokage, and the will of the Hokage is the will of the people," Hiruzen passionately promoted his education initiative.
Orochimaru almost thought the old man had been possessed, since when did he have this kind of ambition? If he had this vision back then, maybe everything wouldn't have gone so wrong. And doing all this at his age, was he trying to relive his youth?
Behind them, the attendants were furiously jotting down notes.
Hiruzen went on, "Not just the Land of Fire, Konoha Academy City will even recruit students from abroad. Suna and Konoha are like the branches of the same tree. I wonder if you would consider sending students to study here in Konoha. I hear your children are full of potential."
Now that was offensive. Wasn't that the same as demanding hostages? The Suna attendants, who moments ago were feeling inferior and awed by Konoha's wealth and generosity, now bristled with anger.
The Kazekage waved a hand to calm them. "You must be joking."
Of course, as Orochimaru, he wasn't emotionally affected, but he did give Hiruzen a deep look and thought, Is his forbidden technique really that effective? He must've kept some techniques hidden from me back then…
"I truly have high hopes for your son, Gaara," Hiruzen continued. "He's clearly someone with great potential, I see the future of a Kazekage in him."
"You should also consider potential successors for the next Hokage," the Kazekage subtly replied.
"Hahaha, Konoha has no shortage of talent, any one of them could be the next Hokage."
---
Elsewhere, in the forest near Konoha, Jiraiya, having returned to the village ahead of schedule, was training Naruto.
On the ground, long-legged tadpoles jumped around chaotically. They stared at each other, wide eyes meeting wide eyes.
No matter how I look at it, Naruto doesn't seem like the Child of the Prophecy. What nonsense was the old man spouting?
---
At the same time, a bolt of lightning shattered rock.
Zzzzz!
"CHIDORI!"
---
Under a lamp at home, Sakura had a headband with the word "Diligence" tied on her forehead. One hand was flipping through a test prep book, while the other was practicing hand signs. Kakashi had given her a copy of "Medical Ninjutsu: A Quick Start Guide."
---
In a prison cell, Danzō, now one-armed and one-eyed, was reading a newspaper. The headline read: "Teams from All Nations Arrive in Konoha - The Joint Exam Heralds a New Era for the Shinobi World."