The team that Kakashi and Obito belonged to was unique. If it had been a regular team, they might have gone their separate ways much earlier.
Had the team disbanded sooner, the tragic fates of these three individuals could have been avoided.
The young, yellow-haired boy found himself running across the battlefield, burdened by three teammates.
After glancing at the task scroll in Jiraiya's hand, Shinki asked, "Did you get the mission?"
"Huh?"
Jiraiya was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered with a grin. "Ahaha, yes, I'll be leading a team to the front lines. The Sand Village keeps pressing into our territory, and the situation is getting tense."
"Do your best. I hope I don't see you in the medical ward someday. If you must, choose the medical ward over the morgue—it's not exactly a lucky place."
"Puh, puh, puh."
Are you serious?
I haven't even left the camp yet, and you, Hyuga Shinki, are already making such ominous remarks. Not exactly the way to give someone encouragement.
"By the way, how's your book coming along?" Shinki asked with genuine curiosity.
Jiraiya's eyes lit up. "I'm still gathering material. Once things settle down, I plan to continue writing."
"Keep at it. Aim to write something as captivating as Jiejie and Abin!"
Pure, alluring Bai Jiejie, and the brave, youthful Abin? Just the thought was thrilling.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Jiraiya asked, puzzled. "Who are Bai Jiejie and Abin?"
"You don't know them?"
"Am I supposed to?"
"Well, let me tell you. You might find inspiration in it."
As Shinki began telling the story, Jiraiya's expression gradually shifted. His initially dark complexion turned crimson, and his straight posture bent as if he were curling into himself like a cooked shrimp, seemingly suppressing an emotion.
Could this guy be turning into stone...?
Seeing Jiraiya's reaction, Shinki took a cautious step back, maintaining a safe distance.
"This is incredible! This story is brilliant. I've decided—Bai Jiejie will be the heroine of my next book! Abin's name is good too, but it needs some tweaking."
Imagining the scenes from the tale, Jiraiya's flushed face beamed with enthusiasm, a touch of drool at the corner of his mouth, his grin turning increasingly mischievous.
Hehehe...this is going to be a bestseller.
Did I just lead Jiraiya astray? Shinki wondered. Compared to the uncles from my past life, these ninja world elders are tame—barely on the fringe.
Still, even that level of excitement seemed to stir people up. If I brought out classics from my past life, it would blow their minds.
"Hahaha! With my material combined with this story, it's perfect!"
Unable to contain himself, Jiraiya put his hands on his hips and leaned back with a victorious chuckle. Unfortunately, the tent-like bulge in his pants became embarrassingly noticeable.
"Master Shinki, we need—"
At that moment, a young medical-nin walked in and froze, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, as she witnessed Jiraiya's posture.
"Pervert!!!"
Jiraiya's laughter died instantly.
"No, wait, I'm not a pervert! Listen, let me explain—"
It was too late.
The shocked medical-nin bolted, ignoring his protests, and quickly spread the story that Jiraiya was a pervert.
"Shinki, you'll help clear this up, right?"
Jiraiya, desperate and mortified, turned to Shinki for assistance.
Shinki glanced at the simmering pot on the stove. "Ah, my medicine is ready. Just in time for my next patient."
With that, Shinki grabbed the pot and made a swift exit, leaving Jiraiya standing alone, pondering the downward spiral of his life.
How could I possibly explain it? Should I tell everyone that you reacted this way because of a story I told about an emperor's uncle?
If I dared say that, I'd also earn the pervert label.
Before long, word of the "Jiraiya the Pervert" incident spread through the entire medical ward. Medical staff, ninja medics, on-duty soldiers, and patients all knew there was a pervert in the lounge who had shamelessly flaunted himself in broad daylight.
Listening to the gossip swirling around the room, Shinki could only silently offer Jiraiya a three-second tribute in his mind.
He really couldn't be blamed for this.
Who asked Jiraiya to have such a strong reaction?
Sigh...he's been that way since childhood—poor willpower and enough embarrassment to make anyone think twice.
Fortunately, Jiraiya was no stranger to these socially mortifying moments. Though deeply embarrassed, he recovered quickly and brushed it off as if nothing had happened.
It was just part of his personality. Anyone more uptight would have been livid.
Too embarrassed to remain at camp, Jiraiya quickly led his assigned team into battle.
"Brother, bear with me. The broken kunai is embedded in the bone, so it will take some effort to remove."
Shinki deftly used his chakra scalpel to sever the pain receptors of the wounded man. He sliced through flesh, extracted the broken kunai lodged in bone and tendon, then sutured and bandaged the wound, finishing with a healing jutsu to mend the severed nerves.
This kunai had been lodged in the sternum—a comparatively lucky injury.
When Shinki arrived at camp, one particularly unfortunate patient had been struck by a shuriken...in the butt. The placement was awkward—if it had been just two centimeters closer to the center, his "chrysanthemum" would have been beyond saving.
When the injured man arrived unconscious, his pants were cut for treatment, which drew the shocked attention of many onlookers.
It was a blessing he had passed out before arriving. If he'd known a crowd had witnessed his injury, he might have bled out from sheer embarrassment.
"Master Shinki, the poison in this patient is spreading."
"Master Shinki, this patient is critical—treatment needs to start immediately."
"Master Shinki..."
Late into the night, after a grueling day, Shinki slumped in a chair, barely able to move. Orochimaru entered the lounge with a pleased expression, unable to hide his smirk.
Clearly, his venture had been successful.
Unfortunately, Shinki, drained from the day's work, lacked the energy to engage with Orochimaru about puppetry.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 160 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss