Jiraiya

Biodata

Background / History

Jiraiya graduated twelve years before Team 7's formation alongside Tsunade and Orochimaru, with Hiruzen Sarutobi as their jonin instructor. Known as a civilian genius, he became one of Konoha's standout young jonin. 3

At Hiruzen's request, Jiraiya became a jonin instructor for a graduating team. He had specifically sought Minato Namikaze as a student; when Hiruzen signaled for Akashi Uchiha to be added, Jiraiya interpreted the order by removing Hiruzen's own son from the previously planned lineup. 3

Although initially uncomfortable with Akashi's Uchiha pride, Jiraiya took responsibility for his first team. He introduced its members to the Kage Rock and taught that becoming Hokage requires gaining everyone's recognition; he also stated his own ambition to become a bestselling author. 4 5

Jiraiya and his former teammates grew up during a relatively peaceful period. With another major war approaching, he recognized that they could not guarantee the same upbringing for their students and instead had to prepare them to survive and secure victory. 16

Hiruzen gave Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru opportunities to attempt the Rashomon trial. After failing, Jiraiya impulsively signed a similar-looking scroll he had found, which transported him to Mount Myoboku. He subsequently passed the toad sage's trial and became a link between Mount Myoboku and Konoha. 168

The prolonged war and devastation of the Land of Rain eventually traumatized Jiraiya. His insistence on remaining there outside his normal mission assignments arose from that distress, with his attachment to Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan developing afterward. Hiruzen provisionally allowed him to stay, provided he maintained contact and immediately resumed mission duties in an emergency. 358

By the Rōran period, Jiraiya still spends most of his time caring for the Land of Rain children and rarely accepts missions. Despite this reduced involvement in ordinary duties, he obtains the Flying Thunder God Technique training scroll from Hiruzen and passes it to Minato. 410

Personality

Jiraiya combines an irreverent, teasing manner with serious responsibility toward his students. He deliberately arrived two hours late for the bell test to gauge the team's patience, then maintained a stern front even after recognizing their potential. 13 17

His teaching favors firsthand failure followed by direct critique. He sharply identifies tactical errors—such as Akashi's reckless attacks, Ranwu's indiscriminate Water Release, and Minato's mistimed ambush—but also recognizes the protective intent behind Akashi taking the dangerous frontline role. 15 16

Jiraiya adapts his guidance to individual students. He gives Akashi practical theory on chakra transformations, permits Ranwu to pursue difficult genjutsu after being consulted, and brings Minato to Mount Myoboku after identifying his potential. 18 50 123 133

His stern language often conceals indulgent actions. During the successful bell-test retake, he recognized Minato's final maneuver but allowed the team to obtain the bell so that they could experience success. He also openly uses his own mistakes as teaching examples, admitting that he and Torifu had let their guard down before Kirigakure's ambush. 17 75

Jiraiya's lecherous behavior is a recurring source of embarrassment. He describes watching a bathhouse as gathering writing material, and later eavesdrops on a conversation about Tsunade's feelings toward him, only to be caught and beaten after his students abandon him. 23 305

Although capable of arduous missions and small-team leadership, he finds coordinating a widely dispersed force exhausting. As Supply Force commander, he candidly acknowledges his subordinates' misconduct and looks forward to Orochimaru's arrival to ease his burden rather than maintaining an official pretense in front of Akaseki. 292

His compassion does not make him entirely detached from Konoha's strategic interests. He offers assistance to the Land of Iron without Orochimaru's reluctance, but later clarifies that his concern over Orochimaru's negotiations is primarily the growing ideological rift between Orochimaru and Hiruzen. He considers himself unsuited to becoming Hokage and worries that Orochimaru's succession ambitions could worsen that conflict. 153 171

His care for war orphans includes sensitivity to their trauma. He objects to Akaseki immediately questioning Nagato about his parents' deaths, believing that any remaining details can be learned gradually without forcing the child to relive the incident. He also offers all three children a place in Konoha, treating their willingness to join the village as more important than distant ancestry. 353 354

Jiraiya remains supportive when his former students reach his own level or beyond. He accepts Akaseki's appointment as captain of their special operations squad, admires the synergy between his student's Sage Mode and Swamp Release, and reassures him that a plateau in conventional chakra growth is not a reason for anxiety. 377 381

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu and Combat

Jiraiya is an elite jonin capable of effortlessly suppressing inexperienced genin while evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in real time.

• Dispelled Akashi's Sharingan-enhanced False Surroundings Technique without hand seals. 13
• Used substitution to escape the Starch Syrup Capturing Field and captured all three students after their coordinated assault. 14
• Defended against Akashi and Ranwu's combined Fire and Water Style attack with Earth Style: Earth Flow Wave. 17
• Used Earth Style: Rock Pillar Technique to restrain Akashi during the bell-test assessment. 15 16
• Fought Rain ninja with Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bullet, combining his flames with Gamabunta's oil. 178
• Began with Fire Style chakra nature transformation and later awakened Earth Style. His Earth Flow Wave can be formed directly from chakra when drawing soil from the ground is impractical. 17
• Can use Wind Release, although the unexplained injuries of the murdered Supply Force chunin do not match the ordinary effects he expects from wind-based attacks. 294
• Primarily specializes in Fire Style and Earth Style. After witnessing Akaseki's senjutsu-enhanced Swamp Release, he acknowledges that even his strongest Earth Style technique falls far short of the student's Swamp Monster. 381
• Can wrap himself in his long white hair. During the infiltration of Lingering Rain Mountain, he emerges from a toad's mouth in this protected, hair-wrapped form. 377
• Does not know the Flying Thunder God Technique himself. His contribution to Minato's study of the forbidden technique is obtaining its training scroll from Hiruzen and handing it to his student, rather than demonstrating personal mastery. 410

Summoning Techniques and Mount Myoboku

Jiraiya holds a direct contract with Mount Myoboku and serves as its envoy to Konoha.

• Can summon different Mount Myoboku toads, including Gamabunta and Gamaken, allowing them to rotate during prolonged fighting. 74 178
• Uses Reverse Summoning Technique to travel to Mount Myoboku with Minato. 123
• Uses Mount Myoboku as a relay to transmit messages, scrolls, and items over long distances. 167 168
• Passed Mount Myoboku's sage trial after failing the Rashomon trial and impulsively signing a Mount Myoboku scroll. 168
• Forwarded Akaseki's written Wind Pressure Technique and his own mission report through Mount Myoboku to Konoha. The same communication network later supports Orochimaru's activities inside Kumogakure. 168 189
• Uses a small toad to infiltrate through swamp terrain while concealed inside its body. 377
• Uses Stage-Pressing Technique, a long-range summoning application that drops a giant toad onto an enemy as a crushing attack. He names the application on the spot when summoning Gamahiro onto the Great Salamander King. 379
• Mount Myoboku's toads have no particular resistance to salamander toxins. Gamahiro's contact with the Great Salamander King's poison-coated back causes immediate discomfort, limiting the advantage of the crushing summon. 376 379
• Has learned some information about the other two Great Sage Regions through Mount Myoboku. He considers cooperation between Ryūchi Cave and the Uchiha plausible, but doubts Akaseki's claim that the cave has actually pledged itself to the clan. 377

Sage Mode

Jiraiya can enter Sage Mode. By the Supply Force investigation, he recognizes that subduing the greatly strengthened Akaseki might be difficult even for him without using it. This is an assessment of their relative abilities rather than a depicted fight between them. 295

His Sage Mode comes from Mount Myoboku. Rather than ordinarily retaining senjutsu chakra in his body, he produces it when needed; its principal effect is to enhance the properties of his chakra, with bodily changes occurring as a secondary effect. Mount Myoboku's mode broadly strengthens ninjutsu rather than providing the same physical enhancement as Ryūchi Cave's mode. 367 381

His proficiency remains limited. He cannot use Sage Mode independently and cannot activate it consistently, making further advancement through it difficult. Nevertheless, his senjutsu studies also benefit his ordinary ninjutsu training even when he is not using Sage Mode. A later explanatory passage specifies that he requires the cooperation of toads; the earlier descriptions do not identify the assistance he needs. 381 397

Jiraiya has explained Mount Myoboku's training risks to Orochimaru: loss of control causes the practitioner to become increasingly frog-like, and complete failure results in petrification. 369

In an authorial clarification, Jiraiya is described as having studied senjutsu in his youth and already possessing a fairly basic level of Sage Mode during the novel's depicted period. The author explicitly adopts differing levels of Sage Mode mastery for this setting, rather than treating acquisition as an immediate, fixed increase to its maximum combat effectiveness. This clarification explains Jiraiya's established limitations; it does not depict a new advancement or a newly dated training event. 401

The same commentary identifies Jiraiya as the source of Orochimaru's earlier knowledge of Sage Mode and an influence on Orochimaru's desire to obtain it. It also describes the intended protagonist comparison as somewhat stronger than the Sannin at the corresponding point in their lives, with additional abilities, rather than automatically placing him among high-tier Kage. These statements concern the author's intended framework, not a depicted battle between Jiraiya and Akaseki. 401

Sealing Techniques

Jiraiya is capable of teaching basic sealing techniques. Hiruzen considers him sufficient for that task when discussing Akaseki's reward, but prefers assigning Orochimaru because instruction from Akaseki's existing team leader would not constitute as distinctive a reward. 194

Instruction and Tactical Assessment

Jiraiya's instruction emphasizes control, application, and teamwork rather than merely accumulating techniques.

• Explained the distinction between emission-type Fire/Lightning Release and physical-type Earth/Water Release, directing Akashi to prioritize nature transformation for Fire and Lightning and shape transformation for Earth. 18
• Privately demonstrated three B-rank Earth Style techniques absent from the Uchiha inheritance, then explained their theory after Akashi exhausted his ocular power copying them. 17
• Warned Ranwu that the Strength of a Hundred demands delicate chakra control and can injure an unprepared user. 14
• Guided Minato toward sensory training and variant summoning techniques after Mount Myoboku revealed Minato's aptitude. 50 133
• Warned Akashi against relying on copied techniques without further practice, explaining that advanced chakra transformations and secret techniques cannot necessarily be copied by the Sharingan. 18
• Prepared Minato to fight using formulas after recognizing his combined sensory and space-time aptitude, while maintaining that attempting Tobirama's associated forbidden technique was still premature. 133
• Used Kirigakure's political upheaval and Kumogakure's internal power struggles to encourage his students to think beyond the immediate requirements of their mission. 40 41 42 43 44
• Explained Hanzō's poison as war-grade ninjutsu, emphasizing its ability to form the core of a village's battlefield tactics rather than merely its destructive scale. 151
• Advised Akaseki that newly awakened chakra-based kekkei genkai can initially be difficult to manifest freely, and that repeated use of the corresponding techniques can help the user adapt. 171
• Teaches Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan basic ninja skills, writing, and practical survival. His goal is their ability to live independently, and he travels through the Land of Rain with them rather than keeping them at a Konoha base. 355 376 377
• Identified the danger of the Great Salamander King reverse-summoning Hanzō during the Lingering Rain Mountain operation. 377
• Explained that physical maturation increases chakra capacity through greater physical energy, but that Akaseki's existing development and neglected conditioning had made further gains less noticeable. He recommended renewed physical training rather than assuming Sage Mode eliminated the need for it. 381
• Explained that advancement beyond conventional limits often requires a special avenue such as Sage Mode, a kekkei genkai, or synergy among one's strongest abilities. He cited Hiruzen's coordinated elemental skills as an example and praised Akaseki's combination of Swamp Release and Inorganic Reincarnation. 381
• Obtained the Flying Thunder God Technique training scroll from Hiruzen for Minato despite not knowing the technique himself. 410

Investigation and Forensic Judgment

Jiraiya combines battlefield experience with cautious interpretation of incomplete evidence.

• Added to Akaseki's analysis of a poisoned village by noting that the victims' failure to escape suggested an accompanying concealment or disorientation effect. 151
• Authorized the dissection of Kota's corpse and arranged for Yamanaka specialists to attempt reading the dead chunin's memories. He emphasized that unfamiliar kekkei genkai and secret techniques could make an attack difficult to identify from bodies alone. 294 295
• Compared Black Zetsu's reported plant manipulation and regeneration with accounts of Hashirama's Wood Release, noting significant differences instead of immediately treating the powers as identical. 302
• Recognized that Hanzō's sudden disappearance during the salamander battle resulted from the injured Great Salamander King becoming unable to maintain the chakra output needed for Reverse Summoning. 381

Power Progression

Story Role / Major Arcs

Team 7 Formation and Bell Test

Jiraiya forms Team 7 with Akashi Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, and Ranwu. He uses the bell test to force the three early graduates to cooperate, initially defeats their poorly coordinated attack, then awards them headbands after they combine Ranwu's oil net, Akashi's Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, and Minato's substitution feint to take a bell. 3 13 14 17

Although Akashi and Ranwu believe they succeeded because Jiraiya became careless, he actually notices Minato's final plan and deliberately allows the bell to be taken. Minato vaguely recognizes the concession but does not spoil his teammates' celebration. 17

Early Missions

On the team's first C-rank mission to the Flower Capital, Jiraiya gives the genin unusual operational freedom while remaining available as their supervising jonin. After they complete the mission, he covers their expenses and divides the reward generously, giving each student 8,200 ryo. 21 22 25 28

He chooses the C-rank assignment despite the team's recent graduation, but immediately reprimands all three for signing the mission documents without reading them. He also permits Akaseki to learn Earth Style from Yashiro so long as it does not interfere with their duties. 21 25

During the trip, Jiraiya encounters Hiruko and initially greets him as a familiar acquaintance. Hiruko's formal response makes Jiraiya feel the distance that has developed between them. 24

By April 30, roughly six weeks after graduation, Akaseki has completed six C-rank and six D-rank missions under Jiraiya. 29

Kirigakure Conflict

Jiraiya joins Torifu's command for a B-rank mission to eliminate pirates threatening the Land of Waves. He explains that the country's request for Konoha's help has broader political significance because the surrounding seas traditionally fall within Kirigakure's sphere of influence. 40

Before continuing the mission, he accompanies Torifu and the younger ninja to the ruins of Uzushio. Both adults had friends among the Uzumaki, and Jiraiya protects Torifu's private mourning by leading the others out of the Mask Storage Hall. That night, he answers Team 7's questions about the massacre and Tobirama's death, identifying Kumogakure as the likely attacker without claiming definitive proof. 41 42 43

Jiraiya and Torifu Akimichi intervene when Kirigakure ninja ambush Akaseki's group near the Whirlpool Sea. Jiraiya summons a giant toad, condemns the attack on his students, and accepts Kirigakure's surrender while demanding their ninja tools as compensation rather than escalating the conflict. 74

The demanded compensation includes the Bloodthirsty Star Iron and the completed Kabutowari, overriding the earlier arrangement that would have allowed Kirigakure to take the ore. During the return voyage, Jiraiya admits that he and Torifu were also caught in an ambush, but escaped because the attackers lacked sufficient strength to defeat them. 74 75

Return to the Land of Whirlpools

Jiraiya assigns Team 7 a B-rank mission to retrieve sealed resources from the former Land of Whirlpools. Kushina accompanies them with two Anbu so that she can pay respects at her clan's former home. 82

After Akaseki nearly drowns and is rescued by Ranwu, Jiraiya scolds him for recklessness and requires a written self-criticism alongside the mission report. On returning to Konoha, he is summoned by Hiruzen and Danzō to recount the incident, only then realizing that the leadership considers it more than an ordinary mission mishap. 86

Chunin Exams and Specialized Training

Jiraiya is proud of Team 7's performance in the preliminaries, particularly their ability to protect their accumulated gains rather than recklessly pursue first place after the mysterious attack. He respects Akaseki and Ranwu's clan-arranged training while reminding them to balance their efforts. He then takes Minato to Mount Myoboku through reverse summoning. 123

When Minato displays space-time aptitude, Jiraiya acknowledges that he has already begun preparing him through formula-based combat, although he considers Tobirama's associated forbidden technique too dangerous to attempt immediately. 133

Rain Ninja Campaign

During the conflict involving Amegakure, Jiraiya investigates the consequences of poisonous-mist attacks, stresses that ostensibly logistical missions can be as dangerous as war, and works beside Orochimaru against Rain ninja. 151 157

When Orochimaru's attempt to pressure the Land of Iron fails, Jiraiya approaches Swordmaster Tetsuji with an offer of assistance. Tetsuji identifies the locations under the greatest defensive pressure, allowing the group to seek threatened supply points and Rain ninja mobile squads. 153 156

After Orochimaru identifies Akaseki's awakening of Wind Release while asleep, Jiraiya urges him to teach the student Wind Release ninjutsu. Jiraiya is surprised by the awakening and accepts Orochimaru's explanation linking it to the Uchiha's emotional stimulation. 154

Jiraiya supports Akaseki when Orochimaru's technical explanations prove poorly suited to the student's understanding. Later, he praises Akaseki's practical Wind Pressure Technique and sends its instructions to Konoha through Mount Myoboku. 156 167 168

At the valley ambush, he and Gamabunta use Toad Oil Flame Bullet to inflict major casualties. When Gamabunta can no longer endure the poison mist, Jiraiya promptly replaces him with Gamaken. 178

Supply Force Command and Reputation Crisis

Jiraiya later commands Konoha's Supply Force in the Land of Rain. Following a poor harvest in the Land of Fire, the force collects grain under a taxation provision in the ceasefire agreement. Its limited manpower and broad area of responsibility contribute to rough treatment of civilians and damage Konoha's reputation. 292

Akaseki and Nonō arrive at headquarters on January 17, with Akaseki assigned as a Military Police Force representative to supervise collection and address accusations against Konoha. Jiraiya welcomes his former student, admits that some incidents were fabricated using the Transformation Technique but that genuine misconduct also occurred, and expresses relief that Orochimaru is expected to arrive with new graduates in roughly two months. 292

Ranwu is subsequently transferred to the supply unit to provide medical treatment in refugee settlements. Her assignment supports civilian relief and offers Konoha a means of repairing its damaged public image. 305

Rinnegan and Wood Release Investigation

Jiraiya and Akaseki investigate the deaths of a Land of Rain couple and two Konoha chunin, Kota and Awu. The civilians appear to have been accidentally killed by panicked shinobi, whereas the chunin's injuries suggest an unfamiliar force. Jiraiya permits Akaseki to dissect Kota and requests Yamanaka memory analysis. 294

Akaseki's unseen Hell Yama King identifies injuries matching Shinra Tensei, but Akaseki does not immediately disclose that conclusion. Jiraiya initially believes the examination has produced no conclusive result. Subsequent Yamanaka examination finds that both chunin's memories were destroyed by a violent mental shock, and Jiraiya allows Akaseki to return to the scene while warning him to be careful. 294 295

After Akaseki encounters the mysterious Rinnegan user and Black Zetsu, he reports the battle to Jiraiya without naming the former as Madara. Jiraiya checks his student's condition, examines the reported plant-like powers, and questions whether the enemies' presence was connected to the red-haired orphan whose parents died in the incident. He reassures Akaseki that being forced to retreat does not make the child's unknown fate his fault. 302

Jiraiya informs Tsunade of Akaseki's report, prompting her to visit secretly. He leaves when she insists on questioning Akaseki privately; during that conversation, Akaseki provides her with the further identification of the enemy as Madara. 303

The resulting intelligence prompts Hiruzen to assign Jiraiya and Orochimaru to investigate the suspected Rinnegan and Wood Release enemy. The same security concerns contribute to Konoha's decision to restart Hashirama-cell experiments on January 30, Year 38; Jiraiya is assigned investigative duties, not identified as a participant in those experiments. 305

Orochimaru's Marriage and Iwagakure Countermeasures

Jiraiya teases Orochimaru about his concealed ambition to become Hokage. When he later learns that Orochimaru intends to marry into the Uchiha Clan, he questions both Orochimaru and Akaseki and fears that Hiruzen will mistakenly assume he helped arrange it because Orochimaru is registered with his supply force. 306 309

Jiraiya and Tsunade subsequently arrive at the headquarters of the newly established Iwagakure Countermeasure Force on the same day as Akaseki. Overall command of the new unit belongs to Orochimaru. 316

Caring for the Rain Orphans

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru undertake an S-rank mission in the western Land of Rain. During this period, Jiraiya encounters Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. Orochimaru identifies Nagato as the surviving child of the civilians accidentally killed by chunin under Jiraiya's former command; Jiraiya had not immediately recognized him because Akaseki had never supplied the child's name. 352 353

Jiraiya initially intends to care for the children and teach them self-defense without bringing up his connection to the incident. Once the matter is exposed, he openly decides to stay with them and asks Tsunade and Orochimaru to return first. He also offers to welcome the children into Konoha if they wish to go there. 353

When Akaseki questions Nagato about the deaths, Jiraiya objects to reopening the child's painful memories. Tsunade nevertheless allows the questioning to proceed. Nagato reports seeing the two Konoha ninja, losing consciousness, and awakening outside the village; his unexplained relocation leaves Akaseki suspicious. Jiraiya asks his former teammates to cover his duties, accepts Nonō's offer to help, and remains with the children. 354

He subsequently wanders through the Land of Rain with the orphans, teaching them independent survival rather than bringing them to a Konoha base. Hiruzen provisionally approves his leave on the condition that he remain reachable and immediately respond to emergency assignments. The decision also reflects concern over psychological trauma among Konoha's wartime personnel. 355 358

Over the following year, Jiraiya develops the children's basic ninja and practical skills while seeking firsthand understanding of the suffering caused by war. By Akaseki's later visit, they have learned traps and signaling, and Jiraiya has also taught them writing. 376 377

His continued commitment to the children is reaffirmed during the Rōran period, when he is described as spending nearly all his time with them and rarely undertaking missions. 410

Lingering Rain Mountain Operation

On August 1, Konoha Year 40, Orochimaru assigns Akaseki an S-rank wartime mission to strike Lingering Rain Mountain, which has been left under the protection of giant salamanders while Amegakure's main force attacks the southeastern Land of Wind. Orochimaru appoints Akaseki captain and Jiraiya a team member, refusing to let Akaseki attempt the operation alone. 376

Akaseki follows Jiraiya's coded trail and reaches his cabin three days later. Jiraiya and Yahiko are gathering herbs while Nagato prepares medicine for the ill Konan. Akaseki pretends to be a kidnapper, disables the children's signal flare, and grabs Konan; Jiraiya returns in time to reveal his identity and interrupt the prank. 376

After reviewing the mission scroll, Jiraiya accepts Akaseki's leadership and recognizes the value of the student's ability to summon numerous giant snakes. He warns that scattered Rain ninja may remain and that the Great Salamander King can use Reverse Summoning to recall Hanzō. The two infiltrate through a swamp, with Jiraiya concealed in a small toad and wrapped in his own hair. 377

During the battle, Jiraiya moves to assist the giant snakes struggling against the Great Salamander King. He uses Stage-Pressing Technique to summon Gamahiro above it, crushing down onto the salamander and narrowly saving two snakes, although the poison coating its back forces Gamahiro to move away. 379

Hanzō later forces Jiraiya back but vanishes before Jiraiya can counterattack. Jiraiya identifies the cause as the badly injured Great Salamander King losing the ability to maintain Reverse Summoning. Hanzō summons the salamander away to preserve its life, while Akaseki's snakes overwhelm the remaining salamanders. 381

After the retreat, Jiraiya asks about Akaseki's powerful technique and learns that it combines Swamp Release with Ryūchi Cave's Inorganic Reincarnation. He praises the combination, then advises his former student on stalled chakra growth, neglected physical conditioning, and the importance of developing complementary abilities rather than only accumulating techniques. 381

Later Support for Minato's Training

Jiraiya eventually secures the Flying Thunder God Technique training scroll from Hiruzen and gives it to Minato. He does not know the technique himself, and his extended stay with the Rain orphans limits his direct involvement in this phase of Minato's training. Orochimaru privately considers himself to have spent more time guiding Minato during this period. 410

Relationships

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Former jonin instructor and the Hokage who requested Jiraiya become an instructor; Hiruzen also directed him to add Akashi to his team. 3 Jiraiya's arguments with him are characterized as willful backtalk rather than the deeper ideological disagreements between Hiruzen and Orochimaru. Hiruzen later entrusts Jiraiya with investigating the suspected Rinnegan and Wood Release enemy. 171 305 Despite Jiraiya's initially unauthorized insistence on remaining with the Rain orphans, Hiruzen provisionally grants him leave with communication and emergency-response conditions. 358 Jiraiya later obtains Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique training scroll from him. 410
• Tsunade — Former teammate under Hiruzen. They argue over Ranwu's dangerous training and Tsunade openly disciplines Jiraiya when he criticizes her teaching. 3 14 15 His affection for her becomes the subject of teasing and an eavesdropping trap, while Orochimaru later criticizes his hesitation in matters of romance. 305 309 Jiraiya brings her into the investigation of Akaseki's reported enemy, and she later agrees to handle his mission arrangements while he stays with the orphans. 303 354
• Orochimaru — Former teammate and frequent professional rival. They cooperate in the Rain Ninja conflict but clash over teaching, summoning contracts, and Orochimaru's detached manner. 3 151 168 178 Jiraiya worries about Orochimaru's worsening ideological conflict with Hiruzen and later anticipates his arrival as relief from Supply Force command. They are jointly assigned to investigate the suspected Rinnegan and Wood Release threat. 171 292 305 Orochimaru argues with Hiruzen through confidential letters over Jiraiya's leave, despite speaking contemptuously of his withdrawal from normal duties. He later assigns Jiraiya to support Akaseki's attack on Lingering Rain Mountain. 358 376 Authorial commentary identifies Jiraiya's senjutsu experience as the source of Orochimaru's earlier knowledge of Sage Mode and an influence on his pursuit of it. 401 During the Rōran period, Orochimaru privately believes that he has spent more time guiding Minato than Jiraiya has. 410
• Akashi Uchiha / Akaseki — Student. Jiraiya criticizes his reckless use of Sharingan-assisted combat, recognizes his growth potential, and gives him Earth Style instruction and chakra-transformation guidance. 15 17 18 Their teacher-student familiarity continues after Akaseki's transfer to the Supply Force, where they cooperate in investigating murdered shinobi. Jiraiya recognizes that his student's later strength may require Sage Mode to overcome and offers reassurance after his unsuccessful attempt to find the orphan. 292 294 295 302 He later serves under Akaseki's command in the Lingering Rain Mountain operation without abandoning his mentor's role, advising him afterward on physical training, Sage Mode development, and combining his strongest abilities. 376 377 381
• Minato Namikaze — Student whom Jiraiya had specifically chosen for his team. Jiraiya develops Minato's sensory and Mount Myoboku-related summoning talents. 3 50 123 133 His use of formula-based combat is also intended to prepare Minato for future space-time ninjutsu training. 133 Jiraiya later obtains the Flying Thunder God Technique training scroll from Hiruzen and passes it to Minato, although he does not know the technique himself and spends much of this period caring for the Rain orphans. 410
• Ranwu — Student. Jiraiya monitors her risky pursuit of the Strength of a Hundred and approves her learning the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique provided she keeps him informed. 14 50 She later joins his supply unit as a medical ninja treating civilians in refugee settlements. 305
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan — War orphans whom Jiraiya takes into his care in the Land of Rain. He offers them a future in Konoha, remains with them to teach self-defense and independent survival, and later travels with them for roughly a year. 353 354 355 376 Nagato is the surviving child of the civilians accidentally killed by chunin from Jiraiya's former supply unit; Jiraiya is protective of him when Akaseki questions him about that trauma. 353 354 Jiraiya remains devoted to their care during the Rōran period, rarely taking missions while staying with them. 410
• Yakushi Nonō — Fellow Konoha ninja who works with his former students and later volunteers to assist with the Rain orphans. Jiraiya accepts her offer. 292 354 Earlier, he questions Orochimaru about both the removal of her Root cursed seals and whether she can be trusted beyond that technical safeguard. 148
• Torifu Akimichi — Senior jonin and mission commander during the Land of Waves assignment. Jiraiya accompanies him to mourn the Uzumaki, protects his privacy at the ruins, and cooperates with him in overcoming Kirigakure's ambush and rescuing the younger ninja. 40 41 42 74 75
• Hiruko — Familiar acquaintance whom Jiraiya greets warmly during the Flower Capital mission. Hiruko's formal deference makes him feel that a barrier has developed between them. 24
• Gamabunta — Mount Myoboku toad ally who adds oil to Jiraiya's Fire Style and guards strategic positions during battle. 178
• Gamaken — Mount Myoboku toad Jiraiya summons to replace Gamabunta when poison mist forces the latter to withdraw. 178
• Gamahiro — Giant Mount Myoboku toad whom Jiraiya summons onto the Great Salamander King. Although usually quiet and good-natured, Gamahiro reproaches him after landing on the salamander's poisonous back amid Ryūchi Cave's giant snakes. 379
• Hanzō — Enemy during the Lingering Rain Mountain operation. Jiraiya anticipates the danger of his return through the Great Salamander King's Reverse Summoning and later exchanges attacks with him before the technique fails and Hanzō disappears from the battlefield. 377 381

Notable Quotes

“To become Hokage, what you need is... to gain the recognition of everyone!” 5

“You are the worst group I have ever led...” 14

“This is the budding of a heart of protection... forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you!” 16

“We walked into an ambush... but the ambush wasn't strong enough.” 75

“So that's how it was—there was nothing you could do, so don't blame yourself.” 302

“Well... intelligence is a ninja's life!” 305

“Nagato... and you two as well. If you're willing to come to Konoha, then from now on, you'll be children of Konoha!” 353

“Mastering Sage Mode already gives you the key to taking that next step.” 381

“If your own strongest abilities can work together, they can often produce results that surpass your peers.” 381

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