They trekked along the dreadful battlefield littered with corpses until eventually, it got dark. Because of that, they had no choice but to set up camp.
And while the future Sannin were doing that, Reiran and the others sat down on a log and decided to have a little chat.
"I don't trust them," Yahiko said plainly, his anger bubbling. "They're shinobi from the Land of Fire. Konan nearly died from Genin who were from the Land of Fire!"
"For once, I agree with Yahiko," Konan chimed in, turning to Reiran. "Can we really trust those three?"
Noticing the usual serious look on Konan's face, he decided to give her an honest answer.
"I don't expect you to believe them. But I want you to take their actions into account," Reiran said, subtly glancing at the Sannin. "The woman healed you, and the others didn't harm you even after you attacked them. They're also bringing us back to Amegakure, so in the end, what do we have to lose?"
Sure, he could've dumbed it down for these kids, but it wasn't necessary. After all, Konan and Nagato were smart. Yahiko... was Yahiko.
"Reiran..." Konan mumbled. "You weren't always this observant. Did the encounter with the Genin make you more mature?"
Nagato narrowed his eyes slightly. "His chakra signature changed, and you said he reflected a Jutsu?"
He turned to face Reiran, his expression hesitant.
"Reiran... are you really Reiran?"
Reiran's eyes slightly widened, but as he opened his mouth to reply, Jiraiya appeared out of nowhere, a wide smile on his face.
"Here. Kids your age need nutrition," he said, holding out four skewered rabbits. "Oh, and Tsunade told me that you should get some sleep, especially you."
He pointed his own skewered rabbit at Reiran.
"What's your name?"
"Reiran. And you're Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, right?"
Jiraiya raised a brow and put a piece of the rabbit into his mouth, then while chewing, he spoke.
"Dang, I thought you were kidding when you said you knew us. All the kids I've met on the battlefield so far saw the headguards and thought we were nothing but demons coming to kill them."
"Well, that's only natural, don't you think?" Reiran tilted his head. "After all, all of our parents died by shinobi from the Land of Fire."
A moment of silence ensued, followed by Jiraiya nearly choking on his food. Soon, he recovered, and as he was about to address the situation, Tsunade pulled him away by the ear and took his place.
She sat down beside them and let out a sigh.
"Sorry about his behavior. He acts mature when it matters," Tsunade said sincerely.
"I have a question!" Yahiko chimed in out of nowhere, surprising the group.
"You people look strong, so can you train us?" he asked, practically pleading. "Walking to Amegakure is boring, and since we'll be walking for so long... I thought that maybe, just maybe—"
"No," Orochimaru said from the side. "Children like you should focus on surviving, not fantasizing about power."
"That's a pretty dumb thing to say to war orphans," Reiran replied with a chuckle. "Don't you think that if we had power, our odds of surviving would increase?"
"By having power at such an early age, you will grow overconfident," Orochimaru said flatly. "Overconfidence and arrogance go hand in hand. You will get yourself killed through stupid means."
"And if we don't?" Reiran asked. "What if by training us, you could have potential future allies? Allies that could help Konoha when it's in need?"
"I don't believe training four children would change the tide of battle," Orochimaru said, taking a few steps closer.
His expression darkened slightly. "Here's a proposition for you: land a single hit on me within three days... and I'll train you. And your friends aren't allowed to help. Only you and you alone."
"Come on, Orochimaru... there's no need for that," Tsunade said with a sigh. "Just let Jiraiya train them. He's always enthusiastic to train the youth."
"Hm? Sure, I'm up for it. I can train all four of you if you'd like."
Despite the proposal, Reiran's gaze was locked on Orochimaru.
"If I manage to land a hit on you within three days, will you train all of us alongside Jiraiya and Tsunade?"
"Huh? Me?" Tsunade pointed at herself. "I didn't agree to anything—"
"Deal," Orochimaru interjected. "If you land a hit on me, then I, alongside Tsunade and Jiraiya, shall train you until we arrive at Amegakure."
A faint smirk appeared on Reiran's face as he extended his hand forward.
"Do you want to shake on it?"
But as if seeing through his trick, Orochimaru simply scoffed and got back to cooking the food.
Just as Reiran was about to start pestering Orochimaru, Tsunade grabbed him by the shoulders and sat him down.
"You're not fighting him in that condition. I will heal you first," Tsunade said sternly. "You can only fight him when I tell you that you can. Understood?"
Noticing that casual doctor tone, Reiran couldn't help but roll his eyes and nod.
And like that, Tsunade began healing him.
.
.
.
"He's different," Konan mumbled to Nagato beside her.
Her hands trembled slightly. "I knew it from the moment I saw him defeat those Genin... but I refused to believe it. And this here just confirms it... he would never act so boldly."
"Indeed." Nagato nodded subtly. "He was like me in a way. He was just better at fighting. Now he's like a mix between me and Yahiko."
"What was that?" Yahiko raised a brow. "Are you talking behind my back?"
Konan ignored him. "So... what should we do if he's not our Reiran? Should we..."
"Let's ask him... after we arrive in Amegakure," Nagato suggested. "There's still a lot we need to figure out... And most importantly... we need to be there to cheer him up after he loses."
Konan tilted her head. "Those people are at least Chuunin, right?"
"Jounin," Nagato corrected. "They're even stronger than the Jounin I've seen in our land. He doesn't stand a chance."
Hearing that, Konan couldn't help but sigh.
She shot a glance toward Tsunade, and especially Reiran, who was being healed.
As much as her heart wanted her to walk up to him and question him on the spot, her rationality stopped her.
So in the end, she could do nothing but look on and watch.
"..."
"Reiran..."