Missions Are All for the Village

"Teacher, these two Water Style techniques only require the basic nature transformation. Anyone with the corresponding nature can use them, so I was able to learn them quickly. I'm still a long way from mastering them..."

Kyohiko summed up his thoughts.

He knew.

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

The other Water Walls could also be made taller and larger.

By comparison,

his own use of Water Style had only just begun.

The attribute system on his panel proved that, too.

Two glaring "Beginner" ratings.

Kakashi couldn't help saying, "You're already amazing!"

He thought of himself...

The first time he used Lightning Release Ninjutsu, he hadn't been able to immediately pull off a B-rank technique like Kyohiko had.

Kakashi was beginning to understand how the other kids his age must have felt when they looked at him back then.

It really was miserable!

Kurenai's feelings were even more complicated.

Kyohiko and Kakashi were both bona fide geniuses. It was only natural that they'd become Lord Jiraiya's subordinates and disciples.

But what about her?

She stared blankly into space, silent for a long time.

At the Ninja Academy, Kurenai had been an excellent student, always near the top of her class. But now that she'd left school, she couldn't help comparing herself with Kyohiko and Kakashi. Her confidence took a serious blow.

Jiraiya glanced at her and couldn't help sighing inwardly—

Kurenai wasn't bad, but being around Kyohiko and Kakashi really would make anyone feel inadequate.

Still,

what surprised and pleased him most about Kyohiko was how much more mature he was than Jiraiya had expected.

An ordinary Genin who mastered a B-rank technique on his first try would probably be walking around with his nose in the air.

But Kyohiko was different.

Before Jiraiya could criticize him, he was already critiquing himself and taking stock.

All Jiraiya had to do...

was hand him the ninjutsu scroll and teach him how to practice and study.

What a relief!

Jiraiya marveled inwardly, but merely nodded calmly.

"Good. As long as you understand. This level is still a far cry from a true genius. If I'd used Water Style like that back then, my teacher would've asked if I was daydreaming."

"Yes."

Kyohiko lowered his head respectfully, barely suppressing a smile.

Jiraiya definitely wasn't talking about himself. He meant Orochimaru.

Orochimaru really had been more monstrous than Kyohiko and Kakashi back then. Otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have placed such high hopes on him.

Jiraiya didn't even blush.

He cleared his throat and turned to Kakashi and Kurenai.

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

"Yes."

Kakashi answered respectfully.

Then there was Kurenai...

Jiraiya's expression turned serious.

He hadn't picked Kurenai simply because she'd caught his eye.

As a genjutsu specialist, she undoubtedly had excellent chakra control. She'd also spent years studying her family's genjutsu, making her a promising candidate for learning Medical Ninjutsu as well.

"Kurenai, spend some time improving your physical fitness, then go back and study this technique."

He took out a scroll.

Kurenai opened it—

The title read: Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

"This is..."

Kurenai's eyes widened in disbelief.

She'd heard of this technique.

It was one of Jiraiya's signature techniques, and it had played a major role in the examination that morning.

"As a genjutsu specialist, your chakra control is excellent. It should only be a matter of time before you learn it. Also, if you have time, you can study and learn some Medical Ninjutsu."

Jiraiya spoke solemnly. "You don't have to master it to a high level. I'll write you a letter of introduction."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Kurenai bowed deeply.

The Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

Genjutsu.

Medical Ninjutsu.

With this path, she was headed toward becoming an all-around support ninja.

"Believe in yourself. You have the potential to become a shinobi like Tsunade. That's why I chose you."

Jiraiya poured out encouragement like it cost him nothing.

Kurenai nodded again and again, visibly moved.

The three continued training.

Kyohiko kept practicing Water Style.

Just as he'd said,

although he'd learned how to perform the techniques, he was still a long way from mastering them.

At the very least—

he needed to get Water Wall to the "Proficient" level, right?

"All right, everyone, get to training. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin taking on missions."

As evening approached, the team split up.

That night, many people in Konoha couldn't sleep.

Jiraiya had once again taken on a team, bringing the genius ninja from the Hatake Clan under his wing and handpicking a civilian ninja, too.

People began asking around, but in the end, they were left bewildered.

Who was Kyohiko Yoshimine?

Those with kids his age at the Ninja Academy asked around, and everyone gave much the same answer—

He didn't ring a bell.

How had a ninja like that become Jiraiya's disciple?

Quite a few of Kyohiko's classmates didn't sleep a wink that night.

They racked their brains, unable to understand how someone who'd once been an unremarkable nobody had suddenly become an unreachable "genius."

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

"Did you hear? After Kyohiko graduated, his Jonin leader turned out to be Lord Jiraiya."

"What?"

"Really?"

"My father told me yesterday."

The classroom erupted into a noisy commotion.

The Sannin.

To them, those were figures beyond their reach. But now someone they knew had become one of their disciples. It was unbelievable.

"So what? I heard Kakashi did, too!"

Someone else chimed in.

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

He hadn't chosen to graduate that year.

If only he'd known Jiraiya would be taking students, or that Kurenai would graduate that year and become Lord Jiraiya's disciple...

"Ugh!"

The boy couldn't hide his dejection. He sat by the window, gazing forlornly outside.

Children all had different thoughts.

But one thing was the same.

That day, the once-unknown "Kyohiko Yoshimine" became the talk of the whole school.

And yet,

that same day, the much-discussed Kyohiko Yoshimine was at the Hokage Building, arguing with Jiraiya over missions.

"I'm the team's teacher. I think we can go straight for a C-rank mission!"

Jiraiya slapped the desk.

Tatsu Hamano was sweating nervously, but still summoned the courage to speak.

"Lord Jiraiya, new teams all have to take D-rank missions. That's the rule. Even you can't break it."

He was only a Chunin.

Speaking up like that to one of the Sannin took no small amount of nerve.

Jiraiya was about to keep "arguing his case."

Kyohiko had been standing in front of the mission board for a while. At last, he walked over and said, "Teacher, D-rank missions are fine, too. They all help the village, after all."

"That's exactly right! No matter the rank, we're all serving the village. Lord Jiraiya, please don't make things difficult for us."

Tatsu Hamano pleaded with him again and again.

Jiraiya smacked his lips and had to nod. "Fine, then. Let's start with a water-carrying mission."

As they left the Hokage Building,

"Our team has Kakashi. We're more than capable of handling a C-rank mission. I was even planning to go talk to the Old Man..."

Jiraiya still sounded disappointed.

Kakashi and Kurenai didn't respond.

Kakashi was fine with following the rules.

Kurenai had no opinion.

Kyohiko said quietly, "Teacher, we can't just expect special treatment. Why don't we take more D-rank missions? Once we've done enough, we should be able to take a C-rank one. Besides, D-rank missions are good training, too. There isn't much difference."

"Fair enough."

Jiraiya waved a hand. "Then let's get started!"