"Asuma kid, you're still too inexperienced!"
Jiraiya seemed a bit tipsy and, after a discreet glance at Tsunade's expression, waved his hand and said, "Aomi is indeed an excellent ninja, but Minato is aiming for the Hokage position!"
"You've all heard of the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Jutsu, right?"
Jiraiya played coy, scanning the crowd's expressions with anticipation, seemingly looking for signs of shock.
But to his surprise, neither Aomi, Tsunade, Asuma, nor even Orochimaru...
Everyone looked expressionless at him, with only Nohara Rin showing a slightly expectant look in her otherwise confused eyes.
Among them, some had the Second Hokage as their great uncle, some knew many forbidden techniques, some even had Senju Tobirama reincarnated within them, and then there was the Son of the Hokage with talent like Aomi's...
If Jiraiya wasn't using that boastful tone, perhaps the crowd might have given him some face and praised his words a bit.
But obviously, it seemed no one wanted to give a step to the drunk Jiraiya...
"You're all strange; this is a forbidden technique no one has ever mastered!"
Jiraiya mumbled quietly and continued, "Minato mastered it completely! And he even improved on the flaws left by the Second Hokage!"
At this moment, someone inside Aomi seemed to snort coldly, sounding quite displeased.
"The talent in fuinjutsu, an Instant Body Jutsu comparable to teleportation, taijutsu abilities, and inheriting my Mount Myoboku's summoning scroll. In two more years, Minato and I can start trying to learn Sage Mode together!"
"I'll say it again, in front of Minato, anyone's talent seems insignificant!"
Jiraiya praised Minato's excellence vigorously.
Orochimaru shook his head. Ever since the last time Jiraiya mentioned looking for the Child of Prophecy, he was once again astounded by the toad's emotional intelligence.
How should I put it?
Jiraiya looked like a child, and Minato was his luxury toy, as if flaunting how excellent Minato was could somehow prove his excellence and make Tsunade look at him anew.
But in reality, Tsunade was already frowning. Yet, Jiraiya, caught up in his speech, entirely ignored this fact, immersed in his own world.
"Looking for the Child of Prophecy is indeed a good task for you, you idiot Jiraiya..." Orochimaru thought silently, with a slight hint of interest in his eyes.
Tsunade and Asuma both looked too calm, as if they truly thought Minato's talent was great but not to a jaw-dropping extent.
Aomi just smiled blandly, merely a courteous smile.
Honestly, Minato's talent can be considered top-notch, but the reactions of Tsunade's Squad trio seemed to make Orochimaru understand something.
Unconsciously licking his lips, Orochimaru was about to stoke the fire when Asuma beat him to it—
"Jiraiya-sensei, have you seen anyone at Aomi's age with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, master Tobirama's advanced Water Release, skilled in all the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release, sword techniques, controlling Senju Monster Strength, and having such abundant chakra?"
Asuma spoke fluently as if reciting a shopping list: "Doesn't Aomi also know fuinjutsu? I heard that Lady Mito recently exclaimed several times that Aomi's talent is like that of the Uzumaki Clan!"
After Asuma finished, even Aomi gave him a surprised look.
"Did you peek at my system panel? You seem to know more about me than I do..."
Tsunade amusedly patted Asuma's shoulder: "Good boy, you said what I wanted to say."
Asuma puffed out his chest proudly, appearing somehow proud that Aomi's strength reflected on him, an ordinary genin, saying forcefully:
"Although Senior Brother Minato is also very outstanding, if we talk about who should be Hokage, I definitely think it's Aomi!"
Aomi shook his head helplessly, patting Asuma on the shoulder, teasing himself: "Asuma, let's think about how to become chunin first. Senior Brother Minato is already a jonin while we're still slogging as genin..."
Minato awkwardly began to smile: "Sorry, everyone, Jiraiya-sensei is a bit drunk. I've only just been promoted to jonin, though I do want to become Hokage, it's still a bit far off..."
For a moment, both Aomi and Minato were explaining for each other, both smiling, seemingly quite helpless.
But after Asuma's words, the atmosphere became slightly subtle.
This dinner, although initially meant as a simple gathering, hosted about ninety-nine percent of Konoha's future Hokage candidates.
Because everyone here was part of the core circle associated with the Hokage, even someone who seemed as average as Nohara Rin could become the head of a strong department if she showcased her advantages in the future.
To put it bluntly, even a ninja like Hatake Sakumo couldn't find a place at this table.
This had nothing to do with power, only identity...
Furthermore, the succession of the Hokage was internally discussed as well.
Simply put, if Tsunade became Hokage, then Minato's chances of becoming Hokage would be much lower than Aomi's.
Currently, the competition for the Hokage position in Konoha has become increasingly complicated due to Aomi...
Jiraiya always talked about searching for the Child of Prophecy, theoretically withdrawing from the competition, but in reality, he strongly supported his disciple Namikaze Minato becoming the Hokage, often praising Minato's talent in public.
Orochimaru was originally the most promising candidate, but he got involved in a scandal related to Shimura Danzo, and his attitude was very ambiguous, seeming as if he wanted to lay low. After all, with his abilities and qualifications, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no other choice.
But after Aomi appeared, Tsunade, who was cured of her hemophobia, became very popular with the public.
She was originally Konoha's most pedigreed candidate, with both grandfathers having been Hokage, her grandmother a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and she herself being a powerful medical ninja, held in high esteem.
Now she also had a super genius from the Uchiha Clan, the son of the Third Hokage, as a disciple...
Although Tsunade had been inactive for a few years, her foundation and team were exceedingly strong. Even though Aomi was young, Tsunade had stopped saying that only fools would want to be Hokage since her recovery from hemophobia.
The originally lively dinner suddenly fell into silence after a dispute between Asuma and Jiraiya.
Everyone present was a top-notch expert, and although some had issues with emotional intelligence in love, when it came to fundamental interests concerning future development, everyone was quite clear-headed.
This had nothing to do with the quality of one's character. But as there can only be one Hokage, anyone who wants it must win over others!
That's reality.
Be it Tsunade, Orochimaru, or Jiraiya, none of them would ever consider stepping back, letting the others become Hokage first, and then passing the position to their own disciple...
The example of Shimura Danzo was right before them; once the Hokage position was missed, it was almost forever.
Throughout history, few emperors have willingly passed the throne to their nephews...
The atmosphere grew more awkward, and for a moment, no one spoke, all silently eating their food.
Only Nohara Rin, with her wide eyes blinking hard, appeared confused, being the only one who didn't understand what was happening.
Why did everyone suddenly stop talking?
"Today is coincidentally free of missions; how about a long-awaited sparring session?"
Orochimaru clasped his hands together, his gaze as aggressive as a snake's: "Jiraiya, Tsunade, it's been a long time since we've had a match, hasn't it?"
Orochimaru wasn't pleased. Talking about the Hokage position like this in front of him felt somewhat disrespectful.
The Hokage position was always supposed to be his.
In Orochimaru's heart, he might not need the Hokage position, but Sarutobi Hiruzen was not allowed to withhold it from him...
Namikaze Minato may have sounded modest, but the yearning in his eyes was undeniable.
As for Aomi, Orochimaru didn't think a thirteen-year-old could pose any threat to him.
"You damn snake, just what are you pretending? The Immortal Sage of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya, can take you down anytime!"
"Wanna fight? Sure, my fists haven't been serious in a while..." Tsunade twisted her neck, speaking indifferently.
The scene instantly heated up.
If words couldn't make things clear, why not let their actions speak for themselves?
Namikaze Minato frowned; he didn't want things to escalate so much...
When his gaze fell upon Aomi, a thought crossed his mind, and he quietly spoke up: "Teacher Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, you are all key figures in the village, and right now it's a critical period for Lady Mito..."
After he finished speaking, Minato glanced at Kushina beside him.
The transition of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was about to happen, and with Sarutobi Hiruzen's three disciples fighting at this moment, it would indeed cause ninjas in the village to daydream and easily unsettle the public's mind.
Jiraiya nodded: "Still, Minato is thoughtful. Damn snake, you should learn from him!"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes dangerously, comparing me to a little brat?
Jiraiya, you're way too arrogant...
But Jiraiya didn't give him a chance to retort, waving his hand broadly: "But, since the atmosphere has already come to this—"
"At the last gathering, I mentioned, Tsunade, that Asuma and Aomi should see how excellent their senior brother is, so why not let the disciples take our place today? There's nothing wrong with that, right?"
"As for the damn snake, since he doesn't currently have a disciple... let him watch for now!"
Jiraiya still kept things in check, not suggesting that Minato go and fight Orochimaru.
Tsunade let out a cold snort but looked towards Aomi in consultation.
Aomi blinked at her.
"Alright, then let's find a place and go right now!"
Tsunade said quite boldly: "Jiraiya, today I'll show you what a true genius is!"