章 32: **Chapter 32: Happy Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tool Man Hatake Sakumo**
After hearing Reiki's earnest words, Jiraiya was both surprised and intrigued. The straightforward logic was striking, especially coming from a young ninja like Reiki. If Tsunade had made the request herself… well, he chuckled to himself; Tsunade wasn't exactly one for conventional methods.
"Jiraiya-sama, do you know why I decided to become a medical ninja?" Reiki asked, his tone serious.
"Why's that?" Jiraiya asked, curious.
"I'm afraid of dying," Reiki replied bluntly. "Medical ninjas usually work on the home front, where it's safer. But now my teacher wants medical ninjas to take a more active role on combat teams. If that happens, I'll be in the field, exposed. So I want to help others become stronger so that my chances of survival improve. More than that, I want everyone to be able to make it back alive."
Reiki's sincerity was palpable, making Jiraiya nod in agreement. If Tsunade had been there, she would have seen right through Reiki's strategy. But Jiraiya, trusting the boy's straightforward attitude, was moved.
"Alright, kid, you win. I'll talk to the Hokage," Jiraiya agreed, a grin crossing his face. "But if he doesn't approve, you'd better not mention today to Tsunade."
"Deal!" Reiki replied, hiding his satisfied grin as he returned to his bath, leaving Jiraiya to contemplate his next steps.
---
At the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya in surprise. "You want to start a training program for Konoha's ninjas?"
Jiraiya nodded. "After the recent battle, I've noticed a problem. Our ninjas are powerful, but they lack the killer instinct and battlefield awareness of shinobi from other villages. The ninjas from Kirigakure and Sunagakure—when they fight, it's like facing wild wolves. Our shinobi need better preparation for real combat."
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. This was unexpected coming from Jiraiya, who usually avoided responsibilities that weren't related to his personal pursuits. Could it be that Jiraiya was finally maturing?
"Jiraiya, do you plan to handle this alone, or do you want the village's support?" the Hokage asked, his tone probing.
Jiraiya shrugged. "I can do it myself if necessary, but the village's cooperation would make things smoother."
Sarutobi Hiruzen considered the potential fallout. Some families might suspect that Jiraiya was gathering information or attempting to build his own power base. If he was to oversee this training initiative, they'd need someone else as a figurehead to balance things out—a trusted and non-threatening shinobi. His gaze fell on Hatake Sakumo.
"Jiraiya, I'll have Hatake Sakumo work alongside you. How does that sound?" the Hokage proposed.
Jiraiya nodded. "Sakumo's a good fit, strong and well-respected. We'll need a training site, too. I'll start by requisitioning the land around Shadowleaf Lake."
"Good," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied. "But before you leave, I'll need a detailed proposal—your objectives, methods, and a clear outline to present to the clans."
Jiraiya's face fell. Suddenly, the prospect of coordinating this training didn't seem so appealing. But it was too late to back out. Accepting his new responsibilities, he reluctantly took his leave to draft the plans, a bit resentful that he'd talked himself into so much work.
The ANBU commander, observing from the shadows, stepped forward once Jiraiya had gone. "Hokage-sama, Jiraiya seems surprisingly dedicated. His leadership may yet prove valuable."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, pleased. "Yes, I've waited a long time for him to show his potential. Let's see how he handles this. If he's able to manage it well, we may consider him for more responsibility."
The Hokage smiled, feeling that his remaining students were finally coming into their own. Tsunade was irreplaceable, but Orochimaru and Jiraiya were demonstrating strengths that were critical to the village's future. As for Hatake Sakumo, his role as a "tool man" was becoming all too clear—intended to bolster Jiraiya's efforts without garnering too much attention himself.
---
The next morning, word of the new training initiative spread through the village, and discussions erupted among the clans. The Uchiha, Hyuga, and other families were wary but intrigued. Even Jiraiya, unwilling to navigate clan politics, found himself making visits to the most powerful families, explaining the purpose behind the project.
Hatake Sakumo, dutiful as ever, began promoting the training initiative, subtly reassuring skeptical clan heads. Soon, the entire village was buzzing with anticipation, the groundwork laid for a new era of training and collaboration under Jiraiya's watchful eye.
And so, with Hatake Sakumo as his support, Jiraiya prepared to launch an effort that would impact every corner of Konoha—each shinobi, each family, each aspiring ninja hoping to survive the battles to come.
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