CHAPTER 37

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As the four young shinobi sat together in the forest, sharing food, Hiruzens' watchful eyes lingered on them from a nearby tree.

His lips curled into a subtle smile as he observed their interactions. The bonds between them were growing stronger, as the once individualistic trainees now acted as a unified team.

His plan was working. He allowed them to continue, content to see the trust and camaraderie blossoming among them.

"They're starting to trust each other," he muttered quietly to himself. "Sakumo is becoming a fine leader, and even Orochimaru, for all his tendencies, is showing potential."

Hiruzens' tone carried a hint of approval, mixed with caution. The test wasn't over yet.

As the four continued eating, their banter slowly subsided into a comfortable silence, each one savoring the moment of rest.

But their peace was shattered when a dark shadow loomed over them. Reflexively, they dropped their food and jumped to their feet, drawing weapons in preparation for battle.

It was an instinct honed from years of training, though their bodies were still recovering from the earlier exertion.

Hiruzen stood there, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. His face was stern, serious, and full of authority.

"You all broke the code of the exam," he announced coldly, his voice steady yet sharp. "As such, you will be failed and sent back to the Academy."

A wave of dread washed over the group. The gravity of his words was heavy, and each of them felt the weight press down on their shoulders.

Jiraiya, who had been the one to consume the forbidden food first, immediately stepped forward, guilt written across his face. His head hung low as he spoke.

"Sensei, it's my fault," Jiraiya said, his voice quivering. "I didn't listen to your instructions. I forced them to give me their lunch. Don't blame them, sensei. Please. Punish me instead. Send me back to the Academy, but let them continue."

His plea was heartfelt, desperation and regret evident in his tone. His teammates watched him in silence, their expressions a mix of shock and concern.

But before Hiruzens' sharp gaze could rest too long on Jiraiya, Sakumo stepped forward.

"No, sensei. It wasn't Jiraiya's fault," Sakumo insisted, his voice steady with resolve.

"I gave him my food voluntarily. I knew the consequences, and I disobeyed your orders. If anyone should be sent back to the Academy, it should be me."

Tsunade quickly followed, her temper flaring as she folded her arms in defiance.

"Sensei, it was all of our faults. We made the decision together. I won't let Jiraiya or Sakumo take the blame alone. We all should be punished."

Even Orochimaru, whose calm demeanor rarely wavered, stepped forward, his gaze cool and collected as usual.

"I accept the consequences as well. I won't abandon my teammates." His tone was neutral, yet there was a subtle firmness in his words, as if he was making a statement that transcended this moment.

Hiruzen paused, observing them quietly. His eyes moved from one to the next, reading their faces and their hearts.

There was silence, broken only by the distant rustling of leaves in the forest. After a long moment, he spoke again, his voice softer but no less commanding.

"If Jiraiya takes the blame, you three will be pardoned," Hiruzens' voice carried a subtle undertone, testing them one final time.

"You can continue your training under me, and Jiraiya will return to the Academy."

Jiraiya, grateful for the decision, smiled. "I accept, sensei. I'll take the blame," he said quickly, feeling a sense of relief.

But before he could take a step forward, Tsunade's fist slammed into the ground, cracking the earth beneath her.

"Idiot!" she yelled, glaring at Jiraiya with fiery determination. "I won't let you play the martyr. You're not a hero, and I won't stand by and let you take the blame alone. If one of us fails, we all fail. Got it?"

Sakumo nodded in agreement, stepping closer to Jiraiya with the same resolve in his eyes.

"We're a team, Jiraiya. If one of us goes down, we all go down together. No one gets left behind."

Orochimaru, his hands calmly placed in his sleeves, added, "I won't accept being excused while Jiraiya takes the fall. We started this together, and we'll finish it together."

Hiruzen watched them, his stern mask melting into a smile, then into quiet laughter. "Hahahahaha…" The sudden change in tone left his students bewildered, unsure of what to make of their teacher's reaction.

They glanced at one another, confused by the turn of events.

Finally, Hiruzens' laughter subsided, and he looked at them with warmth in his eyes.

"You've all passed," he said, his voice softening. "From today onward, you are officially my students."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "This… this was all a test?" she asked, incredulity in her voice.

Hiruzen nodded, his arms now relaxing at his sides.

"Yes, it was. This test wasn't about the bells, or the food. It was about something much more important: loyalty to your team. In the real world, those who break the rules are considered scum. But those who abandon their friends…" His eyes grew dark, and his tone turned serious. "…are worse than scum."

The weight of his words hung in the air, sinking deeply into each of the four young shinobi.

They began to realize the true meaning behind the test. It wasn't about skills or strength.

It was about something far greater: the bond they shared as a team, the willingness to stand together, no matter the cost.

All four of them stood there, nodding solemnly as they absorbed the lesson.

"Yes, sensei," they said in unison.

With a final approving nod, Hiruzen spoke again, his tone lighter.

"Rest for today. Tomorrow, meet me at the Hokage Tower. We'll begin your real training, and you'll start taking on missions."

And with that, he vanished, leaving the four of them standing in the clearing, contemplating everything that had just transpired.

As the evening descended, casting long shadows across the village, Jiraiya's voice broke the silence. "Hey, Tsunade… wanna grab some snacks?"

Tsunade huffed, rolling her eyes. "You pervert! Just go home and rest. You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

Sakumo and Orochimaru chuckled softly at the familiar exchange, politely declining Jiraiya's offer as they flickered away, each headed toward their homes.

Jiraiya, now alone, scratched his head and gazed up at the moon. "Nobody wants to eat with me… Fine, I'll just go check out the bathhouse…"

His mischievous grin spread across his face as he quickly made his way toward the Konoha public bathhouse, chuckling to himself all the way.

The night passed quietly, and with the rise of a new dawn, Hiruzens' clones were already hard at work in the Hokage's office.

As they diligently sorted through paperwork, the real Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.

"The village has grown much stronger these past few years, especially last two years" he mused, watching the early morning sun cast a golden glow over the rooftops of Konoha.

"Our number of chunin and jonin has increased dramatically, and their strength rivals even the most seasoned veterans from before."

One of his clones nodded. "At this rate, in ten more years the number of jonin will reach more than two to three thousand, and all of the village, more than 10000 ninja army will be chunin level while more than 20000 genins in reserve."

Another clone chimed in, "If the Uzushiogakure ninja are also included we might have 35000 to 40000 ninja. If other villages heard that, they will have cold feet before the war."

Hiruzen's face grew serious. "After we deal with Danzo, we would complete our starting goals."

He continued, "Now we'll move forward with our plans. We'll target the smaller nations, striking swiftly and decisively at the time of Uzumaki attack, while also dealing with three villages simultaneously. It will also prevent the backlash from major nations. When the time comes, we'll be ready for the real challenges ahead."

His clones agreed silently, as the Hokage's grand vision for Konoha's future continued to unfold in his mind.

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