The training field, marked with numerous signs of previous practice, stretched out before them.
Minato and Kushina leaned against a training post, having waited from morning until noon.
Kushina's stomach grumbled. She hadn't eaten anything.
"Why aren't those two idiots here yet?" she grumbled.
Minato also felt the pangs of hunger but managed to bear it. Neither Jiraiya nor Gin had shown up.
As Kushina vented her frustration on a wooden post, suddenly, with a "poof," a large toad appeared before them.
From atop the toad, a figure emerged, announcing loudly, "The Toad Sage from Mount Myoboku, the great Jiraiya, has arrived!"
Jiraiya struck a dramatic pose, speaking with a theatrical tone.
"Get down here!" Kushina suddenly appeared behind Jiraiya and kicked at him.
Jiraiya sidestepped, avoiding Kushina's attack with a light push, sending her back down.
Kushina flipped and landed gracefully.
Jiraiya chuckled. These kids were quite skilled in taijutsu.
With another "poof," the large toad disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Jiraiya landed lightly next to Kushina.
"Don't underestimate me. Last time, I went easy on you."
He had indeed let them beat him up last time to test their abilities, though he didn't expect such a thorough beating.
"But where's that kid, Gin?"
Jiraiya scanned the area, not seeing any sign of Gin. The kid wouldn't have skipped, would he?
His face darkened. If that were the case, he had the authority to send him back to the ninja academy. Even Orochimaru wouldn't object. Talent alone didn't give one the right to act recklessly.
"I'm here."
A pile of dry leaves stirred, and Gin emerged, yawning, from a hidden pit covered with leaves.
If not for walking over it, the hidden pit would be hard to notice.
None of them had expected such a trick.
"Ahem." Jiraiya coughed twice. "Utilizing your environment is an essential skill for a ninja."
"You definitely didn't expect that!" Kushina, always one to burst bubbles, pointed out. Jiraiya had clearly been surprised; she had seen it.
Realizing he couldn't fool them, Jiraiya quickly changed the subject.
"Alright, now I'll be conducting your real ninja test."
"Didn't we already pass the test?" Minato asked, concerned.
Jiraiya smiled as he explained.
"Passing the academy test means you're qualified to become a ninja. My test determines if you can become genin."
"If you fail my test, I can send you back to the academy."
Minato hesitated, wanting to ask about the other students who had become ninjas but held back.
"Enough scaring the kids. Haven't you noticed Kushina's face turning white? Just tell us the test already."
Gin interrupted Jiraiya's scary atmosphere, urging him to start.
"Who's turning white!!" Kushina shouted, her face indeed pale.
"Heh." Gin chuckled coldly.
Kushina's temper flared.
"A fight to the death, Uchiha!!"
"Hold on, you two!"
Jiraiya intervened, stopping the imminent brawl.
"Any grudges can be settled after the test."
Jiraiya took out two bells, attaching them to his belt as he explained the test.
"Your task is to get these two bells. One bell means one person becomes a genin."
Kushina pointed at the two bells, "But you only have two."
Jiraiya's smile faded into a serious expression.
"Meaning only two of you can become genin."
Before Kushina could protest, Jiraiya started the test.
"Now, begin!!"
Instantly, Kushina and Minato vanished, leaving Gin leaning against a post, tilting his head at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sensei, is there anyone else here besides us?"
Gin's keen senses told him that since Jiraiya's arrival, the hidden observers had left.
Jiraiya didn't understand Gin's meaning but nodded. With his presence, all the Anbu and even Root operatives had withdrawn. Not even the Third Hokage's surveillance could penetrate the barrier Jiraiya had set up. So yes, no one else could observe them.
"Good, that makes things easier."
Gin clapped his hands and approached Jiraiya.
He had decided to reveal his true abilities. Becoming Jiraiya's student meant he could showcase his talents, and with both Jiraiya and Orochimaru supporting him, he felt safer.
Showing his abilities would also clarify that he wasn't the waste everyone thought he was.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I'm going all out."
Jiraiya chuckled. No matter how talented, a newly graduated student couldn't possibly hurt him, a seasoned elite Jonin.
"Looks like I need to show you the difference in our strength."
The next moment, Gin moved, appearing behind Jiraiya.
Soru! "Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya's silver hair hardened, wrapping around his body.
Gin landed and used Soru to retreat.
Jiraiya had already completed his next jutsu.
"Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane!"
His hair extended rapidly, sweeping towards Gin.
Gin could only use Soru to dodge rapidly.
Jiraiya noticed Gin forming hand signs as he dodged.
Isn't he supposed to be unable to use jutsu?
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Gin spat out flames in all directions, setting Jiraiya's hair on fire.
As Jiraiya retracted his hair, Minato appeared behind him.
"Chance!!"
Minato aimed for the bells on Jiraiya's waist.
Jiraiya grabbed Minato's hand but was surprised by Minato's strength. He couldn't hold on.
Before Minato could reach the bells, Jiraiya disappeared in a puff of smoke, reappearing behind Minato.
But he heard a yell from behind.
"Die a hundred times!!"
Kushina's fist, wrapped in golden chains, came crashing down.
Jiraiya sidestepped, grabbing Kushina's wrist, and threw her at Minato.
The two rolled together.
As Jiraiya prepared to act, several shuriken clashed in the air, changing direction and flying towards him.
Jiraiya had to abandon the two, jumping to avoid the attack.
Minato and Kushina disappeared.
Looking up, Jiraiya saw Gin had also vanished.
"Finally understanding that ninjas don't fight fair."
No, something was off. Jiraiya sensed a slight movement behind him.
Turning quickly, Gin was already close.
His arms transformed into black shadows, striking at Jiraiya.
"Self-Push Technique: Snake-Live!"
Jiraiya defended, but Gin's shadowy arms struck like venomous snakes, causing intense pain.
He saw a shadow reaching for his bells.
"Ninja Art: Shed Skin Technique!"
Jiraiya's body deflated, and the shadows shredded it.
Gin jumped just in time to avoid being grabbed by a hand from the ground.
Jiraiya, emerging from the ground, didn't look relaxed. He quickly jumped up.
Silver chains emerged from the ground, wrapping around Jiraiya's legs.
Minato, stepping on the chains, rushed towards Jiraiya.
He threw a kunai.
Jiraiya dodged the kunai, forming hand signs.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
His face puffed up like a toad, spewing flames.
Minato disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Behind him!
Jiraiya turned to find Minato emerging from the ground.
No, there's more!
Gin appeared in front of him.
Soru! ×2 Two shadows crossed paths, targeting Jiraiya.
"So strong!"
Jiraiya looked at the chains binding him and the injuries on his body.
These academy students were too strong!
"Poof!"
Jiraiya vanished in smoke.
Minato, landing, found the bell turned to dust.
Silver hair sprouted from the ground, binding Minato and Kushina.
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique."
Only Gin, moving quickly, dodged the attack.
Jiraiya emerged from the ground.
"It's over!"
"Not yet!"
Gin aimed his hands, forming a gun shape, at Jiraiya.
A blue energy ball spun at the tip.
"What is this?"
"Spirit Gun!!"
A blue beam pierced through Jiraiya.
(End of Chapter)