After finally obtaining the Strength of a Hundred Seal—the thing he had long dreamed of—Gojo Yoru was thrilled… and yet, unexpectedly calm.
Just as he had thought before:
For Uzumaki Kushina to bring Uzushio's Book of Seals right in front of him looked simple on the surface, but in reality it was unbelievable.
After all, the Land of Whirlpools and Uzushio were destroyed because of the Uzumaki clan's sealing arts.
And Yoru was absolutely certain that what those great nations stole at most were ordinary and high-level sealing techniques and barrier techniques.
Truly rare and powerful sealing arts would never be allowed to circulate freely. Even clan members who had made major contributions would only receive a one-time, standalone scroll.
It might even be inscribed with restrictions—like a "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal," or protections against mind-reading and similar techniques.
Nearly every secret-technique clan had measures like that, mainly to prevent their techniques from leaking if a member defected or their body was looted.
As a thousand-year-old noble clan, the Uzumaki clan's Book of Seals was second only to Konoha's own Book of Seals in value.
In the shinobi world, it could absolutely ignite the Second Great Ninja War on the spot.
And yet now, that thing was just sitting right in front of Gojo Yoru.
Without Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Hiruzen tacitly approving it, this would be impossible.
To Yoru, this scroll was a signal.
A signal that both Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Hiruzen approved of him—and were preparing to cultivate him.
Otherwise, no matter how love-brained Kushina might be, those two big shots would never allow her to do something so impulsive.
Right now, they were probably placing high hopes on Yoru: hoping he would learn Uzumaki sealing techniques so that, in the future, he'd be capable of dealing with a Nine-Tails jinchūriki losing control.
At the same time, they hoped he could help Kushina suppress—and even win over—the Nine-Tails.
Thinking that, the joy in Yoru's heart was even greater than getting the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Because it meant his relationship with Kushina had received "official certification." Even after she became the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, the higher-ups wouldn't dare interfere. They'd probably even support the two of them from behind the scenes—investing resources to cultivate Yoru.
After Uzumaki Mito died, as long as Yoru didn't clash with Hiruzen or fall out with him, then as long as he stayed in Konoha, no trouble would come looking for him.
As long as he kept showing outstanding talent and strength, Yoru's path forward would be smooth and unobstructed.
…
"Sarutobi-sensei, why are you acting so weird today? You're actually inviting me and Orochimaru over for dinner?"
"You brat, you've got the nerve to ask that? Since when does a teacher have to invite his student? If I didn't invite you, would you ever show up?"
"Ahem… I haven't taken missions in a while. I'm broke."
"Then why don't you go work?"
"Nope. I need to stay in Konoha to gather material. I'm going to write a novel. Once I earn fees—royalties—I'll treat you properly."
"Oh? Come—tell me more."
That night, Sarutobi Hiruzen rarely invited two of his students—Jiraiya and Orochimaru—to eat at his home.
Orochimaru was helping Sarutobi Biwako in the kitchen, while Jiraiya and Hiruzen drank and bickered at the table.
Of the three students, Orochimaru was the one the Sarutobi couple was most satisfied with and proud of—but the one who could truly chat with Hiruzen the easiest was the disrespectful, overly familiar Jiraiya.
One inherited the ninjutsu legacy; the other inherited the pervert legacy. They even shared "hobbies."
Jiraiya, who held a mountain of Hiruzen's embarrassing black history, acted in the Sarutobi household like it was his own home—casual and arrogant.
After dinner, Biwako refused Orochimaru's help with the dishes, and the master and two students moved from the dining room to the tea room.
Orochimaru took over making tea. Hiruzen lit his pipe and exhaled clouds of smoke.
Jiraiya couldn't be bothered with manners. He sat cross-legged on the tatami and got straight to the point. "Sarutobi-sensei… do you have an assignment for us?"
"Can't an old man just want to talk with his students?"
The instant Hiruzen finished, Jiraiya shot him a look of pure contempt—while Orochimaru, washing the teacups, also gave Hiruzen a sidelong glance.
"You two little brats—what's with that look?" Hiruzen barked.
"Oh, spare me. Sarutobi-sensei, you're the only one who'd do something like letting Orochimaru lead the whole squad the moment he made chūnin," Jiraiya complained mercilessly. "If the three of us weren't strong—and lucky—we'd have died dozens of times already."
"And if I hadn't raised you that way, would you have the strength you do now?"
"Fine, fine, I can't win with you." Jiraiya raised both hands in surrender, then asked again, "So what 'heart-to-heart' do you want to have? Don't tell me it's about the women's bathhouse."
"You brat—don't say that so loudly!" Hiruzen lifted his pipe like he was about to smack Jiraiya, scaring him into covering his head with both hands.
Orochimaru watched with a smile.
After the joking around, Hiruzen finally got to the real topic. "You've been jōnin for a while now. Your overall abilities are excellent, but you're still missing one piece. Have you ever considered becoming jōnin instructors—training a few subordinates, and selecting outstanding seedlings to inherit your legacy?"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up. "Sarutobi-sensei—do you want us to become Nawaki's jōnin instructor?"
"Nawaki's jōnin instructor has already been decided. Even I have no authority to interfere," Hiruzen said, lifting a finger to point at the ceiling.
Jiraiya deflated instantly, looking crestfallen. "If it's not Nawaki's instructor, then I'm not interested for now. The seedlings Orochimaru and I picked won't graduate for a long time."
"Oh?" Hiruzen leaned in, intrigued. He hadn't expected his two students to quietly find him two "grandstudents" without a word.
"They just advanced to fifth year in April. Orochimaru likes the top student, and I like the runner-up," Jiraiya answered honestly.
Hiruzen immediately looked at Orochimaru, his smile carrying meaning. "Sa and Mio's child… is he your student?"
Orochimaru understood what Hiruzen meant and chuckled. "Seems you've noticed him too, Sarutobi-sensei. Makes sense—he's that outstanding."
"Not just me," Hiruzen replied. "Lady Mito is watching him too."
That answer made both Orochimaru and Jiraiya's expressions change.
There were very few people Hiruzen would address as "Lady."
And in Konoha right now, there was only one: the First Hokage's wife.
Even though the Senju clan had already integrated into Konoha—so much so that even Tsunade and Nawaki had abandoned the Senju surname—
As long as that woman still lived, the Senju still existed.
She represented not only the Senju, but also the First Hokage himself.
And every ninja clan in Konoha were the First Hokage's followers.
Just as Hiruzen had said earlier, she was "the one above."
Her decision was something even the Hokage had no right to interfere with.
~~~
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