Did you hear? Yueshu, Kushina, and Mikoto all applied for early graduation together."
"Really? All three applied together? There's never been a situation like that before."
"Not even two, let alone three, right?"
"No wonder the three of them have been walking together after school lately. So they were secretly training."
"Yueshu, fine, he can even defeat Minato Namikaze. But Kushina and Mikoto are also graduating early?"
"No way, has a girl ever graduated early from the Ninja School?"
"I have no impression of that at all."
————
Konoha was only so big, and in just a short while, the news of Yueshu and the others applying for early graduation spread throughout the entire Ninja School.
The commotion caused by Minato Namikaze's early graduation had just subsided, and now the school was lively again, with all the children discussing Yueshu and the other two.
Three people graduating early together was unprecedented in Konoha's history, and with two of them being girls, it made it even more unbelievable.
Regardless of the school, Yueshu, Kushina, and Mikoto had already arrived at the training ground behind the school.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already standing there waiting; Yueshu and the others could see him from a long distance away.
Not many people knew about this place; the surroundings were quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling Ninja School they had just passed.
"You're here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled upon seeing the arrival of Yueshu and the other two.
Yueshu, unlike Kushina and Mikoto, did not greet Hiruzen Sarutobi first. His gaze was focused on another person beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Yueshu had met that person once before.
He had beautiful long black hair, and his skin was paler than a woman's, making him look like a woman.
Yueshu, of course, knew him.
One of Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples, one of the Sannin—Orochimaru.
The mad scientist referred to as Snake Uncle by people in his previous life, he was one of the few in the Ninja world who was obsessed with research.
It could even be said that no Ninja could compare to Snake Uncle's research and obsession with Bloodline Limits.
Orochimaru's sole purpose in his dedication to research was a perfect body.
Yueshu stared at Orochimaru, and Orochimaru also looked at Yueshu.
Those snake-like vertical pupils seemed devoid of warmth as they stared at Yueshu.
"You are interesting."
Orochimaru's voice was low, a whisper like a snake.
He licked his lips, his tongue thin and long.
It had to be said, this guy really gave Yueshu a bad impression, making Yueshu even feel a bit like he was seeing a transvestite.
That feeling was indescribable, in short, it was uncomfortable.
Withdrawing his gaze, Yueshu did not continue to stare at Orochimaru.
After all, no one would willingly stare at a pervert, and Orochimaru was a genuine pervert.
"Cough, cough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed a few times, instantly calming the scene, and Orochimaru beside him reined himself in considerably.
At this point, he didn't have so many ideas yet; he hadn't become the pervert he was in the original story.
He still greatly respected Hiruzen Sarutobi, his teacher.
"Alright, are you all ready?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi scanned Yueshu and the other two.
Yueshu and the other two did not speak; their eyes had already spoken for them.
"Good, I will explain the content of the graduation exam."
"It's very simple."
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a smile.
"You must snatch a bell from a Jonin. As long as one of the three of you gets it, you will pass."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yueshu immediately focused his gaze on Orochimaru.
There were only a few people here, and the only Jonin was Orochimaru.
Orochimaru also met Yueshu's gaze, giving him a look.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again.
"Although there is only Orochimaru, a Jonin, here, your opponent is not him."
"Huh?"
Kushina and Mikoto let out sounds of surprise, and Yueshu was also stunned for a moment.
"Your opponent will be your future guide Jonin, of course, if you can pass."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Thump! Thump!
The sound of wooden boards hitting came.
"Mount Myōboku Sage."
"Jiraiya has arrived—!"
A figure jumped out from the side, then landed steadily and struck a pose.
That's right, it was Jiraiya, whom Yueshu had been thinking about all along.
"Jiraiya?"
Yueshu stared blankly at the white-haired figure in front of him, and the two girls beside him also looked bewildered.
"That's right!"
Jiraiya struck another pose.
"It's me, Jiraiya!"
"Yo, Yueshu, you're finally graduating early."
Just as Yueshu was about to say something, Minato Namikaze ran out from the side. This was not surprising; since Jiraiya was here, Minato Namikaze, who always followed him, wouldn't go anywhere else.
"But aren't you already with Minato? There are three of us, so wouldn't that make more than three people?"
Yueshu looked at Minato Namikaze, responding to him, then turned to Jiraiya and asked.
"Who told you that a squad is only three people?"
Jiraiya stopped posing and stood up straight.
——
Yueshu couldn't refute it; indeed, no one had ever stipulated that a Ninja squad must consist of three people.
"Then if we pass, we'll be Konoha's first four-person squad, right?"
Kushina also asked.
"Mm."
Jiraiya nodded affirmatively.
Mikoto and Kushina exchanged glances; they hadn't expected to become members of Konoha's first four-person squad.
"Well, normally, a three-person squad is better, but Jiraiya proactively suggested taking all four of you, and with Jiraiya's strength, he can handle this responsibility, so I permitted it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said from the side, then looked at Jiraiya again.
"Then Orochimaru and I have other matters to attend to. I'll leave this to you, Jiraiya."
"Alright, you can go, old man."
"You should call me teacher, it's been so long."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly, then left instantly with Orochimaru.
Only Yueshu and the two girls, Jiraiya, and Minato Namikaze remained at the scene, and the surroundings were quiet, without a sound.
"Alright, get ready to face me, Jiraiya, the Sage of Mount Myōboku."
Jiraiya smiled, his usual amiable demeanor replaced by a sharp intensity that enveloped his entire body.
A powerful aura, like a fierce wind, swept over them. Yueshu and the two girls could clearly feel the aura emanating from Jiraiya.
It was the aura of a true powerhouse, forged from countless battles and genuine kills on the battlefield.
Their breathing involuntarily grew heavier. Kushina and Mikoto were even more affected; their bodies even trembled slightly.
Now, standing before them was a legendary figure from the Second Shinobi World War, Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, a person whose power rivaled that of a Kage.
Yueshu smiled; he didn't know why, but he felt this sense of excitement.
And so did Kushina and Mikoto; after seeing Yueshu's smile, they also began to smile while trembling.
Jiraiya was the same.
He hoped to see such a scene.
The fire of Konoha will not fear the strong wind; it will only burn brighter and stronger.