Missions Are All for the Village

"Teacher, these two Water Style jutsu only require basic affinity. As long as you have the corresponding affinity, you can use them, so I can master them quickly. Actually, I'm still far from good enough..."

Kyohiko summarized his thoughts.

He knew.

Senju Tobirama's Water Wall could rotate to strengthen its defensive effect.

The other Water Walls could be made taller and larger.

In comparison.

His own Water Style usage was merely beginner level.

The attribute system on his status panel proved this point precisely.

Two conspicuous beginner-level ratings.

Kakashi couldn't help but say, "You're already very impressive!"

He thought of himself...

The first time he used a Lightning Style ninjutsu, he wasn't able to immediately use a B-rank ninjutsu like Kyohiko.

Kakashi somewhat understood how the other kids his age felt when looking at him back then.

This was truly difficult!

Kurenai Yuhi's feelings were even more complex.

Both Kyohiko and Kakashi were undoubtedly geniuses, so becoming subordinates and disciples of Jiraiya-sama was only natural.

What about her?

Her gaze was vacant, lost in thought, silent for a long time.

In the Ninja Academy, Kurenai had also studied very well, always ranking among the top in her class. However, after leaving the academy, she couldn't help but compare herself to Kyohiko and Kakashi, and her confidence took a severe blow.

Jiraiya glanced at her and couldn't help but sigh—

Kurenai Yuhi wasn't too bad, but being around Kyohiko and Kakashi would indeed make her feel uncomfortable.

However.

Regarding Kyohiko, his greatest surprise and comfort was that Kyohiko was more mature than he had imagined.

If it were a typical genin, after mastering a B-rank difficulty ninjutsu on their first try, they would probably be walking on air.

This one, however.

Without him needing to strike them down, he was already self-criticizing and summarizing.

All he needed to do...

Was to give the ninjutsu scroll to the other party and teach Kyohiko how to train and learn.

What a relief!

Jiraiya sighed inwardly, but nodded calmly on the surface.

"It's good that you understand. This level is far from that of true geniuses. When I used Water Style to this extent back then, my teacher would definitely have asked if I was daydreaming."

"Yes."

Kyohiko lowered his head, looking respectful, barely suppressing a smile.

Jiraiya was definitely not talking about himself, but about Orochimaru.

Back then, Orochimaru's performance was indeed more monstrous than Kyohiko's and Kakashi's, otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have placed so much hope in him.

Jiraiya's face didn't flush, and his heart didn't skip a beat.

He coughed lightly and looked at Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi.

"Kakashi, if you have any questions, you can ask me later."

"Yes."

Kakashi replied respectfully.

Finally, it was Kurenai Yuhi...

Jiraiya's expression turned serious.

He had chosen Kurenai Yuhi back then not just because he found her pleasing to the eye.

As an Illusion Master, her chakra control was unquestionable, and she had been practicing her family's illusion techniques for many years, making her an excellent candidate for simultaneously studying medical ninjutsu.

"Kurenai, during this period, improve your physical condition, and then go back and study this ninjutsu."

He took out a scroll.

Kurenai Yuhi opened it—

It read, Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

"This is..."

Kurenai Yuhi widened her eyes in disbelief.

She had heard of this technique.

It was a signature ninjutsu belonging to Jiraiya, and it had played a massive role in the morning's assessment.

"As a genjutsu specialist, your chakra control is excellent; learning this should only be a matter of time. Furthermore, if you have the spare time, you should research and study some medical ninjutsu."

Jiraiya said with a serious expression, "You don't need to master it to a profound level, but I will write you a letter of recommendation."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Kurenai Yuhi bowed deeply.

Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

Genjutsu.

Medical ninjutsu.

With a path like this, her direction was that of a versatile, support-oriented ninja.

"Believe in yourself. You have the potential to become a ninja like Tsunade, which is why I chose you."

Jiraiya poured out his chicken soup for the soul without hesitation.

Kurenai Yuhi was moved, nodding repeatedly.

The three of them continued their training.

Kyohiko was still practicing Water Release ninjutsu.

Just as he had said.

Although he had already learned how to release the ninjutsu, he was still a long way from "mastering" it.

At the very least—

He had to grind Water Wall to the "proficient" level, right?

"Alright, everyone, let's train. Starting tomorrow, we will begin executing missions."

As evening approached, the squad parted ways.

Konoha was sleepless for many that night.

Jiraiya was leading a team again, having taken the Hatake family's genius ninja under his wing, and had also personally selected a civilian ninja.

Many people began to make inquiries, but in the end, they were left completely bewildered.

Who was Kyohiko Yoshimine?

Those with children of the same age at the Ninja Academy asked around, and everyone's answer was consistent—

They had no impression of him.

How could such a ninja become a disciple of Jiraiya?

Especially those in Kyohiko's class; many couldn't sleep a wink all night.

They racked their brains, unable to understand how a previously mediocre, invisible person had suddenly become a "genius" figure far beyond their reach.

The next day, at the Ninja Academy, in Kyohiko's former classroom.

"Did you hear? After Kyohiko graduated, his squad leader was actually Lord Jiraiya."

"What?"

"Is that for real?"

"My father said so yesterday."

The classroom was in an uproar.

The Sannin.

To them, these were figures beyond reach, but now, someone from their own circle had become their disciple, which suddenly felt surreal.

"What's the big deal? I also heard that Kakashi is one too!"

Another person added.

A trace of envy flashed in Asuma Sarutobi's eyes.

He had chosen not to graduate this year.

If he had known earlier that Jiraiya would be teaching, and that Kurenai would graduate this year to become Lord Jiraiya's disciple...

"Sigh!"

The young boy couldn't smooth out his troubled expression, sitting by the window and looking out at the scenery with a sense of loss.

The thoughts of children were all different.

What remained the same was this.

That day, the previously obscure Kyohiko Yoshimine suddenly became the talk of the entire academy.

However.

On that same day, the Kyohiko Yoshimine being discussed by everyone was busy arguing his case inside the Hokage Building alongside Jiraiya over a mission.

"I am the team's teacher, and I believe we can take on a C-rank mission directly!"

Jiraiya slammed his hand onto the table.

Cold sweat beaded on Tatsu Hamano's forehead, yet he summoned the courage to speak.

"Lord Jiraiya, all new teams must start with D-rank missions; these are the rules, and even you cannot break them."

He was merely a chunin.

To be able to say such words in the face of one of the Sannin required a significant amount of mental preparation.

Jiraiya still wanted to "argue his case."

Kyohiko, who had been standing before the mission board for a long while, finally walked over and said, "Teacher, D-rank missions are fine too. Either way, we are contributing to the village."

"This young man is absolutely right. Regardless of the mission rank, we are all serving the village. Lord Jiraiya, please don't make things difficult for us."

Tatsu Hamano pleaded repeatedly.

Jiraiya smacked his lips and had no choice but to nod. "Fine, then. Let's start with a water-carrying mission."

They left the Hokage Building.

"Our team has Kakashi; we are more than capable of handling C-rank missions. I was even planning on going to see the Old Man..."

Jiraiya remained quite regretful.

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi did not respond.

The former followed the rules and was fine with anything.

The latter had no particular opinion.

Kyohiko whispered, "Teacher, it wouldn't look good for us to demand special treatment. It would be better to grind through some D-rank missions; once our numbers are up, we should be able to take on C-rank ones. Besides, we can still train during D-rank missions. There isn't much of a difference."

"That works too."

Jiraiya waved his hand. "Then let's get to grinding!"