Is This Guy a Second-Generation Reincarnation?

Outside Tanzaku Town.

Jiraiya was in high spirits, his eyes gleaming.

Behind him, the three of them were panting heavily.

"Hoo, hoo—"

Exhausting!

It was far too exhausting!

Kyohiko hadn't thought it would be easy to wear weighted leg bands, but he hadn't anticipated it being this grueling.

Jiraiya chuckled.

Little brats!

Did you think I couldn't handle you?

He looked around and said, "Well? Can you still walk?"

"Yes!"

The three of them spoke in unison.

Jiraiya nodded. "Then let's go. We need to find our employer as soon as possible, lest our debtor runs off and we end up failing the mission."

"Let's move!"

Kakashi gritted his teeth and kept pace with Jiraiya.

He valued missions above all else.

Failing a mission was more painful to him than death!

Kyohiko followed behind, sighing inwardly—

Jiraiya was truly a great teacher!

The seemingly ordinary leg bands were actually the result of careful observation and calculation, perfectly calibrated to bring their physical exhaustion to the same level as Kurenai Yuhi.

This way, their rest and running pace could be synchronized, ensuring they wouldn't fall behind on their mission.

It killed several birds with one stone.

It just happened to be exhausting for him and Kakashi.

Kyohiko panted, his legs feeling like they were filled with lead, as he calculated in his mind—

Given the current situation, his physical body might not be quite as good as Kakashi's; the only reason he could move faster was thanks to his Master-level Body Flicker Technique.

This was only natural.

Kakashi had been training his body since he was a child, and while his predecessor had also trained, the real hard work only began after he had transmigrated.

There were no shortcuts in physical training.

Unless one was like Kabuto Yakushi, using direct cell transplantation to alter one's own genes and constitution.

Kyohiko steeled his resolve and quickened his pace to keep up with Jiraiya.

Tanzaku Town was very prosperous.

It was a famous den of vice in the surrounding area.

Many wealthy individuals and merchants from the Land of Rivers and even the Land of Wind would come here to gamble and seek out pleasure, and occasionally, ninjas would visit as well.

For instance—

Jiraiya was very familiar with this place; he navigated from the main road into the alleys, twisting and turning as if he were returning to his own home.

Before long, the plaque for the "Blue Flower Pavilion" appeared before them.

We've arrived!

"Teacher is amazing, being able to remember all this; I'm already dizzy from the turns."

Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but exclaim.

Kyohiko chimed in, "Clearly a regular."

Kakashi nodded repeatedly.

"What are you saying!"

Jiraiya turned back and glared fiercely at Kyohiko.

"Since there are many missions in Tanzaku Town, you're bound to remember the way after coming here a few times."

"Indeed, indeed."

Kyohiko agreed repeatedly.

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but chuckle, clearly not buying Jiraiya's excuse.

Jiraiya felt helpless.

This kid.

Always ruining his own reputation!

However.

Hehehe, later on, it really will be...

Jiraiya chuckled inwardly, then quickly gave a light cough and explained, "I didn't take this mission for the reasons you're thinking of, but for other important matters!"

As he spoke, he lifted the bamboo curtain marked with the character for "Gambling."

A samurai at the entrance immediately approached.

"This... are you ninjas from Konoha?"

"Yes, we accepted your boss's mission and have come to protect your debt collection team."

Jiraiya nodded.

The samurai was overjoyed and said, "Follow me, everyone!"

He pointed to the side and then trotted inside; once they reached the inner room, a young man hurried out.

"Everyone, I am Koji Matsuyama, owner of the Blue Flower Pavilion."

The young man quickly introduced himself.

Jiraiya's expression turned serious.

"I am the Konoha Jonin Jiraiya, and they are my subordinates responsible for this protection mission. Could you tell me what the specific situation is?"

"Please come inside and we can discuss it over tea."

Upon hearing the name, Koji Matsuyama's eyes lit up, and his posture became even more respectful.

Jiraiya nodded.

Following him to the back hall, Koji Matsuyama ordered a maid to pour tea.

"I didn't expect Lord Jiraiya to lead the team personally. We are truly lucky; this mission is sure to be a success."

Koji Matsuyama flattered him.

Then, he laid out the details of the mission.

As it turned out.

They had previously been collecting debts from a group of merchants in the Land of Rivers, but those people had hired a group of wandering samurai. Their own men were no match for them, and they weren't sure if the other side had any wandering ninjas as well...

So, they simply applied for a mission from Konoha at the price of a B-rank mission.

"So, our duty is to protect you while you complete the debt collection from the merchants of the Land of Rivers?"

Jiraiya said.

Koji Matsuyama nodded: "That is correct."

Tanzaku Town, outside the tea house.

After a commotion, a large group of wandering samurai and wandering ninjas rushed out of the house. Behind them, a man said angrily, "When I return to the Land of Rivers, I will definitely send the remaining money. Must you ruin my business?"

"Ken Hirakawa, you said the same thing last time. This time, I won't let you get away."

Koji Matsuyama snorted coldly.

Most gamblers said exactly that, especially merchants like this one.

But in reality.

Like the man before them, he had made excuses several times and had no intention of paying back the debt at all.

Not only that, the man didn't just owe gambling debts; he also owed a large sum for business transactions.

Having finally waited for him to come to Tanzaku Town, how could he let him off so easily?

"My lord."

Koji Matsuyama retreated to Jiraiya's side, his attitude respectful.

The man's expression changed.

"Ninjas? Hurry up, take them out!"

The dozens of samurai around them looked at each other.

"Hurry up! Don't you want your money?"

"Yes!"

Dozens of people swarmed toward them.

Koji Matsuyama hurriedly retreated.

Jiraiya smiled and didn't move immediately; instead, he took a step back.

"Shall we coordinate?"

Kyohiko looked at Kakashi.

"Whatever."

Kakashi said indifferently.

When it came to killing, he reckoned he was stronger than the fledgling Kyohiko and would absolutely not fall behind again.

As he spoke, he drew his blade, poised and ready.

Kyohiko formed hand seals with both hands, gathering and mobilizing his chakra.

After more than a year of training, his hand seal speed was rapid; in the blink of an eye, the ninjutsu was complete.

Immediately following.

Whoosh!

A surging torrent of water spewed forth from Kyohiko's mouth.

Water Style: Water Wave.

The massive flow of water swept forward like a flood, instantly sending the crowd of people ahead tumbling and scrambling, forcibly carving out a path.

Kakashi was stunned for a moment.

Had Kyohiko really only practiced Water Style for half a month?

How could it be so powerful!

And this was after running the entire way, with his physical and mental energy not even at their peak.

Under normal circumstances, the power of the ninjutsu might be even greater.

This guy...

His talent for Water Style was just too good!

Kakashi felt a wave of envy.

At this moment, he focused mostly on taijutsu, swordsmanship, and Lightning Style ninjutsu, and did not know much about Water Style.

However.

Jiraiya was different.

He knew very well that Kyohiko had not only mastered the essence of Water Wave but was also attempting to compress and concentrate the power of the water flow.

Otherwise—

A standard Water Wave alone could never have caused an impact of such scale.

Such a concept...

If further strengthened and refined, it would be the Second Hokage's Water Severing Wave.

The moment he released the ninjutsu just now, he had almost thought Kyohiko was the reincarnation of the Second Hokage.

It was too similar!

However.

Now was not the time to be dazed.

"Kakashi, don't just stand there."

"Ah? Yes!"

This group of wandering samurai were quite dutiful, struggling to charge over one by one.

Kakashi formed hand seals.

Lightning Style: Earth Flash!

The water flow came to an abrupt halt.

At the same time, Kakashi pressed his hands onto the water, and the electric current rapidly spread along the water, knocking all the samurai who had stood up to the ground in the blink of an eye.

Hirakawa Ken had already run off.

But as an ordinary person, where could he possibly escape to?

Kyohiko used the Body Flicker Technique to ascend, chasing along the rooftops, and caught up to his target in just a few flickers.

With a kunai pressed against the man's neck, Hirakawa Ken immediately ceased his flight.

"I'll pay, I'll pay."

"Regrettably, your credit with me is already in the negative. Write a letter home for your father, Hirakawa Hiroshi, to send the money. Until then, don't even think about leaving my gambling den."