Hiruzen put down the letter, and took off his glasses. He clenched his clouded eyes shut, and held back his tears. He sealed the draft back into the scroll until the time came for Naruto to open it once more. For now though, Sarutobi walked over to Naruto's crib and smiled as he brushed his fingers on the baby boy's whiskers. Naruto purred in delight making Hiruzen chuckle softly.
It seemed as if they were quite sensitive. Suddenly, the window slid open, and Kakashi and Jiraiya walked in.
"I was waiting for you two," Hiruzen said, unimpressed. "Come on in," he motioned them in. Both hopped in, and stood in front of the table. Hiruzen lit his pipe, and gazed out the window.
"So you retook the seat, eh, Sarutobi-sensei?! The kid left his hat way too early…" Jiraiya whispered mournfully.
Hiruzen nodded in agreement, "That he did," he agreed, still looking out the window.
Sighing, "Jiraiya," Hiruzen started. "Minato has left a great burden upon my shoulders, a burden which Kushina does not wish to see reason to." he admitted, and Jiraiya looked at him confused. Hiruzen said nothing to elaborate, and pointed towards the crib where the soft snores of a baby resonated from. Both Kakashi and Jiraiya walked over to the crib, and couldn't help but gasp in shock.
"Sensei," Jiraiya gulped. "I-Is this his son?" Jiraiya stuttered.
Hiruzen nodded in affirmative, "Why is he here then?" Jiraiya thundered. "I thought Kushina gave birth to two daughters, not a son as well! She told me as such when I sent her a summon last night. But she told me that she was leaving today at dawn for the fire capital. If he is, in fact, her son…then why is he here?" Jiraiya naturally had to ask. Hiruzen smiled sadly, and continued on gazing out the window.
"She blames him for the death of Minato, Jiraiya." Hiruzen didn't mince his words. "She looks at like him as if he is the Kyūbi reborn. Kushina is looking for someone to blame and vent, and has sadly chosen little Naruto as her culprit. Last night, she disowned him, and even threatened to kill him. Now, Jiraiya, I wish to ask of you - will you adopt, Naruto?" Hiruzen dropped the bomb. "I know that you have a spy network to manage, but we can set up a time-table for it. I can have someone I trust help you with little Naruto. So what do you say, Jiraiya? Will you accept him?" Hiruzen asked hopefully. He honestly thought without a doubt that Jiraiya would accept the boy willingly to honor his apprentice's last wishes.
"I'm sorry, sensei." Jiraiya's apology formed a pit of ice in Hiruzen's stomach. "The village needs my spy network more than ever now, and I am not exactly father material, you know. I like to travel, do research, and write my books. Plus, the Great Toad Sage has given a new prophecy, Pa and Ma told me that just last night. It says 'The powerful sapling born from two strong leaves shall lead the world to peace, and it's enemies shall fear the look of his red eyes as he gazes upon them to protect what is precious to him.' and I know for a fact that it has to be either Narumi, or Mito. They fit the description perfectly! And they will even have red eyes once they channel the fox's chakra, just like Kushina did! I'll have to put all my time into nurturing them...so being with Naruto will be, difficult, you know." Jiraiya apologized sincerely.
"I hope you understand, sensei. The future of the world takes priority over the life of a single child - you of all people must understand." Jiraiya tried to make him see reason. Hiruzen didn't even bother turning around to face him as his heart broke in two at hearing his student's admissions.
"Minato, you really did see through all of their hearts beforehand, didn't you?! Even I didn't know my own student's nature, and yet, you still saw right through him." Hiruzen thought sadly.
"I see" was all Hiruzen could say at the moment. Jiraiya was happy that his sensei was understanding his reasons, after all, the world did prioritize over Naruto, even though he did not like doing it.
"What will you do then, Kakashi? " Hiruzen switched his words to the jōnin monotonously.
"Lord Third," Kakashi bowed his head. "I want to return to the duties of the ANBU. I have to get over my grief of losing yet another person precious to me. Naruto looks too much like sensei, and I won't have the time to look after him with my missions. But I promise, I'll watch him over him from the shadows, and even become his jonin sensei when he grows older." he promised.
"That's quite a ways away for now, Kakashi." Hiruzen remarked pointedly.
Kakashi nodded, knowing full well what the man was trying to imply, "That it is, sir."
To be honest, after everything he'd heard, Hiruzen wasn't even surprised anymore.
"I understand," Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively. "Both of you are dismissed." he dismissed them.
THATS ANOTHER PART. SORRY ABOUT THE LENGHT ITS THE BUG
