Chapter 4: Another Minato!
Creak—
The door opened.
Inside the classroom, the three of them held their breath, all eyes fixed on the doorway.
But no one came in.
What kind of person is this?
So childish…
Kyōhiko couldn't help but complain in his heart.
The next moment, a figure finally stepped in.
"Kept you waiting, didn't I?"
White hair, the kanji for "oil" on his forehead protector—utterly unmistakable.
His whole appearance…
All too familiar.
Kurenai's eyes widened.
Kakashi was dumbstruck, unable to believe it.
Even Kyōhiko was shocked.
How could it be Jiraiya?! One of the Sannin! There had never been any rumor that Kakashi would be led by him.
But Kyōhiko quickly came to his senses.
The world was unpredictable.
Perhaps it was his own butterfly wings that had stirred things, causing this change.
He took a deep breath, his voice unable to hide his excitement.
"You—you're Lord Jiraiya?"
Kyōhiko knew he couldn't act too calm.
This was one of the Three Legendary Sannin. Countless ninja in the village idolized them. As a "normal" genin, showing shock and awe was only natural.
Jiraiya chuckled.
"Hahaha, you'll be under me for now. Come on, let's head somewhere with more space to talk."
"Yes, sir!"
Rooftop of the Academy
Jiraiya sat at the edge, while the three stood obediently in front of him.
His eyes swept across them.
"You all know who I am, so no need for introductions. Instead, introduce yourselves to each other, what you like, what you hate."
"Hatake Kakashi. Chūnin. Skilled in kenjutsu and Lightning Release. My likes are none. I hate those who break rules."
Kakashi's tone was cold and direct.
Kurenai, fidgeting with her sleeve, spoke nervously.
"Lord Jiraiya, my name is Yūhi Kurenai. I'm skilled in genjutsu. I like wasabi octopus. I hate cake."
"Ryōmine Kyōhiko. Currently stronger in taijutsu. I like training and getting stronger. I hate… war."
Kyōhiko's voice was steady.
This was an answer he had carefully prepared.
Likes training, hates war.
A perfect match for his background without exposing his real hobbies, without risking contradictions later that might draw suspicion.
Over the past year, he had indeed preferred solitary training. That was reason enough.
Jiraiya paused slightly.
"…Good. I understand."
His smile faded, replaced by seriousness.
"Now that you've introduced yourselves, I'll be blunt. The Hokage believes you all have potential, which is why I'm taking you on. But…"
He swept his gaze across them.
"I don't believe you're fit to be my students just yet. Tomorrow morning, report to Training Ground 44. I'll be giving you a full test of ability. If you can't pass…"
His tone hardened.
"You'll be sent back to the Academy. As for you" He looked at Kakashi.
"You're a chūnin. You could still be assigned to another team. Of course, if you feel these two fresh graduates aren't up to your level, you can withdraw now."
Kakashi's eyes flicked toward the other two.
Kyōhiko and Kurenai stayed silent, though for very different reasons.
Kyōhiko suspected this was part of the test. Jiraiya was here mostly for Kakashi, though why exactly the situation had changed… he wasn't sure.
Kurenai, on the other hand, was simply worried.
After all, Kakashi was already a chūnin…
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. He studied them carefully before finally saying,
"I don't believe they have the ability to complete such a test."
Jiraiya's expression didn't change.
"Then you want to quit?"
"No. I want to try."
Kakashi replied firmly.
Jiraiya nodded.
"Very well. And you two? If you withdraw, the village will assign you other instructors. My test will be harsher, but with others, you might still pass."
"I'll take it."
Kyōhiko answered without hesitation. Becoming a disciple of one of the Sannin, such an opportunity was priceless.
Kurenai also stood firm.
"Good. You have the afternoon to prepare. Oh, and tomorrow morning don't eat breakfast. Otherwise… hehehe."
In a blink, Jiraiya vanished.
Only the three of them remained on the rooftop.
Kyōhiko spoke first.
"Let's go check out Training Ground 44 together, and train a bit. Get used to each other's abilities."
"Hmph. The test is a mission. If you're not up to it, I won't hesitate to abandon you."
Kakashi snorted coldly.
And with that, he disappeared with a Body Flicker.
Kurenai scowled.
"What's with his attitude…"
"His direction is toward the training ground. Let's follow."
Kyōhiko vanished as well.
Kurenai hurried after.
Ahead, Kakashi glanced back, noticing them catching up. He secretly observed.
Ryōmine Kyōhiko…
His speed is impressive. His Body Flicker seems well trained. Maybe his strength isn't bad.
But as for Kurenai, she was struggling to keep pace. Still, with her genjutsu, she could be useful.
Kakashi pressed on.
He didn't notice that in the shadows, Jiraiya was tailing them.
"This silver-haired brat doesn't think about his teammates at all. But that kid…"
He watched as Kyōhiko, though capable of going faster, deliberately slowed down to match Kurenai's pace.
"The boy is sharp, thoughtful, willing to care for his comrades. If guided well, he might become another Minato…"
Jiraiya's heart sank at the thought.
But if guided poorly…
Another face came to mind.
Orochimaru.
With a sigh, he muttered,
"Who knows what that guy is up to now. Ever since Nawaki's death, Tsunade left, and Orochimaru… grew stranger by the day."
"But in times like these, caring for teammates alone won't be enough…"
"Kurenai, the area around the training ground is dangerous. I'll stop him first. Later, the three of us will enter together."
"Stop him?"
Kurenai froze.
And then Kyōhiko vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he was right behind Kakashi.
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock.
He prided himself on being the fastest of his peers. The only one who could rival him was Guy, who trained just as fanatically.
As for Ryōmine Kyōhiko, though they were classmates, they'd barely interacted.
But just now…
His Body Flicker is this strong?!
Kakashi pushed harder, pouring everything into his speed. He grew a little faster—
But the next moment, Kyōhiko had already appeared in front of him, hand pressing on his shoulder.
Incredible!
Kakashi's pupils shrank.
Even at full speed, he still couldn't match him unless he used Lightning Release to stimulate his body's reflexes. But that jutsu was still unstable, dangerous even to himself.
"Come on, Kakashi. The Forest of Death is too dangerous. The three of us should go in together."
Kyōhiko paused, then added,
"You may be a chūnin, but the Hokage said it himself: a squad's battle is never fought alone. You need to think of your team."
Kakashi went silent.
So the only reason he slowed down earlier… was for Kurenai's sake?
He stopped, giving Kyōhiko a long, serious look.
Ryōmine Kyōhiko…
A classmate with strength like this…
"Sorry!"
At last, Kurenai caught up, sweat dripping from her forehead and temples.
"It's fine," Kyōhiko reassured her. "We're a team. We should stick together."
Kakashi didn't respond. Instead, he leapt downward.
"Let's go. If we're any later, the forest will get darker. It'll be harder to spot traps."
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(End of Chapter)