章 35: Clashing Philosophies
Hiruzen sat at his desk wasting away dealing with paperwork, across from him sat Jiraiya waiting patiently.
"Thank you for returning to the village, even if it took you two years to follow orders."
Jiraiya looked slightly ashamed, but retorted "My network is important, do you know how many issues we've been able to avoid because of me?"
"While your work is important I ordered you to return." Hiruzen took a long look at his student "How have you been?"
"I've been doing well Sensei, the stability of the world however is worsening. I did, however, catch some interesting news. Orochimaru was briefly with a group known as the Akatsuki, however after he attempted to kill Itachi he was beaten badly, and removed from the rouge nin group."
"Have you been able to track his location?"
"No, he disappeared after that, however there's talks of a new hidden village being formed called the hidden sound. It may be related to Orochimaru, but I have no solid proof."
"You're doing great Jiraiya, since you read my note, I'm sure you're aware of why I've called you back."
"I am, however I will not be able to become Hokage. It's not my destiny." Hiruzen had a tired expression on his face, and with a sigh he continued.
"Jiraiya, I'm old. I wish to retire after Minato. My continuation in office was meant to be temporary. I need a replacement, and you need to step up, and take responsibility for our village."
"Like you did when you signed off on two separate massacres of our village's people?" Jiraiya's tone was harsh, and had a grit to it Hiruzen hadn't seen before.
"I've done what was needed for the village. Even if you disagree with my methods, what better way to rectify them than taking over my station?"
"You may not be the best Hokage, but you were a great teacher despite your flaws. The mantle of Hokage is too heavy for me. I am a failure, everybody I've taught has died."
"Jiraiya! There was nothing you could have done about those orphans, or Minato. You were physically gone at the time they died."
"Exactly, I should have been there!"
"Then be here! Lead a new generation, and stay here to protect them! You're the only one I can rely on. Tsunade is still lost in her guilt, and Orochimaru is a traitor!"
"I can't! I won't! I can't make the kind of hard choices you need to make as a Hokage! You should have taken Itachi under your wing! He would have made an excellent Hokage, instead you made him the villain, and forced him to kill his whole clan! All to stop a few old foggys! Those kids didn't deserve to die!"
"And leave a whole generation of bloodthirsty kids behind? You know as well as I do they would have done anything to get revenge!"
"Not if Itachi became the Hokage. If they were properly represented in the village it never would have come to this!"
"Enough! I didn't summon you here to discuss the morality, and ethics of my choices."
"Exactly these choices you've made are too heavy a burden for me to take on. One day somebody will have to take responsibility for your actions, and it won't be me."
"I'll face retribution when it comes for me. Until then I'll continue to serve the village, and fan the flames of the will of fire. This new generation shows a lot of promise, and I need help to guide them. Naruto, and his friend Haruko are particularly promising. They've been studying under Kakashi for a few years now."
"What's the deal with that Haruko kid? I received your notes about him, but he was able to track me down, and I barely managed to escape his interrogation."
"He is special." Hiruzen paused for a moment. "When we first discovered him we figured he was a failed experiment conducted by Orochimaru. To keep an eye on him I sent him to the orphanage where Naruto was."
"Are you serious? What if that child is a ticking time bomb made by Orochimaru!?! You put Naruto in danger just to keep an eye on him?"
"Relax Jiraiya, the child is no threat to Naruto, by some measure of luck he seems absolutely attached to Naruto."
"And if that's just a ploy? You have no idea if that kid is a threat or not do you?"
"Oh he is a threat, a pretty major one. I'm sure you read all the reports I sent you on him. His potential is off the charts with his unique kekkei genkai. The ability to fully become another person, gaining their memories, skills, chakra, and a whole roster of unique abilities. This is just the surface. I'm sure Kakashi is hiding some from me."
"Then why is such a threat being kept so close to Naruto?"
"Control, Jiraiya. As long as Naruto is safe, and taken care of, Haruko shows no hostility towards the village. However Danzo has caused quite a bit of trouble."
"Why does he hold any position of power in the village? We both know how dangerous, and conniving he is."
"He's useful, despite his repeated efforts to destabilize the village from the inside, he has kept us safe from threats outside of the village."
"That's a good enough reason to keep him around?"
"Yes it is."
"Are you being soft on him because of your shared history, much like you did with Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen took a moment, and a long drag from his pipe. "I suppose so, but what can I do? He holds too much sway over the civilian council for me to take any legal action against him, and if I kill him we lose a power house, and more likely many talented ninja from his side, and mine."
Hiruzen massaged his temples, and continued. "He is evil, but a necessary evil."
"Aside from taking on your mantle, what else did you summon me for?"
"You're Naruto's godfather. For god's sake spend some time with him."
"He'll only suffer from my involvement."
"It's an order."
"You can't order me Sensei."
"I can, and I am. Teach him something, give him life advice, talk to him about his dad, I don't care. Just be there for him in the way I can't."
"Why can't you?"
"I have duties, Jiraiya, and appearances to keep. I can't reveal who he is to the world, and spending too much time with him will do that."
"I'll keep an eye on him." Jiraya huffed, and made his way out through the balcony. He took a tour of the village, visiting a few spots he used to frequent before pulling out his pen, and paper. Settling into one of his favorite spots overlooking a bathhouse.
Elsewhere
"Haruko! I'm Hungry!"
"You're not a baby Naruto, feed yourself."
"But I want ramen!"
"You know what, that's not a bad idea. You wanna go to Ichiraku's?"
"YES!"
"Alright bud, let's head out."
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