Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage!

c4: Another Watergate!

Crunch.

The door creaked open.

Inside the classroom, three people held their breath and turned their eyes toward the sound.

But

For a long time, no one stepped through the doorway.

Who is this?

What a strange way to make an entrance...

Jingyan couldn't help but complain silently.

Then

A figure finally stepped inside.

"Have you three been waiting long?"

With long, white spiky hair, a red forehead protector engraved with the kanji for "oil" (油), and wooden clogs echoing across the floor, the man was instantly recognizable.

His presence was imposing, his appearance unforgettable.

Yuhi Kurenai's eyes widened with disbelief.

Kakashi was momentarily stunned, visibly shaken.

Jingyan was just as shocked.

Jiraiya?

The legendary Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, one of the Sannin personally trained by the Third Hokage himself? Jingyan had never read about him leading genin teams and certainly not Kakashi's.

But then

He quickly steadied himself.

This world has already changed.

Maybe it's the butterfly effect his own existence subtly shifting fate's path, like a single flap of wings in a distant storm.

He drew in a breath, trying to keep calm, though his excitement still bled through.

"Are you... are you Master Jiraiya?"

He understood he couldn't treat this encounter as if it were normal.

Jiraiya was no ordinary shinobi he was a living legend, a member of the elite Sannin revered across the entire Hidden Leaf. For any civilian-born genin like Jingyan, awe and admiration were more than natural.

Jiraiya grinned. "Heh... Hahaha! That's right. Starting today, you three are my students at least for now. Let's talk somewhere with a bit more space."

"Understood!"

---

The rooftop of the Academy building.

Jiraiya sat nonchalantly on the railing, legs swinging over the edge. The three young shinobi stood before him, silent and attentive.

His sharp eyes scanned each of them.

"You should all know who I am, so I won't waste time with an introduction. Instead, tell me about yourselves your names, your skills, likes and dislikes."

"Hatake Kakashi. Chūnin. Specialize in kenjutsu and lightning-style ninjutsu. I don't like people. I hate those who break the rules."

Kakashi was cool, composed, and direct just as one would expect from a genius who graduated at five and became a Chūnin at six.

Yuhi Kurenai hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Uh... I'm Yuhi Kurenai. I'm good at genjutsu. I like... wasabi octopus. I hate... cake."

Her nervousness was obvious but Jiraiya showed no reaction.

"Ryoumine Jingyan. Taijutsu is currently my strongest area. I enjoy training, improving... and I hate war."

Jingyan had carefully selected his answer. It reflected his actions over the past year his preference for solitude, training in the Academy's rear fields, his aloof but diligent demeanor. It was consistent with his public persona nothing that would raise suspicion.

Jiraiya paused.

"Hmm. Got it."

His tone shifted graver now.

"The Third Hokage believes you have potential. That's why he asked me to lead your team. But—"

His gaze sharpened.

"I'm not so sure."

He let the silence hang.

"You'll report to Training Ground Seven tomorrow morning. I'll be conducting a full field assessment. Fail, and..."

He glanced at them coldly.

"You'll return to the Academy for further training. As for you," he turned to Kakashi, "since you're a Chūnin, you can be reassigned to another squad. Or if you think these two aren't worth your time—you can walk away right now."

Kakashi looked over at the other two genin.

Jingyan remained silent, thoughtful.

Was this a test? He suspected so. A trial not just of skill, but of judgment. Perhaps Jiraiya was assessing whether Kakashi, famed for his loyalty to the rules, could adapt.

Yuhi Kurenai stood frozen, worry on her face.

Kakashi finally spoke.

"They're not ready."

Jiraiya didn't blink.

"So you're quitting?"

Kakashi's eye narrowed.

"No... I'll give it a shot."

Jiraiya nodded approvingly. Then he looked to the other two.

"You can still step back. If you're not ready, the village can assign you to another instructor. My test is tough others won't be so strict."

Jingyan didn't flinch.

"I want to participate."

He couldn't let the opportunity slip. To be trained by one of the Sannin who wouldn't leap at the chance?

Kurenai gathered her courage.

"I... I want to try too."

Jiraiya grinned again.

"Good. You've got the rest of the afternoon to prepare yourselves. And one more thing don't eat breakfast tomorrow. Hehehe... you'll find out why!"

With a flicker of chakra, his figure vanished.

Only the three genin remained on the rooftop.

Jingyan stepped forward. "Let's meet near Training Ground Seven. We should train together a bit get a feel for each other's strengths."

Kakashi scoffed.

"If you drag me down during the mission I'll leave you behind without hesitation."

Then, saying no more, he vanished in an instant.

Yuhi Kurenai muttered with a frown, "Why is he always like that...?"

"He's headed toward Training Ground Seven. Let's catch up," Jingyan replied, disappearing just as suddenly.

Kurenai followed quickly, her steps hurried and light.

Up ahead, Kakashi glanced to the side as he sensed them drawing nearer. He subtly observed them without breaking stride.

Ryomine Kyohiko...

His speed is surprisingly good. He's clearly refined the Body Flicker Technique, and judging by how easily he's keeping pace, his taijutsu training must be solid.

But the girl...

She's harder to assess.

Still, if her genjutsu is as good as they say, she'll be useful.

Kakashi kept running forward, sharp eyes fixed ahead.

He didn't notice

In the shadows above, Jiraiya was silently tailing them.

"This silver-haired brat... he's fast, but he's completely ignoring his teammates. No coordination at all," Jiraiya murmured to himself. "That other kid though... he's faster, yet he deliberately slowed down to match Kurenai's pace. Hm."

The more Jiraiya observed Kyohiko, the more impressed he became.

Not only was this kid sharp, but he also seemed thoughtful willing to adjust his speed for a teammate. That kind of instinct couldn't be taught.

With the right guidance... he could be another Minato.

But without proper training...

Jiraiya's heart sank, the memory of another promising comrade flickering in his mind.

Orochimaru...

What had he been up to lately?

Ever since Nawaki's death and Tsunade's departure from the frontlines, Orochimaru had grown more distant, more... unsettling.

"But," Jiraiya muttered, eyes narrowing, "just being considerate of your teammates won't be enough for what's coming."

---

"Hong," Jingyan said, "the area near the training field is full of traps. I'll stop him we'll all go in together."

"Stop him?"

Yuhi Kurenai blinked in surprise.

But before she could ask more, Jingyan vanished.

The next time she looked up, he was already pursuing Kakashi. In just a few flickers, he had closed the distance.

Kakashi noticed immediately and was startled.

He'd always believed that among his peers, only Might Guy could match his raw speed, though Guy's speed came from relentless taijutsu drills, not ninjutsu.

But Ryomine Kyohiko...?

He didn't recall anything particularly special about him. They were in the same class, sure, but Kakashi had never paid him much attention.

Still...

That speed just now...

Was his Body Flicker Technique really that refined?

Kakashi narrowed his eyes and pushed his chakra harder, executing a high-level Body Flicker at top speed, faster than his earlier pace.

Yet

Just as he blinked forward, Jingyan was suddenly ahead of him, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder.

Incredible!

Kakashi's pupils shrank.

Even at full power, he couldn't outrun him

Unless he used Lightning Release chakra to stimulate his nervous system, something his body hadn't yet fully adapted to. Misuse could leave him injured or worse.

"Kakashi," Jingyan said calmly, "the Forest of Death is treacherous. We should go in together, as a team."

He paused briefly.

"Even if you're already a Chūnin, the Hokage reminded us: a team battle is never a solo battle. You have to think about your teammates."

Kakashi was silent.

So the reason he lagged behind was... to match Kurenai's pace?

He glanced carefully at the boy standing before him.

Ryomine Kyohiko.

A classmate he'd barely registered yet here he was, showing both strength and composure.

"...I see. Sorry."

Just then, Kurenai finally caught up, panting heavily. Sweat dotted her forehead, and thin streams dripped down her cheeks.

Jingyan turned to her and smiled slightly. "It's fine. We're a team we move together."

Kakashi said nothing, but turned and leapt down from the ledge.

"Let's go. Once the sun sets, it'll be harder to detect traps in the forest."

---