Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage!

c7: There Will Be a Day When You Will Be Tied Up!

"Ok?"

What the hell?!

Jiraiya furrowed his brows, distracted for a brief instant.

At that exact moment

A kunai whistled through the air, aimed precisely at Jiraiya's waist.

Trying to land a hit?

He twisted to dodge with seasoned reflexes, but—

Bang!

The "Kakashi" before him dispersed into a puff of smoke, revealing a replacement log a textbook Kawarimi no Jutsu.

A heartbeat later, a blade arced toward Jiraiya's side, its swing perfectly timed.

A bell's cord snapped in the strike!

But

Almost simultaneously, Jiraiya's spiky white hair extended with a hiss, the Hair Needle Jutsu wrapping tightly around Kakashi's wrists.

Kakashi gritted his teeth and hurled the bell away.

"Kyouhiko!"

From below, Kurenai Yuhi sprinted at full speed, flinging kunai and shuriken in rapid succession.

With all the explosive notes and tripwire traps neutralized

Her only option now was to assist Jingyan in eliminating obstacles and clearing a safe landing.

Clang!

A spiked raft aimed at Kyouhiko spun off course its rope cleanly severed by Kurenai's kunai.

With barely a moment's pause, Jingyan twisted mid-air and gripped the edge of the tilting raft.

Then

Bracing, he pivoted, using the momentum to launch upward, eyes locked on the tumbling bell.

Boom!

Caught!

Just as his fingers wrapped around it, Jiraiya's animated hair lashed out again.

In an instant, Kyouhiko was ensnared, wound into a cocoon-like grip, and hoisted into the air, landing beside Kakashi like a trophy.

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed.

Had it not been for those distracting words, he wouldn't have been vulnerable enough to lose a bell.

This kid...

Clever little punk. Always acting aloof, but every movement calculated more cunning than most Jōnin!

"Hmph. You brats aren't so simple after all. Yesterday you were at each other's throats, now suddenly you're coordinating?"

"Master Jiraiya, that's all part of the strategy!"

Jingyan gave a sly grin.

Kakashi blushed faintly.

Strategy?

What a load of crap. We were literally fighting yesterday.

Without a word, Jiraiya released Kyouhiko

Then, true to his earlier threat, pulled a rope from his belt and began tying Kakashi up.

"I said the one who performed worst would be tied up and go hungry. Rules are rules."

Jiraiya slung Kakashi over his shoulder.

Jingyan trailed behind, silent.

With a slight chuckle, Jiraiya walked toward a medium-sized tree and tethered Kakashi securely to the trunk.

"Humph."

Kakashi turned his face away, refusing to explain or excuse himself.

Two bento boxes were placed near him.

Kurenai Yuhi approached, stopping next to the tree, face tight with conflicted emotions.

Jiraiya gestured toward the lunchboxes.

"Same rules apply each of you gets one. He doesn't eat. If either of you shares with him, you'll both be included in the afternoon's harsher evaluation."

"B-but…"

Kurenai looked panicked, ready to object.

Jingyan had already opened one and started eating.

Stunned, she paused, then reluctantly took hers.

Jiraiya gave a wry smirk. "Alright then. I'm off to grab some ramen. Keep watch over him."

"Yes, sir," Jingyan replied crisply.

Jiraiya strolled away.

Kurenai stood there awkwardly, holding her chopsticks without appetite.

"I'm sorry... I didn't contribute anything. Now you're the one being punished."

"…"

Jingyan chewed silently, seemingly not hearing.

Kakashi finally spoke, voice stiff: "You did fine. Honestly... none of us would've passed solo."

Kurenai's Genjutsu had cloaked them at critical moments, and her sensory abilities had helped navigate enemy misdirection.

Not to mention the trap decoys, clones, and illusionary terrain manipulations mid-battle.

So yes, she had definitely pulled her weight.

Kakashi knew he had dropped the ball

Despite being a Chūnin, it was Kyouhiko who anticipated Jiraiya's movements, created feints, and even calculated how much space Kakashi would need for an attack.

Without the cooperation of Kyouhiko and Yuhi Kurenai, there was no way Kakashi could've severed the bell's cord.

In comparison...

Jingyan carried himself more like a true Chūnin.

Am I really that unqualified as a ninja?

Kakashi's thoughts spiraled. Doubt crept in, and with it, the hollow ache in his stomach growled audibly.

He was hungry.

Shame twisted deeper in his gut.

Just then, as if sensing his turmoil

"I've eaten half," Jingyan said, holding out his lunchbox. "If you don't mind, take the rest. If we go into the next exam together, we've got a better shot."

Yuhi Kurenai looked down

He'd only eaten half!

She quickly realized the truth.

Jingyan bore no grudge against Kakashi. He had already factored him into the next phase of the trial.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward.

"You both used up a lot of energy during close combat. I stayed behind most of the time provided support. One-third of my meal will be enough to recover. The rest goes to you two."

"If you're taking the test together, it doesn't make sense to leave me out."

A faint smile crossed Kurenai's face.

Kakashi blinked in disbelief. For a moment, his throat tightened.

"…Don't misunderstand," Jingyan added. "It's not charity. I just don't want the team operating at half-strength. Technically, it's not against the rules to feed you if we all still test together."

"He's right."

Kurenai nodded and cast Jingyan a glance

Yes.

This was the real Kyouhiko: considerate, subtle, but deeply aware. Even now, he was mindful of Kakashi's pride.

Yesterday's harsh words… they had been meant to awaken something.

She stepped closer.

"Will you take off your mask?"

"…Okay"

Kakashi barely whispered, then pulled it down.

His famously handsome face emerged, unguarded.

Jingyan handed over the lunchbox and gently fed Kakashi with chopsticks.

Whether they had to retake the exam or not eating was essential.

Seriously!

Jiraiya was way too cooperative still hadn't shown up again!

Jingyan continued feeding Kakashi.

And Kakashi, chewing silently, swallowed his frustration with every bite.

This was the hardest meal he had ever eaten.

Just then

Whoosh!

A powerful chakra signature dropped in front of them.

"You really went and broke the rules. Looks like you want a re-evaluation, huh?"

Jiraiya's voice was calm but sharp.

"Yes."

Jingyan answered without flinching.

Jiraiya smirked coldly.

"Then this afternoon, I'll fight you with my full strength"

Kakashi's face paled. His breath hitched.

"No, I"

"will let you pass."

The second half hit like a lightning bolt.

Kakashi and Kurenai were stunned.

Even Jingyan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

But

Jiraiya clapped a hand on Jingyan's shoulder.

"Don't act so shocked, kid. You figured it out, didn't you?"

"…Maybe."

Jingyan smiled faintly. "A Sannin like you wouldn't set us up with a test we couldn't pass. I figured teamwork was the key."

Jiraiya nodded slowly.

"But you could've left him behind. That wouldn't stop me from accepting you as my student."

Jingyan didn't hesitate.

"If I'm willing to abandon a comrade just to become your disciple… would you dare trust your back to me on a mission?"

"Hahaha!"

Jiraiya burst out laughing.

Then, his face turned serious.

"Sacrifice happens in real missions. That's a fact. But no ninja, no squad, will ever entrust their lives to someone who treats their comrades as expendable."

Kyouhiko's words, and Jiraiya's reply…

They hit Kakashi like a jolt of electricity.

The life of your partner…

He fell silent.

Jingyan's words from yesterday echoed louder now:

"I came back two years after graduation. There's a reason. The way you see others is how others will see you…"

Back then, it stung. He'd felt insulted.

But now… he began to reflect.

Could it be

During that past mission… should I have acted differently?

Shouldn't I have saved them?

No!

As a ninja, mission success and rules come first. That's the law.

But…

Inside, his old beliefs were cracking, battling new understanding. Which would win?

Jingyan wasn't trying to force a miracle.

If Kakashi could be changed so easily, he wouldn't have been the team's biggest problem to begin with.

This was just the first step.

And yet

[As a Hokage, you didn't try hard to win people's hearts, but still earned their trust with your sincerity.]

[Reward: Chakra Control Ability Enhanced]

Huh?

Jingyan blinked, glancing over at Yuhi Kurenai. He wasn't surprised just a little amused.

The main objective hadn't been met…

But the side reward?

Not bad.

Any boost to chakra control?

Absolutely worth it.

Blood earned!

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