Accomplices

Tsunade did not hold Akaseki in high regard, and Orochimaru did not care about him at all.

They were well aware of the power of the Uchiha Clan.

However, it was precisely because they were "aware" that they did not think much of Akaseki!

It was true that as the eyes awakened and the Sharingan further evolved, the strength of the Uchiha Clan grew rapidly, but that was "all there was to it."

Without the traits of other powerhouses, one could not become a true powerhouse. After all, there had been more than one or two Uchiha who had awakened their eyes, and before the era of the hidden villages, hadn't they gone back and forth with the Senju Clan?

Simply "awakening the eyes" actually relied heavily on luck. Although the Sharingan provided a significant boost to a ninja, ordinary Uchiha were not taken seriously by Tsunade or Orochimaru.

"Ah, I remember now. When Sarutobi-sensei conducted this test, someone was also tied to the center, right? Could it be because of that that he looks at him differently?" Orochimaru said with a sarcastic tone.

"What do you know... didn't you see that Akaseki was the one who took the initiative to stand out and hold me back head-on? In this assessment, this part is the most thankless task!" Jiraiya shouted back.

"Hmm, very brainless." Orochimaru commented sharply.

"Oh, is it that arrogance peculiar to the Uchiha Clan?" Tsunade also curled her lips.

"This is the budding of a heart of protection... forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you!" Jiraiya turned his head away, feeling somewhat annoyed.

Seeing this, Tsunade turned and said, "I wonder if this kid will be able to eat lunch. Will Ranwu share with him?"

"If he is as clever... and disgusting as certain people, he will definitely be able to eat." Orochimaru said, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Back then, Jiraiya had been the one tied to the center.

Orochimaru had originally wanted to finish eating quickly and continue the assessment.

As a result...

Jiraiya had actually spat into his food!

Akaseki was trapped in this Rock Pillar Technique, only able to watch helplessly as Minato and Ranwu ate...

Thinking about it now, whether it was Jiraiya being late or telling everyone not to eat breakfast, it wasn't a mistake; he had come prepared!

Akaseki was indeed very hungry at this moment, after all, he had stayed up all night training...

Although he had the effect of constant GG, which occasionally triggered physical recovery, it had never rewarded him with actual food, so he was still very hungry.

Just then, Minato handed the remaining half of his bento to Akaseki.

Although it was the half left over, Minato had eaten very neatly, and the remaining half had not been touched at all.

"Eh? This isn't good... Jōnin Jiraiya might be nearby..." Akaseki said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Seeing this, Ranwu said, "Minato, you should eat more."

"That's right, that's right, I'm not very hungry either... When I was trapped just now, I was cloyed by Ranwu's Candy Transformation Chakra. After ingesting the sugar, I'm not hungry at all!" Akaseki made an excuse so as not to appear too pretentious.

Ranwu: ...

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

Akaseki: ???

"That's just an illusion. No matter how chakra's nature or form changes, it cannot actually be used as food," Minato said as a matter of course.

"Then you should eat more too, I saved a third for him as well!" Ranwu said without even looking at the two of them.

Akaseki didn't know why Ranwu's mood was so volatile... Was the Second Hokage like this too?

"Don't be such a nag, eat!" Ranwu held her own leftovers up to Akaseki as well.

"You're eating in such a messy way..." Akaseki said helplessly.

Ranwu: ...

Mmph, mmph, mmph—

Seeing that it was inconvenient for him, Ranwu fed him directly with a spoon...

"Um... Akaseki is already rolling his eyes." Seeing Ranwu's aggressive feeding style, Minato couldn't help but remind her.

"Boring. It's a waste to let you teach a child like this." Seeing this scene from afar, Orochimaru made a disdainful sound, then turned and left.

"How about it? Aren't you going to accept these three students?" Tsunade asked.

"Heh, it's too early! Let's see if they make any progress this afternoon." Jiraiya's expression was clearly extremely satisfied, but he still said that with his mouth.

"Suit yourself... but remember not to waste time on low-level missions. Hurry up and let them see some blood." Before leaving, Tsunade gave a pointed reminder.

Jiraiya: ...

"Hmm." After a moment of silence, Jiraiya nodded.

More than thirty years had passed since the establishment of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and twenty years had passed since the last Great Ninja War. At that time, Jiraiya was still at the Ninja Academy, and although the First Hokage had passed away when that war broke out, the prestige of Konoha remained, and it was not greatly affected. All parties were relatively restrained, and the fighting was mostly concentrated on clashes between top-tier powers.

The war did not last long. Afterward, while the Second Hokage was in power, Konoha's strength remained at the top. The Second Hokage developed various secret techniques while carrying out many reforms internally, making the village increasingly prosperous. The Ninja Academy system and the Anbu system were both emulated by other major villages, and he also actively used diplomatic means to balance all parties...

However, the peace maintained by the First and Second Hokage was now as precarious as a pile of eggs.

The coup by Kinkaku and Ginkaku of Kumogakure was just a microcosm of it!

All parties are now restless, and the Great Ninja War is on the verge of breaking out...

By comparison, Jiraiya and his two companions are considered a generation that "grew up in a relatively peaceful era," yet unfortunately, they are powerless to ensure the next generation grows up in peace as well.

All they can do is prepare in advance; if war is unavoidable... then they must be the victors!

Jiraiya and the other two returned at a leisurely pace only after they had finished eating.

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

"No, starvation tactics are also part of a ninja's test," Namikaze said calmly.

"Of course not, a guy like this..." Ranwu also put on a look of utter disdain.

Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction—a "stiff upper lip" is also a quality a ninja should possess!

After setting Akashi Uchiha down, Jiraiya took out the bells again: "So... this is the final chance..."

Before Jiraiya could finish his sentence, Minato had already arrived behind him in an instant, his kunai aimed directly at his neck!

However, at the very moment of impact, Jiraiya turned into a wooden log amidst a puff of smoke...

Substitution Technique!

The next moment, Jiraiya appeared behind Minato, but Minato had already engaged his core, twisting his torso in mid-air to face Jiraiya's kick, crossing his arms in front of him...

Although he was still sent flying by the kick from Jiraiya's wooden sandals, he had managed to block it.

Taking advantage of this opening, Ranwu had already reached the treetop, completed a complex set of hand seals, and after taking a sharp breath, she spat out...

"Water Style: Water Oil Flame Field!"

This time, what Ranwu spat out was a semi-colloidal, oily chakra that enveloped Jiraiya in a web-like formation.