"Alright, in any case, witnessing the birth of a powerful ninjutsu and learning it in the process means Minato and I owe you one."
Jiraiya's expression turned serious as he spoke to Uchiha Gen, but a second later, his face shifted and he laughed playfully.
"But one thing at a time."
"Even though I believe that with your and Orochimaru's talent, you'd have figured out this last step soon enough, Minato and I were still the key figures who put in the effort, right?"
"So..."
Jiraiya chuckled and rubbed his hands together.
"How does Senior Jiraiya want me to repay you?"
"Hehehe, it's no big deal."
"Um... are you going to start helping out at Tsunade's place tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Then could you give me some inside info? Like when Tsunade is free, when she's tired, or when she's feeling emotionally vulnerable?"
"That way, this Great One can go show some concern for a comrade and display my charm as a gentleman."
The smile on Jiraiya's face became increasingly lecherous.
"Senior Jiraiya, how about you pick something else?"
"After all, given your character, even if you knew, you'd have the desire but not the guts."
"And even if you had the guts, you wouldn't succeed," Uchiha Gen retorted with deadpan eyes.
With Jiraiya's personality—always choosing to run away or harboring wishful thinking when it came to emotional issues—it would be a miracle if he could win Tsunade over.
In the original timeline, twenty or thirty years later, after Tsunade and Jiraiya had gone through the ups and downs of life, they might have accepted each other, but it was unlikely now.
Although Jiraiya was very strong and had a reliable side, his flaws were even more glaring.
If he wanted to settle for someone else, he'd have plenty of options, but Tsunade was not in that category.
And Tsunade?
Her strength was no less than Jiraiya's, her Medical Ninjutsu was unrivaled in the Ninja World, and she was the only remaining descendant of Hashirama Senju, born of noble lineage.
In terms of strength, family background, and looks, she was top-tier; it was Tsunade who would be settling.
But what young girl doesn't dream of love?
People are superficial.
Tsunade was only in her early twenties, in the prime of her youth.
Compared to Jiraiya, who had a lecherous personality and looks that were far from handsome, someone like Kato Dan—who had both strength and looks—clearly fit her image of a Prince Charming better.
"Kid, what do you mean by that? Are you looking down on this Great One's determination?" Jiraiya said unhappily.
"Well... I just feel that taking advantage of someone's weakness doesn't quite suit your style, Lord Jiraiya."
"And as for Lady Tsunade's personality, you know it well—when would she ever be 'weak'?"
"Hmm... that's true."
Jiraiya scratched his head and nodded solemnly.
With Tsunade's temper, when would there ever be a moment for someone to take advantage of her?
"Well, I was just talking. The one who really helped you was Minato."
"If anything comes up later, just give Minato a hand."
"Don't worry, Senior Jiraiya. If Minato needs help, I will certainly assist," Uchiha Gen nodded and smiled.
Favors were meant to be returned.
If he and Orochimaru wanted to occupy an important position in Konoha and gain greater influence, they had to make as many friends as possible and gain more support.
The friendship between Jiraiya and Orochimaru was undeniable; otherwise, the former wouldn't have chased the latter for over a decade after his defection.
Minato Namikaze was also a top-tier prospect.
As a rising star, he would grow into a powerhouse capable of influencing the course of the Great War within a few years.
After the war, with the support of the Third Hokage, he would surpass Orochimaru to become the Fourth Hokage.
Before Naruto was born, the one with the protagonist's aura was Minato Namikaze.
"I'm the one who should be grateful, Senior Gen."
"To be honest, from the first moment I saw this technique, I felt it suited me perfectly."
"If I can learn it, it might become my primary combat ninjutsu in the future," Minato Namikaze said, scratching his head.
"Ah, I also think this technique suits you very well."
"Does Senior Gen also understand my combat style?"
"I saw it when we rescued Kushina. You have a special talent for speed."
"You could keep up with my Body Flicker even before graduating."
"I think maybe in the future, you'll be another 'Fastest in the World' from our village, following the Second Hokage."
Uchiha Gen said with a chuckle.
He wondered when he would draw a character card with the Flying Thunder God technique.
Only Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze knew the Flying Thunder God.
Whether he could draw it in the future really depended on luck.
"Haha, Minato, I told you! Your talent for speed exceeds every ninja I've ever seen."
"You might actually inherit the Second Hokage's legacy," Jiraiya patted Minato's shoulder and said boisterously.
"Then... I'll thank Teacher Jiraiya and Senior Gen first."
"No need to call me senior; it sounds too formal. Just call me Gen."
"That's right! Kid, you stop calling me senior too. Just call me the handsome, dashing, and wealthy Lord Jiraiya."
"I'll pass, Teacher Jiraiya. I'm still too kind-hearted to lie to myself."
"Hey! You brat, what do you mean! Explain yourself to this Great One!"
Jiraiya grumbled, but a hint of a smile appeared on his face.
Changed from 'Senior' to 'Teacher'?
Well, he had taught this kid Combination Ninjutsu, so it wasn't for nothing.
Hmm, if he were willing to admit this Great One is handsome and dashing, it wouldn't be impossible to teach him more techniques...
The next day.
After Uchiha Gen got up from his bed, he heard the sound of his two teammates washing up.
"Why are you guys up so early today?"
Uchiha Gen looked out the window.
The moon hadn't set yet, and the sky wasn't fully bright.
Wisps of thin rain fell on the window, leaving diagonal streaks.
"Yesterday, after you saw Teacher Orochimaru, he came to see us again."
"Gen, you're being reassigned to help Lady Tsunade, and Teacher Orochimaru has moved us to other teams."
Sarutobi Enjun spat out the foam in his mouth and leaned over the sink, his eyes filled with excitement.
"Yeah. Although it's not a front-line combat unit, there are plenty of opportunities for practical training, and we can get more guidance from Teacher Orochimaru."
"Our progress should be much faster!" Uzuki Ruri's tone was equally excited.
Recently, her and Enjun's progress had been a bit slower than before.
Partly because their potential had already been partially converted, but Orochimaru's direct teaching was also crucial.
Not to mention, they would have even more opportunities for actual combat in the future.