Hokage's Office.
"What do you plan to do? Maybe… you need a bit more patience with Kakashi," the Third Hokage said, looking at Jiraiya.
Kakashi was the biggest problem child.Still…He had talent. The Third Hokage couldn't bear to see him waste it, so he hoped Jiraiya would go easy on him.
Jiraiya shook his head. "If it comes to a result we don't want to see, then… it's just fate."
"Leave," the Hokage said.
Jiraiya waved and disappeared from the office.The Third Hokage sighed, a deep worry etched on his face.
The next day—Death Forest, Training Field Seven.
Konan arrived early and noticed that Kisaragi Haruto and Kakashi were already there, sitting under a tree, resting.
She crept quietly, not daring to make a sound.
Sit and rest…Yet still, always thinking about something.
Looking up at the shadows of the trees, her thoughts were mixed.
After some time—
"Ah, sorry I'm late. Ran into some trouble on the way," Jiraiya said with a grin.
"Lord Jiraiya, you're really late!"Konan checked the time. If this kept up, it would be noon soon.
But seeing the three in front of her, Jiraiya's smile froze.
One wore a mask, eyes cold and indifferent.The other two seemed calm and composed.
"Good teamwork," Jiraiya said, clearing his throat and reaching for the bell at his waist. "Seeing you three like this gives me confidence you'll pass the test."
He hung the bell back up after a ding of collision.
"Any questions?"
"Do we only need to grab one to pass, or all of them?" Kakashi asked.
"Considering the gap between you and me, getting just one counts as success," Jiraiya said. "But the worst performer gets hung out without lunch and must participate in a separate evaluation in the afternoon."
Kakashi inhaled sharply and didn't say another word.
Jiraiya looked at the other two."You two?"
"No problem," Haruto said.
"Good. Then let's begin. You'll have some time to plan tactics."
Whoosh!
In an instant, the three disappeared from the clearing.
Jiraiya squinted. Different directions…? Could it be…A pit formed in his stomach.He trusted Haruto—but if his sense of strategy and teamwork were shallow, he would be disappointed.
At the same time, Konan whispered,"Haruto… are we really ignoring Kakashi?"
"Of course not. We coordinate, plan our tactics, and leave him a path. He's a Chunin—if he doesn't cooperate on his own, there's nothing we can do," Haruto replied.
Konan exhaled in relief.
"How do we attack?"
"You and I distract him upfront, draw attention, use traps and genjutsu, and coordinate with Kakashi's positioning to see if we can grab a bell. You handle genjutsu coordination, and then…"
"Understood."
"Let's begin. You must grab my bell before the hourglass runs out—fail, and it's over," Jiraiya announced, flipping the hourglass.
He surveyed the surroundings carefully.
Hiding well… Jiraiya smirked.
These kids had solid fundamentals, no doubt.But one of them still had a flaw.
Jiraiya walked forward casually, though carefully placing each step.
Clatter!A massive log tied with ropes swept toward him.
Jiraiya dodged instantly.
In that moment, he saw a figure twist and vanish.
Konan?
Illusion: Tree Binding Kill!
Jiraiya's mind named the technique, instantly disrupting his chakra to free himself from the genjutsu.
But in a blink, multiple traps flew at him simultaneously.He disappeared in an instant, reappearing on a tree branch, eyes scanning alertly.
These kids… none can be underestimated.
He hadn't expected that Konan, the girl from the Sun family, had already mastered B-rank genjutsu.
Before he could analyze further, two figures launched at him.Kakashi with his sword, and Haruto appearing from below, instantly moving upward.
Jiraiya smirked.
Ding!He blocked Haruto's kunai with his own, and Haruto vanished from his original position, landing on another tree.
"Nice tactics," Jiraiya's voice echoed behind.
Jiraiya had actually used a shadow clone earlier, disappearing in an instant.He now attacked with rapid punches and kicks.
In moments, Haruto and Jiraiya exchanged three punches and two kicks.
Impressive taijutsu! Jiraiya thought.Haruto's movement… among Genin, he was top-tier. Many Chunin might not match him.
Feeling the need to strike harder, Jiraiya unleashed a heavy attack.
Boom!
The figure ahead turned into wood.The real Haruto had already fled to another position.
Good kid!Jiraiya's eyes glimmered with appreciation.Not just for his speed, substitution techniques, or instant movement—but for his judgment.Haruto immediately retreated after the heavy attack.Such composure showed real skill.
"Here!"
A massive log flew from above, sweeping toward Jiraiya.Konan cut down a trap to shield Haruto.
But Jiraiya punched directly, shattering the tree mechanism."If this is all you've got, you won't pass the test."
"Move!"
Haruto understood clearly—Jiraiya hadn't gone all out.If this were real combat, Jiraiya could have unleashed his Lion's Mane Technique at even greater speed.As a Sannin, Jiraiya's speed now was just slightly above Haruto's.Haruto had to use traps or coordinate with teammates to escape.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Spiked wooden traps flew from all directions toward Jiraiya midair.At the same time, two shadow clones appeared—one shaped like Haruto, the other like Kakashi.
Both "teammates" surged toward Jiraiya.Konan on a tree formed hand seals.
In the blink of an eye, five or six wooden traps and the two "teammates" were right in front of him.
Instantly, Jiraiya's hair grew rapidly, extending outward to catch the first flying log.Other traps were grabbed toward the attacking clones.
Boom!The clones exploded.
This was Konan's illusion: Naraku Clones—an advanced clone genjutsu with added abilities.Jiraiya had kept his chakra chaotic and avoided the trap.
But in that moment, the remaining wooden spikes instantly transformed into human forms.
Kakashi grabbed a rope, his blade like a beast's fang, rushing toward Jiraiya.
Clang!Jiraiya blocked with a kunai.
Then, a breeze came from behind.Haruto?
Such speed! Jiraiya's heart raced.
Though he had long known Haruto's instant movement was astonishing, facing it at full force was shocking.At seven years old, to have this level of instant movement… incredible!
Moreover, his punches, kicks, and balance all exceeded typical Genin standards.The only ones who could match him… were Kakashi and one other unusual boy.
On top of that, another Kakashi was attacking him simultaneously—sword, kunai, and punches.Plus the swirling cherry blossom genjutsu, all coordinated in dazzling chaos.
The next moment, sword and fist struck simultaneously.
"Watch out!"Haruto noticed the punch's impact and realized something was off.This wasn't a normal sensation.
And with their basic skills, could they really threaten Jiraiya?
Sure enough, the Jiraiya before them turned into a puddle of soft mud—a earth clone.
"Above!" Konan shouted.
No need to direct him. Kakashi slashed upward—A massive net fell from above, while previously restrained wooden spikes moved inward.
Ripping!Kakashi cut through the net, opening a huge gap.
Before he could recoil, Jiraiya had already reached him.
But Haruto had instantly appeared in front.
Boom!A solid punch collided.
Crash!Haruto was sent to the ground, but shouted mid-fall:"Lord Jiraiya… you also don't want anyone to know… you're always—"