Chapter 76: Another Kind of Sannin (Part 2)

Sansho wasn't merely someone lacking battle capability—in fact, strictly speaking, she wasn't even considered a true ninja.

If one really had to talk about priorities, the main reason she came to the Front Line this time was to deliver the Contract Scroll to Haseo. Bringing Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade here was just an extra task.

After all, even without her leading them, those three kids could still arrive safely at the Front Line under careful protection.

After leaving Haseo, Sansho went straight to Kōga Kinoto.

"Kinoto, I truly appreciate your help. If you hadn't noticed Haseo's condition in time, I definitely wouldn't have paid attention to that issue… This is my first time being someone's teacher, and I feel a bit overwhelmed. Maybe I should learn from Sarutobi." Sansho said to Kōga. Although in front of Haseo she always maintained the image of an experienced mentor, seeming confident and in control of every lesson, that was merely an act—just like how Haseo was experiencing life as a disciple for the first time, Sansho was also stepping into the role of a teacher for the very first time.

Even though she possessed vast knowledge from both the Senju clan and Konoha, as someone who couldn't use chakra or perform jutsu herself, teaching a novice ninja like Haseo wasn't as simple as it seemed. Out of sight, she'd worked incredibly hard.

Kōga shook his head dismissively at her thanks. "He's your disciple, after all—I'm naturally paying more attention to him. Still… Sansho, why do you place such high hopes on that kid?"

This was something Kōga Kinoto had never fully understood—even he himself couldn't completely grasp Sansho's reasoning.

"Why? It probably wouldn't make much sense if I explained now. In time, you'll surely understand… Anyway, the problem with him has been temporarily controlled, which eases my worries. But tell me, do you really think this 'chakra corrosion' he mentioned actually exists? If it does, will it lead to worse consequences?" Sansho remained deeply concerned about Haseo's condition, yet she still didn't clarify exactly why she had pinned such great expectations upon him.

"I think you're overreacting a bit. It's not that big a deal. Also, don't let him get to you too easily. Those Ninja Tools were indeed created by the Sage of Six Paths, but after all this time, there's no way any of the Sage of Six Paths' chakra remains on them… As a teacher, you need to keep your cool," Kōga tried reassuring her.

"But they are ancient artifacts handed down since the beginning of the Ninja Sect. Who knows what kind of trouble they might bring?"

"Therefore, you shouldn't dwell on it too much—I will keep close watch on him." Kōga replied helplessly.

"Well then. I've brought Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the others here. Have you already met them?" Changing the topic, Sansho shifted focus toward the disciples of The Third.

"Hmm, I just met them. How to put it… They're somewhat too energetic."

"Kids coming to the Front Line for the first time are supposed to act like that. I kind of think it's kinda cute."

"…" Kōga thought to himself that Haseo definitely hadn't been like that. Then again, compared with Jiraiya and the others, Haseo couldn't really be considered a young ninja anymore.

The two chatted casually as they made their way toward where the Third Hokage was stationed. Now that they had arrived at the Front Line, Sansho had several matters to discuss with the Kage, including recent developments and the general atmosphere within the village.

... ...

With Sansho having gone to meet the Hokage, Haseo temporarily lost sight of his mentor after properly storing the Summoning Contract Scroll and returning to camp.

She really wasn't suited for being at the Front Line, and Haseo wasn't sure how long she would remain here. If possible, he hoped she could return to Konoha sooner rather than later. Therefore, he wanted to find Sansho again to ask about her arrangements on the frontline and when she might return to Konoha.

However, just as he exited his tent, before he could take more than a few steps to look for her again, he instead spotted Jiraiya idly wandering around the camp.

"Heya, Haseo."

Seemingly relieved to have finally found a familiar face in the camp, Jiraiya looked delighted upon seeing Haseo. He quickly took a few steps closer until he stood beside him.

"When did you switch to this style of clothing?" Jiraiya asked, eyeing Haseo's awkward-looking coat. "It doesn't really match your vibe."

Haseo thought to himself, *I couldn't give a damn about fashion*. It was simply a way to hide secret weapons beneath his clothes. *I could make my coat bulge if I wanted to—though I don't know why you'd care to see that.*

He gave a slight shake of his head, smoothly changing the subject. "Are you alone? Where are Tsunade and Orochimaru? Didn't last time's incidents teach you anything? As members of the same squad, you shouldn't separate so easily, especially while at the Front Line... When necessary, it's your job to protect Tsunade."

"Come on, Haseo," Jiraiya smirked. "You don't need to scare me by making things sound worse than they are. I know the situation here has calmed down, otherwise we wouldn't have been allowed here in the first place. Besides, with that violent brute of a girl like Tsunade, she can handle herself just fine." He fully understood the camp's relatively safe status. In truth, he wanted to add that Tsunade was stronger than him, and if anyone needed protection, it'd probably be him being protected by her—but that sounded far too embarrassing to actually say out loud.

It was obvious that the Hokage deeply cared for the safety of his apprentices. Yet he also understood that Jiraiya and the others had reached an age where they needed real battlefield experience, which was why he had chosen this moment to bring them here.

Still, Jiraiya clearly harbored some discontent—he was obviously eager to engage in actual combat to prove his abilities. Well, such an attitude wasn't uncommon among young ninja stepping into the world for the first time, but it was unwise and required correction through some guidance.

So immediately, Haseo drew a short sword from behind his back and extended one finger horizontally, balancing the blade atop it... His fingertip stably supported the sword's center of gravity.

"Understand yet?"

"?"

This sudden cryptic demonstration came completely out of nowhere—what kind of riddle was this?

"You still don't get it? You've got no sense for this at all… Balance! Don't you comprehend? Balance is found in everything."

A ninja cannot be too aggressive. He must always remain calm and rational. When you're about to do something, you must maintain balance and grasp the appropriate measure. Short is biased, excess is as bad as deficiency. Do you know what the highest spiritual state for a ninja is?

"What?" Jiraiya was taken aback. He instinctively asked back, completely unprepared to hear an impromptu philosophical lecture from Haseo.

Haseo continued solemnly, "Eyes without fear, without hate, without love—without anything that disrupts balance. Once you fully understand and achieve this mindset, you become what's known as the 'Balanced Sannin.'"

"Haha... Well, what you said makes perfect sense, but I suddenly remembered the Third Hokage wanted to talk with me. I need to go—gotta run. We'll continue next time." Jiraiya had already heard too much of this kind of rhetoric from the Third. To avoid further ideological education, he turned and left immediately.

These kids these days... so impatient.

Shaking his head, Haseo clicked his tongue in disappointment—he hadn't even finished speaking yet.

Right after Jiraiya hurried away, from behind a nearby tent where he had been standing earlier, Orochimaru emerged.

"Do you actually believe what you just said?"

Orochimaru spoke to Haseo while holding a pen and notebook, scribbling notes on the latter.

Was he stalking Jiraiya? What exactly was he writing—Jiraiya Observation Log?

Knowing Orochimaru's personality, there was no way he'd buy into Haseo's earlier views. Understanding the principle of speaking differently depending on who he was talking to, Haseo decided to switch approaches.

He shook his head at Orochimaru, then flicked his wrist. The small blade balanced on his fingertip slipped, but before it could fall, he snatched the hilt midair.

"I was merely testing Jiraiya's reaction. In reality, look… Balance is fragile; balance is the mentor of fools. So balance itself is nothing but a lie. We, who walk through the shadows and kill enemies most efficiently—that is what real ninjas are."

Orochimaru was stunned. How could one person flip between two completely opposite ideas in just a few minutes? Can't you say something normal? Who knows which sentence was true and which was false?

"Must you take everything so seriously? It was just a joke I made for you."

Well then, Haseo's habit of adapting his words based on who's listening—just blurting out whatever comes to mind—is actually less natural than regular conversation.

P.S.

Dropping at midnight—please send your upvotes!

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