Chapter 159: Konoha’s Upper Echelon’s Plot to Suppress

"His growth has been rather fast, hasn't it?"

The Third Hokage muttered around his pipe, taking a slow drag. His expression was hard to read, hidden behind a cloud of smoke. But the thought crossed his mind—it might be time to hold him back a little.

Koharu Utatane exchanged a subtle look with Homura Mitokado, who nodded in agreement.

"Sarutobi," Homura began, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully. "Koharu's concerns aren't entirely without merit. She doesn't mean to stifle Yagami Takuya's growth, but we can't ignore the fact that he carries the bloodline of the Uchiha.

"And the Uchiha have always wanted to draw him back into the fold."

After two rejections, do you really think he can keep turning them down forever?

The Third Hokage looked up at Homura, who continued. "No one understands the Sharingan like the Uchiha."

Takuya might be indifferent to the Uchiha now, given the past—but can you guarantee he won't ever return to them?

His Sharingan had already reached the three-tomoe stage. If he wanted to develop it further, he'd eventually need the Uchiha's resources. The Uchiha could easily offer him something—maybe ask for his return in exchange for certain... advantages. They might even dangle the forbidden techniques of the Uchiha before him.

Homura didn't believe Takuya would be able to resist such an enticing offer.

"Sarutobi, we've carried on our master's will. We need to ensure that it continues," Koharu interjected, adding fuel to the fire.

If mentioning the Uchiha wasn't enough to sway him, invoking Tobirama Senju would certainly do the trick.

Sure enough, as soon as Tobirama's name came up, the Third Hokage's expression turned serious.

"What exactly are you suggesting?" he asked.

Homura and Koharu shared a glance.

"Well, with the war going on, there's been a backlog of missions in the village," Homura hinted.

The implication was clear—if they couldn't suppress Takuya's power, they could restrict his battlefield achievements. No matter how many accomplishments he'd already racked up, they could limit his future contributions by keeping him off the frontlines and assigning him to mundane missions in the village.

Over time, his fame would gradually fade.

"The new academy students are graduating soon, aren't they?" Koharu added. "Takuya's a prodigy himself. Surely, he's the best person to train new talent."

"Minato is Jiraiya's student, and Nawaki is Orochimaru's disciple. They can go to the frontlines under their teachers' guidance. There won't be any issues there, right?"

In other words, they saw no need for Takuya's team to stay intact. By assigning him as a jonin instructor, he'd be tied up in the village and unable to participate in the war.

Minato and Nawaki could be sent to the frontlines with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, effectively scattering Takuya's team.

It was clear that Koharu and Homura had spent a lot of time crafting this plan to break up Takuya's group.

"A prodigy, huh?"

The Third Hokage acknowledged the logic behind their words. Still, he wondered—was there even a prodigy among this year's graduating class?

If they were going to throw some random team at Takuya, it would likely stir up complaints, especially from Tsunade. Jiraiya and Orochimaru might not make a fuss, but Tsunade was bound to fight for Takuya.

Deep in thought, the Third Hokage opened the files on the academy graduates. Koharu and Homura exchanged satisfied glances. They knew the plan was set.

Takuya wouldn't be going to the battlefield anytime soon. Soon enough, he'd be just another jonin instructor, leading a team of fresh-faced rookies through mundane missions.

His fame would eventually dwindle.

It didn't matter how strong he was. Without a towering reputation to back him up, his influence would be limited.

As for Tsunade...

Well, she might raise a stink with the Hokage, but she wouldn't come after them directly. Koharu and Homura could rest easy.

"Sarutobi, the logistics and medical departments are swamped with work. We'll take our leave now," Koharu said, seeing that their plan was progressing smoothly.

They left the Third Hokage alone, staring at the academy files, his brow furrowed in frustration.

He couldn't just assign any random team to Takuya, but none of the current graduates stood out as particularly remarkable.

After much deliberation, he finally selected three profiles. Gazing at the files, he sighed deeply.

"Looks like I'll need to pay the Hyuga clan a visit," he muttered.

That night, the Third Hokage cut his workday short and made a special trip to the Hyuga clan to speak with the clan head. Only after a long discussion did he return home to rest.

The next morning, Jiraiya was summoned to the Hokage's office.

"Hey, old man! Why'd you drag me out here so early?" Jiraiya complained the moment he walked in. "I already told you—I need a break!"

The Third Hokage took off his hat and set it on the desk, meeting Jiraiya's eyes with a somber expression.

"I understand you want to rest, but the frontlines are under pressure. Hatake Sakumo is holding off the Third Kazekage, but the strain is growing. We've lost a number of jonin, so I've decided to send you and Orochimaru to support him."

"The situation's that bad?" Jiraiya's carefree demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"It is," the Hokage confirmed, handing him two intelligence scrolls. He lit his pipe, taking a long, thoughtful drag as Jiraiya skimmed through the documents.

Looks like my vacation is officially over.

Jiraiya knew there was no escaping this. He had a soft spot for the village. Whenever the Hokage approached him sincerely, he found it impossible to refuse.

Letting the scrolls fall to the side, Jiraiya leaned back in his chair. "When do I leave? Will I need to escort a supply convoy or anything?"

"No need," the Hokage replied. "Take Minato and Nawaki to the Land of Rivers. Orochimaru will meet you there. You leave at noon."

"And take Nawaki with you. As his teachers, you and Orochimaru haven't exactly been the most... attentive," the Hokage added with a pointed look.

"Cough, cough!"

Geez, old man, was that really necessary?

Sure, Jiraiya had been a bit neglectful with Minato's training. The kid had practically been teaching himself.

Still, Minato was a natural genius. If he had been anyone else, he might've been hopelessly behind by now.

Orochimaru wasn't much better when it came to Nawaki.

"Fine, I'll take them both," Jiraiya relented. He couldn't deny that the Hokage had a point.

Takuya's team wouldn't be able to carry out missions together for now, so Minato would accompany him. As for Nawaki, Orochimaru would handle things once they reached the Land of Rivers.

Leaving the Hokage's office, Jiraiya went straight to find Minato and Nawaki. He didn't give much thought to the Third Hokage's motives. At this stage in his life, Jiraiya still had faith in his mentor and hadn't yet experienced the disillusionment that would come later.

It wouldn't be until after the Third Great Ninja War that Jiraiya would become disenchanted with the village leadership. After that, he rarely returned to Konoha, only stopping by for brief visits before heading off again.

He had no interest in power, no desire for rewards, and even the offer of the Hokage title couldn't sway him.

"Is that you, Sensei?"

Hearing a familiar rustle at the window, Minato looked up. Takuya was still away from the village, and even when he was around, he only climbed through the window at night.

Nawaki didn't have that habit either.

That left only one person.

Brushing off the dust from his clothes, Jiraiya grumbled, "I swear, Minato, with all the accolades and achievements you've racked up, you could afford a nicer place. If money's tight, trade in some of those merits and buy a better house."

"This place is so run-down. It's practically falling apart."

"We'll see," Minato replied with a smile. "I'll have to ask Takuya what he thinks first."

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