"But, maybe you can become even stronger."
Kakashi Hatake patted Akihara Kagura's shoulder, softly urging, "Go to the rooftop of the Hokage Tower; a respected senior has returned."
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen specifically notified Kakashi Hatake, Akihara Kagura was to receive guidance from a Jonin teacher and temporarily leave the Dark Department for a while.
Kakashi Hatake also met a familiar senior, who should be the respected Jonin that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, intended to find as an instructor for Akihara Kagura.
Though Akihara Kagura had no previous ninja experience under a Jonin instructor, besides that senior, possibly no one more suitable could be found in Konoha.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Tower.
A tall, white-haired man stood there, looking down seriously at Akihara Kagura below the Hokage Tower. The breeze gently blew his long hair, making him seem somewhat free-spirited, like a high-ranking man from beyond the mortal realm.
"Jiraiya, how does it feel to be back in the village?"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, finished handling his affairs and went up to the rooftop to catch up with and chat with his long-absent disciple, following Jiraiya's gaze to see Akihara Kagura in front of the Hokage Tower.
"Kagura has already arrived..."
Still with his pipe in his mouth, Sarutobi Hiruzen blew out a smoke ring, "At first glance, what do you think of that kid?"
"At first glance, I thought he might be trouble..."
As the tall, white-haired man spoke, his once free-spirited demeanor vanished. He rubbed his forehead and said, "Old man, is this the one you plan to give me? I feel like he's going to be quite a headache in the future..."
"He's already giving me quite a headache now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen also felt a bit troubled and voluntarily spoke about Akihara Kagura: "This child has always been influenced by Shimura Danzo; his personality is too extreme. If it weren't for the lack of options, I wouldn't have wanted to call you back..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared earnestly at his disciple and said, "I believe you will teach him well, just like when you taught Minato, grooming him into a worthy successor of the Will of Fire."
"Have you chosen him?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't answer; instead, he spoke of Akihara Kagura's advantages: "This child possesses the Wood Release of the First Hokage and the Flying Thunder God Jutsu of the Second Hokage and the Fourth. It's hard to find someone more suitable for succession than this child..."
"You're not someone who judges solely by power..."
The tall, white-haired man shook his head, as if thinking his teacher had changed his views.
Yet, once considering Akihara Kagura's advantages, even the white-haired man had to admit that the temptation to make this child a worthy successor was immense.
In the future, whether in terms of status or power, this child would be a nearly perfect successor for Konoha.
"Add to that the Immortal Technique you control..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze fell on the white-haired man.
"I haven't fully mastered it yet..."
The white-haired man's face immediately fell, then quickly realized that his teacher was bringing up the old matter of having him succeed as the Fifth Hokage. He quickly shook his head and said, "I won't be shackled by the position of Hokage!"
"I will teach him well."
After agreeing, the white-haired man suddenly looked curiously at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Wait, the First's Wood Release, the Second and Minato's Flying Thunder God Jutsu, old man, didn't you teach this child any of your Jutsu?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued puffing on his pipe, gazing into the distance.
It wasn't that Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to teach his Jutsu, but that the first technique the child learned from him was the Woodman Jutsu, which was enough to rival Susanoo...
The Third Hokage was adept in almost all Jutsu of Konoha, especially skilled in the combination Ninjutsu of the Five Release Mutual Birth. However, those powerful Five Release combinations were mostly mainstream Ninjutsu, requiring thorough hand seals, undoubtedly disliked by a child who doesn't like using hand seals...
The old man felt a bit embarrassed to bring them out.
"Tsk..."
The white-haired man seemed to know his teacher well, lightly laughed, and teasingly said, "Old man, don't be so hard on yourself! You are hailed as the strongest Hokage!"
"How rude!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly jumped up, swinging his pipe to knock it on his disciple's head, then tried to remain calm, "Recently, the village has too much business; I'm just too busy and need to handle village affairs properly..."
After fabricating an excuse, Sarutobi Hiruzen shifted the topic to more serious matters: "Jiraiya, you must teach that child well. If he can master the Immortal Technique, he may truly reach the heights of the First Hokage. We might see the hope of lasting peace in the Ninja World within our lifetimes..."
After expressing his expectations for the future, Sarutobi Hiruzen also voiced his concerns: "If we can't remove the darkness in that child's heart, you should know what a powerful ninja could do with forbidden power. He might turn out like Orochimaru..."
Just like another of his disciples, Orochimaru, mastering forbidden power can lead to madness, potentially threatening the village's companions.
Upon hearing his old friend's name brought up, the white-haired man became silent. After a long time, facing the gentle breeze, his voice almost drifting on the wind.
"I will bring Orochimaru back."