Taking a Master

"Hahahaha! That's right! I am none other than the legendary White-Haired Child, Lord Jiraiya!"

At that, Jiraiya burst into laughter.

"By the way, kid, you're pretty good at throwing shuriken. You're almost as good as I was when I was a boy."

As he spoke, Jiraiya glanced at the wooden post nearby. Five shuriken were embedded in it in a straight line.

"Lord Jiraiya, you flatter me. I have Gen to thank for teaching me."

Minato Namikaze scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"Gen? You mean that tsundere kid who just left? He's an interesting one. You don't often see boys getting so close to someone from the Uchiha. You're quite something, kid. Heh heh. And this last one?"

As they talked, Jiraiya finished the grilled fish in his hand, leaving only the bones. He casually tossed them into the fire, then looked at the last piece of grilled fish.

"Huh? Please, help yourself, Lord Jiraiya. Is it really so important whether Gen is Uchiha or not? Isn't he a member of the village too?"

Minato looked puzzled. He didn't understand why so many people in the village were prejudiced against the Uchiha.

From his interactions with Uchiha Gen, Minato thought he was a pretty good guy. Except... except that his punches hurt a little.

"...Yes, the Uchiha are members of the village too. Hey, kid, what's your name?"

Jiraiya paused as he ate the grilled fish, then gazed at Minato with a complicated expression, especially at his exceptionally clear blue-green eyes.

"Are all those adults really less perceptive than a child?"

For a moment, Jiraiya couldn't help thinking of many things.

"My name is Minato Namikaze! The one who just left is Uchiha Gen. He... he's my friend."

Minato spoke firmly.

Looking at Jiraiya, Minato found himself thinking more deeply about his dream. He wanted to become Hokage, but before, he'd only wanted the title. Now... he wanted to change people's prejudices!

"Minato Namikaze, huh? Hahahaha! So, would you be interested in learning from me? I mean becoming my apprentice. I don't know why, but I feel like this grilled fish tonight is just to my taste. If I want to keep eating fish like this, hey, Minato, give me your answer."

After staring at Minato in a daze for a moment, Jiraiya set down his grilled fish and addressed him seriously.

If I take on an apprentice who's so close to the Uchiha, the old man and Tsunade will probably give me an earful, won't they?

"Huh?"

Jiraiya's sudden offer caught Minato off guard, and he instantly returned to his usual dazed state.

"What's the matter? You don't think I'm good enough, great Lord Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya smiled at the stunned Minato.

"No, that's not it! I'm just so surprised and happy. Greetings, Sensei!"

At Jiraiya's words, Minato hurriedly bowed, then spoke with resolve.

"Looks like my sudden research trip today was well worth it. I actually found such a wonderful apprentice! Hahahaha! Minato, the fire's still going, so you should be able to grill more fish, right?"

"No problem, Jiraiya-sensei. I'll go catch some now."

"I can't just eat without helping. I'll come too!"

By the firelight, two figures, one large and one small, searched the river for fish.

The Uchiha Clan Compound.

Under the moonlight, Uchiha Gen stood on the training ground at his new home. Before him stood a Uchiha jōnin, while several elders, including Setsuna Uchiha, stood silently at the edge of the training ground.

"Gen, he's very capable. You can go all out against him. We need to accurately assess your current strength."

Watching Uchiha Gen on the field, Setsuna spoke in a low voice.

Setsuna couldn't have been more pleased with what had happened at the Ninja Academy today.

Slapping the young head of the Hyuga Clan onto the ground so hard he couldn't get up—that was what it meant to be Uchiha!

That one incident had spared him the need to persuade anyone. These old fellows had come here of their own accord.

As for testing Uchiha Gen's strength, that was simply to make it easier to teach him.

For the Uchiha, battle records were the best measure of ability. Having defeated Hyuga Hiashi in one move, Uchiha Gen had clearly won the approval of all the Uchiha leaders.

"I see. I'll need a sword."

After glancing at the elders at the edge of the training ground, Uchiha Gen thought for a moment and spoke softly.

He didn't know the man facing him, but his instincts told him that the man... was strong!

"A sword? You've studied swordsmanship too? In that case... Qiuyan, you can't use that sword anymore anyway, so let Gen have it. Trust me, he won't disappoint you."

Setsuna's eyes lit up at Gen's request. In a situation like this, the fact that Uchiha Gen wanted a sword meant that he believed he'd be stronger with one.

After briefly interacting with Uchiha Gen, Setsuna had come to understand a little about him.

Uchiha Gen was definitely not the sort of person who would go out of his way to add unnecessary complications.

"Hmph. Setsuna, you sure are generous—one word from you, and I'm supposed to give away a sword like this. Kid, don't disappoint me."

Uchiha Qiuyan glanced at Setsuna, raised his hand, and formed Hand Seals. With a puff of white smoke, a long, slender sword of gleaming white appeared in his hand. Looking at it, Qiuyan's eyes flashed with nostalgia. A moment later, he swiftly tossed it toward Uchiha Gen.

Clack!

Gen raised his hand and caught the sword.

A cool sensation spread from where his hand gripped it. Uchiha Gen's eyes lit up as he looked at the gleaming white blade.

A fine sword! An absolutely fine sword!

"This sword is called Mingzun. It's a Famous Sword of the Kusanagi class, forged entirely from Chakra Metal and rare meteoric ore. Kid, if your performance impresses me, this sword... will be yours."

Uchiha Qiuyan's eyes showed his reluctance, but he still spoke in a solemn voice.

A fine sword shouldn't be left to rust with an old, decaying man like him. He didn't have much time left.

"Let's hope the old fool Setsuna knows what he's looking at. Gen, if you're as foolish as that kid Uchiha Fugaku, you won't deserve to wield this sword."

"Young Master Gen, you may attack whenever you're ready."

As Mingzun landed in Uchiha Gen's hand, the Uchiha ninja on the training ground spoke as well.