Konoha's Mission Master

"I know that you, Elder Sandai, work tirelessly day and night for the stability of the village and the happiness of the villagers, but you must also take care of your health!"

"Even for the sake of Konoha's stability, your health absolutely cannot suffer any problems."

At this point, Yakumo's eyes reddened slightly.

She looked as if she was about to cry, but she resolutely turned around and followed Jiraiya, who had already walked far away.

"What a good child."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "He at least knows how to care for his health, unlike my brat who's always trying to annoy him..."

I'll stretch my muscles after get off work today and give him some pointers on his training. What kind of person can't even get first place in the grade?

Chapter 28 Teaching

As soon as Jiraiya led Yakumo out of the Hokage Building, they skillfully slipped into a small alley. The alley was filled with bathhouses of various sizes, and white steam billowed out from the cracks in the windows...

Could it be that... Jiraiya's first step in teaching is to lead him to spy on girls taking baths to establish a fighting friendship?

This is just too much...

Why am I even a little excited...?

Will I be influenced by Jiraiya?

Yakumo silently complained to himself.

With a whoosh, Jiraiya skillfully scaled the wall, and Yakumo quickly followed... If he lost him now... his leg would be gone.

What came into view was not the scene he had been looking forward to, but an ordinary training ground, only much larger than the one in the Yakumo family's yard.

The training ground is surrounded by many vibrant trees and has a full range of equipment, including round targets for practicing kunai and shuriken, wooden stakes and sandbags for practicing martial arts, and a horizontal bar for improving balance. In the distance are ancient and tall buildings covered with the clan crest of the Senju clan.

"This is the training ground behind the Senju family mansion. From now on, come here every morning following the route we just took and wait for me..." Jiraiya instructed.

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama..."

Yakumo cautiously looked up at Jiraiya's face, but for some reason, Jiraiya's demeanor was completely different from that in the original work.

Those not-so-handsome faces gave off an incredibly reassuring feeling, and half of his tall figure was hidden in the shadows of the trees, his eyes filled with loneliness…

He now seems like an ordinary person who has lost his beloved, no longer the legendary Sannin who carried so much glory.

Tsunade was not only a close friend to him, but also his beloved... It must have been painful for him not to be able to stop Tsunade from leaving him... Unfortunately, Tsunade also had her reasons for leaving.

“If… Jiraiya-sama can’t bear to part with Tsunade-sama, why not travel the ninja world with him?” Yakumo comforted him thoughtfully.

"Ha...you little brat, you're actually starting to comfort me...Since you promised Tsunade you'd take care of you, then hurry up and get to training!" Jiraiya laughed heartily, his earlier dejection gone.

As Konoha's top combatant, Jiraiya seemed incredibly free, but in reality, he had no freedom whatsoever. After all, the fall of a top combatant could very well become the catalyst for the Fourth Shinobi World War.

"Then I wonder what Jiraiya-sama plans to teach me...?" Yakumo quickly chimed in with a smile.

“The data shows that you have both earth and water chakra, and the only techniques I’m good at are earth release and self-created ninjutsu,” Jiraiya explained. Considering Yakumo’s chakra reserves, summoning techniques and sage techniques were clearly not suitable.

Seeing Yakumo before him, he couldn't help but think of the three disciples he had taken in in the Land of Rain years ago. They met at the same age, but unfortunately, they died in the war.

"Then, Jiraiya-sama, could you demonstrate your self-created ninjutsu for me?" Yakumo asked with a hint of anticipation.

"Alright, then watch closely." Jiraiya composed himself and regained his spirits. He was determined to protect... Konoha!

"Ninja Technique: Earthly Needle!"

Jiraiya quickly completed the hand seals, and his full head of white hair extended and deformed, wrapping around his body like rows of needles, seemingly without any gaps. Each hair stood up like a steel needle, and if someone were to kick him, the consequences would be dire.

"This technique can effectively defend against attacks, not just taijutsu or various weapons. If you train it to my level, you can even defend against ninjutsu attacks," Jiraiya said with some pride.

"Of course, that's not all."

"Ninja Art: Needle Hell!"

Jiraiya's hair, which covered his entire body, quickly unfurled and continued to grow, eventually condensing into a white, drill-like strand that easily snapped the trees at the edge of the training field.

"So... do you want to learn?" Jiraiya asked Yakumo with a smug look on his face as his hair returned to normal.

"Of course! Please teach me, Jiraiya-sama."

Yakumo quickly replied that while he had the Four Stars Alignment and the Hatake Secret Manual to attack him, his defensive measures were somewhat lacking.

The Ninja Art: Earthly Needle can perfectly compensate for this.

"You really want to learn it?" Jiraiya asked in surprise. When Minato Namikaze became his apprentice, he wanted to pass on this self-created ninjutsu and make it flourish.

But Minato Namikaze refused to learn no matter what... After much persuasion failed, he had no choice but to give up on the idea.

"Of course... This ninjutsu is unpredictable, both offensive and defensive, it's simply perfect!" Yakumo Yoshiko exclaimed.

This ninjutsu involves the transformation of Yang-attribute chakra nature, and for that reason alone, Yakumo had no reason to refuse.

As everyone knows: Water + Earth + Yang = Wood Release!

The two Susanoo Buddhas destroyed five kingdoms.

Yakumo's Susanoo is basically hopeless since he wasn't born into a good family, but he can still try his luck with Wood Release. After all... everyone has dreams... what if, with a little effort, they actually come true!

"You really think so? You want to learn this ninjutsu?"

Jiraiya crouched down, looked into Yakumo's eyes, and asked again to confirm.

"Of course it has both offense and defense, and can advance and retreat freely... It's practically a perfect ninjutsu. Is there any reason to refuse?"

After hearing this, Jiraiya looked at Yakumo with a sense of regret for not having met her sooner, and finally patted Yakumo on the shoulder and said.

"You understand me!"

Jiraiya stood up and looked into the distance.

"This method is both offensive and defensive, allowing for free advance and retreat."

"Who dares to call it garbage now?!"

At this moment, Jiraiya felt incredibly happy, and even the sadness of Tsunade's departure dissipated considerably.

"I'll teach you the hand seals first."

"it is good!"

Jiraiya demonstrated slowly, and Yakumo slowly recorded and learned. In just one morning, Yakumo had already mastered the tricks of using it, but in order to maintain his persona of having poor ninjutsu talent, he had no choice but to continue to pretend to be stupid.

By noon, the temperature had risen rapidly, and the two were working up a sweat.

That's all for today. Let me take you to eat first.

Jiraiya took out a scroll from his storage scrolls and handed it to Yakumo, saying, "..."

"There are a few very useful techniques here. You can try practicing them when you have time. I'll be waiting for you at this training ground at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. You don't need to go to the Ninja Academy anymore. I'll ask for leave for you this afternoon."

"Okay... thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya may be unreliable at times, and even a bit lecherous, but he is very sincere to people. He did not show any impatience because of Yakumo's lack of talent, but instead did his best to take care of Yakumo.

This genuine care touched and pleased Yakumo deeply; perhaps this is the essence of Jiraiya's personal charm.

"But... Jiraiya-sama, what if I don't pass the Ninja Academy final exams?" Yakumo asked nervously.

"...Yakumo, you need to have some faith in me and in yourself. I'll teach you personally, so why worry about failing the final exam? Aren't I better than those teachers?" Jiraiya snorted with some dissatisfaction.

"Yes, yes, yes... Jiraiya-sama is the strongest."

"I love hearing that... say it a few more times."

"..."

Chapter 29 Free Meals

Two figures, one large and one small, ran in the sunlight.

"Speaking of which... Jiraiya-sama, where are we going to eat?" Yakumo asked somewhat helplessly. After leaving the training ground, Jiraiya only said, "Keep up," and then began an endless sprint.

At this moment, his lungs felt like they were burning with flames as he gasped for air. This feeling reminded him of his experience in the 2,500-meter race in his previous life, when he also reached his limit in the same way, with every cell in his body filled with...exhaustion.

The seal within his body had become increasingly fragile. If this continued, his body's instincts would break the seal and release the sealed power... In that case, Jiraiya would surely notice his abnormality.

This can't go on...

"Lord Jiraiya, I can't run anymore," Yakumo said breathlessly, his voice tinged with guilt.

"You've arrived just in time; good perseverance."

Jiraiya was somewhat surprised. He had originally planned to slow down and wait for Yakumo when he couldn't hold on any longer, but the boy followed closely behind without falling behind even a step.

This perseverance is truly commendable…

Just like him in the past, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today if he hadn't been so persistent.

"here it is…?"

Before them stood a small, yet quaint two-story villa. Through the gap in the wooden door, they could see a neatly manicured lawn.

"Come in." Jiraiya said casually, pushing open the door.

Yakumo quickly followed. Although the scenery in the courtyard was simple, it showed signs of careful maintenance, indicating that the person living here loved life.

Could this be... Jiraiya's house?

He is essentially a person who loves life.

"Minato, I'm here to freeload again!" Jiraiya shouted at the top of his lungs.

It turns out that Jiraiya's so-called taking Yakumo to dinner was just to freeload at Minato Namikaze's house. But it seems pretty good. It doesn't seem like there's any harm in building a good relationship with the future Fourth Hokage in advance.

"That old pervert is here to freeload again..." Red-haired Kushina Uzumaki pushed open the door with a disgruntled expression.

"Kushina, don't talk to your teacher like that," Minato Namikaze quickly scolded, though he couldn't hide the doting look in his eyes.

"Hey teacher, who is this...?"

"I'll help teach Tsunade's apprentice for a while," Jiraiya replied with a laugh.

"Kushina is getting prettier and prettier, huh?"

"Greetings, Lord Minato. My name is Yakumo." Yakumo stepped forward and stood next to Jiraiya, introducing himself.

"It's you, that funny little brat. I didn't expect to run into you again..." Kushina Uzumaki teased with a smile.