Is This Talent Reasonable?

In the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi released the crystal ball, a hint of relief appearing on his face.

"Whew!"

Those three kids certainly couldn't defeat Jiraiya.

However.

The fact that they could complete the bell-snatching mission so brilliantly far exceeded the Third's expectations.

He had originally thought—

If these three could put aside their past grievances and maintain a certain level of teamwork, perhaps Jiraiya would turn a blind eye and let them pass.

But now, Kyohiko and Kurenai Yuhi had proactively created a tactical opening to give Kakashi a chance.

Kakashi hadn't been stubborn either, instead actively seizing the opportunity.

There was conflict, but it didn't affect the assessment.

Business is business.

This was the mindset of a mature ninja.

At the same time.

The one orchestrating all of this—

Was the very child he hadn't paid any mind to before.

No wonder Jiraiya had specifically singled him out.

The familiar Ichiraku Ramen.

The difference was.

Teuchi was in the prime of his youth, his masculine face full of youthful vigor.

Kakashi had put his mask back on.

After entering, Jiraiya shouted, "Boss, four bowls of ramen!"

"Coming right up, please take a seat, you four."

Teuchi greeted them with a smile.

"You guys sit here, I'm going to... buy some barbecue, consider it an extra meal."

Jiraiya glanced around.

However.

With a sidelong glance, he felt a bit uneasy.

"Kyohiko, come with me and see what you'd like to eat."

"Yes."

Kyohiko stood up respectfully.

The two left.

Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but sigh softly, "Lord Jiraiya really thinks highly of Kyohiko!"

"Uh..."

Kakashi's gaze was slightly dazed, and he hesitated to speak.

He remembered very clearly.

At that moment—

Jiraiya had suddenly frozen for a second, his attention distracted, which was why he had been able to coordinate and cut the rope.

It seemed like...

Something along the lines of "You wouldn't want..."

"Kakashi, you seem to know something?"

As a ninja skilled in genjutsu and sensory perception, Kurenai Yuhi immediately noticed that Kakashi had seemed a bit strange just now.

Kakashi thought for a moment and replied cautiously and briefly.

"They might know each other."

"Lord Jiraiya and Kyohiko?"

"Mm."

"Kyohiko, you did very well today."

"It was your mercy, otherwise we definitely wouldn't have been able to pass."

Kyohiko was not Naruto or Obito.

He understood clearly that the gap between himself and the Sannin was not just a small margin; if they truly didn't want him to get the bells, it would be far too simple.

A single Needle Jizo would put an end to all such delusions.

However.

From beginning to end, the strongest ninjutsu Jiraiya had used was nothing more than a Wild Lion's Mane Technique, and even then, it was an incomplete version used merely as a rope.

This wasn't just going easy on them; this was practically letting them off the hook entirely.

Jiraiya gave a light cough. "After all, this is a genin examination. It's primarily meant to test teamwork and attitude, not raw strength. Also, regarding that matter..."

"Lord Jiraiya, there are some places in the village you would do well to avoid. After all, you are one of the Sannin and represent the image of our Konoha shinobi."

Kyohiko displayed the upright nature of a young man.

Jiraiya's old face flushed red.

He had previously assumed that Kyohiko had just been passing by and hadn't noticed him lurking.

Now it seemed the boy simply hadn't dared to intervene.

He replied awkwardly, "That was for research purposes; don't misunderstand."

"Oh."

Kyohiko wore an expression that said he "believed" him.

Jiraiya felt very awkward.

He knew that these words were truly hard to find convincing.

"What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like, my treat!"

"I won't be the one footing the bill, will I?"

"You little brat!"

By the time they finished the ramen and barbecue, it was already afternoon.

Jiraiya turned uncharacteristically serious.

"From this moment on, you are a team. I hope you can maintain the same cooperative attitude you showed this morning. Furthermore—"

Jiraiya looked at the three of them. "Have you all practiced tree-climbing and water-walking?"

"Yes."

The three of them nodded in unison.

Jiraiya took out a piece of paper.

"Kakashi and Kurenai have likely already been tested, but you should give it a try, Kyohiko, to see what kind of ninjutsu you are best suited for."

"Although your coordination is good, Kakashi's Lightning Release and swordsmanship are suited for surprise attacks and assassinations, while Kurenai's genjutsu is mostly for restraint and support. You are missing a frontline fighter."

Jiraiya's implication was self-evident.

Kyohiko was the most suitable member of the team to take on the role of frontline combatant.

"Yes, I understand."

If Kyohiko wasn't practicing ninjutsu, was it because he didn't want to?

It was because he had no opportunity!

Although he was a descendant of the Senju, having branched off from the main clan, he had basically no reserve of ninjutsu. After two generations of inheritance, all that was left of his family wealth was a pension. Without ninjutsu scrolls...

Buying test paper would just be a waste of money, wouldn't it?

He took the chakra paper.

Before long, a damp patch appeared on the paper.

Jiraiya said, "Based on the paper's reaction, you possess an innate affinity for Water Release chakra. Learning Water Release ninjutsu will be the fastest and most convenient path for you."

Ninjutsu affinities are innate, but they can also be developed later.

The affinity Kyohiko possessed simply meant that learning Water Release would be easier for him.

Theoretically, he could practice other affinities as well.

"I've heard that Kakashi excels at Lightning Release. If I learn Water Release ninjutsu, it will form a perfect combination with his Lightning Release."

As he spoke, a look of admiration appeared on his face. "Besides, my idol is the Second Hokage. His Water Release is famous throughout the ninja world; even Kirigakure is no match for him!"

The Second Hokage...

A look of reminiscence appeared on Jiraiya's face as well.

That man's Water Release was indeed incomparably powerful.

It seemed.

Although this child had suffered a blow and his personality had changed significantly, deep down, he was still loyal to Konoha.

Jiraiya sighed for a moment before snapping back to reality.

"Alright, I'll teach you Water Wave in a moment. Kurenai, your genjutsu is strong, but you need to increase your taijutsu training. Kakashi, your problems are the fewest, but they are also the most fatal; you must take the initiative to coordinate with your teammates, understand?"

He critiqued them one by one.

The three of them nodded in unison.

With Kurenai Yuhi and Kakashi standing to the side, Jiraiya began to teach the ninjutsu.

"Water Wave is a basic Water Release ninjutsu, but it has a wide range of applications, is very convenient, and isn't difficult. You can try learning it first."

Then, he recited the sequence of hand seals.

Dragon, Ox, Rabbit.

While Jiraiya was still speaking, Kyohiko had already followed along with the seals, and then—

Water Release: Water Wave!

A stream of water gushed out from his mouth, transforming into a surging torrent.

Jiraiya blinked, stunned for a moment.

The hand seals were added, and the steps to form the ninjutsu were still methodical.

His chakra control ability is quite good!

For a genin, at least.

Kyohiko's level was already very high.

"So amazing!"

Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

Learning it for the first time...

And he mastered it immediately.

This kind of talent is truly a bit formidable.

However.

Kyohiko understood himself that he was able to succeed on the first try not because his innate talent was that great, but because Water Wave was relatively simple, and secondly, he benefited from the reward this morning.

After his chakra control ability improved, releasing ninjutsu became far too simple!

Jiraiya did not want him to become arrogant, so he pondered for a moment and said, "It is a C-rank, just the foundation of Water Release. Try Water Wall next; this is a B-rank defensive ninjutsu."

"Alright."

Kyohiko nodded.

He listened carefully to the sequence of hand seals, then increased his chakra output, spitting a stream of water from his mouth.

Before long—

A wall of water about the height of a person appeared around him, perfectly protecting his body.

Jiraiya was momentarily dumbfounded and shocked.

You brat!

How is your chakra control ability this strong too!

It's almost catching up to Kurenai Yuhi.

That girl is a genjutsu ninja who has practiced genjutsu since childhood and has talent, which is why she has such a level of chakra control!

What about Kyohiko?

For the past year or so, he focused on practicing taijutsu, Substitution Technique, and Body Flicker Technique; his chakra control was likely only practiced through tree climbing and water walking.

Is this even reasonable?

Thinking of the pain he suffered when learning ninjutsu back in the day, Jiraiya's composure slightly crumbled, and he fell into a long, deep contemplation.