That night, the Third Hokage nearly choked on his pipe when he saw Jiraiya staggering into the office looking half-dead.
He genuinely froze for a moment. He had never seen Jiraiya like this. Since childhood, Jiraiya had always been bursting with energy, as if exhaustion simply wasn't part of his vocabulary.
"Jiraiya," the Third said, concern slipping into his voice, "what happened to you?"
That was all it took.
Jiraiya immediately launched into a long, heartfelt complaint about how his newly accepted disciple, Fujimoto Tōma, had been relentlessly draining his teacher's soul through endless questions.
The Third couldn't help laughing."Now you see the value of studying properly," he said calmly. "If you'd taken learning seriously back then, you wouldn't be struggling to teach your own student."
"I can teach just fine," Jiraiya shot back. "It's only Tōma who causes problems."
This time, the Third didn't refute him. Jiraiya wasn't wrong. Even he hadn't expected Tōma to absorb knowledge at such a ridiculous speed.
After a brief pause, the Third suddenly spoke again."Then how about letting me teach him?"
The implication was obvious. With talent like that, Tōma could very well inherit his will. Even if his natural affinities were limited to Wind and Lightning, other elements could still be developed later.
"That's fine," Jiraiya said without hesitation, then added firmly, "but Tōma is still my student."
Despite how exhausting it was, he wasn't about to hand over a genius disciple. The Third merely smiled and dropped the topic.
After a long silence, the Third asked quietly,"When are you leaving?"
"Soon," Jiraiya replied after thinking it over. "I've already delayed my travels long enough."
"And Tōma?"
"He's still laying foundations," Jiraiya said. "Taking him wandering with me would only slow him down."
The Third exhaled smoke and stared at him for a long moment."You've never considered staying?"
"Sensei," Jiraiya said seriously, "you know the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. If there's even a chance of a future crisis that could destroy the world, I can't stop. I've already decided how Tōma will be handled after I leave."
The Third said nothing. He simply looked a little older as he smoked in silence. Jiraiya felt a twinge of guilt, but he couldn't agree. If he stayed, he would almost certainly be groomed as the next Hokage. That life wasn't for him.
After another pause, Jiraiya spoke again."There's one more thing. Tōma's level already exceeds what the Ninja Academy can teach. If he applies for early graduation, I hope you'll approve it."
"Alright," the Third nodded. Keeping Tōma in the Academy would indeed waste time. With Jiraiya guiding him, formal schooling was optional at best.
Once his business was finished, Jiraiya lingered quietly with the Third for a while before leaving. As he walked through the streets, he glanced back toward the Hokage Tower and sighed softly.
Did Jiraiya really know nothing about what was happening inside the village?
The next morning, Jiraiya took one look at the bright-eyed, clearly eager-to-question Tōma and felt a sharp pain somewhere deep in his soul.
"Stop," Jiraiya said quickly. "No sealing techniques today."
"Oh," Tōma replied, a little disappointed but not argumentative. "Then what are we learning?"
"Your future plans," Jiraiya said seriously. "I'll be leaving in a few days."
"I see…" Tōma said. He'd expected this, but it still stung. He hadn't squeezed nearly enough value out of his teacher yet.
"I can't stay," Jiraiya continued. "But I've already arranged what comes next. After I leave, a very capable existence will teach you. That's also when you'll be able to use the special medicine."
"Mount Myōboku," Tōma said, nodding. He was looking forward to anything that could fix his chakra shortage.
Jiraiya smiled. "Exactly. And one more thing. Have you thought about graduating early?"
"Graduating… you mean becoming a genin?" Tōma asked.
"Yes. I've already spoken to the old man. If you want it, he'll approve it."
Jiraiya left him time to think, but Tōma answered far sooner than expected.
"I don't want to graduate early."
"Oh?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I'm still building my foundations," Tōma said calmly. "Every day matters. Becoming a genin means missions, and missions will eat into my training time."
"But missions give experience," Jiraiya countered. "Practical combat, real situations."
Tōma shook his head."Not right now. It's peacetime. Genin missions are errands, not battles. Even escort missions rarely involve enemy ninja. There's no meaningful combat experience to gain."
He looked straight at Jiraiya."I won't need to wait until twelve to reach my next growth stage. I'll graduate then."
Jiraiya studied him for a moment, then nodded with quiet approval."When you feel ready, go tell the Third yourself."
"Anything else, sensei?" Tōma asked politely.
"…No," Jiraiya said, uneasily.
"Then let's continue sealing techniques."
That day, Jiraiya felt the last remnants of his mental stamina evaporate.