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"Sensei, these two Water Release techniques only need the basic affinity. As long as you have the attribute, you can use them, so I picked them up pretty fast… but honestly, I'm still far from good at them."
Leo wrapped up his thoughts.
He knew very well:
Tobirama Senju's Water Formation Wall could spin to strengthen its defense.
Others could raise it higher, broader, thicker.
Compared to that, his own Water Release was barely entry level.
And the system panel's ratings proved it too—two big, shiny "Beginner" labels.
Kakashi couldn't help blurting out, "You're already crazy good!"
He remembered himself…
The first time he used Lightning Release, he wasn't anything like Leo. Forget a B-rank—he could barely pull off the basics.
Now Kakashi finally understood how all those kids his age used to feel when they looked at him.
Yeah. It sucked.
Kurenai's feelings were even more tangled.
Both Leo and Kakashi were absolute prodigies. It made perfect sense for them to become Jiraiya's subordinates and students.
But her?
She stared blankly for a long moment, completely spaced out.
Back at the Academy, she'd been one of the top students. But once she graduated… she inevitably compared herself to Leo and Kakashi. Her confidence took a major hit.
Jiraiya caught the look and sighed inwardly.
Kurenai wasn't bad at all. But standing next to those two? Anyone would feel the pressure.
Still…
Leo surprised him the most. The kid was even more mature than he'd expected.
Any normal genin would've had their tail in the clouds after pulling off a B-rank technique on the first try.
But this one?
Before Jiraiya could even knock him down a peg, he'd already critiqued himself.
All Jiraiya really had to do was hand over the scrolls and teach him how to practice.
So easy. What a relief.
He nodded calmly, though he was delighted inside.
"As long as you get it. This level is still far from real genius. Back when I first tried Water Release, if I performed like that, my teacher would've asked if I was daydreaming."
"Yes, sensei."
Leo bowed respectfully, fighting the urge to smile.
Jiraiya definitely wasn't talking about himself—he was thinking of Orochimaru.
Back then, Orochimaru really had been on a whole different level compared to Leo and Kakashi. No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi had such high hopes for him.
Jiraiya didn't even blink as he continued—completely shameless.
He cleared his throat and looked toward Kakashi and Kurenai.
"Kakashi, if you run into any problems, you can come ask me anytime."
"Yes," Kakashi replied politely.
Then Jiraiya turned to Kurenai, expression turning serious.
He hadn't chosen her just because he "felt like it."
As a genjutsu user, her chakra control was exceptional. She'd trained illusion techniques in her clan for years, making her perfect for studying medical ninjutsu as well.
"Kurenai, for now, focus on building up your physical strength. And look into this technique when you get home."
He handed her a scroll.
Kurenai opened it.
Written inside: Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique.
"This is…"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She'd heard of this.
It was one of Jiraiya's signature techniques. It had also played a major role in the morning assessment.
"As a genjutsu specialist, your chakra control is already excellent. It's only a matter of time before you learn it. And if you have time, study a bit of medical ninjutsu too."
Jiraiya spoke seriously. "You don't need to master it. I'll write you a recommendation letter."
"Thank you, sensei."
Kurenai bowed deeply.
Wild Lion's Mane.
Genjutsu.
Medical ninjutsu.
This path meant she'd become a versatile support-type ninja.
"Have some confidence. You've got the potential to become a ninja like Tsunade. That's why I chose you."
Jiraiya poured encouragement generously.
Kurenai grew excited and nodded again and again.
The three resumed training.
Leo continued working on Water Release.
Like he'd said: even if he could cast the technique, he was still far from actually mastering it.
At the very least…
He needed his Water Formation Wall to reach "Proficient," right?
"Alright, keep training. Starting tomorrow, we're going to begin missions."
…
Near dusk, the team split up.
Tonight, much of Konoha would be sleepless.
Jiraiya had brought in yet another prodigy from the Hatake clan—and even handpicked a civilian ninja.
People started asking around, only to end up confused.
Who on earth was Leo?
Parents asked their kids still at the Academy, and the answers were strangely consistent:
"No idea. Don't really remember him."
This nobody had somehow become Jiraiya's student?
Especially among Leo's old classmates, many couldn't sleep.
They racked their brains, trying to figure out how this "transparent background character" suddenly turned into a genius miles above them.
…
The next day, at the Ninja Academy—Leo's old classroom.
"You heard? After Leo graduated, his jonin leader ended up being Jiraiya-sama."
"What?!"
"No way."
"My dad told me yesterday."
The classroom exploded.
The Legendary Sannin.
To them, that was someone untouchable. And yet someone from their own class had become his student. It didn't feel real.
"That's nothing—I also heard Kakashi's on the same team!"
Asuma Sarutobi's eyes filled with envy.
He hadn't chosen to graduate this year.
If only he'd known Jiraiya would teach… if only he'd graduated when Kurenai did… he might've become Jiraiya's student too…
"Man…"
The boy slumped by the window, staring out with a long sigh.
Kids all had different thoughts.
But one thing was the same:
On this day, the once-invisible Leo suddenly became the most talked-about person in school.
But meanwhile…
The very person everyone was gossiping about was at the Hokage Building, arguing alongside Jiraiya over missions.
"I'm their squad leader. I think we can start with a C-rank mission!"
Jiraiya slapped the desk.
Iruka Umino, sweating bullets, mustered every ounce of courage.
"Jiraiya-sama, all new squads must start with D-rank missions. It's the rule. Not even you can break it."
He was only a chunin.
Facing one of the Sannin and actually saying this out loud took serious mental prep.
Jiraiya was about to argue again—
Leo, who had been staring at the mission board, finally walked over.
"Sensei, D-rank is fine. A mission's still a mission. It all helps the village."
"Exactly!" Iruka Umino jumped in instantly. "No matter the rank, everything is for the village! Jiraiya-sama, please don't make things hard for us."
Jiraiya clicked his tongue and gave up. "Fine, fine. We'll start with a water-fetching mission."
After leaving the Hokage building—
"With Kakashi on the team, we could handle C-rank missions no problem. I was already planning to talk to the old man…"
Jiraiya was still annoyed.
Kakashi and Kurenai didn't comment.
Kakashi followed the rules, so anything worked for him.
Kurenai didn't mind either way.
Leo lowered his voice. "Sensei, we shouldn't ask for special treatment right away. If we clear enough D-rank missions, we should naturally qualify for C-rank. Besides, you can still train during D-ranks. Not much difference."
"…true."
Jiraiya waved his hand. "Alright then—let's grind!"
"....."