Two and a half years slipped by without notice.
The Land of Rain.
Rain fell like needles, drizzling down onto the damp earth.
In the rain.
One person stood on one side. Three people stood facing him on the other.
The three stood in a triangular formation on the muddy riverbank, facing that one person.
The four of them were none other than Jiraiya and his students.
"This is the last time."
The one who spoke was Jiraiya.
He had removed his forehead protector, and his white hair was soaked through by the rain, plastered against his forehead.
"Let me see exactly how much you have all grown."
"Begin!"
His hand seal speed suddenly accelerated. Three shadow clones appeared around his body, spreading out in a fan shape to surround his students.
Yahiko's pupils narrowed slightly.
He noticed that this time their teacher had not started with his usual summoning jutsu opening, but had instead taken up a close-combat ready stance. This meant the assessment would be far more demanding than expected.
"Water Style, Water Waves!"
Yahiko quickly fell back, narrowly avoiding Jiraiya's close-range attack.
His hair was soaked by the rain and plastered to his forehead, but his eyes were more determined than ever before.
He formed hand seals and called out in a low voice.
A surging current of water burst from his mouth, forming a rushing torrent that charged straight at Jiraiya.
At the same time, Nagato pressed his palms together. Wind Style chakra gathered in his palms and he threw them forward with force.
"Wind Style, Gale Palm!"
A violent wind swept out, merging with the Water Style and forming a massive water tornado, its power doubled.
Konan stood at a higher position. Her slender fingers gave a light flick, and countless sheets of paper flew out from her sleeves.
They transformed into sharp paper shuriken and rained down like a storm!
"Paper Shuriken!"
The coordination between the three was seamless. Jiraiya was forced back step by step and was finally swallowed by the water tornado, dissolving into a puff of smoke.
Boom!
The instant the shadow clone disappeared, Jiraiya's true body stepped out from behind a tree, a warm smile of approval on his face.
"Not bad, not bad!"
He clapped his hands, his tone full of praise.
"Your growth has even surprised me, your teacher."
Yahiko wiped the rainwater from his face and grinned.
Nagato was silent. A trace of something complex flickered through his Rinnegan eyes.
His personality was different from Yahiko's easygoing nature. He had already sensed the shift in the atmosphere with sharp perception.
And Konan stood quietly to the side. The paper sheets drifted slowly back into her sleeves, and she too looked toward Jiraiya.
Jiraiya crossed his arms, his gaze warm as he looked at the three people before him.
Three years was enough time for children to grow into ninjas who could hold their own.
He thought of the message that had arrived from Konoha yesterday, the Third's request to have him return to the village.
Jiraiya looked at them, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"These three years, you have all worked very hard!"
"The road ahead is one you must walk on your own."
The three were taken aback.
"Jiraiya-sensei... are you leaving?"
Yahiko asked.
Jiraiya laughed and scratched the back of his head.
"Yes. I still have my own mission. I cannot stay here forever. And besides..."
He pointed at the ground beneath their feet.
"Have you not already decided? To use your own strength to change this country and create true peace?"
Jiraiya looked at the three of them.
"Today, I am placing the wish for peace in your hands!"
Yahiko tightened his fist and said quietly.
"We will."
Nagato and Konan said nothing. They only lowered their heads slightly.
Jiraiya walked forward, patted Yahiko on the shoulder, and ruffled Nagato's red hair.
He then looked toward Konan and said with care.
"Konan, keep a good eye on those two for me."
Konan raised her head and managed a faint smile.
"Yes. Jiraiya-sensei!"
Jiraiya laughed, turned around, and gave a wave.
"Then. Until next time!"
His figure grew smaller and smaller in the rain, and finally disappeared into the misty haze.
Yahiko.
Nagato.
Konan.
The three stood where they were for a long time without moving.
The rain continued to fall.
...
At the same time.
Konoha. Uchiha clan grounds.
The sun was bright and a gentle breeze drifted through the air.
In Chiya's courtyard.
A child not yet three years old was sitting on the stone steps, holding a thick copy of the Records of the Uchiha Clan.
His small brow was slightly furrowed, as if he was reading with great concentration.
"Shisui, can you understand it?"
Chiya asked lazily from where he lay in a reclining chair.
Uchiha Shisui looked up and answered in his small, childlike yet completely earnest voice.
"Clan Head, I am studying the glory of the Uchiha."
The corner of Chiya's mouth curved upward.
"Oh? And what have you studied so far?"
Shisui thought carefully for a moment, then said.
"The strength of the Uchiha lies not only in the Sharingan, but also in the act of protecting."
Chiya laughed softly and reached out to ruffle his hair.
"Not bad. You actually got something out of it. Keep at it."
Shisui nodded and buried his head in the book again.
Chiya lay back down, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the rare quiet.
Just then.
"Hehe, Chiya-nii!"
A red-haired figure slipped sneakily over the courtyard wall. Spotting Chiya lying with his eyes closed, she let her eyes shift with a scheming glint.
She crept on tiptoe toward Chiya in the reclining chair.
It was none other than Uzumaki Kushina.
Her face carried a mischievous grin and her eyes sparkled with sly intent.
'You pinched my face last time, so this time I am pinching yours back!!'
She muttered under her breath, reaching her hand out, ready to pinch Chiya's face.
However, just as her fingers were about to make contact, there was a puff of smoke!
Chiya's body dissolved into a cloud of smoke and vanished. All that was left on the reclining chair was a wooden log.
"Substitution Jutsu?! When did he?!"
Kushina's eyes went wide. Before she could react, she suddenly felt a tightening around her waist!
"Whoa!"
She let out a startled cry. A rope wrapped around her entire body and she was left dangling upside down in mid-air!
"Chiya-nii! You did that on purpose!"
She struggled indignantly, her red hair hanging down below her, like a bristling little cat.
Chiya walked out from behind a tree, smiling as he looked at her.
"Kushina, your sneak attack technique still needs work."
Kushina swung her fists, her face full of defiance.
Just then, the door to the house slid open and Uchiha Mikoto came out carrying a tray of tea.
She saw Kushina hanging upside down and let out a helpless sigh.
"Kushina, you are at it again..."
Kushina looked toward Mikoto with pitiful eyes.
"Mikoto-nee! Help me down!"
Mikoto pressed her hand to her forehead.
"You get teased by Chiya-nii every single time. Why do you never learn?"
Kushina stuck out her lip.
"I just wanted to give him a surprise!"
The corner of Chiya's mouth curved up. He flicked his wrist and the rope went slack.
Kushina landed on the ground with a thud and clutched at herself.
"Chiya-nii! That was too much!"
Chiya shrugged.
"Who told you to keep sneaking up on me?"
Kushina climbed back up huffing and puffing, shot Chiya a glare, and was about to fire back when suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
All three turned to look at once.
"Clan Head Chiya!"
The visitor wore the Hokage's hat and had a lean frame. His face carried its usual gentle smile, and three ANBU members accompanied him at his side.
It was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi.