An abandoned training ground.
From a distance, Kin spotted two figures ahead and quickened his pace to approach them.
Under the shade of a tree, Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato had been waiting for some time.
"Kin, you're late this time," Minato waved at Kin. He wore his usual white tracksuit with green trim, but the biggest change was his demeanor—far more composed than before. It seemed his strength had improved significantly over these four months.
"Yo, Kin! Long time no see," Jiraiya greeted with a sunny smile. Unlike his usual attire, he was clad in gray armor, his forehead protector securely fastened. He looked every bit the soldier ready for battle.
Seeing their eerily similar smiles, Kin remarked with feigned regret, "They say prolonged contact between people leads to mutual influence. I thought it was just a rumor." He sighed. "Turns out even foolish grins are contagious."
Jiraiya's smile froze, caught between maintaining it and dropping it.
Who's grinning like a fool?! he screamed internally. This is the smile of a handsome man! Kid, I'll sue you for slander!
"Kin, Jiraiya-sensei's smile isn't foolish—it's the smile of a hero!" Minato gave a thumbs-up, and Kin could almost see Might Dai's influence radiating from him.
This only poured fuel on the fire.
"At least show me some respect!" Jiraiya bonked Minato on the head with his fist.
Thud!
A lump instantly formed on Minato's head. Rubbing it, he looked at Jiraiya in confusion. "I do respect you, Jiraiya-sensei."
Why did I get hit?
Minato's clueless expression made Jiraiya sigh. This student might seem like an airhead, but he was probably a schemer at heart. Turning to Kin, who was grinning like a fox that had stolen a chicken, Jiraiya felt his temper flare.
"And you're the instigator!"
In an instant, Jiraiya appeared beside Kin, his fist hovering above the boy's head—but he hesitated to strike.
He remembered certain promises made in the past.
Kin's grin widened, teeth fully on display, as if daring him.
Gritting his teeth, Jiraiya withdrew his hand. He was genuinely afraid Kin might have hidden poison needles in his hair. The boy's words from before still echoed in his mind.
This is the kid who threatened to lace his scalp with poison. Better safe than sorry.
After four months of training under Orochimaru—who, while not a master poisoner, was still an expert—Kin could easily have learned to concoct toxins.
"Scared, huh?" Kin tapped, seeing Jiraiya's hesitation.
"Who's scared?!" Jiraiya's fist shot down—only to hit empty air. Kin had vanished.
Turning around, Jiraiya saw Kin standing with his back to him, flashing a peace sign.
This kid… Jiraiya was speechless. But Kin's speed left him stunned.
"That's incredibly fast." He hadn't even seen Kin move—it was almost like a space-time ninjutsu.
Kin tilted his head slightly. "Six Styles: Shave - Flash Step."
An upgraded version of "Shave." These four months hadn't been wasted; all his skills had leveled up, far surpassing his former self. Since the restrictions of his "Golden Finger" were lifted, his progress had skyrocketed.
So my previous weakness was all the system's fault.
"Don't get cocky, brat!" Jiraiya's hair elongated, lashing out to ensnare Kin.
Facing the incoming strands, Kin smirked. His hand was already on his sword hilt.
In the next moment—
The blade left its sheath.
Silver hair scattered through the air like snowflakes. Jiraiya only saw the flash of the blade, never its form. This high-speed draw was on par with Hatake Sakumo's techniques.
That man's a master of kenjutsu. Even now, I wouldn't dare face his blade head-on—especially with that cursed taijutsu move of his. Just thinking about it makes certain body parts ache.
"You really didn't waste these three months," Jiraiya said seriously.
With that movement and draw speed, Kin was no longer someone he could easily defeat. At the very least, the kid could hold his own for a round or two.
"But I've improved too."
Jiraiya flashed beside Kin again. This time, Kin's sword was still sheathed, leaving him no time to react.
Thwack!
Kin clutched his head and crouched down. "Ow!"
He hadn't hidden anything in his hair this time. And the movement Jiraiya used—
Kin shot a glare at Minato.
Jiraiya used "Shave"!
Minato averted his gaze guiltily.
It's not like I taught him… Okay, maybe I did. But he picked up the other three styles on his own!
Honestly, he hadn't learned much from Jiraiya—instead, the Sannin had gleaned plenty from him. It was hard to say who was teaching whom.
"Ha!" Jiraiya planted his hands on his hips and laughed triumphantly. "Don't underestimate the great Jiraiya, kid!"
His strength was nothing to scoff at now. The "Basic Internal Energy Technique" had drastically boosted his speed.
Just then—
All three of them looked up.
A figure was descending from the sky, growing larger as it approached.
"Is that… Kushina?" Kin squinted. The bright red hair was unmistakable.
"Why is she coming from the sky?" Minato's face paled with worry. That height would be fatal!
As Kushina's body hit the ground—
BOOM!!
The earth split apart under the force, debris and dust exploding outward.
A figure leaped from the dust cloud, flipping midair before landing gracefully between the three.
"Uzumaki Kushina—has arrived!" She struck a pose, adjusting her forehead protector as she rose from her crouch.
Kin's eye twitched. This entrance… If I didn't know better, I'd think it was an enemy attack.
Jiraiya and Minato's eyes sparkled. "So cool!"
"Enough!!" Kin's voice cracked. I feel like the odd one out here for not being an idiot.
Their reactions only fueled Kushina's pride. She'd spent ages brainstorming this grand entrance with Tsunade's help.
Jiraiya and Minato eagerly crowded around her, begging for tips.
"Stop!! All of you!!" Kin yelled. This is a team assembly, not a fan meet-and-greet!
"Oh, Kin." Kushina spotted him and lifted her chin haughtily. "Long time no see. How's your progress?"
She spoke like a gang leader addressing an underling.
Kin paused.
"Probably not as impressive as yours. After all, you've mastered the art of looking down on people—literally."
That's one skill I haven't learned.
"Die!!"
Kushina's fist rocketed toward him. Kin vanished, reappearing elsewhere as the log behind him exploded into splinters under her punch.
Boom!
"That's the Strength of a Hundred Technique," Jiraiya murmured nostalgically. It's been a while since I've been on the receiving end.
He watched the chase unfold—Kushina's destructive punches versus Kin's phantom-like evasion. It was different from his own past with Tsunade. At least Orochimaru hadn't been this verbally vicious.
As for him? Tsunade had always knocked him out in one hit. No chase necessary.
Ahem.
Jiraiya cleared his throat, and the two finally stopped, walking back over.
"Hmph!" Kushina turned her nose up.
Jiraiya addressed the team. "Our mission is to patrol the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass, primarily to scout for Iwagakure's movements. Any questions?"
"None," the three replied in unison.
This was their first time leaving the village, so they had no objections.
"Then Team Seven is assembled! Move out!"
The remnants of winter lingered, the air still crisp with cold.
Melting snow revealed barren earth, the ground muddy from runoff.
Team Seven trekked down the desolate road, Konoha disappearing behind them.
"Minato, Kin, guess what? I've contracted with the First Hokage's summon!" Kushina bragged, turning to walk backward.
Jiraiya, leading the way, smiled knowingly.
Minato hesitated. "I… also got a good summon."
Same as Jiraiya-sensei's.
"Then let's see whose is stronger!" Ever competitive, Kushina formed the hand seals before Minato could refuse.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof!
A two-meter-tall slug materialized beneath her.
"Little Kushina, is there a battle?"
"Nope! Just showing off to my teammates!" Kushina puffed out her chest.
This was the First's summon!
The slug: ???
Minato scratched his head and performed his own summoning.
Poof!
An equally large toad appeared underfoot.
Kin, still shorter due to his age, stared blankly at the two towering creatures.
"Hey, Kin! Doesn't Orochimaru-sama have powerful summons too? Don't tell me you didn't get one!" Kushina seized the chance to mock him.
"I did."
Kin strode past the two, cutting off her taunts.
White smoke billowed as Kushina and Minato dismissed their summons and hurried after him.
"If you didn't, just admit it! I'd love to laugh at you," Kushina jeered.
Kin stopped abruptly, forcing Kushina to skid to a halt.
Before she could complain—
"Little White, bite her!"
A white streak shot from Kin's collar, clamping onto Kushina's nose.
"AAAAH! MY NOSE! IT'S GONNA FALL OFF!"
She flailed wildly, trying to pry the creature loose, until she tripped and smacked face-first into a tree.
Thud.
Kin smirked.
"This is my summon."
(End of Chapter)