The door to the Hokage's office closed behind Minato and Jiraiya. The lingering smoke from Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe swirled in the air, mixing with his contemplative expression. No elaborate introductions were needed—just the look in the Hokage's eyes was enough for both Minato and Jiraiya to understand.
The situation was dire.
Jiraiya leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a half-smirk playing on his lips. But his eyes held no amusement.
"So… war is coming, isn't it?"
Hiruzen exhaled a long sigh, placing a thick stack of documents on his desk.
"There's no doubt anymore. Iwagakure is mobilizing troops at the western border, while Sunagakure has begun suspicious movements along the Fire Country's borders."
Minato frowned. "We captured an Iwa spy, but do we have concrete evidence that they will strike first?"
Hiruzen tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his voice deep and measured.
"Ōnoki isn't foolish. He won't attack until he's certain the odds are in his favor. But the problem is… he has allies."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Kumogakure?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "Kirigakure."
Minato took a sharp breath. "If the Mist and Stone Villages form an alliance, we'll be caught in a pincer attack."
Hiruzen's tone grew heavier. "That's not all. The Cloud Village remains silent, but that's the real concern. The Third Raikage isn't one to wage war recklessly, but he won't hesitate to seize an opportunity to expand his influence."
Jiraiya nodded grimly. "If Kumogakure joins in, the Fire Country will be surrounded on three fronts."
Minato clenched his fists. "Do we have a plan, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"I'm sending forces to reinforce the western border. Minato, you will lead the frontline against Iwagakure."
Minato nodded firmly. "Understood."
Jiraiya squinted, sensing something off. "And what about me?"
Hiruzen let out another sigh. "I need you to go to Amegakure."
Silence fell over the room.
Jiraiya's eyes sharpened, his demeanor shifting into something far more serious. "Amegakure… They've remained neutral since the Second Great War, but Hanzo—he's no longer the only power in that village, is he?"
Hiruzen nodded, his expression troubled.
"A new group has been rising, calling themselves 'Akatsuki.' They claim to seek peace, but according to recent reports… I'm not convinced they'll stay on that path."
Minato's brows furrowed. "Akatsuki? How strong are they?"
Jiraiya rubbed his chin in thought. "I've heard rumors. A group founded by three young shinobi: Yahiko, Konan, and… Nagato."
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "I need you to assess them. If they truly seek peace, we can consider working with them. But if there's any sign that they pose a threat… report back immediately."
Jiraiya chuckled, though the usual lightness in his voice was absent. "Another infiltration mission, huh? I thought I retired from that game."
Minato, sensing his mentor's unease, spoke up. "Are you sure you'll be fine alone, Jiraiya-sensei?"
Jiraiya shrugged. "I can handle myself, kid."
Hiruzen cut in. "There's one more matter."
Jiraiya turned his gaze back to the Hokage, curiosity piqued. "What now?"
---
### **Hoshino Satoru – Konoha's Hidden Gem**
Hiruzen drummed his fingers on the desk, deep in thought before speaking.
"Jiraiya, before you leave the village, I want you to train someone."
Jiraiya blinked, then smirked.
"Train someone? Hokage-sama, wasn't Minato supposed to be my last student? Don't tell me you're throwing another kid my way."
Hiruzen shook his head, his tone serious.
"No, I'm not asking you to take on a disciple. I only want you to teach him for a short time—a hidden talent that has gone unnoticed for too long."
Jiraiya's interest was piqued. "Oh? Who?"
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"Hoshino Satoru."
Minato's eyes flickered with recognition. He and Jiraiya had just met him earlier. His intuition had been correct—both Satoru and Eren were not ordinary men.
Jiraiya tilted his head. "I'll check him out… If he interests me, I'll train him."
Hiruzen continued slowly.
"Satoru is just an academy instructor, not someone widely known, but his potential is immense. His ability to learn jutsu is incredibly fast, and his physical strength surpasses that of ordinary shinobi. But there's something even more remarkable…"
Jiraiya raised a brow. "And that is?"
Hiruzen's voice dropped an octave. "He has developed a unique form of sensory ninjutsu—an advanced variation of standard chakra sensing. Even the best sensory ninja in Konoha cannot replicate it. It's an ability that could be invaluable to the village.
Furthermore, Satoru mastered the Second Hokage's Lightning Blade technique in just a few days."
Hiruzen sighed, a rare hint of regret in his tone.
"If I had noticed his potential earlier, perhaps we would already have another Minato to shoulder the burden of this looming war."
Minato chuckled. "Hokage-sama is right. I felt the same when I met him. Jiraiya-sensei, Satoru is quite an intriguing person—you won't be disappointed."
Jiraiya stroked his chin, clearly intrigued.
"A mere academy teacher with potential so great that the Hokage himself wants him trained? Now that's interesting."
Hiruzen's gaze grew resolute. "He is still young and doesn't yet know how to fully harness his talent. If anyone can help him unlock his true power, it's you."
Jiraiya smirked. "Alright, before heading to Amegakure, I'll see what this kid is made of."
As Hiruzen looked at Minato and Jiraiya, a sense of reassurance filled him.
In some ways, these two were the future leaders he had in mind to carry on Konoha's legacy. He knew that today's decisions would shape the village's destiny.
No matter how cautious they were, the storm of war was drawing closer.
And the undercurrents of chaos had already begun to stir in the shinobi world.