Chapter 188: Getting Close to Leaders Doesn't Mean High Positions

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Yahiko and the others aren't ninjas; they don't know the difficulty and significance of Jiraiya and the others isolating Hanzo on the battlefield, let alone the value of it. They only know they never fought three against one. On the other hand, Tatsuma effortlessly injured Hanzo in a single move, a feat they couldn't even dream of achieving. Then, with another move, he defeated hundreds of Rain Ninjas, appearing incredibly powerful.

Moreover, Tatsuma seems kinder than the big jagged guy with oil-painted marks on his face before them. They just witnessed Tatsuma healing others, and from the vague conversations among the ninjas, they gathered that Tatsuma and the handsome brother who smiles a lot were the ones who saved them.

In their hearts, the ideal sensei candidate is undoubtedly the "powerful" and kind Tatsuma, followed by the handsome brother who smiles a lot. As for the flamboyant uncle before them, he's not even in the running.

Noticing the various gazes directed at him, Tatsuma snapped back to reality. He looked at Yahiko's admiring yet longing gaze, then at Jiraiya's eyes, filled with sorrow and resentment, not knowing what had happened.

Though he felt a pang of jealousy, akin to being robbed of love by a former student, Jiraiya quickly briefed him on the situation, and Tatsuma's expression became increasingly strange.

A powerful ninja? Him? Tatsuma couldn't believe it. Even if Jiraiya let him use only one hand, he wouldn't stand a chance.

True, Tatsuma did possess techniques that could seriously injure or even kill Jiraiya, but having the means doesn't guarantee success. Just like killing Senju Hashirama, is it difficult? Not at all.

Take a knife, chop off his head, and the body separates—Senju Hashirama would be dead! But no one could manage to slide a knife across Senju Hashirama's neck.

Tatsuma had several jutsu, indeed powerful ones, but Jiraiya wouldn't give Tatsuma the chance to land a hit.

On the contrary, if Jiraiya wanted to control Tatsuma, he could do so without even using Ninjutsu. With sheer strength and speed alone, he could keep Tatsuma pinned down.

But Tatsuma probably also realized that Yahiko and the others truly didn't understand. So he said, "I'm going back to Konoha. If you want to learn from me, you'll have to come to Konoha too."

Upon hearing this, the three hesitated. After all, they had never left the Land of Rain before. Even when Yahiko initially proposed learning Ninjutsu, he talked about helping the Land of Rain become better.

But if they left the Land of Rain, how could they help make it better?

These kids weren't thinking about returning after learning; they didn't even know how vast the ninja world was, let alone the distance between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.

Leaving was just leaving; as for coming back, they hadn't thought about it yet.

In contrast, Jiraiya's willingness to stay behind, to remain in the Land of Rain that nurtured them, to teach them—it suddenly made him much more attractive.

Jiraiya seemed to understand the implied meaning in Tatsuma's words and gave him a satisfied look. Indeed, he was worthy of being his former student.

Although they didn't ultimately become his disciples, they still understood gratitude and didn't resort to underhanded tactics.

But suddenly, Jiraiya felt something was amiss. He had generously wanted to stay behind and teach the three, so why did he now have to consider Tatsuma's opinion?

And these three little troublemakers had "abandoned" him before. Why did he feel inexplicably excited now that they were turning back?

Yahiko's eyes shifted between Jiraiya and Tatsuma, then he spoke reluctantly, "Sorry, Ninja-sama. We don't want to leave the Land of Rain."

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