In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya rubbed his temples and took a deep breath.
His nerves had been on edge ever since Tsunade left with Hashirama to the Rain Forest.
He had initially expected the First Mizukage, Yuto, to attack again during this time, but he never appeared.
In fact, according to reports from Konoha ninja stationed on the borders, Kirigakure showed no signs of mobilizing troops.
Although Jiraiya was puzzled by Kirigakure's inaction, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
Konoha was no longer the leading village among the Great Five Nations, and this passive situation needed to change.
Jiraiya looked at the scrolls of intelligence reports on his desk, his brow deeply furrowed.
At first, he hadn't noticed it, but with Hashirama's serious injury, he became increasingly aware of Konoha's current shortcomings.
Although Hashirama's resurrection did help the villagers escape their panic after the attack by the Great Four Nations, it also caused many ninja in Konoha to lose their motivation to improve.
Suddenly, Jiraiya remembered the "Child of Prophecy" that the Great Toad Sage had mentioned to him.
Unfortunately, the Great Sage had fallen into a deep sleep after his last prophecy that Konoha would be engulfed in flames.
Otherwise, Jiraiya would have wanted to ask him more about the Child of Prophecy.
Perhaps Konoha needed a hero.
A hero for this era!
Jiraiya propped his chin with his hands, his eyes flashing with thought.
A knock suddenly came from the door.
The next moment, Naruto walked into the office casually, followed by Kakashi, who looked exhausted, and Sakura, who showed little fighting spirit.
"Hey, Pervy Sage, why are you sitting there? Where's Granny Tsunade?"
Seeing Jiraiya sitting in the Hokage's seat, Naruto widened his eyes in confusion.
"Naruto, you brat, I told you I'm not Pervy Sage, I'm the Toad Sage, and besides! I'm your teacher!!"
Jiraiya's expression stiffened as he glared at Naruto unhappily.
"I never agreed to be your teacher," Naruto said with a pout.
Jiraiya's eyelid twitched, and then he showed a helpless expression.
For some reason, after bantering with Naruto, Jiraiya suddenly felt his mood improve.
Jiraiya looked up at Kakashi and Sakura behind Naruto, seeing their somewhat dejected and unmotivated appearance, he couldn't help but feel a headache coming.
It seemed Sasuke's defection had greatly affected Team 7.
Naturally, Team Guy was also affected, but compared to Might Guy who was good at enlivening the atmosphere and full of passion, Kakashi's naturally quiet personality made this team even more repressed.
Thinking of this, Jiraiya's gaze shifted to Naruto, who was smiling foolishly, seemingly the least affected.
Jiraiya knew better than anyone that compared to Kakashi and Sakura, Sasuke's defection had the greatest impact on Naruto.
However, unlike Sakura who expressed her emotions, Naruto had turned this pressure into motivation to become stronger.
"Jiraiya-sama," Kakashi said, also looking at Jiraiya sitting in the Hokage's seat, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Tsunade has more important matters to attend to, so I'm serving as acting Hokage for now," Jiraiya said casually, sensing Kakashi's confusion.
Kakashi's eyes flashed, and he nodded calmly. Tsunade's departure was clearly related to the battle that had occurred outside Konoha a few days ago, but that was not something he could ask about.
"Pervy Sage, the Rasengan you taught me last time, I've already learned it! I've become even stronger!"
Naruto's face showed excitement and anticipation as he immediately crossed his hands.
Along with chakra surging from Naruto's hands, a Rasengan quickly appeared in his palm.
Seeing this, Jiraiya's expression froze, a rare look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
To master it in less than a week, that was much faster than Jiraiya had initially estimated.
"A week to learn it, that's really slow. With Sasuke's talent, being taught by someone as powerful as Uchiha Madara, Sasuke must have become even stronger by now. You're still far behind, Naruto."
Seeing the anticipation in Naruto's eyes, Jiraiya could guess what he was thinking and deliberately tried to discourage him.
Naruto's eyes darkened slightly, and he clenched his fists tightly.
As someone constantly chasing after Sasuke, Naruto knew Sasuke's talent better than anyone.
Sasuke must be training even harder than me right now. I need to become even stronger!
With this thought, Naruto's face broke into a smile again.
Amidst everyone's stunned expressions, Naruto walked toward Jiraiya with a grin.
Seeing Naruto's actions, Jiraiya's mouth twitched. He had a bad feeling about this.
Naruto suddenly slammed his hands on Jiraiya's desk and said in a negotiating tone:
"Pervy Sage, look, Sasuke has someone as powerful as Uchiha Madara teaching him, and even Neji seems to have the First Mizukage teaching him... hehe..."
"Can you ask Lord Hokage to teach me too?"
Naruto blinked his eyes, his blue pupils full of anticipation as he looked at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya couldn't help but roll his eyes. He naturally knew which Hokage Naruto was referring to.
"You make it sound so easy, and I told you I'm the Toad Sage!!"
Jiraiya looked at Naruto with displeasure.
No wonder Naruto has been asking about Hashirama from time to time lately. He was planning this all along.
Wait, he's supposed to be Naruto's teacher! Although Jiraiya knew he wasn't as strong as the legends Hashirama was associated with, he still felt a bit upset.
Just as Naruto was about to say something more, Kakashi walked over from behind and pulled Naruto back.
"Alright, Naruto, we have more important matters."
Naruto pouted but didn't say anything more.
"Jiraiya-sama, did you summon us for a mission?" Kakashi looked up at Jiraiya and asked quietly.
"It's not really a mission. A ninja team is supposed to consist of one squad leader and three genin. With Sasuke's defection, your Team 7 is missing one person, so naturally we need to fill that spot."
Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi's three students and spoke with a smile.
Of course, this wasn't the real reason. The main purpose was to add a new companion to improve Team 7's current situation.
As Jiraiya spoke, Kakashi nodded slightly. This was expected.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Naruto's expressions changed.
They already knew that Neji's position in Team Guy had been filled by another Hyuga clan member.
Both Naruto and Sakura were somewhat resistant to this.
"Sasuke's position cannot be replaced by anyone!" Sakura said to Jiraiya, her voice somewhat agitated.
Kakashi's eyes flickered, and he reached out to pat Sakura's head, rubbing it gently.
With Kakashi's action, Sakura's agitated emotions gradually calmed down.
"Sakura, this isn't replacing, but a new companion for you," Jiraiya said to Naruto and Sakura with a serious expression.
After speaking, Jiraiya clapped his hands lightly.
A very faint sound disappeared from outside the Hokage's office.
Kakashi's ears twitched. It wasn't an ANBU member.
Remembering that Jiraiya had recently taken over Danzo's Root division, it seemed this new member joining Team 7 was from Root.
Not long after, a light knock came from outside the Hokage's office.
"Come in," Jiraiya said with a smile.
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