When Hiruzen and the others turned around to look, Asuma subconsciously leaned back slightly. The tome tucked against his abdomen bulged forward.
His already not-very-loose upper garment was pushed up into a conspicuous lump, to the point that even the hard edges of the book's pages could be faintly discerned…
"Ahahahahahaha!"
Jiraiya laughed heartlessly.
"Kid, what book are you sneaking a look at? At your age, reading the kinds of books adults read is absolutely not allowed, you know?"
"Hurry up and take it out. Jiraiya is going to confiscate it—I must collect material… I mean, criticize this kind of dross!"
After all, since he himself had once been soaked by the rain, he might as well tear up someone else's umbrella too.
Back when Jiraiya was young and secretly peeked at these kinds of books, he had been caught by Hiruzen and suffered an on-the-spot social death.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Asuma, you little brat, you should learn more from me—and from Orochimaru as well!"
"Learning from Jiraiya won't make you amount to anything…"
Hiruzen's face darkened.
"That's not necessary."
One gambles; one excessively researches forbidden techniques…
If not for their talent and foundations propping them up, if others indulged in Tsunade's and Orochimaru's hobbies, that would truly be the end of them in this lifetime.
They would either be ruined or executed…
As for Asuma, Hiruzen did not have particularly high expectations of him.
It would be enough for him to be a kindhearted heir.
Don't rebel, don't stir up any trouble…
If he could be a bit sensible and help speak well of him among the new generation, that would already count as doing his part.
Hiruzen beckoned with his hand.
"What are you bringing to the ninja academy? Why are you being so sneaky about it…?"
Asuma shuffled over hesitantly.
Jiraiya chuckled, his eyes quick and hands faster, and snatched the book out.
"Kid, accept Jiraiya-sama's righteous judgment!"
The next moment, Jiraiya's expression turned dark, yet he still unwillingly flipped through it a couple of times.
On the cover, several large characters were written clearly—
[Sarutobi Clan Fire Release Essentials]
No—was something wrong with this kid?
Why sneak around just to study?!
Jiraiya ended up making a complete fool of himself.
"This man is filthy, and his heart is filthy too. I knew Asuma wasn't a kid like you."
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Still, where are you taking this? Don't lose it…"
Asuma's heart sank. After thinking it over, he decided to be honest.
He said to Hiruzen, "Father, some of my companions at the ninja academy and I formed a group. We agreed to each bring texts from home and improve together…"
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya nearly couldn't hold it in, and Tsunade also laughed.
A gang at the ninja academy?
As expected of the sensei's son—showing organizational ability at such a young age…
Jiraiya teased him amusedly, "Hey, Asuma, do you know what kind of behavior this of yours counts as?"
"Secretly bringing the texts was my fault. I was afraid Father wouldn't agree…"
Asuma lowered his head. "But I already promised my companions. I can't go back on my word."
Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh as well. These little brats really did have a bit of a gang-like spirit to them…
"How could it be that simple?"
Jiraiya put on a fierce face and, imitating the tone of Danzo from his memory, said, "This is forming factions—you're setting up your own stronghold inside the ninja academy…"
"I'd say you brat are trying to oppose the Hokage! Old man—"
Out of the corner of his eye, Jiraiya saw Hiruzen, and he hastily amended what was on the tip of his tongue. "Sensei isn't old yet!"
The current Hiruzen was about the same build as Jiraiya, and even carried an additional sense of strength unique to a man in his prime.
Calling him "old man" wasn't very appropriate…
A huge question mark popped over Asuma's head. "Me… opposing my father?"
That completely baffled expression made everyone burst into laughter.
And objectively speaking, if not for the group Asuma had formed, the very next day the ninja academy teachers would have had to call in reinforcements to wipe out this energetic little bunch…
And they'd definitely make every gang member go up on stage and read a self-criticism three times!
And what he had done was, in fact, somewhat skirting the edge.
The essentials of each ninja clan's techniques had always been kept from outsiders, including but not limited to secret techniques, and small tricks related to chakra nature transformation and shape transformation…
Wearing the outer layer of "ninja academy student exchange" had, by sheer accident, made this behavior less sensitive.
"Asuma, it's not that Father doesn't agree—rather, there are a few points you need to pay attention to."
"First, you must act within your abilities. Mutual verification is feasible, but if you run into problems, you must seek help from adults. High-level forbidden techniques do you more harm than good."
"Second, you must pay attention to secrecy. You should establish a set of rules and report it to the ninja academy teachers."
"Third, you should also bring along some of the other children…"
Hiruzen said with a smile, "The best way to master ninjutsu is to review it once again through teaching. Remember to give a hand to the classmates behind you."
As Hokage, he could not focus only on talented shinobi.
He would start by slowly permeating in from the ninja academy.
And as for the existing mid- and low-ranked shinobi, stuffing the clans' essentials into them all at once would not mean much, either.
Talent determined that what they could grasp would not be very much.
That was why, among the Konoha council, Hiruzen had chosen "Maruboshi Kosuke"—he wanted him to serve a research role.
Having remained a genin all along, he understood the needs of chūnin and genin very well.
If the village launched targeted improvements on that basis, it would be more appropriate.
Asuma nodded repeatedly.
"Father, I've remembered it all!"
"Don't worry. We'll definitely unite, and when the time comes, we'll let Minato-sensei see our strength!"
Jiraiya looked puzzled. "Minato-sensei?"
"Kakashi said Minato-sensei will come to test us…" Asuma replied.
Jiraiya chuckled. "Then do your best. I think you'll definitely win…"
He had confidence in his disciple.
If these little brats could actually take Minato down, then Konoha's future would truly be promising…
Asuma ran off to the ninja academy in high spirits.
With the Hokage backing him, Asuma swore he would defeat Minato!
"Jiraiya, take Minato to apply for the Flying Thunder God Technique." After Asuma left, Hiruzen spoke.
"Huh?" Jiraiya was stunned. "Isn't that a bit much?!"
"What do you mean, 'a bit much'? I simply saw Minato's talent—that has nothing to do with that brat Asuma." Hiruzen said righteously.
"Still, the way they're doing this is a bit too… conspicuous."
"Tell Minato to have them change it into a study group."
Jiraiya let out a sigh.
Poor Asuma—once the teachers know, he thinks he can still run?
"If you're free lately, go to the ninja academy as well and keep an eye on those kids. Keep things within bounds."
"And remember to give them some confidence through Minato…"
Jiraiya hummed in agreement. "Alright. I don't really have any missions recently. I was thinking of writing a novel."
"That novel of yours…"
A thought stirred in Hiruzen's mind. "Come see me in a few days. I'll give you a few outlines."
Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Sensei, you know how to write novels too?"
Hiruzen waved his hand noncommittally.
He wasn't very good at writing novels…
but he was good at copying them!
Adapting well-known classic love stories, reworked slightly as soft promotional material for the Sage Region Pills, would not be difficult at all…
And if Jiraiya truly had talent in this area…
Then once Konoha's various support systems were established, he could be made to write other types as well.
For example, stories focused on rescuing ordinary low-rank shinobi, or narratives centered on the tragedies of Kirigakure.
'Among Minato's peers, it really is hard to find someone who can grow alongside him…' Hiruzen began pondering another new problem.
The strong bonds between shinobi, to a certain extent, came from sparring.
A suitable opponent could further draw out each other's potential—he himself and Danzo were once a very good example.
But Minato, at this age, was clearly a bit too outstanding.
If he could also master the Flying Thunder God Technique, that would be even more remarkable…
Hiruzen suddenly smiled. He thought of a candidate.
If it were that man…
Then he really could take Minato and train him properly, the two of them "improving together"…
It was just that, in terms of identity, he would need to think carefully about how to arrange it.
And on the following day—
Hiruzen, who was always assigning sparring targets to others, was himself challenged by someone else…
Danzo came to see him and said bluntly, "Hiruzen, how about a spar?"
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