Chapter 11: Unwelcome Shadows
The morning after the infiltration exercise, Jiraiya sat cross-legged in his room, his fingers idly tapping a kunai against the wooden floor. The system had rewarded him handsomely for his performance, but the lingering presence of Danzo and the ROOT operative still gnawed at him. He opened his status screen, hoping to distract himself with progress.
---
Status
Name: Jiraiya
Level: 5
HP: 180
CP: 140
SP: 100
Strength: 7
Agility: 9
Vitality: 11
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 7
Luck: 10
Points to distribute: 5
---
He allocated two points to Agility, two to Vitality, and one to Intelligence, solidifying his focus on speed and survivability. The system chimed as his stats updated.
With his status taken care of, he reached for his Advanced Sealing Techniques skill book. His fuuinjutsu progress had been steady, but he wanted to push himself further. He unrolled a blank scroll and began sketching, his brush strokes guided by the knowledge flowing from the system.
---
Skill Progression: Advanced Sealing Techniques (Lv. 3)
Progress: 62%.
---
The symbols he drew glowed faintly, a sign of success. But just as he finished the final stroke, a knock at the door startled him. Quickly rolling up the scroll, he called out, "Come in!"
Tsunade entered, her arms crossed. "We're meeting Sensei at the training grounds. He has a mission for us."
"A mission?" Jiraiya perked up. "Finally, some action!"
"It's just a D-rank," Tsunade replied, rolling her eyes. "Don't get too excited."
"Still better than sitting around," Jiraiya said, grabbing his gear and following her out.
---
At the training grounds, Orochimaru was already there, his expression as unreadable as ever. Hiruzen stood nearby, holding a small scroll.
"This will be your first independent team mission," Hiruzen explained, handing the scroll to Tsunade. "You are to deliver this package to a merchant traveling through the eastern forest. The route is known for bandits, so stay vigilant."
"Understood, Sensei," Tsunade said, taking the scroll.
As they set off, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. It might only be a delivery mission, but it was a chance to prove himself outside the safety of the village.
---
The forest was quiet as they traveled, the sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled patterns. Orochimaru led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble. Tsunade carried the package, her steps steady but cautious. Jiraiya brought up the rear, his senses heightened by the system.
After an hour of uneventful walking, Jiraiya's Observation skill suddenly activated, sending a notification flashing across his vision.
---
Observation Activated
Hostile detected: Bandit Scout (Lv. 8).
Intent: Surveillance.
---
"Hold up," Jiraiya whispered, catching the attention of his teammates. "There's someone watching us."
"Where?" Orochimaru asked, his voice low.
Jiraiya pointed toward a cluster of trees to their left. "There. Just one for now, but I'd bet there are more."
Tsunade frowned. "What do we do?"
Orochimaru smirked. "We set a trap."
---
The bandits fell right into Orochimaru's plan. Jiraiya played the role of bait, walking ahead while his teammates hid nearby. When three bandits emerged from the underbrush, their weapons drawn, Jiraiya grinned.
"You guys picked the wrong shinobi to mess with," he said, pulling a scroll from his pouch. Activating the seal, he released a cloud of smoke, disorienting the bandits.
From the trees, Tsunade and Orochimaru sprang into action. Tsunade's punches sent two of the bandits flying, while Orochimaru's precise strikes incapacitated the third. The fight was over in seconds.
---
Quest Alert: Bandit Encounter
Objective: Defeat the bandits and ensure the package's safety.
Reward: +100 XP, +1 Strength.
---
Quest Complete: Bandit Encounter
Reward: +100 XP, +1 Strength.
---
As the notifications popped up, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. "That was almost too easy," he said, brushing off his hands.
"Don't get cocky," Orochimaru warned, his tone sharp. "There could be more."
He was right. Moments later, a deep voice boomed from the forest. "Impressive. But let's see how you handle me."
A towering figure stepped into view, his broad shoulders and scarred face marking him as the bandit leader. He carried a massive sword, and his chakra levels sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine.
---
Observation Activated
Bandit Leader (Lv. 12).
Intent: Eliminate threats.
---
Tsunade stepped forward, her fists clenched. "We'll handle this together."
Jiraiya nodded, pulling another scroll from his pouch. Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he observed the bandit leader's movements.
The fight began with a blur of motion. The bandit leader swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing the team to scatter. Tsunade charged, her punches landing with enough force to shake the ground, but the leader's size and strength made him a difficult opponent.
Jiraiya used Chakra Dash to maneuver behind the leader, activating a storage seal to release a barrage of kunai. The projectiles struck true, but the leader barely flinched, his focus remaining on Tsunade.
Orochimaru moved with deadly precision, aiming for the leader's blind spots. His strikes slowed the bandit down, but the leader's strength and durability kept him in the fight.
"We need to end this," Jiraiya shouted, pulling out an explosive tag. "Now!"
Working together, they coordinated their attacks. Tsunade distracted the leader with a barrage of punches, while Orochimaru delivered a precise strike to his leg, forcing him to stumble. Jiraiya leaped in, attaching the explosive tag to the leader's weapon and jumping back as it detonated.
The explosion knocked the leader off balance, and Tsunade delivered the finishing blow, her punch sending him crashing into a tree.
---
Quest Alert: Defeat the Bandit Leader
Objective: Neutralize the leader and secure the package.
Reward: +200 XP, +2 Strength.
---
Quest Complete: Defeat the Bandit Leader
Reward: +200 XP, +2 Strength.
---
As the dust settled, Jiraiya leaned against a tree, catching his breath. "Well, that was fun."
"Fun isn't the word I'd use," Tsunade muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
Orochimaru wiped his blade clean, his expression calm but satisfied. "You've improved, Jiraiya. Try to keep it up."
Jiraiya grinned, though the weight of the encounter still lingered. The system had pushed him to new heights, but the dangers were growing alongside his strength. He glanced at his teammates, feeling a newfound respect for their abilities.
Together, they delivered the package to the merchant without further incident. As they made their way back to the village, Jiraiya opened his status screen, noting the new notifications with satisfaction.
---
Level Up!
You are now Level 6.
+5 Attribute Points to distribute.
---
He closed the interface and looked up at the sky, determination burning in his eyes. "Whatever comes next, I'll be ready."
---
[Please give this novel a review and power stone] thank you