Jiraiya's Death Crisis

At this moment, Uchiha Chen and Mikoto left Tsunade's side and returned to Dodai.

Back by the Dodai used for fighting, Uchiha Chen saw that Minato, who had just been sleeping soundly off to the side, was already awake.

"Awake, Minato?" Uchiha Chen asked.

"Hehe, yeah." Minato Namikaze turned his golden-haired head toward Uchiha Chen and grinned, signaling that he was fine.

"Chen, why do you look so awful? Didn't Lady Tsunade treat you?" Minato asked with concern.

"That woman..." Uchiha Chen looked terrified.

"Are the second-years done fighting?" Uchiha Chen asked.

"The top three spots have been decided. You, Mikoto, and me."

"Nawaki just gave up his match. I don't know why, but he also looked terrible. Was he injured?" Minato asked.

"Uh, it's a long story. He probably suffered some serious emotional trauma. He needs a psychologist," Uchiha Chen explained.

"But it's fine. It'll be easy enough for him to get guidance from Lady Tsunade and the others. Let's count it as him doing us a favor by giving up his spot to us," Uchiha Chen continued.

Minato nodded and did not ask any more questions.

Minato was quite happy to have secured third place. After all, it had been difficult for him to stand out among opponents in the same grade.

"What do we do next? The three of us fight another round? Or are we going to start the rankings... no, I mean, start fighting the other grades?"

"Yes, that's right. Now a new round of competition will begin, with each grade forming a team. I heard the specific rankings will be judged by the Third Hokage's disciples based on performance."

Isn't that blatant rigging...? Uchiha Chen grumbled inwardly. By the end, all it took was for the Sannin to make the call. If they said you were good, then you were good. If they said you weren't, you might not even make the top three.

This was what they called an appointed outcome.

"That sounds pretty fair," Minato said happily.

"Fair my ass," Uchiha Chen said.

"...?"

"Nothing." Uchiha Chen shook his head before saying, "Work hard from here on out, Minato."

"Okay, I'll work hard!"

"Mikoto, you need to work hard too."

"Of course. I'll work hard for Chen too~"

"That's nice." After patting Mikoto on the head, Uchiha Chen shifted his gaze toward where the Sannin were standing.

Sure enough, once all the students had finished fighting, Jiraiya formed Hand Seals again and dispelled the Dodai set up for the students' battles. After that, Orochimaru also began forming Hand Seals. Before long, an enormous Dodai, far larger than the previous one, rose high into the air.

"Everyone, rest for half an hour. The second round of battles will continue this afternoon. Eliminated students who do not wish to stay and watch may return to their classrooms for lessons in the afternoon."

After saying this in his hoarse, seductive voice, Orochimaru used Body Flicker to leave. Seeing this, Tsunade eagerly departed as well, apparently planning to squeeze in a visit to the casino for a few rounds.

As for Jiraiya, he glanced at Uchiha Chen below the platform, wiggled his eyebrows, and revealed a mysterious, confident smile. After gesturing at him, he hurried toward the direction Princess Tsunade had left. He looked so anxious that it was as if he had already found himself a girlfriend.

The three of them really were all scheming in their own ways.

Tsunade was already irritated, so she probably was not in a particularly good mood. If Jiraiya suddenly launched a surprise attack now, she would probably explode.

Watching Jiraiya's hurried figure, Uchiha Chen smiled excitedly, looking as though he were waiting for a good show.

"Chen, what's wrong?"

Uchiha Chen and Mikoto did not leave the Ninja Academy's Training Ground. Instead, they casually found a shady spot to sit down, and Mikoto took out a prepared lunch box from a Scroll sealed with a Seal.

"Nothing. I was just wondering whether Lord Jiraiya might run into something good," Uchiha Chen said with a chuckle, offering no further explanation.

"Honestly, that won't do, Chen. You definitely aren't thinking anything nice." As she handed him a bowl and chopsticks, Mikoto complained adorably.

Ever since Mikoto discovered that Uchiha Chen's lunch consisted of nothing but salt and water, she had taken it upon herself to make his meals.

Uchiha Chen had naturally refused in the strongest terms. Seriously, wouldn't that make it seem like he was living off a woman? Even if Uchiha Chen starved to death, he would never... Mmm... so delicious!

"Huh, today it's meatballs and hairy crab?" Uchiha Chen unceremoniously picked up a hairy crab with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth, while calling for Minato beside him to come eat as well.

The outside was crisp, while the meat inside remained perfectly juicy.

"Delicious! Mikoto's cooking is truly incredible."

"Hehe, as long as Chen likes it."

Seeing Uchiha Chen happily eating the food she had made, Mikoto smiled shyly. Then she sat beside him and quietly began eating as well.

This warm scene was practically blinding Minato's blue eyes. Helplessly, he looked at Uchiha Chen's lunch box, then at the hard steamed bun in his own hand.

In the end, he ran over to mooch a meal too.

What happened to a ninja's dignity?

Minato also began considering whether he should find a girlfriend—at the very least, one who could cook!

"Die, Jiraiya! Atone with your death! Otherwise, I'll send you straight to hell!" Tsunade's rough, booming roar came from afar.

Even Uchiha Chen and the others could feel the fury mixed into her voice.

"What? Did Lord Jiraiya make Lady Tsunade lose it again?!" Mikoto asked worriedly.

It seemed everyone in Konoha knew that Jiraiya's reputation among ninjas was not particularly good.

"Calm down, Tsunade! Orochimaru, hurry up and help me stop this lunatic!" Jiraiya pleaded urgently, as though he were undergoing a trial of life and death.

"Orochimaru, don't interfere with me. I'm going to send Jiraiya to the afterlife! Otherwise, I'll take you down with him." Tsunade's chilling words drifted over, making Uchiha Chen shudder.

As expected of the Three Sannin. Her killing intent alone made his skin sting—and that was only Tsunade's killing intent.

After a brief silence.

"Go to hell, Jiraiya! Heavenly Foot of Pain—"

She had already used Ninjutsu?

"Someone, help! Tsunade has gone crazy! Teacher Sarutobi, come save me!" Jiraiya made his final struggle.

"Boom!!!"

A violent tremor came from the distant reaches of Konoha Village. Even Uchiha Chen, far away at the Ninja Academy, felt the ground shake.

Lord Jiraiya, I'll remember your heroic sacrifice.

Having set Jiraiya up, Uchiha Chen thought this without the slightest sense of responsibility. A smug smile appeared on his face.

"Chen, what's got you so happy?" After spending so much time with Uchiha Chen, Mikoto had basically figured out the meaning behind his every move. Seeing his excited expression, she knew Uchiha Chen was definitely very pleased.