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Jiraiya was instantly choked up, unable to speak. It was precisely because he had witnessed too many tragedies that, after the end of the Second Shinobi World War, he resolved to find the Child of Prophecy to save this world.
He had expended countless efforts for this, but from beginning to end, it never occurred to him that perhaps he didn't need to search for some savior—that he himself could become the savior!
But Jiraiya completely believed the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, pinning his hopes on someone else.
In Wujie's view, the Jiraiya who called himself "Gallant" was perhaps just a pitiful man whose life had been manipulated by the Great Toad Sage using 'destiny'.
However, speaking of saving the world, the Konoha side actually had one opportunity in the past and another in the future to potentially end war in the ninja world, but unfortunately, they missed both.
The first was 60 years ago, after Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha joined forces.
If Hashirama had been clearer-headed and directly allied with Madara, then captured the eight Tailed Beasts and selected eight Jinchuriki from the Uzumaki clan, such power could have completely steamrolled the entire ninja world over a dozen times. With the ninja world unified, war naturally would have ceased.
Just like during the Warring States period, the ninja clans within the Land of Fire were constantly fighting. But after Hashirama established Konoha and incorporated the ninja clans, at least within the Land of Fire itself, war no longer existed.
Unfortunately, Hashirama didn't do this. The result was that the ninja world has already experienced three great wars up to now, and even the Fourth Shinobi World War is close at hand.
The second opportunity belongs to the future Naruto and Sasuke. After they sealed Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, they likewise possessed the power to steamroll the ninja world, yet they also did nothing.
The result was Sasuke being forced to leave the village, Naruto turning into a corporate drone, and having to continue facing the threat of war arriving at some unknown time in the future.
Orochimaru watched the dejected Jiraiya with great interest. If Jiraiya was fire, then he was water; neither approved of the other's methods. So, seeing Jiraiya suffer a setback here made him quite happy.
Naruto looked at Jiraiya's gloomy state, and suddenly had a flash of insight, slamming his palm on the table. "Ah! I get it! You're saying all this because you want Pervy Sage to give up on bringing Granny Tsunade back, right!?"
Clearly, the earlier interaction between Jiraiya and Naruto had left a very bad impression on Tsunade.
Then, next, it should be time for him to show his sincerity to Tsunade.
Thinking this, Wujie added, "To be precise, I just don't want Lady Tsunade to go back and become Hokage."
"That makes no difference at all!"
Wujie shook his head. "No, there is a difference. Because in my view, among the Konoha Sannin, only Lady Tsunade is the most suitable person to become Hokage. Only in her hands can Konoha exert its greatest strength."
Tsunade and Shizune looked at Wujie with some surprise.
Orochimaru's expression, however, turned somewhat displeased. The main conflict between him and the Third Hokage stemmed from his belief that he was more suitable than Minato Namikaze to be the Fourth Hokage, yet the Third ultimately didn't choose him. "Oh? Tsunade is even more suitable than I am? Then I'd certainly like to hear your reasoning."
"Of course. Everyone knows Lady Tsunade is a medical ninja. Now, for a medical ninja, what is the most important ability?"
Naruto immediately answered, "Does that even need asking? It's definitely medical skill!"
But Wujie shook his head. "No. For a medical ninja, the most important ability is actually rational judgment."
"Judgment?"
The others were puzzled. Wujie continued, "Even now, with a highly developed medical system, once a Shinobi World War breaks out, there's no guarantee every injured person can receive timely treatment, let alone in earlier times. For example, during the Second Shinobi World War, a single medical ninja might have had more than ten wounded waiting desperately behind them. But medical resources are limited; it's predetermined that not everyone can be treated. What's needed at this time is decisive judgment."
"Suppose there are two critically injured patients on the verge of death. One has an abdominal injury, with perhaps over a 50% chance of survival. The other has a chest injury, with maybe only a 45% chance of survival. But time is running out. No matter who is chosen, the other will die—meaning, they will be abandoned. If it were you, who would you choose to save?"
Kabuto and Shizune didn't hesitate, answering immediately, "Naturally, the one with the higher chance of survival."
But Naruto immediately shouted, "Why can you only save one!? How can you abandon a comrade!?"
Wujie said, "Because there are simply too many wounded, and only one medical ninja available."
But Naruto was clearly unsatisfied with this explanation. He clenched his fists and yelled, "Even so, there must be some other way! Guys who abandon their comrades are the worst! How do you know it's impossible if you don't even try!? Anyway, I would absolutely never give up!"
"Then please suggest a method. Just talking big changes nothing."
Naruto immediately retorted, "When the time comes, I'll definitely be able to think of a way!"
His words had clearly already annoyed the three medical ninja present. Wujie shook his head and continued, "Let's return to the previous topic. I shouldn't have engaged with that brat."
"Who are you calling a brat!?"
Wujie ignored him. "Deciding someone's life or death is not an easy matter, especially when that person might be the neighbor who just greeted you this morning. But for a medical ninja, it's a decision that must be made, and quickly too. Because every second of hesitation lowers the patient's chance of survival. If one acted like that brat just now, perhaps while he was still thinking about some so-called 'other way', both wounded would have already died."
"Therefore, this calm and rational judgment, and the strong heart capable of shouldering the weight of the abandoned comrades while continuing forward—that is the most crucial quality for a medical ninja!"
Kabuto had no objection to this, but he still asked, "But what does this have to do with being Hokage?"
"Let me give an example. Five hundred Iwa-nin launch a surprise attack on a Konoha stronghold. Inside the stronghold are only one hundred ninja, defending desperately by relying on the fortifications. If reinforcements don't arrive promptly, these one hundred will soon be sacrificed. However, at this moment, an opening appears in the Iwa rear guard. If these one hundred ninja could be sacrificed to hold the enemy back, allowing the reinforcement troops to attack the rear, they could directly destroy the enemy's base, kill a large number of unprepared enemies, and perhaps even end the battle right there. At such a time, it depends on whether the Hokage can make a rational judgment."
Just as Naruto said, abandoning comrades makes one the worst. Therefore, both he and Jiraiya would only choose to reinforce the stronghold. But...
Kabuto stroked his chin and said, "I think I understand. If you choose to reinforce the stronghold to face five hundred Iwa-nin head-on, the direct confrontation would inevitably cause massive casualties on both sides. If the battle drags on, casualties will continue to mount, and even more people will die. But choosing to sacrifice those one hundred ninja might lead directly to victory, minimizing casualties while achieving the greatest benefit. However, Lord Orochimaru could also make such a judgment. I don't understand why you say Lady Tsunade is the most suitable."
Wujie replied with a smile, "Because Master Orochimaru wouldn't even need to make a judgment. He might even actively facilitate such a situation. His heart wouldn't bear the burden of those he sacrificed, because he simply doesn't care. But such a person could never gain everyone's support."
"Therefore, only Lady Tsunade possesses both rational decisiveness and a benevolent, kind heart, along with the strong will to carry the weight of the dead and continue forward, and intellect far surpassing others. Only such a person can unite everyone, allowing Konoha to exert 120% of its strength!"
These words made Tsunade blush. She scratched her cheek and said embarrassedly, "You're exaggerating. I'm not that outstanding."
Affinity points up!
Shizune immediately said to Tsunade, "No! Lady Tsunade is that outstanding! I've always known it!"
But at this moment, Naruto immediately slammed the table and shouted, "I absolutely refuse to accept that kind of outcome! Why should rescuing comrades result in greater casualties!? That's just sophistry!⁵ If it were me, I would definitely go rescue my comrades, and I'd beat down all the enemies! How can someone who gives up without even trying possibly be accepted by everyone!?"
Jiraiya looked at Naruto with gratification. That's right! Only this spirit of never giving up, no matter the circumstances, is the most precious quality of the Child of Prophecy!
Wujie paid Naruto no further attention. If you don't accept it, then don't accept it. Anyway, I'm not engaging with Naruto's points anymore.
Then, he looked at Jiraiya again and began the next round of attack. "Disaster for the army is born from suspicion; the greatest harm in warfare is hesitation. Jiraiya, wanting to save everything, would only mess everything up if he became Hokage. Throughout history, no leader has ever achieved success through benevolence alone. The so-called 'loving soldiers like sons' is merely aimed at making them willing to sacrifice their lives for you."
"Moreover, if Jiraiya became Hokage, do you know what the most exquisite part would be?" Wujie, like a venomous snake, sprayed his poison at Jiraiya. "Just imagine: You are a Konoha ninja, fighting bravely on the front lines under the command of the most respected Lord Jiraiya, shedding blood for Konoha, protecting your wife and daughter. But, when you return to the village, you discover your most respected Hokage-sama is lewdly peeping on your wife and daughter, seeing every inch of them, stark naked. How does such a scene strike you all?"
As women, Tsunade and Shizune frowned. However, Naruto, who greatly respected Jiraiya, shouted again, "That way of putting it is too much! Besides, it's not such a big deal! It's not like they'll lose a piece of flesh!"
Yes, yes. After all, when Naruto discovered Jiraiya was a peeping tom, he didn't care at all, instead immediately pestering Jiraiya to help him train.
The reason, just as he said, was that it's not like they'd lose a piece of flesh.
But really, is it appropriate to say such things in front of Tsunade, a woman?
Jiraiya wasn't stupid. He immediately began to explain frantically, "No, no, no! I would absolutely never do such a thing! And, and that's definitely not peeping! I was just gathering research material! Yes! Just gathering material, that's all!"
Wujie's lips curled upwards. "Gathering material, hmm? Master Jiraiya... surely you don't think that those girls you saw completely naked were actually happy about it?"
Go on, say it. In front of Tsunade, say the same thing Naruto did!