The next morning.
Bright and clear skies stretched above.
With a couple of soon-to-expire fruit baskets from the discount store, Kazuya made his way leisurely toward Konoha Hospital.
There were two patients in particular he intended to visit.
One was Uchiha Itachi, recovering after barely surviving a close encounter with the Kaguya clan's Bone Pulse in the Hidden Mist Village, where he had unlocked his Three Tomoe Sharingan.
The other was Jiraiya, who had narrowly escaped being fried to a crisp by Kazuya's Kirin technique.
These two were prime experience sources for Kazuya.
One represented the powerful Sharingan, and the other had the limitless potential of Sage Mode.
Both are valuable assets.
A little support and encouragement wouldn't hurt.
Jiraiya, wrapped in bandages and lying in bed, looked deeply moved as Kazuya came to check in on him.
As he gratefully accepted the fruit basket, they began chatting.
"Haha…"
Jiraiya munched on a nearly expired apple, laughing. "You know, Kazuya, after going back to Mount Myoboku, Bunta was livid!"
"Swore he'd get even with you once he'd recovered!"
"Bunta?"
Kazuya feigned a look of surprise.
"Oh, right! I forgot you wouldn't know. Bunta's that big red toad from yesterday. A bit dense-looking, huh?"
Jiraiya chuckled, his tone friendly and lighthearted.
Maybe it was because of the battle they'd shared the day before, but his relationship with Kazuya felt much closer.
This was how it was with men.
Fight side-by-side, share a few punches, and the bond deepens naturally.
"Oh, by the way!"
Jiraiya set his half-eaten, expired apple on the table, wiped his hands on the sheet, and continued with a more serious expression, "Even though Bunta was angry, he admitted he respects your strength. The Great Toad Sage even said, if you're interested, you're welcome to form a summoning contract with Mount Myoboku."
"Honestly, the Great Toad Sage is very particular. Both Minato and I went through a lot before we were deemed worthy of a contract."
Jiraiya paused, a hint of envy in his voice, "I can't believe that big frog up in Myoboku just outright invited you to sign a summoning contract. You, of all people, managed to catch his eye without even trying!"
Kazuya couldn't help but admire Jiraiya's dedication.
Only in the entire ninja world could Jiraiya be this eager to play his role. Kazuya thought with a smile.
Kazuya had been wondering how he'd one day explain his Sage Mode; turns out, Jiraiya just handed him the perfect cover story. After all, when Kazuya activated his Sage Mode, it exuded an aura most people couldn't even detect. But for a Sage expert like Jiraiya? He'd have picked up on it immediately.
That's why, during his fight with Jiraiya, Kazuya held back from using Sage Mode.
Now…
It seemed he didn't have to worry about that anymore.
"Are you sure it's alright? Isn't it too much trouble?" Kazuya kept his face neutral, adding just a bit of polite hesitation.
"Nonsense!" Jiraiya responded, putting on a mock-serious face. "The Great Toad Sage and I know how to pick our people—we're not wrong. Plus, if you master Sage Jutsu at Myoboku, you'll grow even stronger, and that's good for the village!"
After another round of Kazuya's "reluctant" refusals, he finally "agreed" to Jiraiya's proposal.
The agreement? Once Jiraiya recovered from his injuries, they'd set off for Mount Myoboku.
With that, Kazuya's Sage Mode was set to be officially "sanctioned."
And Kazuya's ambitions didn't stop there. There aren't many people in the ninja world who can teach Sage Mode. Just Jiraiya and, maybe, a bit of Orochimaru.
Sage Jutsu experience? It was harder to come by than the Sharingan or Tailed Beast chakra—nearly as rare as Wood Release.
Kazuya had a bold idea.
He planned to expand his "experience sources" to the Three Great Summoning Grounds: Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest.
True equity meant no distinctions between humans and summons; everyone could put in the work!
Of course, the standards for the Mount Myoboku summoning contract seemed to be pretty high.
From what he recalled, only three Konoha shinobi had qualified: Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, and Naruto Uzumaki.
One of the Legendary Sannin and two Hokages—proof enough that the Great Toad Sage didn't hand out contracts lightly.
"So, why…" Kazuya wondered aloud, "Did the Great Toad Sage pick me?"
That sage had fought alongside the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, and survived encounters with Kaguya herself—no small feat.
The afternoon sun climbed higher as Kazuya made his way over to the ANBU base, stopping only to drop off another discounted fruit basket for Itachi at the hospital.
Entering the ANBU quarters, Kazuya changed into his uniform. His promotion to ANBU Commander came with an outfit upgrade. The simple white cloak was replaced by an elaborate white robe fit for a guardian of the village.
For a touch of flair, he'd had a tailor embroider four bold words on the back: Will of Fire.
The Third Hokage had been thrilled to see it, praising Kazuya's loyalty and his dedication to Konoha's principles.
At his level, hiding his identity wasn't a concern anymore.
Much like "Shisui of the Body Flicker," Kazuya's reputation now preceded him.
With victories over the Fourth Raikage, Orochimaru, and the Jinchuriki, Kazuya's name had become a nightmare for his enemies.
Walking through the base, every ANBU member he passed greeted him with the utmost respect.
"Good day, Commander!"
"Sir, welcome!"
All around, ANBU's eyes were filled with awe and admiration.
Word of Kazuya's victory over Jiraiya had spread among the ANBU ranks. Though the Third Hokage kept it quiet out of respect for his student, every ANBU operative knew Kazuya had bested one of the Legendary Sannin.
[You picked up 50 Chakra points]
[You picked up 40 Chakra points]
[You picked up 50 Combat Skill points]
[You picked up 30 Chakra points]
Bits of glowing energy flowed from his comrades' awe-filled presence, slipping into Kazuya's system.
Satisfied, Kazuya moved on, feeling content.
Inside his office, he soon called in Kurenai Yuhi, Kakashi Hatake, and Shisui Uchiha for a quick meeting.
Since returning from the Hidden Mist, Shisui had requested to be reassigned to the ANBU main unit, and now he'd be working directly under Kazuya.
After discussing some matters, Kurenai, Kakashi, and Shisui left the office.
It didn't take long for big news to spread throughout ANBU.
…
Note: If you are interested, read up to chapter 135 at patreon.com/MythicForge11