Jiraiya led the trio up the mountain.
The trees, withered by winter, left the mountain barren and exposed, making its entire silhouette visible at a glance. There were no signs of human activity, let any traces of life.
The three behind Jiraiya remained silent. Uchiha Kin's words had left a significant impact on Kushina and Namikaze Minato.
They continued until they reached the mountainside.
Kin suddenly felt a flicker of disorientation. The scenery around him seemed to shift, revealing numerous tents and Konoha ninjas clad in green vests moving about.
He immediately realized what this was.
"An illusion barrier."
A fusion of sealing techniques and genjutsu, designed to distort perception and render the area invisible to outsiders. Such a barrier couldn't be maintained by a single person—it required multiple jōnin working together.
Quite the extravagant setup.
As they entered the outpost, a passing ninja spotted Jiraiya and immediately blew a sharp, bird-like whistle.
"Wooosh!!"
The sound echoed outward, clear and resonant, reaching every corner of the outpost.
Instantly, the moving ninjas halted their tasks and rushed toward Jiraiya. Puffs of smoke erupted as more ninjas appeared.
In the next moment, every ninja in sight knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully.
"Hail Lord Jiraiya!"
Their voices merged like a crashing wave, stirring the heart.
"At ease," Jiraiya replied with a furrowed brow, waving his hand. The ninjas dispersed, many using the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
With that, Jiraiya assumed command of the outpost.
Kin hadn't expected Jiraiya to still wield such authority. This level of discipline was unseen within the village—or perhaps it was simply befitting of an elite jōnin and the Third Hokage's disciple.
Noticing the trio's stunned expressions, Jiraiya explained, "I'm the commanding officer here. The chain of command must be strictly observed."
The outpost's primary purpose was to monitor the movements of incoming ninjas. In critical moments, it would also serve as the frontline against enemy villages.
There was no room for carelessness. A single mistake could lead to dire consequences, hence the stringent rules.
Seeing the trio deep in thought, Jiraiya continued, "Starting now, I won't be able to guide you constantly. The missions assigned to you will require independent action."
He had to oversee the outpost's operations. While such outposts typically functioned autonomously, the presence of an elite jōnin signaled impending conflict.
What lay ahead wouldn't be simple.
"Kin and Minato, you're dismissed for now. Kushina, stay."
Kin and Minato nodded. "Understood."
In a flash, they vanished using Shave (Soru).
"Kushina, follow me." Jiraiya noticed her still-serious expression—clearly, she hadn't fully processed Kin's words.
He led her into the central tent.
If Jiraiya were to evaluate it, Uchiha Kin's perspective wasn't wrong, but he couldn't fully agree with it. Someone like Orochimaru might resonate more with Kin's views.
But Jiraiya believed such thinking would never make one Hokage.
(Not that he particularly wanted to be Hokage himself.)
Unlike the current Team 7, where the most ambitious for the title were the genius and the quietly calculating Orochimaru, Jiraiya held a different belief.
Ninjas were products of darkness, but a Kage needed to embody light, earning the people's trust.
He couldn't see Orochimaru or Kin becoming Hokage.
Yet, he refrained from judging them.
"Stay true to your heart, and anyone can become strong."
"Lord Jiraiya…" Kushina looked up at him. The usually stern Jiraiya offered a gentle smile.
Just like Minato.
Kushina's face brightened with a grin.
"I won't be shaken by a few words from that damn Uchiha! I'll become the first female Hokage!!"
"I believe in you."
Jiraiya encouraged her.
Each of the three had their own traits: Kushina's passion, Minato's kindness, and…
Uchiha Kin's darkness.
Jiraiya had long sensed an unfathomable darkness within Kin.
Was he the so-called Child of Prophecy?
Jiraiya couldn't say for sure, nor did he know how to handle it.
After all, the prophecy didn't foretell destruction. The Great Toad Sage's vision spoke of eternal conflict, but also of god-like ninjas.
Even Jiraiya's heart stirred at the thought.
So he truly didn't know what to do.
Shaking off his thoughts, he resumed his stern demeanor. Now, it was time for business.
"Genin Kushina, from this moment onward, you are forbidden from using the Nine-Tails' power without my explicit orders—unless your life is in danger."
If word of the Nine-Tails' presence leaked, Iwagakure wouldn't hesitate to attack.
"Understood!" Kushina knelt and accepted the order. She knew the stakes.
Upon entering the outpost, a pale-eyed youth greeted them. He appeared three or four years older than Kin.
A Hyūga.
The boy's gaze swept over them, lingering on Uchiha Kin with undisguised scrutiny.
"Have I offended you?"
Kin cut straight to the point. Guessing games were tedious. If this was trouble, he'd see how hard the other's fists were.
The Hyūga's demeanor held no goodwill.
The boy stared at Kin as if he were prey.
Just as Kin was about to lose patience, the boy spoke.
"I am Hyūga Hizashi."
That name.
Kin studied the boy. This was Neji's father, the one who'd later be sacrificed by the village and the Hyūga clan.
He hadn't expected to meet him here.
Kin's gaze made Hizashi uncomfortable—it felt like he was looking at a dead man, stirring his anger.
"I'm also known as the Hyūga clan's genius. Let's spar sometime."
Hizashi's fighting spirit burned as he eyed Kin.
For months, he'd heard Uchiha Kin's name endlessly.
Now that the real person stood before him, he couldn't resist testing him.
The Uchiha and Hyūga had long vied for the title of Konoha's top clan.
Kin finally understood.
The Uchiha and Hyūga had always been at odds.
In the academy, he'd been labeled a loser, so the Hyūga ignored him. His reputation only grew after becoming a ninja—and after berating the clan elders.
No Uchiha had approached him since.
As for the challenge…
"Maybe next time."
Kin wasn't keen on sparring when he still needed to assess the outpost's situation.
Hizashi didn't press further, merely nodding before explaining the outpost's operations.
"You're newcomers, but as Lord Jiraiya's students, you can rest for today. Tomorrow, reconnaissance missions will be assigned."
"Completing missions earns you military merits. These can be exchanged for tools or herbs at the central tent—or for jutsu directly from Lord Jiraiya."
Kin couldn't help but ask, "Why tents instead of permanent structures?"
"The outpost relocates periodically. Tents are easier to move."
Hizashi's explanation was curt. After guiding them to their tents, he left.
When Kushina arrived, the trio settled into their respective tents, finally able to rest after the exhausting journey.
The next morning, the outpost buzzed with activity. The combined chatter, though not loud, was as irritating as mosquito hums.
Kin stepped out, fully dressed.
The morning sun shone brightly, almost blinding.
Ninjas moved in and out of the outpost frequently, with most teams staying no longer than a day.
He regrouped with Kushina and Minato, both looking fresher than the day before.
Kushina, however, snorted and turned away at the sight of Kin.
Minato offered an awkward smile.
Kin shrugged.
A rift had formed among them—not enough to split them apart, but enough to create ideological clashes.
Such things weren't rare in the shinobi world. Take Hiruzen and Danzō: despite their differences, they'd still collaborated to undermine the Uchiha.
The trio headed to the mission station—a tent staffed by non-ninja personnel responsible for recording and assigning tasks.
Though civilians, no ninja dared underestimate them. Their taijutsu was formidable, even if they lacked chakra.
Most were from Konoha's clans.
"Team 7?" A bespectacled man in white robes eyed them. As Jiraiya's team, they drew attention.
His smile made his cheeks jiggle.
"Your mission is to investigate this village. Reports say it's been harassed by rogue ninjas, but previous scout teams found nothing unusual."
Given their status, he assigned them a low-risk task.
He placed a map and mission scroll on the table.
The mission was safe—the outpost had already scouted the area multiple times.
But the village lay on a critical route for the outpost's movements, so repeated checks were necessary.
Minato collected the items. In Jiraiya's absence, he was the de facto leader.
Leadership wasn't about strength but the ability to coordinate the team effectively.
Neither Kin nor Kushina could guarantee the other would follow orders if they were in charge.
"Your mission is registered. We're counting on you."
(End of Chapter)