The last embers on my forehead flickered out as a wide grin hit my face.
Finally.
Nearly a week of lighting leaves on fire and my progress to show were being able to light and burn up three consecutive leaves instantly. Still, it had done its job. My feel over fire release was greater which satisfied sensei.
The man himself not being too far, saw this.
"Jiraiya, it seems like you're ready for your ninjutsu. Here." Hiruzen says with the ninjutsu scroll already pulled out..
"Thank you so much sensei!" Getting up I do a quick bow to his amusement.
Orochimaru who was across from us was already practicing his own wind release ninjutsu which was the [Wind Release: Great Breakthrough]. It was a C-rank ninjutsu of his own that came from the mouth, releasing winds which depended on the users strength.
So it could be breeze or a blade depending on what you need.
'It's pretty neat.'
Ignoring my thoughts it was time to open up my scroll.
[Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique]
"Hmmm..."
According to the scroll its an attack which travels forward quickly. Sort of like a water bullet Tsunade used but with the face of a dragon and fire. Plus it could be upgraded later on to the [Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique].
Similar to the Uchiha's fire ball techniques[1]
Walking to the nearest lake, I make the hand signs that the scroll said.
Snake → Drag-
'Why does this dragon hand sign need to make my pinky do that.' I complained to myself for a second before taking a deep breathe. To try again.[2]
You had to bend your thumbs over each other, while intertwining your middle fingers, while putting your pinky downwards touching each other.
Snake → Dragon → Rabbit → Tiger
I simply blow out as if my food was too hot to eat. A sliver of fire left my mouth as my head goes back a little in amazement. It was the first time I was using fire ninjutsu legitimately.
'Real fire. That's cool as hell'
"Jiraiya! Let me help you." Sensei's voice reaches me. Turning around I saw his smug look and immediately narrowed my eyes.
He just wanted to show off.
"First take a deep breath, chest out." He simply says going through the motion. "At the same time cock your head back, then whip it forward. Remember your imagination is key here."
His words emphasizing the imagination part of his sentence.
Watching him do this my earlier attempt seemed pretty stupid. Was I blowing the candle of someone's birthday cake or something?
Which was how I ended up standing in front of the lake again, fingers forming the seals he drilled into me. And after a few more attempts the stream of fire coming out of my mouth was finally forming.
It was a small but steady stream which reached three meters. By the third meter though it expanded a bit.
Still a weak but is progress.
"That was better," Hiruzen's calm voice drifted from behind me. "Let me show you something you'll be able to do later."
Watching him pull out a kunai, he puts some kind of wire in his mouth.
*Swoosh* *Thud!*
Not even a split second it was embedded to a tree close by.
'That was near instant, damn.' I thought not even being able to spot the kunai, only a couple seconds after it landed. On that kunai was a wire which connected straight to Hiruzen's mouth.
Seeing him take a few steps to the left, he then breathes in. Without any hand signs.
[Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique]
*ROAR!*
The fire surged forward in a clear, draconic shape but then took a turn to the right. The jutsu was following the direction of the wire as if being directed.
"Not bad huh?"
"You've gotta give me some wires to try that out." I say to which he chuckles.
"When you've gotten good at it, I'll consider." He responds rubbing my head.
Sensei after this left me to my own musings. Taking the time, I practice my other ninjutsu and learn the shadow clone technique.
...
Weeks go by as I was back at the training grounds. We did a C-rank mission but nothing happened as it was basically just a luxurious cruise to the clients destination.
'Still the money was nice.'
I moved through the seals again, each repetition smoother than the last, until sweat began to bead along my forehead. Between attempts, I threw a few kunai at the training stumps.
*Thump*
My kunai hit a target stump ten meters away. Throwing a few more, they they just a few centimeters away from the middle.
"Not bad." I mutter satisfied. My criteria for how good my Shurikenjutsu was honestly pretty low. Not improving it too well was never really a priority.
Doing a half tiger seal my chakra started to flow, it took half a second before.
[Body Flicker]
In an instant my body appeared next to the three stumps. Collecting the kunai, I make another half tiger seal and appear back in place.
Looking back at the stumps, there was still an illusion of me.
[Clone Technique]
I was started to implement some techniques together getting inspired by Shisui Uchiha. Mostly because of how good the technique could be.
'Imagine seeing your opponent flicker in front of you, then striking an illusion. A second later your vision starts to darken forever.'
In reality the user [Body Flicker] twice back to back but left a clone. This was dangerously effective and was something especially effective against bandits. Of course they were just a test.
My chakra control felt better. After a constant use of the body flicker, holding boulders up mountains and Taijutsu sparring over a lake, it eventually improved to my liking. Still my reserves weren't growing and stayed at High Genin level which restricted me.
Especially with the [Shadow Clone Technique]. That things only sped up my training by five minutes rather than let me train more.
A technique for a later use.
Although it was useful in battle even if I could only make 1-2.
*CRACK!*
A loud crack could be heard across the field. Turning around, the sight of Tsunade with her fist indented to a boulder was there.
Across from her, Orochimaru was practicing [Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique]. It was different from his wind release as he after sort of learning it, pestered sensei for a different ninjutsu. Tsunade, on the other hand, was focused on her strength control pulverizing tree trunks like they'd personally offended her.
Flickering back to the lake, I wanted to test out my fire release again.
I start to weave soem hand seals.
Snake → Dragon → Rabbit → Tiger
'Chest out, head cocked back.' I thought remembering Hiruzen's advice to me. Taking three seconds to flow my chakra, in one breathe I open my mouth and sort of whip my head downward releasing a flame.
[Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique]
One that looked similar to a dragon.
*ROAR!*
The flame like a bullet went straight in a sort of line. It wasn't as expansive as a fire ball technique the Uchiha made but was still deadly.
'Plus it would work well in combination with Gamabunta spitting oil.'
The flame around the width and length of my height, shortly after dissipated after ten meters of travel. Thankfully it only took a few weeks to get it so some satisfacotory level but I would further focus on it.
Rather than learn more and different elemental ninjutsu like Orochimaru for now.
'Wait why didn't I think of this.' An idea hit my head.
Making a half-tiger seal, I flicker back to where Orochimaru was.
"Yo Orochimaru!"
He raised an eyebrow. "You're starting to use that flicker technique like it's second nature."
"Thanks. By the way I got an idea about us doing combination techniques. My fire and your wind." My words making his eyes glint a little.
"We need to try it now." His words determined grabbing my shoulders and dragging to the lake which I just came from.
Orochimaru and I inhaled deeply, each doing different hand seals.
Snake → Dragon → Rabbit → Tiger
[Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique]
*Roar*
The flames coming out of my mouth started to expand at the five meter mark before Orochimaru finally did his ninjutsu.
Tiger → Ox → Dog → Rabbit → Snake
[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough]
*Swoosh* *ROARR!*
It was like a ripple affect as after his winds his my flame, the technique started to expand way larger. To the point of looking like a mini [Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation] which amazed the both of us.
The air burst alive with swirling currents, and my flame surged forward no longer just a narrow stream, but a roaring serpent of fire carried by the wind.
I exhaled a shaky breath, blinking through the heat shimmer.
"That was... Amazing." Orochimaru said looking on with an amazed expression.
"Not bad for a couple of Genin," I said, dusting my hands.
Tsunade jogged over with Hiruzen right behind her. "Was that you Jiraya?"
"Na, Orochimaru and I did a combination technique." My words making both sensei and her widen their eyes.
...
'I wonder how I'm doing.' I thought despite having already checked my status this morning.
It was basically an addiction.
The steady rhythm of missions and training weaving into something almost routine.
Our team chemistry had improved too.
Orochimaru started to talk more and even being chatty a little bit after our combination technique. Tsunade's mockery and annoyance were basically gone as our friendship blossomed a bit.
Recently after some C-rank missions which made it our ninth one. The latest victims of our learnt ninjutsu and combinations were some bandits.
'I sort of feel bad looking back at it.' I wince.
Tsunade hit them with a earth release which kept them stuck. Then Orochimaru and I just fried them which was a bit fucked up. In all though the progress was quite satisfying to say the least.
Hiruzen definitely was estatic to see our progress.
The afternoon light shimmered on the lake at training ground.
Tsunade was balanced on the water's surface, sweat glistening on her forehead as she practiced controlled bursts of chakra to maintain perfect footing. Orochimaru was off to the side, calmly training his hand seal speed.
I sat on a rock nearby, staring at my panel.
-----
[ViewingPanel]
Name: Jiraiya (Genin)
Age: 6
Affiliation: Konohagakure
Teacher: Hiruzen Sarutobi
Team: Tsunade Senju, Orochimaru
---
[Attributes]
Ninjutsu: High Genin > Low Chunin
Taijutsu: Low Chunin > Chunin
Genjutsu: Chunin > High Chunin
Shurikenjutsu: Low Genin > Genin
---
[Body]
Strength: Genin > High Genin
Speed/Agility: High Genin
Stamina: High Genin
Chakra Reserves: High Genin
Chakra Control: Chunin > High Chunin
---
[Technique]
Ninjutsu <>
E-rank: [Body Replacement Technique], [Transformation Technique], [Body Enhancement Technique], [Leaf Burning Exercise]
D-rank: [Cancel], [Body Flicker Technique],
C-rank: [Transparent Escape Technique], [Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique]
B-rank: [Shadow Clone Jutsu]
A-rank: [Shuriken Shadow Clone], [Kunai Shadow Clone]
---
Taijutsu: Leaf Academy Taijutsu (D-rank), Muay Thai (C-rank)
Genjutsu: Clone Technique (E-rank), Cancel (D-rank)[3]
-----
Not too bad if I say so myself.
Although my chakra reserves and stamina haven't moved an inch. Well they obviously increased but not to a high degree that it would show a change unfortunately.
"Team seven!," Sensei began, his tone even but serious which made the three of us quickly gather up. "We've received a request from a client you may remember from your first ever C-rank."
"The Silk Baron?" Orochimaru answered instantly.
Hiruzen nodded.
"This time however it's an elimination mission."
His words starting to sink in we realised, instead of the opponent coming to us. It was going to be the other way around.
This man wanted someone dead.
A frown hits my face silently listening.
"According to the report," Hiruzen said, drawing out a sealed scroll, "The wife of the Silk Baron was killed by a rogue samurai named Onazawa who he put a bounty on. The Baron is livid."
'Oh it's personal.' My frown become even more apparent.
"So on top of the pay from the mission, you can check in the bounty." Hiruzen's gaze swept across us, sharp and knowing. "You'll be tracking down this samurai who's already killed Genin shinobi from smaller villages."
A beat of silence followed, the weight of his words sinking in.
"On top of this, I won't be coming with you. This will be your first mission without me. Seeing your improvement over these months have given me the reassurance you'll complete this."
"Huh?" Tsunade and Orochimaru now in disbelief.
[1] Fun fact the Uchiha did in fact invent the fireball technique. As said by kakashi in a naruto shippuden episode.
[2] Have you seen that hand sign dude.
[3] While [Cancel] is a ninjutsu, it directly correlates with Jiraiya's chakra control and thus ability to break out of genjutsu. Which is why his Genjutsu stat is high.