In a remote corner of the shinobi world, Jiraiya had experienced many eye-opening things ever since joining the Umbrella Organization.
Though the region was far from the great villages, it bustled with curious mechanical creations.
The people here valued technology above all and were shaped by the influence of the Umbrella's ideology. Their adaptability amazed Jiraiya—they accepted new concepts with surprising ease.
Naruto had deeply understood one thing: for technology to flourish and society to prosper, there must be talent to sustain it.
Thus, within the Umbrella Organization, education was comprehensive and widespread.
Children and adults alike were taught not only culture and literacy but also martial training and chakra control. Depending on their aptitude, some pursued ninjutsu while others specialized in martial arts.
As the organization expanded, its smaller bases began to connect and share knowledge regularly, creating a vast network of progress.
During these days, Jiraiya's horizons had broadened. What shocked him most was how Umbrella reshaped the use of ninjutsu. Their applications were simple, but the impact on daily life was profound.
Take the Rice Planting Jutsu: a small application of Wind Release could save hours of backbreaking labor, allowing a villager to plant far more than before.
Or the Earth Release: Soil Tilling Jutsu: even with modest chakra reserves, a villager could till entire fields in moments. A few repetitions of the jutsu were enough to prepare fertile soil for cultivation.
For harvesting, a simple Wind Scythe Technique could cut down fields of wheat with ease, far surpassing the efforts of Konoha's Genin completing their farmwork D-rank missions.
The integration of ninjutsu into daily life left Jiraiya deeply impressed.
He recalled the words of Zorro, a villager whose perspective had struck him like a revelation:
"Ninjutsu is not only for killing. It can also serve the people. Power is a weapon—but how it's used is a choice.
In the shinobi world, we shed blood endlessly, but for what? Profit. Yet why don't those blessed with power use it to create prosperity instead?
The answer lies in mindset. Shinobi are raised to believe their purpose is missions and assassination. At best, they protect comrades. But the ones they kill are comrades to others as well."
Jiraiya was shaken. Only someone truly wise could say such words.
"Brother Zorro, you are remarkable," Jiraiya admitted. "A wise man indeed."
Zorro gave a modest smile, but before he could reply, Hayata swaggered into the room and flopped onto a chair with his usual exuberance.
"Hahaha! You're right, Jiraiya! Brother Zorro's wisdom is sharp. An officer once asked him to go to headquarters, but he refused!"
"I know my own limits," Zorro replied humbly. "If I went to headquarters, I'd just fade into the crowd. I'm not there yet."
"Headquarters?" Jiraiya's curiosity piqued. "You've seen it?"
Hayata shook his head. "No, but headquarters recruits talent from across the shinobi world. Those who qualify are the elite of the elite. Even the so-called ordinary people there possess extraordinary skills."
He puffed his chest out proudly.
"That same officer told us they even recruited a scientist from here."
"Scientist?" Jiraiya repeated, confused.
"A scientist studies the workings of the world through knowledge and research," Hayata explained.
"If you want to be a true Umbrella member, you'll need to read our ideological works. It's essential for becoming a shining part of the organization."
Then he waved his hand dismissively. "Of course, to prevent leaks, everyone who travels to headquarters undergoes checks. That's why none of us know its exact location."
Hayata leaned closer with a grin. "Don't worry, Jiraiya. You and Sosuke have gotten used to life here. Soon it'll be time to attend the initiation ceremony—to become true members of Umbrella."
"Your entry rank will be Indigo. Only from Indigo upward are you counted as full members. The lowest ranks don't yet qualify as proper Umbrella shinobi."
Zorro nodded in agreement.
"That's right. You've seen a glimpse already, but Umbrella's reach extends across the shinobi world. Our numbers are vast. Most are civilians, but many wield chakra, and some even follow unique cultivation methods. Individually, they may be weak… but together, their strength accumulates."
Jiraiya listened silently, understanding more and more about what kind of force Umbrella truly was.
Ranks within the organization were clear: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.
Their outpost here only had one Green-level officer in charge.
The means of communication within the organization was a strange tool they called a mobile phone. It resembled a radio, yet the difference between the two was like heaven and earth.
Thump, thump, thump!
A series of heavy drumbeats echoed, and Zorro immediately stood. He knew this sound—it signaled the start of the newcomer initiation ceremony.
To him, this was a sacred ritual.
It carried a unique weight, a kind of solemn charm.
"Let's go," Zorro said with a grave expression. "Your joining ceremony is about to begin."
Jiraiya followed him outside and lined up neatly on the parade ground.
On the high platform stood the officer in charge. Behind him rose a towering pole, over twenty meters tall, and beside it two attendants carried a tightly rolled banner emblazoned with a seven-colored Umbrella insignia.
The officer's name was Musashi. Rumor had it that he was once a destitute samurai before joining the Umbrella Organization.
"New recruits," Musashi's voice rang out, steady and commanding.
"From this moment forward, your life no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the organization, to our leader!"
"We have only one purpose—to realize the organization's ideal. And in doing so, to realize our own!"
"We will dedicate every drop of our blood to this cause!"
"From now on, you will be proud members of the Umbrella Organization!"
"Swear with me: I willingly become a member of the Umbrella Organization. I will dedicate every drop of blood to the organization!"
His words thundered across the square, carrying an irresistible solemnity.
Jiraiya felt the weight of the vow pressing down on him. For the first time, he sensed the unity binding these strangers together.
When the oath ended, Musashi's sharp gaze swept across the crowd. Then he turned and commanded, "Raise the flag!"
The attendants moved in unison, unfurling the banner. The great flag, with its radiant Umbrella sigil, rose slowly into the air.
A strange stirring welled up in Jiraiya's chest.
It was as if a seed had been planted in his heart—small, but alive.
The solemnity of the moment intoxicated everyone. It bound them together, dissolving doubts and differences. For a fleeting moment, Jiraiya forgot his old self. He was no longer simply Jiraiya of Konoha. He was a member of Umbrella.
Afterward, both Jiraiya and Sōsuke were handed a copy of the Umbrella Ideology. Alongside it, Jiraiya also received scrolls on chakra refinement methods and the basics of martial arts training.
So this "mysterious system" of cultivation he had heard about… it was martial arts.
Suddenly, a commotion stirred outside. Curious, Jiraiya peered out the window.
On the parade ground stood a massive iron bird. Its entire frame gleamed with steel, hollow inside, with room for people to enter.
As he gaped, another iron bird roared into the sky.
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief—how could something so large take flight?
...
TN:
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