The Accomplice

Akashi didn't have a very high opinion of Tsunade, and Orochimaru didn't care about him at all.

They knew the Uchiha Clan's strength very well.

But it was precisely because they knew it that they hadn't thought much of Akashi!

It was true that as their eyes opened and their Sharingan grew stronger, the Uchiha Clan's power increased quickly, but that was "all there was to it."

Without the qualities of other strong individuals, they couldn't become true powerhouses. After all, there hadn't been just one or two Uchiha who had awakened their eyes, yet hadn't they still fought the Senju Clan back and forth before the era of the hidden villages?

Simply "awakening" the eyes depended a lot on luck. The Sharingan certainly strengthened a ninja considerably, but ordinary Uchiha didn't impress Tsunade or Orochimaru.

"Ah, I remember now. When Teacher Sarutobi conducted this test back then, someone was tied up in the middle too, right? Could that be why he saw him in a different light?" Orochimaru remarked sarcastically.

"What do you know... Didn't you see how Akashi volunteered to hold me off head-on? In this test, that's the most thankless part!" Jiraiya shouted.

"Yeah, pretty brainless," Orochimaru commented sharply.

"Oh, is that the Uchiha Clan's trademark arrogance?" Tsunade also curled her lip.

"That's the beginning of a protective spirit... Never mind. You wouldn't understand even if I explained it!" Jiraiya turned away, a little annoyed.

Seeing this, Tsunade changed the subject. "I wonder if that kid will get to eat lunch. Ranwu probably won't share with him, will she?"

"If he's as clever as certain people... and just as disgusting, then he'll definitely get to eat," Orochimaru said, looking a little queasy.

Back then, Jiraiya had been the one tied up in the middle.

Orochimaru had wanted to finish eating quickly and continue the test.

But then...

Jiraiya had actually spat into his food!

Trapped in the Rock Pillar Technique, Akashi could only watch Minato and Ranwu eat with longing eyes...

Thinking back on it now, whether Jiraiya had shown up late or told everyone not to eat breakfast, it hadn't been a mistake. He'd come prepared!

Akashi really was hungry now. After all, he'd stayed up late training the night before...

Although the constant GG effect kept activating and restoring his body from time to time, it had never rewarded him with actual food. He was still very hungry.

Just then, Minato handed Akashi the half of his lunchbox that he hadn't eaten.

Though it was the half he had left over, Minato had eaten very neatly, leaving the other half completely untouched.

"Huh? I don't know if I should... Jonin Jiraiya might be nearby..." Akashi said, a little embarrassed.

Seeing this, Ranwu said, "Minato, eat a little more."

"Exactly, exactly. I'm not that hungry either... When I was trapped earlier, Ranwu's Candy Transformation Chakra was so sweet it made my throat hurt. After taking in all that sugar, I'm not hungry at all!" Akashi offered an excuse so he wouldn't seem too affected.

Ranwu: ...

"Pervert..." Ranwu glared at him, a vein popping on her forehead.

Akashi: ???

"That's just your imagination. No matter how you change the nature or form of chakra, you can't actually use it as food," Minato said matter-of-factly.

"Then you eat a little more too. I saved a third of mine for him!" Ranwu said, pointedly ignoring the two of them.

Akashi had no idea why Ranwu's mood kept changing so much... Was the Second Hokage like this all the time, too?

"Stop fussing and eat!" Ranwu held out the rest of her own food to Akashi.

"You eat so messily..." Akashi said helplessly.

Ranwu: ...

Mmph, mmph—

Seeing that Akashi couldn't manage on his own, Ranwu started feeding him with a spoon...

"Um... Akashi's eyes are rolling back," Minato said, unable to help warning her as he watched Ranwu stuff food into Akashi's mouth.

"Boring. Teaching kids like that is such a waste," Orochimaru said disdainfully from a distance. Then he turned and left.

"So? Are you going to take these three students or not?" Tsunade asked.

"Heh, there's no rush! Let's see if they've improved this afternoon." Jiraiya looked completely satisfied, though he still said that.

"Suit yourself... But remember, don't waste time on low-rank missions. Get them to see blood soon." Before leaving, Tsunade gave him a pointed reminder.

Jiraiya: ...

"Mm." Jiraiya fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

More than thirty years had passed since the Five Great Ninja Villages were established, and it had been twenty years since the last great ninja war. Jiraiya had still been at the Ninja Academy then. Although the First had died by the time that war broke out, Konoha's prestige still held, and the village had not been greatly affected. Every side had also shown restraint, with most of the fighting centered on clashes between the strongest combatants.

The war hadn't lasted long. Afterward, while the Second Hokage was in power, Konoha's strength remained unrivaled. The Second Hokage developed all kinds of secret techniques while also carrying out numerous domestic reforms, making the village stronger by the day. The Ninja Academy system and the Anbu system had both been adopted by the other hidden villages, while Konoha also actively used diplomacy to keep the various sides in check...

But now, the peace maintained by the First and Second Hokage was on the verge of collapse.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku's coup in Kumogakure was just one sign of it!

Every side was now stirring, and a great ninja war could break out at any moment...

By comparison, Jiraiya and his two teammates could already be considered a generation "raised in a relatively peaceful era." Unfortunately, they no longer had the power to ensure that the next generation would grow up in peace too.

All they could do was prepare in advance. If war proved unavoidable... then they would make sure to be the victors!

Only after the three of them had finished eating did they leisurely return.

"You two didn't sneak him any food, did you?" Jiraiya asked suspiciously.

"No. Fighting while hungry is also part of a ninja's test," Namikaze said calmly.

"Of course not. Someone like him..." Ranwu said, putting on a disdainful expression.

Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction. Being "stubborn" was also a quality a ninja should have!

After lowering Akashi Uchiha, Jiraiya took out the bells again. "Well... this is your last chance..."

Jiraiya hadn't even finished speaking when Minato appeared behind him in an instant, thrusting a Kunai straight at his neck!

But at the moment of impact, Jiraiya turned into a wooden post amid a cloud of smoke...

Substitution Technique!

In the next instant, Jiraiya appeared behind Minato. But Minato had already twisted his waist and abdomen, turning his torso as he spun around in midair to face Jiraiya's kick, crossing his arms in front of himself...

Although Jiraiya's wooden-sandaled foot still sent him flying, at least he'd managed to block it.

Taking advantage of the opening, Ranwu had already reached the treetop and completed a complex series of Hand Seals. She took a sharp breath, then opened her mouth and spat...

"Water Style: Water Oil Flame Field!"

This time, what Ranwu spat out was a semi-solid, oil-like chakra. It formed a net as it spread toward Jiraiya.