The Iwagakure battlefield.
Thanks to White Fang's intimidating presence, the pressure here had lessened considerably.
After all, they feared the sudden arrival of White Fang, so they naturally didn't dare push too hard.
Though whether they pushed or not, the outcome would likely be the same.
With some free time, Jiraiya began teaching Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
The training ground set up in the camp was simple—just some wooden dummies for target practice.
Jiraiya sat cross-legged on a rock.
Minato leaned against the rock, studying a ninjutsu scroll, while Kushina trained nearby.
Jiraiya observed the two and felt something was off.
It was... strange.
He couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly was amiss.
"Jiraiya-sensei," Kushina called out, having just finished a set of handstand push-ups, her face full of curiosity.
"Who's stronger—you or White Fang-sama?"
Both were elite shinobi leading the frontlines, after all.
Minato also perked up, clearly interested in the answer.
"Me and Sakumo, huh?"
Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"If we're talking about past sparring matches, I'd say it's about a 70-30 split."
His tone was uncertain—they'd worked together on missions but had never truly fought.
"You only have a 30% chance of winning?!"
Kushina looked shocked.
Suddenly, she wondered if she should switch teachers.
Would White Fang-sama even take her as a student?
"You're underestimating your teacher?" Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
He was plenty strong, thank you very much.
"70% for me, 30% for him. It's hard for him to beat me."
Though Hatake Sakumo was skilled in ninjutsu, he still couldn't compare to Jiraiya.
"What about in a fight to the death?" Minato asked curiously.
"10-90 split."
Jiraiya mused for a moment.
"You're that strong in a life-or-death battle?!"
Kushina's eyes sparkled with excitement. Maybe she didn't need to switch teachers after all.
"No," Jiraiya shook his head. "I only have a 10% chance of winning."
"Tch!" Kushina scoffed. "So weak."
She glanced at Minato, wondering if he knew the procedure for changing mentors.
"Show some respect to your teacher!"
Thwack!
Jiraiya's fist connected with Kushina's head, a vein bulging on his forehead.
Kushina rubbed her head, pouting.
What was wrong with wanting a stronger teacher?
"Jiraiya-sensei, why is the gap so big between sparring and a real fight?"
Minato was genuinely curious.
With their experience being similar, the difference shouldn't be that drastic.
"Because Sakumo and I are different types of shinobi."
"I'm an all-rounder, while Sakumo is a speed-based assassin. I excel in ninjutsu; he excels in killing."
In a death match, the one specialized in killing naturally had the upper hand.
And now? Sakumo was undoubtedly stronger.
One slash that split mountains? Yeah, no contest.
"I see," Minato said thoughtfully.
"However," Jiraiya rested his chin on his hand, studying Minato. "You're actually following Sakumo's path. If you get the chance, you should ask him for guidance."
"Both of you focus on speed and assassination."
The only difference was that one used a family sword style, while the other relied on nin-taijutsu.
"If the opportunity arises."
Minato's eyes gleamed with hope before he suddenly remembered something.
"Didn't White Fang-sama leave Kin behind?"
Jiraiya nodded, unsure why Sakumo had decided to keep Uchiha Kin by his side.
"Kin must be thrilled," Kushina chimed in.
After all, it was White Fang-sama's training.
Indeed.
A very thrilled Uchiha Kin was currently chasing Konoha's White Fang with a sword.
"You bastard! Are you done yet?!"
He swung his blade down.
White Fang sidestepped effortlessly.
No matter how fiercely Kin attacked, he couldn't land a single hit.
Kin even used Shunpo, but it was useless.
The gap between them was simply too vast.
Suddenly, White Fang hesitated, and Kin's blade struck true.
Poof!
White Fang dissolved into smoke.
At that moment—
Kin's hair stood on end. A chill ran down his spine as he instinctively Shunpo'd away.
White Fang stood where he'd been, hands forming the Tiger Seal, poised to strike.
"You motherfu—"
Kin gritted his teeth. That had been way too close.
"Your reflexes are sharp, Kin."
White Fang casually lowered his hands, acting as if nothing had happened.
"What the hell is your problem?!"
Kin demanded. He'd even tried requesting a transfer, but this bastard had blocked it. Now he was officially part of White Fang's squad.
A squad of two—just him and White Fang. Lady Bug had only been a temporary addition and had since returned to her own team.
He'd rather endure Minato and Kushina's lovey-dovey antics than go on dangerous missions with White Fang.
"Kin, don't sound like a scorned woman. A real man makes others use that tone."
White Fang's expression remained blank as he spouted nonsense. Then, as if remembering something, he added:
"And a real man doesn't make a woman cry—except in bed."
"Die, you perverted jōnin! Spirit Gun Barrage!!"
Kin's fingers flicked rapidly through the air, forming blue Spirit Bullets one after another.
They shot toward White Fang like beams of light.
White Fang's blade appeared in his hand, slicing every bullet in half before they could reach him.
Just as Kin prepared to attack again—
Poof!
A masked shinobi in gray attire appeared between them.
Kin frowned.
Was this an ANBU operative... or a Root agent?
The shinobi knelt before White Fang. "White Fang-sama, by order of the Hokage, you are to relinquish command of the Land of Rivers front to Tsunade-sama."
His demeanor suggested ANBU—Root members lacked such courtesy.
Moreover, Root had no authority over frontline personnel.
"Return to the village immediately."
White Fang took the scroll expressionlessly.
Poof! The ANBU vanished.
Only then did White Fang's expression darken as he unsealed the scroll, confirming the Hokage's insignia.
"They're kicking you to the curb, White Fang-sama. Wanna start a rebellion?"
Kin had somehow crept over and read the contents.
White Fang shot him a sidelong glance that said, Really?
Kin shrugged, tilting his head back to gaze at the sky.
Wasn't this expected?
Someone that strong, yet not part of the "inner circle," was bound to be targeted.
But White Fang's gaze drifted toward the distant horizon—toward Sunagakure.
If he left now, the Sand Village would surely attack.
Why would the Hokage make such a decision?
"You're coming back to the village with me."
"Ha?!"
...
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(End of Chapter)