But...
Was the backlash that severe?
"I'm fine, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi's gaze involuntarily flickered towards Guy before he spoke weakly, "It's just a significant Chakra drain. I might need a good period of rest."
"I understand. Those eyes are indeed extraordinary." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
Then he decided to quickly conclude the meeting, saying, "This operation was a great success, both for you personally and for our understanding of that mysterious organization. You have worked hard."
With information on key personnel, they could adopt better strategies to deal with them.
The only regret was that they still hadn't determined the organization's true objective.
Obito had mentioned something, but Takemi's interpretation was chilling. They needed to understand more.
"It's what we should do."
Kakashi and Guy humbly replied immediately.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and then asked, "By the way, Takemi, is he alright? The intelligence said his opponent was unusual, with multiple hearts and extraordinary combat power. Did he act recklessly again?"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Guy, as if to say, 'Why did you teach him that?'
"He was indeed a bit reckless, but he was very lucky this time and didn't suffer too many problems." Kakashi answered truthfully, also feeling a bit emotional.
"However, it was Takemi's battle that affected everyone. When I first activated the power of that eye, I was already somewhat exhausted."
"If Takemi hadn't escalated his fight with that guy, causing a huge explosion, everything might not have ended so easily."
"He was indeed a bit reckless, but also truly impressive."
Guy seemed not to notice their glances. He thought for a moment and continued Kakashi's words, "But I think we still need to talk to him properly. Although Takemi has always been obedient, experiencing that kind of power might not be easy to let go of."
"Exactly. I suggest we ask Jiraiya-sama to talk to him as well." Kakashi nodded.
"Takemi has trained and acted with the three of us, and he's also gone on missions with Jiraiya-sama, so their relationship is better."
"Having Jiraiya-sama also advise him, I think the effect will be better."
"Jiraiya, huh."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't speak immediately, instead pondering the entire matter.
Takemi's impressive performance no longer surprised him.
After all, compared to the other two who caused major commotions in the Ninja World at thirteen or fourteen, Takemi seemed quite 'clean-cut'.
Although his opponent was strong, some geniuses were simply immeasurable, especially since Takemi's abilities were already very powerful, so an exaggerated performance wasn't overly surprising.
"Besides, the better he performs, the better Konoha's future will be!"
Thinking this, Sarutobi Hiruzen already had a plan. It was just Jiraiya going to advise him, what was so difficult about that?
And he didn't intend for Jiraiya to simply advise him, he hoped Jiraiya could do more!
He naturally knew some of his disciple's secrets. Sage Mode could be said to be Jiraiya's last trump card.
Jiraiya had also taught this ability to Minato, even though Minato had told him that he didn't seem to be very suited to using this technique.
This was determined by his fighting style and his Chakra, but at least he had learned it.
"So, can Takemi also learn it?"
Although Takemi knew the Flying Thunder God Technique, he didn't seem overly reliant on it, and he also knew Kakashi's Kenjutsu, and his Chakra reserve was very high.
It seemed there was indeed an opportunity for him to utilize Sage Mode even better?
"It's just that the first step doesn't seem to be that smooth?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered Jiraiya grumbling that Takemi didn't seem to like toads, and wasn't even willing to sign a summoning contract.
"That's a bit troublesome."
But no matter what, he would try it first. At the same time, he also decided to look through the materials left by his former teachers, the First Hokage and the Second Hokage.
If he remembered correctly, the First Hokage also knew Sage Mode.
"Alright, I understand. This matter..."
Having thought all this through, Sarutobi Hiruzen had his answer. But before he could finish speaking, a voice suddenly came from outside the window.
"Old man, I'm back!"
As he spoke, a white-haired figure stepped onto the windowsill.
A gentle breeze ruffled his long hair behind him. With his back to the sun, his long hair fluttered, and combined with his carefree demeanor, he looked like a recluse from another world.
He glanced at the people in the office, pondered for a moment, and then asked curiously, "Did I come at the wrong time?"
"No!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up. This was a good omen. What he wished for had come true.
He immediately stood up, his face beaming with a smile.
"You've come at the perfect time!"
"..."
Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's fervent gaze, Jiraiya, who had just returned, suddenly shivered.
He had seen that look before, and it meant trouble was coming again. He warily took a step back, but then his foot suddenly slipped.
"Whoa—"
Under the dumbfounded gazes of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Guy, and Kakashi, Jiraiya flailed his arms and actually slipped off the windowsill!
That carefree, recluse-like aura vanished without a trace in that instant...
"What was that?"
Not far away, Takemi and Naruto were walking towards Ichiraku when they suddenly saw someone fall from the Hokage Building.
Naruto asked, puzzled and worried, "Will he be in danger?"
"Don't worry, he'll be fine..."
Although it was quite far, Takemi saw it clearly.
He hadn't expected Jiraiya to be back.
Looking at Jiraiya, his eyelids twitched. What was this familiar sense of déjà vu?
Turning his head, he looked at Naruto beside him, who was full of confusion and worry.
After pondering for a long time, he slowly said, "You two are really similar..."
"Huh?"