"You've been a family teacher for two years now."
Akihara Kagura, with the demeanor of an adult, discussed the sunk cost problem with Mitarashi Anko: "If you give up now, those two years will be wasted. Once they graduate smoothly in the future, you'll be completely liberated..."
"..."
Mitarashi Anko angrily grabbed her chopsticks.
"By the way."
Akihara Kagura watched the still furious Mitarashi Anko and casually mentioned a name that stunned her: "I've got an interesting piece of news for you, I ran into Orochimaru while training with Jiraiya-sensei. I've heard that Orochimaru was your former teacher, and things haven't been going well for him lately..."
"..."
Mitarashi Anko put down her chopsticks and slowly squinted her eyes. It had been a long time since she heard this name. She said quietly, "Orochimaru... When I see him in the future, I'll definitely kill him!"
"..."
Jiraiya, standing outside the door, was somewhat speechless.
Oh, what sins has Orochimaru committed!
"Wish you success."
Akihara Kagura sincerely congratulated Mitarashi Anko and seized the opportunity to educate her: "So remember to be sincere when teaching students. Otherwise, when they grow up, they might want to kill their teacher. If you don't properly teach Karin and Naruto, they might take you as a role model and want to kill you the same way you want to kill Orochimaru!"
"Really?"
Mitarashi Anko smiled at the two young troublemakers beside her.
"I won't ever kill Anko-nee!"
Naruto Uzumaki, looking at Mitarashi Anko, who smiled with a hint of murderous intent, quickly raised his arm to declare his loyalty to the big sister who tutored him!
"I... I don't have such thoughts..."
Karin cautiously shook her head and said softly, "If someone tries to kill Anko-sensei in the future, I'll save you..."
"Karin is so good."
Mitarashi Anko smiled as she rubbed Karin's red hair and patted Naruto Uzumaki's head, pinching his cheek: "You little brat, it's a hundred years too early for you to try to kill me! You better continue to promise to pass next time..."
Mitarashi Anko kept smiling at Naruto Uzumaki, yet a shadow of murderous intent flickered: "If your grades slip, I'll kill you first!"
"Ye... yes..."
Naruto Uzumaki stammered in response.
"Such extreme education methods..."
Jiraiya shook his head helplessly as he stood next to Ichiraku Ramen. He didn't disturb his disciple and old friend gathering, instead choosing to hide in a corner.
It wasn't until Akihara Kagura finished ramen with them and watched Mitarashi Anko leave with Naruto Uzumaki and Karin that he found Jiraiya's spot.
At this moment, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen learned of Jiraiya and Akihara Kagura's return to Konoha and immediately sent the Anbu to order them to the Hokage Tower.
The person relaying the order turned out to be Kakashi Hatake.
After two years, Kakashi Hatake still donned a mask while delivering orders, accompanied by a female ninja with purple hair and a mask.
Akihara Kagura and Jiraiya encountered them while buying pear juice and casually asked Kakashi Hatake: "Long time no see, Captain Kakashi, want a drink?"
After Akihara Kagura asked, he looked at the purple-haired female ninja and continued: "Captain Kakashi, you have a new teammate by your side, has my position in the Dark Department been canceled?"
"Akihara Kagura, Chunin."
The purple-haired female ninja, wearing a mask, remembered Kakashi Hatake's advice, saying softly: "Please refrain from referring to Anbu Ninja by their full names during mission executions."
"There's no need to persuade this guy."
Kakashi Hatake interrupted his subordinate helplessly, looking at Akihara Kagura: "Your Dark Department position is still intact, hurry and follow us to the Hokage Tower. The Third Hokage has been waiting for you, there could be something important."
Hokage Tower.
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed older.
This Hokage ruled for far too long, added with Konoha's recent internal troubles, drained his energy. Yet seeing Jiraiya and Akihara Kagura enter lifted his spirits a bit.
"Kagura has grown quite a bit..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his pipe, noticing Akihara Kagura's substantial growth, casually greeted him, and instructed: "Kakashi, take Akihara Kagura to understand the Chunin's promotion to a Jonin examination task..."
"Yes."
Kakashi Hatake nodded and led Akihara Kagura out.
"Hey, old man."
Jiraiya glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, chuckling knowingly: "You rushed us back just to have Kagura promoted to Jonin. Has the little guy's task level been sufficient?"
"This is a special promotion by the Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exercised his privilege to select Jonin, even having sufficient reason: "Kagura has significantly contributed to the relations between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village, The Hidden Rock Village, enough to advance him to Jonin..."
Whether during war or peace times, Akihara Kagura's abilities and deeds warrant Konoha raising him to Jonin.
In other words...
Not promoting him would be strange!
"Let's talk about business."
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Jiraiya, eyes determined: "The Uchiha Clan harbors potential rebellion, promoting Kagura to Jonin is hugely symbolic, signaling to the Uchiha Clan that the village's leadership commands absolute power, and their rebellion can't succeed..."
In regards to these matters...
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't hide them from Jiraiya.
Once Jiraiya spends two days in the village, he'll keenly sense the peculiar atmosphere with Anbu Ninja frequently around the Uchiha Clan Land, Uchiha Clan gathering in groups, even preparing arms.
"I shouldn't have brought Kagura back..."
Jiraiya shook his head in resignation, not wanting his disciple reduced to a pawn of Konoha's higher-ups, especially as a means of internal suppression.
"Jiraiya."
Sarutobi Hiruzen faced Jiraiya, somberly explaining: "This is to ensure peace within the village. I've issued summons to you and Tsunade, though Tsunade ignored my letter..."
"That's expected."
Jiraiya deeply understood his old teammate's mindset: "Having Tsunade treat village ninja as enemies? Tsunade is a Medical Ninja, she wouldn't agree..."
"But..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at his disciple, speaking gravely: "The village must wield overpowering strength against the potentially rebellious Uchiha, only then can the issue between Konoha and the Uchiha reach peaceful resolution..."
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't someone who favors martial repression, yet dispensing with it isn't possible either since force provides negotiation leverage.
Konoha stands at a historical crossroads.
Every force is critically important to Konoha's current situation, leading Sarutobi Hiruzen to summon his two disciples and numerous ninjas on external missions.
Should any tiny mistake lead to massive losses from Uchiha Clan's rebellion, it might doom Konoha indefinitely.
It would be best to peacefully resolve the Uchiha issue...
If Konoha finds no internal issues afterward, considering Konoha's current diplomatic advantage, external warfare won't occur.
Konoha will usher in a long-standing time of complete peace.
"Hopeful for a peaceful resolution!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by the window, sighing quietly, and ordered: "Stay in Konoha for a while, Jiraiya..."
"No thanks, I'm not interested!"
Jiraiya shook his head, frowning: "Leaving Kagura in Konoha is enough; I've completed the task you gave me well, that little guy has learned the Immortal Technique!"
"Oh?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
This allows Akihara Kagura to learn even more powerful Immortal Techniques left behind by the First Hokage!
With this...
Konoha will have more assurance in resolving the Uchiha Clan dilemma!
Even if the Uchiha Clan decides on rebellion, possessing hidden Mangekyo Sharingan, the village has someone to counter it!
If the Uchiha Clan goes all out, secretly capturing both the Three-Tailed Jinchuriki Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, and Nine-tailed Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki living in Konoha, Akihara Kagura, having mastered the Immortal Technique left by the First Hokage, can handle these troubles!