Water splashed against my legs as I lost balance again and crashed into the lake. The surface rippled, soaking my hair and pride in one go.
From the shore, Hiruzen-sensei chuckled. "You're too tense, Jiraiya. You have to constantly adapt the amount of chakra used!"
I surfaced, coughing out water.
"Easy for you to say, sensei. You're not getting drenched every ten seconds!"
He smiled faintly. "Then stop getting drenched every ten seconds."
'Bruh.' I thought too tired to get rage baited.
Beside me, Tsunade sprinted across the surface with barely a splash, dodging a kunai that whizzed past her head. Orochimaru followed right behind her, his movements precise, efficient, calculated. I, on the other hand, looked like a duck trying to dance on ice.
The exercise was simple in theory. The three of us had to cross the entire length of the lake without anyone falling behind. The catch? Hiruzen was hurling kunai and shuriken at us the whole time.
"Teamwork!" he shouted as another volley of steel blurred through the air. "You move as one, or you fail as one!"
A kunai sliced past my cheek, the wind stinging my skin. I barely managed to block another with a deflection of my kunai. Sending it to the water as it poofed away signalling it as a shadow shuriken clone.
"Come on, Jiraiya!" Tsunade barked, already halfway across. "You're slowing us down!"
"You're meant to help me you idiot. Is your brain smooth!" I shot back, pouring more chakra into my feet. The surface steadied, my body finding balance at last.
I felt it. The subtle pulse of energy running from my coils to the soles of my feet. It was if my feet were apart of the waves as they swayed. Taking the chance I started to run forward as another kunai was launched to me.
*Clank!*
Orochimaru covering my right side blocked it.
"Nice one!" I shout soon after deflecting a shuriken heading for his back. After a couple of minutes we were finally able to get to the other side of the lake without myself or the others falling down.
It was our tenth attempt today.
"Sensei can we try that again." Orochimaru asks with his hand on his chest. His heart clearly beating hard.
He nodded. "Sure." To Tsunade and my ire.
"Sensei PLEASE!" Tsunade and I begged to no one apparently as we were properly ignored by the two.
Going back to the lake but this time backwards.
The next wave of kunai came faster. This time I was ready. I ducked low, deflecting one, skipping across the water's surface. Orochimaru called out directions calmly, Tsunade blocked from the left, and together.
"Tsunade one left, Orochimaru one right!"
*CLANG ClANG*
All three of us stood panting on the opposite shore, two of us drenched but all grinning.
Hiruzen joined us moments later, looking amused. "Not bad. Two successful attempts back to back."
"This exercise sucks." I groaned.
"You're just mad I didn't fall at all you fatty."
Hearing her words, I simply stare at her belly which has now been eating barbecue for months now. Despite losing weight as a shinobi. The way Hiruzen spoilt us was pretty crazy and Tsunade seeing my gaze had a dangerous look.
Backing up a little it was time to make my grand escape...
"I SEE YOU SNEAKING OFF, COME BACK HERE BASTARD!"
By the time I managed to outrun Tsunade and avoid another punch to the face, the sun had already dipped behind the trees. The lake shimmered orange, and my legs felt like lead. Hiruzen finally called it a day, and the three of us collapsed onto the grass, exhausted.
"That was good progress today," he said, sitting cross-legged nearby. "We can start going into elemental ninjutsu after this."
Orochimaru in particular perked up at these words while Tsunade wasn't as interested. She from what I've seen as her teammate already knows two earth style and two water style ninjutsu.
'Probably helps that her chakra control talent is insane, plus her reserves as a Uzumaki/Senju.' I mutter a bit jealous.
"When can we start doing C-rank missions sensei!" Tsunade shouts pumping her fist in the air. Hiruzen who heard this was a bit taken a back, clearly hesitant to make us do any sort of mission that could have danger.
'Was he scared to let us do those missions?' I thought.
In all fairness we weren't even seven yet so it checks out.
I'm certainly not complaining.
Although for my safety I'd rather be Chunin or above. I'm literally a frog in a well compared to any body in cannon. Hell 16 year old sakura was compared to Tsunade in the war arc which eclipses the original Jiraiya's progress.
"We can do our first one if you guys do well against the Genin's tomorrow." He says which immediately got the three of us pumped upp.
'Never mind.'
"Hey sensei how do you do seal less techniques?" I ask.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "When you can control your chakra perfectly, you'll eventually be able to form the same patterns your hand seals create—without using them. That's what true mastery looks like. Most shinobi can't reach that level, but if you train long enough, your chakra will remember the motion for you."
I blinked. "So… you're saying I can skip hand seals if I just keep practicing the same jutsu over and over?"
"In time," he replied. "With either exceptional chakra control or sheer repetition."
I sat there in silence, watching the water ripple under the breeze. The idea of forming jutsu with raw will alone stirred something in me. It had been several months since I woke up in this world.
My days have been spent either with Hiruzen or sparring with Gamabunta. It was brutal but the best way for me to learn as my body couldn't grow its physical side too well or chakra due to my age.
So polishing up my skills was the only way.
Pulling up the blue panel in my head, I checked my current stats.
-----
[ViewingPanel]
Name: Jiraiya (Genin)
Age: 6
Affiliation: Konohagakure
Teacher: Hiruzen Sarutobi
Team: Tsunade Senju, Orochimaru
---
[Attributes]
Ninjutsu: Genin > HighGenin
Taijutsu: High Genin > LowChunin
Genjutsu: Genin > Chunin[1]
Shurikenjutsu: Low Genin
---
[Body]
Strength: Genin
Speed/Agility: Genin > HighGenin[2]
Stamina: High Genin
Chakra Reserves: High Genin
Chakra Control: High Genin > Chunin
---
[Techniques]
Ninjutsu: Transparent Escape Technique (C-rank), Body Replacement Technique (E-rank), Clone Technique (E-rank), Transformation (E-rank), Body Enhancement Technique (E-rank), Cancel (D-rank), Body Flicker Technique (D-rank), Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu (A-rank), Kunai Shadow Clone Jutsu (A-rank),
Taijutsu: Leaf Academy Taijutsu (D-rank), Muay Thai (C-rank)
-----
Seeing Chunin in three different stats was a good way to put a smile on my face.
'This system is encouraging me to train so well, the dopamine hits.' Well I've never done drugs before but is seeing my panel like snorting coke?
"Everybody lets go," Hiruzen's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "I'll take you guys somewhere."
"Where sensei?" Tsunade asked, perking up.
Hiruzen didn't say another word after that, just motioned for us to follow. The three of us trailed behind him through Konoha's streets, still dripping from the lake. Civilians stepped aside, eyeing us like we'd crawled out of a pond which, technically, wasn't wrong.
"Sensei, where are we going?" Tsunade asked for the fifth time, wringing out her hair.
"You'll see soon enough," he said with that same annoyingly calm smile.
Orochimaru was quiet as usual, hands tucked into his sleeves, gaze flicking over every stall and sign we passed. Me? I was more interested in the smell of skewers from a nearby food stand. My stomach growled loud enough for Tsunade to hear.
"You just ate lunch," she muttered.
Doing the same as before I just look at her belly. "I'm not saying anything, but I'm just saying."
Orochimaru who was watching us bicker just shook his head amused.
...
After a few more turns, we stopped in front of a small weapons and gear shop tucked between two larger buildings. The sign above the door read Tanaka's Tools & Armor. It was the same shop the Third Hokage apparently used back when he was a genin.
Seems pretty handy.
Hiruzen pushed the door open. "You three have been progressing well. It's time you each choose proper tools for your missions."
My jaw nearly dropped. "I used to pray for days like these!"
Soon after my back was hit with a well placed smack as the Senju princess admonished me for embarrassing them in public. Which at that point who cares but I do see how it does affect them sort of.
Orochimaru on the other hand was already missing, probably already in the shop.
The interior smelled like oil and steel, rows of polished weapons gleaming under the lantern light. Tanaka, an old man with arms thicker than tree trunks, looked up from behind the counter. "Well, if it isn't little Hiruzen. Thought I heard your voice."
Hiruzen inclined his head with a wide smile. "I'm here to outfit my students. Don't worry about the budget."
'LETS GOOO!'
At those words, my inner broke college student from Earth screamed in joy.
We spent the next half hour browsing.
Orochimaru immediately gravitated toward the throwing weapons. Such as senbon, shuriken, and finely balanced kunai. The guy tested each one like a scientist dissecting a new discovery.
"Jiraiya, you should buy these." Hiruzen straight up says, making me buy what ever he thinks I need.
Grabbing some high quality gloves with the Konoha symbol on them, I felt giddy.
Then I spotted it.
Red and Blue armour sets which looked like they were what Hashirama and Madara wore.
I NEEDED one pair at the least.
"That one," I said, pointing. "How much?"
Tanaka looked over. "That? Old stock from the Warring States days. Not as popular now because of how bulky it is."
"It's perfect" I mutter making the man laugh.
He grinned. "I'm sure that brat can afford it, I'll get you a size."
While Tanaka got to work, Hiruzen watched quietly, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Remember, tools are only as strong as the shinobi who wields them," he said.
"Yeah," I muttered, "But it helps if the shinobi looks cool while he does it."
He chuckled softly. "Can't deny that point."
Once we all had our new gear. Orochimaru's custom holster, Tsunade's reinforced gloves, and my armour. Hiruzen paid and led us out into the evening light. The sun had dipped lower, painting the village in gold and red.
"You three have earned a rest," he said. "Tomorrow, we'll join the other genin squads for a combined training exercise."
Tsunade's grin was fierce. "Finally. Some real competition."
...
The next morning came faster than expected. My body ached in places I didn't even know existed, but the promise of a new mission had me up before sunrise. After all, this was supposed to be our first joint training with another genin team.
Hiruzen-sensei met us at the village training grounds, already sipping tea like the picture of serenity. Tsunade arrived yawning, Orochimaru silent as usual, and I—well, I was still half-asleep.
"Start warming up," Hiruzen said lightly.
None of us retorted as we in sync, started to stretch.
Lightly yawning from time to time.
After ten minutes, another squad approached from the opposite side of the field. Their formation was neat, disciplined. In front walked a tall, brown skinned special jōnin with sharp eyes. Next to him were three boys.
To be honest, they looked like your run of the mil background character. Besides one with white hair a skinny build.
'He looks familiar, is he from a Naruto filler or movie?' I thought racking my brains. From Jiraiya's class this kid was second in theory but behind in taijutsu. But his name sort of reminded me somewhat.
Hiruko.
The name tugged at the back of my brain. One of those half-remembered trivia points from the Naruto movies. A future missing-nin, if I remembered right.
Meh, he doesn't seem that important.
A named shinobi would be useful to recruit later on though, I'll keep it in mind.
The jounin sensei stepped forward, bowing politely. "Lord Third."
Hiruzen smiled warmly. "It's good to see your team in such fine shape." He gestured toward us, "These three are my students. We'll be working together today."
The other team glanced at us, whispering among themselves. I caught snippets like "That's the dead last from the academy, right?" and "He doesn't deserve to be lord third's student..."
Their ire seemed to stem from how the original Jiraiya become the Hokage's student.
'Shit I'd be mad too.' I thought not too concerned. 'Would summoning Gamabunta be alright?' My mind wandered while Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
The two genin immediately looked away.
Orochimaru tilted his head, trying reading me. "Don't do anything reckless," he murmured. "You've improved too much to waste it showing off."
Tsunade, on the other hand, smacked the back of my head. "You better not embarrass us, frog boy."
"Have a little faith, princess," I admonish, rubbing the spot she smacked.
Before things could escalate, one of the extra genin pointed at us. "Whoa, where did you afford such armour?"
Everyone's attention turned to us. Our new chainmail undershirts, flak jackets, and reinforced gloves practically gleaming under the sunlight. Even Hiruko raised a brow. Especially with the showy armour I had equiped.
Hiruzen just gave a relaxed laugh. "Ah, yes. My team's been saving up from their mission pay."
Lmao.
I turned to look at him, with a sly smile.
'This shameless basted is straight up lying now,'
Next to Hiruzen, we give each other a low fist-bump.
Which definitely didn't go unnoticed by the Jounin sensei as the sides of his mouth twitched. Forcing me to hold in my laughter at the situation.
[1] I wanna reiterate this for Jiraiya, the Genjutsu stat. Would also count as being able to dispel that level of Genjutsu. It basically correlates with chakra control.
[2] All that Gamabunta dodging payed off lol