Jiraiya

"Minato, Nagi, you both understand the current situation. Graduating early is not a good choice."

"It is precisely because of this situation that we should graduate now," Namikaze Minato said, his expression resolute.

Uchiha Nagi neither answered nor denied it; if he had a choice.

He actually wanted Namikaze Minato not to graduate so early, so he wouldn't have to follow suit just to stay close to a future powerhouse.

However, Uchiha Nagi's silence was taken by Inoue as tacit agreement.

He really is different from most of the Uchiha, Inoue sighed inwardly. While normal Uchiha might graduate early, it would never be for a reason like this.

Inoue's face softened with a look of gratification, and he straightened his expression before speaking.

"Even so, I will not lower my requirements for you. That wouldn't be helping you; it would be sending you to your deaths!"

"We understand," Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Nagi exchanged a glance.

Soon, Uchiha Nagi and Namikaze Minato obtained their examination qualifications and left the office, leaving Inoue standing there in a daze.

He had expected these two students to be quite talented, but he hadn't imagined...

Namikaze Minato's level of Clone Technique far exceeded that of the publicly acknowledged top student, Uchiha Enichi.

And while Uchiha Nagi's Clone Technique was merely standard, he couldn't shake the feeling that since this kid could be friends with Namikaze Minato, he was definitely still hiding something.

Perhaps the boy simply felt that this level was enough to pass the exam, and thus only displayed this much.

"Truly... heroes are born in youth!"

Inoue sighed, then broke into a smile.

As a teacher, he naturally hoped his students would be as outstanding as possible.

As the final days of the semester drew to a close, the various grades began their final exams.

Of course, for the sixth-year students and those from lower grades who had applied for graduation, the time for the graduation exam had arrived.

Jiraiya watched the students participating in the exam below with a bored expression, letting out a yawn.

The reason he was here was because his teacher, in an attempt to make him settle down, had demanded that he become a jonin instructor and lead a team.

Unable to refuse, Jiraiya had no choice but to come here to see if any of the newly graduated students caught his eye.

However, from the start until now, he had only taken a liking to one person.

That person was Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki.

But he had already been claimed by that guy, Orochimaru.

Yes, not only Jiraiya, but Orochimaru had also been ordered to become a jonin instructor.

Finally, some decent students appeared—three of them all at once...

But after Jiraiya checked their names, he leaned back again, having no intention of moving.

Because their surnames were Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara.

Jiraiya naturally knew of Konoha's Ino-Shika-Cho; they had their own inheritance systems and basically didn't need him to teach them anything.

Most importantly, he didn't want to get involved in the politics above. If he became their teacher, the old man might later get the idea of making him Hokage.

And that, for Jiraiya, was unacceptable.

His personality wasn't suited for it, and he had his own matters to attend to—matters that even concerned the survival of the ninja world!

After a long while, another examinee appeared who left a slight impression on him.

"Uchiha... huh." Jiraiya felt a headache coming on; this was even less likely.

It wasn't that he had any prejudice against the Uchiha, but the clan was too deeply entangled in politics and far too troublesome.

Jiraiya, lost in thought, suddenly paused as he watched the golden figure on the field.

That was the most excellent ninjutsu he had seen all day!

And it didn't come from one of the sixth-year students, but from a fourth-year student who had applied for early examination.

Jiraiya picked up the boy's registration form, the corner of his mouth curling up.

"Namikaze Minato? You'll do."

His background was simple; even if he took him as a disciple, it would have no impact on his future.

Of course, a team couldn't consist of only one person, but since there were no other choices, he would let the teacher arrange the rest.

As for the others following, Jiraiya thought they were quite average, including another boy with the surname Uchiha.

"It really is Jiraiya."

Uchiha Nagi naturally spotted the young man with long white hair who looked somewhat lazy.

"Jiraiya must have taken a liking to Namikaze Minato at this moment and started acting as their jonin instructor, but..."

Uchiha Nagi's mouth twitched; Jiraiya probably never took the job of a jonin instructor seriously.

At most, in a year or two, he would remain in the Land of Rain to begin serving as a teacher to Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.

Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato's teammates from the original story should also be dying on the battlefield around this time.

By the time Jiraiya returned, it was likely that only Namikaze Minato would still be alive.

Following that, Namikaze Minato would surely obtain the Flying Thunder God technique and begin his ascent.

It could be said that while Jiraiya was a good teacher, he was an extremely unqualified jonin instructor.

Lost in thought, Uchiha Nagi arrived at the hospital.

He had already calculated the time; today was the day for their monthly scheduled check-up.

Although his issues could effectively be considered resolved, both of them tacitly avoided mentioning it, and the routine of these check-ups had been maintained.

"Sister Tsunade, I'm here."

Uchiha Nagi pushed open the office door without hesitation.

"You brat are getting less and less polite." Tsunade shot Uchiha Nagi an annoyed glance.

"Well, since Sister Tsunade has already touched every inch of my body, you have to take responsibility."

As Uchiha Nagi spoke, he glanced at Tsunade; her proportions seemed to have grown even larger. Truly terrifying!

"That was a doctor examining a patient. In a doctor's eyes, there is no distinction between male and female..." Tsunade said, feeling speechless.

"Besides, that was when you were six years old. How do you still remember that?"

Uchiha Nagi nodded as if it were only natural: "Of course I have to remember. That is ironclad proof."

"Little devil." Tsunade chuckled, though she didn't take it to heart—or perhaps, she had simply grown accustomed to it.

This wasn't the first time Uchiha Nagi had "schemed" against her.

"I heard you've already graduated?" Tsunade asked.

"Yeah, I just walked out of the exam hall."

"Kid, how would you feel about being on a team with my younger brother?"

Tsunade looked at Uchiha Nagi; if he could be on a team with Nawaki, Nawaki could help her keep an eye on him, and she would be able to rest much easier.

Uchiha Nagi was somewhat stunned. He remembered... wasn't Nawaki supposed to be Orochimaru's student?