Creak.The door opened.
Inside the classroom, the three students held their breath, all eyes fixed on the entrance.
But…
No one came in for a long moment.
Who was this person?This was cruelly teasing.
Haruto couldn't help the thought that crossed his mind.
Then—
A figure stepped through the doorway.
"You've been waiting long, haven't you?"
White hair, a mark on his forehead resembling the kanji for "oil," immediately drew attention.His attire…Nothing about it was unfamiliar.
Konan's eyes widened.Kakashi froze, dumbstruck.Haruto's jaw dropped.
It was Jiraiya.
One of the legendary Sannin.He hadn't heard that Kakashi would be assigned under Jiraiya's supervision.
But soon, Haruto realized:Life was unpredictable.
Perhaps he was overthinking—but maybe, just maybe, his small actions, like the flutter of a butterfly's wings, had set this in motion.
He took a deep breath, voice trembling with excitement."Are… are you Lord Jiraiya?"
Haruto knew better than to appear calm.The man before him was Jiraiya, one of the Sannin—an idol to many ninjas in Konoha.Any ordinary shinobi would naturally react with awe and shock.
Jiraiya laughed. "Hahaha, you're temporarily under my supervision. Let's go somewhere more spacious to talk."
"Yes!"
…
On the rooftop of the academy building.
Jiraiya sat at the edge, the three students standing obediently before him.He scanned them with a keen eye.
"You all know me, so I won't introduce myself. Now, get to know each other—what you like, what you dislike."
"Kakashi Hatake, Chunin, specializes in kenjutsu and lightning release. Likes nothing in particular, dislikes those who break rules."Kakashi spoke coldly and directly.
Konan fidgeted nervously, clutching her sleeve. "Lord Jiraiya… I'm Konan Sarutobi. Skilled in genjutsu, I like mustard octopus, and I dislike cake."
"Kisaragi Haruto. Primarily excels in taijutsu, likes training and becoming stronger, dislikes… war."Haruto said carefully.
He had thought these answers through."Likes training, dislikes war."They suited his background, revealed nothing of his personal hobbies, and avoided any inconsistencies that could raise suspicion.
Over the past year, he had preferred to train alone—there were other considerations too.
Jiraiya paused for a moment."Good, I understand."His smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"Now that you've introduced yourselves, let me be clear: the Hokage believes you have potential, so I'm tasked with guiding you. But…"Jiraiya's gaze swept over them.
"I don't think any of you currently have the ability to serve under me. Tomorrow morning, meet me at Training Field Seven for a comprehensive evaluation. If you fail…"He spoke coldly, "You will be returned to the academy. As for you,"—he nodded at Kakashi—"you are already Chunin. You may join another team, though if you feel your teammates aren't strong enough to be on the same team, you may withdraw now."
Kakashi's gaze swept over the other two.Haruto and Konan were silent.
But for different reasons.
Haruto vaguely sensed this evaluation itself was a test—Jiraiya's team was probably designed with Kakashi in mind, though the sudden change remained unclear.Konan was simply worried—Kakashi was, after all, a Chunin.
Kakashi didn't answer immediately. He studied them for a while, then said,"I don't think they are capable of completing the assessment tasks."
Jiraiya remained expressionless."Do you want to withdraw?"
"No. I want to try."Kakashi replied.
Jiraiya nodded. "Good. And you? If you withdraw, the village will assign another teacher. My assessment is harder—other instructors might be easier to pass."
"I'll participate."Haruto responded without hesitation.
Being a student under one of the Sannin wasn't a common opportunity.Konan had no reason to back down either.
"Very well. You have the afternoon to prepare. And remember—not to eat breakfast tomorrow morning, or… hehehe!"Jiraiya vanished in an instant.
Only the three of them remained on the rooftop.
Haruto spoke first. "Let's go check outside Training Field Seven. We can train together and get familiar with each other's abilities."
"The assessment is a mission. If your skills aren't enough, I won't hesitate to leave you behind," Kakashi snorted.
Then, he Body Flickered away.
Konan frowned. "Why is he like that…"
"He's heading for the training field. Let's catch up," Haruto said, disappearing in a flash.Konan hurried to follow.
Ahead, Kakashi glanced back. Seeing them keeping pace, he observed them quietly.
Haruto…Fast. His Body Flicker seems well-trained—his skills might be decent.
Konan… struggling, but skilled in genjutsu—still useful.
Kakashi continued forward, unaware that Jiraiya had been shadowing them from a distance.
"This silver-haired brat really doesn't consider teammates… but that boy," Jiraiya murmured, watching Haruto carefully, "even though he could go faster, he's matching Konan's pace, keeping a balanced distance."
The more he watched Haruto, the more impressed he was.Smart, meticulous, capable of looking after teammates—if guided properly, perhaps another Minato.
If mismanaged…Jiraiya's thoughts darkened, briefly recalling another teammate.Sigh…Who knows what Orochimaru is up to these days?Since Shinju's death, and Tsunade leaving, Orochimaru had grown stranger by the day.
"Still, in this situation, just looking out for teammates isn't enough."
…
"Konan, the Training Field is dangerous. I'll intercept him—we'll go in together," Haruto said.
"Intercept?"Konan froze.
Then, she saw Haruto vanish in an instant.When she looked again, he was already a short distance behind Kakashi.
Kakashi was shocked.He prided himself on being the fastest among his peers—only Might Guy matched him in speed.
Haruto…Although a classmate, being the same grade year, he had barely registered his presence.
But just now…That speed…His Body Flicker was this strong?
Kakashi accelerated, Body Flickering faster than before.
Yet…Next moment, Haruto was in front of him, hand on his shoulder.
Incredible!Kakashi's pupils shrank.Even at full power, he couldn't surpass him—unless he used lightning chakra to stimulate his body, a technique he hadn't mastered and could injure himself with if misused.
"Kakashi, the Death Forest is dangerous. Let's enter together," Haruto said, pausing slightly."Even though you're Chunin, the Hokage said that team missions aren't a solo battle. You have to look after your teammates."
Kakashi was silent.So his earlier restraint had been for Konan's sake?
He stopped, carefully studying the boy in front of him.
Haruto.A classmate with this level of skill in school…
"Sorry!"Konan finally caught up, sweat dripping from her forehead, some forming beads along her temples.
Haruto said, "It's fine. We're a team. We should go together."
Kakashi said nothing, leaping down first."Let's go. If we wait too long, the forest will darken, and traps will be harder to see."