Chapter 11: Graduation

In the 19 year of the Konoha era.

The graduation season had arrived once again.

With ongoing wars and increasing pressure on the fronts, the school had relaxed its graduation requirements, allowing students to graduate after just one year of study if they wished, with a special Jounin assigned to guide them.

Some students who couldn't wait applied for graduation.

In the center of Konoha.

In the Hokage's office, inside the room.

A man with white hair and stern features sat at the desk—it was the Second Hokage, Tobirama.

"Saru, I am relieving you of your current position."

The man called Saru was a Jonin with average features and a somewhat mocking expression. His real name was Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Tobirama had nicknamed him Saru because of the meaning of his name.

Hearing these words, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought he had done something wrong and said honestly, "Sensei, have I failed in some way?"

"No, I have a more important task for you," Tobirama said with a rare smile. "You will become a guiding Jonin."

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bit confused.

A guiding Jonin differs from a regular Jonin, as their main role is to nurture Konoha's young buds to become ninjas who can stand on their own.

Although this work was important, Hiruzen felt his current duties were more significant, but since it was his teacher's order, he did not ask further, assuming there was a good reason.

He received the students' files from Tobirama and was surprised by what he saw.

"Sensei, what is this?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the files of the three students in his hands, astonished.

Orochimaru, the top of the class, with outstanding abilities in all areas, and strength equivalent to a Genin despite being only six years old.

Jiraiya, with immense physical capabilities and large chakra reserves, despite his limited intelligence.

Tsunade, the second top student after Orochimaru in intelligence and skills.

Hiruzen received these three talented students, but what surprised him more was the identity of one of them.

Tsunade, whose full name was Senju Tsunade, was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the younger brother of the current Hokage, Tobirama.

At twenty-four years old, he was no longer the reckless young man he once was, having become more mature and considerate with age.

This special selection reflected Tobirama's intention to train him as his successor.

In a few years, Tobirama would be fifty years old. Although still in his prime, he knew this situation would not last long. Having been born in the Warring States period and fought through long years of combat, he had already accumulated many ailments in his body. As he continued to age, these hidden risks might erupt at any time, and he would join his late elder brother.

Tobirama had always been meticulous since childhood, and to handle emergencies, it was natural to take precautions.

It just so happened that this graduating class was special, not only because of Tsunade's status but also because these three individuals' qualifications were so excellent that it would be difficult for anyone to surpass them in the coming years. He decided to take on the role of Hokage, and their identities allowed these three to train under Saru's guidance, establishing a teacher-student relationship.

As long as they were properly trained, these three would become Saru's most effective aides.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt grateful and appreciative of Tobirama: "Sensei, I will not disappoint you."

"Do a good job."

Tobirama stood up, placing his hand confidently on Hiruzen's shoulder.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

A handsome man with black hair entered.

Uchiha Kagami.

Like Hiruzen, Kagami was one of Tobirama's top students.

"Sensei Tobirama, here are the files you requested."

He placed the files on the desk and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll return now."

Tobirama nodded, signaling his satisfaction with his work.

Tobirama looked at Kagami with a sad smile.

Kagami was a talented and capable man, but his belonging to the Uchiha clan and possessing the Sharingan was a concern. In Tobirama's mind, Kagami would have been the most suitable successor for the Hokage.

In the past, when his elder brother was still alive, Tobirama might have genuinely considered Uchiha Kagami as the Hokage's successor.

But with his elder brother's death, there was no absolute power to suppress the Uchiha, and Uchiha Setsuna had recently stirred up trouble, almost causing a disturbance. Tobirama could never make an Uchiha the Hokage's successor.

In the study room, Tōshirō congratulated his three friends who had graduated early: "Congratulations to you all, it's wonderful that you can contribute to Konoha at such a young age. I envy you."

"You have the strength to graduate early too," Tsunade said seriously.

"I'm not foolish; I don't want to rush things," Tōshirō replied with a smile.

"Humph."

Tsunade, annoyed by his lack of ambition, left in a huff. Despite his good talent, he was too lazy all day.

Watching her leave, Tōshirō sighed helplessly.

To outsiders, it seemed his shuriken skills had declined due to his long lack of practice, and his grades were worse than at the beginning of school. It was no surprise that Tsunade, as a friend, was disappointed in him.

Shortly after she left, Jiraiya and Orochimaru also departed, heading to another room where they would meet their guiding Jonin.

Tōshirō watched his friends leave, having no reason to stay. He returned to school.

He had a few lessons that day, and after school, he wandered around the village until he found himself in a training ground where an adult was training three children: Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.

Jiraiya was tied to a post while Tsunade was boasting about her achievement: "Jiraiya, it will take you a hundred years to defeat me. You're always the last."

Jiraiya, upset by the mockery, retorted angrily: "You, with your flat chest, have no chance!"

Tsunade, enraged upon hearing this, was no longer the girl who knew nothing about "breasts" and mistakenly considered fighting a treasure: "You deserve a beating."

Hiruzen watched the scene, shaking his head with a smile: "Have they always been like this?"

"Yes, to some extent," Orochimaru replied.

Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya, firmly saying, "It seems he needs some special guidance."

Hiruzen instructed Orochimaru and Tsunade to return home, staying behind to guide Jiraiya.

On her way out, Tsunade saw Tōshirō.

"Yo~"

Tōshirō took the initiative to greet her.

"Why are you here?" Tsunade asked in surprise. "Do you perhaps still want to be a ninja at heart?"

"No, I'm just wandering," Tōshirō replied with a smile, taking out the pillow he carried from his backpack, then skillfully laying on his side, resting his elbows on the pillow.

After that, he turned his attention to the adult.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Tōshirō thought to himself.

The living area in Konoha is quite large, and Tōshirō still recognized his identity through careful observation.

He was a bit confused about the anime timeline—didn't it seem like the Sannin were around eleven or twelve before becoming Sarutobi Hiruzen's apprentices?

Why now? They became his students at six years old.

Moreover, at that time, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared older and had a beard, not looking as young as he did now.

But thinking carefully, it was natural. In a few years, likely Tobirama, the Second Hokage at that time, was ready to step down, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would directly become the Hokage. As the Hokage, it didn't make sense to have time to mentor ninjas.

Even if an exception was made due to Tsunade's special status and Orochimaru's actual talent, it could still be justified, but Jiraiya didn't have to go this far, letting the Third Hokage personally guide him.

So, this explanation didn't make sense at all. Tōshirō didn't dwell on it much, attributing it to the confused timeline of the Naruto anime.

While Tōshirō pondered, his vision suddenly dimmed as Tsunade stood in front of him, cracking her knuckles: "You do like to sleep a lot. I'll let you sleep for the rest of your life."

Tsunade raised her fist and rushed towards Tōshirō, scaring him into grabbing his pillow and running away.

"Stop." Tsunade chased after him, while Tōshirō ran ahead: "You tell me to stop, just stop. You think I'm stupid."

Tōshirō kept watching from a distance, smiling.

Noticing this, Hiruzen asked Orochimaru about Tōshirō.

"Tōshirō is our classmate. He's an interesting guy. If he took training seriously, he might be the best in our class," Orochimaru replied.

Hiruzen was shocked to hear that he was more qualified than Orochimaru. What concept was that?

Although they had only been together for a year, Hiruzen was clear about Orochimaru's talent—he was a ninja genius not seen in fifty years, just like the First Hokage, Hashirama.

Seeing Tōshirō so easily evading Tsunade's punches, Hiruzen made a decision in his heart.

His smile faded, his expression becoming stern. He looked at Jiraiya and sternly said, "Jiraiya, you must work hard. Don't be so lazy."

Jiraiya, feeling the pressure from his teacher's seriousness, obediently said, "I know, Sensei."

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