The Hokage's office, one could argue that it is the heart of Konoha. It is where decisions that are important to the village are made by the Hokage, while not necessarily true it is not without merit.

"You should let me train him already." A well built, white haired man argued. He wore what seemed to be a kabuki costume. He was in an annoyed mood in general.

Taking a small puff from his pipe before replying, the Hokage replied with weary vitriol, "Jiraiya, how many times have we had this conversation? You cannot simply train Naruto as you see fit, he is not ninja! When he becomes genin then fine. Not now."

"Can't you see. They don't give him the time of the day, his training is seriously lacking. The academy is biased-" Jiraiya tried to reason with the Hokage.

The Hokage interrupted however, "Jiraiya. I know your reasons. I cannot fault you, much as I want to right now. You have your duties to Konoha, you aren't allowed to neglect it, even for family." He said with resignation, he had spoken from experience.

Seeing that, once again he had been denied Jiraiya began with another argument "We could at least tell him about his family" taking advantage of the Hokage's words.

"I'm sure you know, informing him of his family is a large informational risk. If we tell him about his father, there is always the chance that somebody will get the information. Are you okay with that risk Jiraiya?" The Hokage challenged Jiraiya, pointing out the obvious. Given that Jiraiya was the spymaster of Konoha, it was indeed obvious.

"I'm not talking about his parents, Sensei." Jiraiya carefully hid his grin as he readied an argument he was sure will get through the old man. "I'm talking about the Uzumaki."

The Hokage gestured that he continue, all the while replacing the contents of his pipe with a well practiced series of motions.

"Don't tell me it's an informational hazard, he introduces himself as Uzumaki every time he can. You even have the Uzumaki spiral engraved on his clothes." Jiraiya grinned it was nice to have something for once.

"And what purpose would that serve? The Uzumaki are dead, nothing will change that. He won't grow strong suddenly if I tell him. He'll still be civilian if I tell him." The Hokage pointed out.

"Give him some pride damn it. I'm sure he'll be inspired if he knows about his clan." Jiraiya said frustratedly.

"And? He already is inspired, I believe his goal is to become Hokage someday. I'm sure that is enough, I'd rather not tell him he has a clan and most if not all of them are already dead." The Hokage countered.

"Seals." Jiraiya put out.

"Seals?" The Hokage questioned. "Ah. Do go on, I'm sure I'll like this."

"Let me initiate him on seals. He is Uzumaki it's his right." Jiraiya answered with a serious face. Teaching someone seals are hazardous once they get passed the early learning period.

"Be that as it may, This is Konohagakure not Uzushiogakure. There are no laws like that here. I'm sure the council will point that out, those old fools." The Hokage pointed out resignedly. It was hard when the law wasn't with them. It was clear as day, no teaching civilians because they may turn traitor. Clans do have special rights to train their youth but Naruto's clan wasn't included because they are a foreign clan.

"I know that. That's why I have this scroll." The sealmaster took out a small sealing scroll and unsealed it. Releasing three larger scrolls with a small puff of smoke.

Giving the scrolls to the old man to examine, Jiraiya grinned openly.

"History of sealing? A beginner's guide to sealing? Generic sealing?" The Hokage raised a brow to Jiraiya, who was grinning like a fool.

"No one will fault you if he reads harmless things like this. I'm sure the History of sealing has a very descriptive and informative section about the Uzumaki clan." Jiraiya provided.

"Indeed? Good work. Onto other matters, will you actually meet him now?" The Hokage asked looking outside his window that prominently displayed Konoha's famous landmark, the Hokage's mountains.

"If you let me teach him, then I will." Jiraiya said with a tone of finality. "I can't just walk in his life and say. Hey I'm your godfather, Oh I can't help you I'm going to other places to get information."

"Very well, go back to your duties. I'll be sure that Naruto reads this." The Hokage said as his aged fingers delicately took hold of the scrolls.

Hearing a dismissal, Jiraiya nodded and went on his way.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0