The young boy who walked in looked about the same age as Naruto and Sakura.
He was somewhat slender, with curiosity and nervousness in his eyes as he quickly glanced at the people in the room.
Then, with an expressionless face, he walked toward Jiraiya.
Kakashi, standing nearby, maintained his lazy expression, but had been watching the boy with his peripheral vision since he entered the Hokage's office.
As the newest member of their team, Kakashi naturally wanted to get to know him in advance.
After observing the boy for a moment, Kakashi shifted his gaze back.
Having been a member of ANBU and even spending some time in Root, Kakashi knew the characteristics of those who came from Root.
Although Jiraiya had taken over Root, it had been such a short time that the behavior patterns of some Root shinobi might not have changed yet.
This kid had probably just completed the first level of Root training, Kakashi thought, slightly narrowing his eyes and feeling a sense of relief.
The first level of training involved erasing emotions, which was Root's method.
Kakashi was relieved because this boy hadn't yet been completely trained into a killing machine, though he was still troublesome.
"Jiraiya-sama," the boy said, walking before Jiraiya and slightly bowing his head.
"Let me introduce everyone. He's Sai, and he'll be your new teammate from now on," Jiraiya said with a smile, nodding toward Kakashi and the others.
With Jiraiya's introduction, Sai turned and bowed respectively to Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura.
"Please take care of me."
"Sai?"
Hearing the name that differed from Sasuke's by only one character, Sakura glanced at Sai before looking away.
Naruto didn't really notice the similarity, but seeing Sai's expressionless face, just like Sasuke's, he couldn't help but pout.
At Naruto and Sakura's slight rejection of Sai, Jiraiya showed no surprise on his face. He knew Kakashi would handle it.
"The rest is up to you, Kakashi," Jiraiya said, scratching his head and smiling at Kakashi.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Kakashi's eyes, but he still nodded.
He turned to lead Naruto and the others out of the Hokage's office.
"Pervy Sage, don't forget!"
Just as he was about to exit the Hokage's office, Naruto suddenly turned and shouted at Jiraiya.
Bang!!
The Hokage's office door closed again.
Jiraiya raised his hand to his forehead with a helpless expression.
"Wanting to be taught by Hashirama isn't something I can decide."
Besides, Hashirama was seriously injured right now. There was no telling when he would return.
But at least one matter was settled.
Just as Jiraiya was about to rest, the Hokage's office door was knocked again.
Then, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane walked directly in.
"What business do you two advisors have?"
Seeing these two, Jiraiya sat up straight with a surprised expression on his face.
Homura Mitokado didn't waste time with pleasantries and said directly: "Iwagakure and Kumogakure have sent people."
Jiraiya was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but frown.
At this time, why would two major ninja villages send people?
"The five-tailed jinchuriki Han and the eight-tailed jinchuriki Killer Bee are currently in our custody," Koharu Utatane reminded him softly, seeing the confused expression on Jiraiya's face.
Following Koharu Utatane's reminder, Jiraiya finally realized that the people from Iwagakure and Kumogakure had come for the jinchuriki.
Jiraiya patted his head and said somewhat embarrassedly: "I've been so busy lately that I forgot."
After speaking, Jiraiya's face became serious as he looked at the two advisors.
"Regarding the issue of returning the tailed beasts, what do you two advisors think?"
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane glanced at each other, a look of regret flashing in their eyes.
"This matter was decided in advance by Hashirama Senju. We have no objection."
The issue of tailed beasts has always been the most sensitive topic among major ninja villages.
Although Konoha captured the five-tailed jinchuriki and the eight-tailed jinchuriki, Konoha's high-ranking officials like Homura and Koharu never considered keeping these two tailed beasts for themselves.
After all, if they really did that, not only would they completely offend Iwagakure and Kumogakure, but Konoha would likely face condemnation from all ninja villages in the shinobi world.
It would be completely thankless work.
"Since that's the case, then let the three of us go meet with the Iwagakure and Kumogakure representatives," Koharu Utatane said, looking at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya nodded. That was all they could do for now.
After all, with Tsunade and Hashirama both away from Konoha, they had to handle the reception.
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