"What is it?"
Jiraiya extended a finger. "First, I got a message from Tsunade about what you've been up to in Konoha. She mentioned you've awakened Wood Release."
"Yes."
"I won't press you about how you obtained it. But I will say this: Wood Release isn't an ordinary kekkei genkai. It's a power deeply tied to Hashirama Senju himself—and the experiments Orochimaru ran to replicate it were dangerous. Don't lose yourself in the pursuit of strength."
Jiraiya paused, as if remembering something from long ago.
"Back in the day, Orochimaru and I investigated the work of a missing-nin named Hiruko. He was obsessed with kekkei genkai—trying to steal them through forbidden techniques. He developed something he called the Chimera Technique. It allowed him to absorb others' bloodline limits into his body, but the process was unstable. Even Orochimaru thought it was reckless."
Hiruko... Kimimaro remembered hearing that name. It had come up in strange rumors—one even featured in a film he saw once.
"You're wondering if your Wood Release came from something like that," Jiraiya said, reading his expression. "Given Orochimaru's past and the fact he had access to a lot of fringe research... it's not a baseless worry."
Kimimaro smiled faintly and shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, but no. My Wood Release isn't the result of the Chimera Technique. I've tested it thoroughly—it's stable, and it doesn't harm me."
"That's good to hear." Jiraiya relaxed slightly. "Second thing. I saw what you did in the Land of Vegetables. You have power, Kimimaro—and a vision. I don't want to stand in your way. But I need to know where you stand. Not just with Konoha, but with the shinobi world in general. Especially the great clans. I know you speak of equality, but if your path involves wiping out those clans... I can't support that."
Kimimaro nodded. He understood Jiraiya's position—loyalty to one's roots, to the place and people that raised you.
"You don't have to worry, sir. If change must come, it won't be through slaughter. I'm not interested in wiping out shinobi clans or villages. But their structures may need to evolve. Shinobi villages, as they are, have become tools of war for the Daimyō. I believe they should become something else—places of learning, growth, and development, not hired armies."
He added, "Wars should end. But competition doesn't have to vanish. Struggle breeds progress—so long as it's not rooted in hatred."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "So that's your plan?"
"Just a draft of one," Kimimaro admitted. "As for the great clans—they can exist, so long as they abandon the idea of superiority. Ninjutsu should be shared, developed, improved together. Not hoarded like treasure."
He touched his chest. "I come from a clan, too—the Kaguya. We were destroyed, but I survived. That means I carry their legacy, for better or worse. In truth, I fight against the very social class I was born into. All I want is a world where a commoner can stand on equal footing with a prodigy—if they work hard enough."
Jiraiya was silent for a long time. Then he nodded.
"I understand. I hope I live long enough to see what kind of world you build."
"You will." Kimimaro's voice was steady. "Oh, and about Hiruko... Do you know what happened to him?"
"No idea," Jiraiya admitted. "He went underground years ago. Could be dead. Could be lurking somewhere, still chasing power. Why?"
"Anyone capable of creating a technique like the Chimera Technique isn't someone to ignore." Kimimaro didn't want to reveal how much he suspected Hiruko's plans might still be in motion. "But never mind that. You said there was a third matter?"
Jiraiya chuckled. "Yeah, but this one's less serious. Actually, it might be the hardest."
Kimimaro raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I want you to get married."
"...???"
Jiraiya laughed out loud. "Hear me out. Years ago, I visited a place called Nadeshiko Village. It's a matriarchal community where women challenge men in battle—and if the man loses, he marries into the village. If the woman loses, she marries the man."
Kimimaro blinked. "That sounds... unconventional."
"It is," Jiraiya said. "But tradition is tradition. The current village leader, Shizuka, once had an engagement with Naruto, back when he was still just a Genin. Long story. But she's still unmarried—and their customs haven't changed."
Kimimaro vaguely recalled the tale. It had seemed more like a filler episode than real history—but apparently, there was truth behind it.
"Well," he muttered, "I suppose it depends on who does the challenging."
Jiraiya grinned. "Exactly."
Jiraiya continued his tale: "Back in the day, I had a duel with the leader of Nadeshiko Village. We ended in a draw, and as per their tradition, we agreed our disciples would settle things in the future. As you know, Naruto, my current disciple, is completely hopeless when it comes to romance. He managed to talk his way out of the fight using that silver tongue of his, but that wasn't exactly in the spirit of the agreement."
Jiraiya grinned and pointed at Kimimaro. "That's why I'm turning to you, my officially registered disciple. You're far more composed and experienced in these matters. I'm entrusting this mission to you."
Though the proposal came out of nowhere, Kimimaro wasn't inclined to reject a task—especially one involving a beautiful woman practically handed to him by fate. Still, he recalled that Shizuka, the kunoichi from Nadeshiko, had been swayed by Naruto's words back then. Would my own version of 'talk-no-jutsu' work, too? he wondered.
"I'm honored you think so highly of me in this area, Master Jiraiya," Kimimaro said, bowing his head slightly.
"Haha! Men understand each other—that's just how it is!"
"But... if you had such chemistry with that Village Head, why didn't you two end up together?" Kimimaro asked. "Even a draw suggests mutual strength and compatibility."
Jiraiya let out a long sigh. "She did want to marry me. But I was young, cocky, and had my eyes on someone else at the time. Looking back… I really was an idiot."
Given Jiraiya's now-legendary reputation as a womanizer, it was hard to picture him genuinely pining for someone.
"Was it the Fifth Hokage?" Kimimaro asked bluntly.
Jiraiya gave a dry laugh. "That's ancient history. No need to dig it up."
Kimimaro pressed further. "I'm curious, though. Why didn't you ever go after Aunt Tsunade properly?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "You call her 'Aunt'? That's surprisingly familiar of you," he chuckled. Then his expression turned wistful. "I did like her, a lot. But she was with someone else—Dan, a brave man who died young. After that, she shut herself off, drowned in grief and guilt. I figured she had no room left for anyone else in her heart."
"Still… she doesn't seem old at all," Kimimaro said, brow furrowed.
"She uses a chakra-based Transformation Technique to maintain her youthful appearance," Jiraiya explained, tapping his cheek with a knowing look. "She's still Tsunade underneath, though—sharp as ever."
"So you never considered pursuing her again?"
Jiraiya stared at the sky for a moment before responding. "Sometimes the thought crossed my mind. But I'm a free spirit—always moving, always chasing stories. I wondered if our personalities were just too different. And honestly… part of me thought she deserved someone better. Someone who could be there for her without always disappearing on some mission."
He laughed, though there was no humor in it this time. "Maybe, deep down, I hoped that if we both lived long enough, we'd end up side by side in our old age. But… life rarely works out that neatly."
With a resigned smile, he pulled out a gourd of sake and took a long, silent drink.
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