Test

"Alright, since this is the first time Team Jiraiya has gathered, your teacher will treat you to a meal. You choose the place."

Jiraiya spoke with grand generosity; as a Jonin, his pay was exceptionally high.

"Then let's go for barbecue. As it happens, I have something to discuss with the owner of the barbecue shop."

Uchiha Nagi had no intention of being polite. Jiraiya was wealthy enough to barely cover Tsunade's gambling debts, so there was no reason not to fleece him.

"You really don't stand on ceremony, kid." Jiraiya chuckled.

Uchiha Nagi looked at Jiraiya and smiled back: "Teacher, is there any need for me to be polite?"

Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh.

"Of course not. A mere barbecue meal is something your teacher can certainly afford."

With that, he took the lead and headed toward the largest barbecue restaurant in the village.

The three of them followed behind, and Namikaze Minato looked thoughtful: "Nagi, I remember you work at the barbecue shop. Are you going there to quit your job this time?"

Jiraiya was surprised to hear this. An Uchiha working at a barbecue shop? He hadn't misheard, had he?

Uchiha Mikoto was equally surprised; she hadn't expected her clansman to be working a part-time job.

She only knew that Eri's family situation didn't seem great, but she hadn't looked into it much. To think that even Eri's younger brother was working?

Uchiha Nagi nodded, making no attempt to hide it.

"I've become a Genin, and I'll likely be going out on missions soon. I won't have time to keep working."

As they spoke, the group arrived at the barbecue shop.

Upon hearing Uchiha Nagi's request to resign, Boss Akimichi was shocked, his face showing clear reluctance.

He had long been won over by the boy's grilling technique, having even raised his wages several times.

But after hearing Uchiha Nagi's reason for leaving and seeing Jiraiya standing nearby, Boss Akimichi had no choice but to agree, feeling both helpless and sad.

Afterward, the four of them ate to their hearts' content, with Uchiha Nagi naturally taking charge of the grilling.

"That's it for today. We'll meet on that rooftop at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

Jiraiya didn't care about his image at all, rubbing his stomach; he didn't want to move an inch.

"Understood."

When it was time to part ways.

"Nagi-kun, let's walk together." Uchiha Mikoto caught up to Uchiha Nagi.

"Sure." Uchiha Nagi slowed his pace.

As they walked down the road, Uchiha Mikoto was the first to speak.

"I never expected to become teammates with Eri-nee's brother."

"It wasn't a coincidence," Uchiha Nagi said.

"Eh?" Mikoto was surprised.

"Eri asked me to look after you, which is why this team was formed." Uchiha Nagi didn't intend to hide the truth.

"Is that so?" Mikoto was completely stunned. Besides, how could he possibly have the authority to decide the team's roster?

"Otherwise, do you think that as a student of the Third Hokage, Teacher Jiraiya would recruit two Uchiha disciples?" Uchiha Nagi countered.

"It seems... he wouldn't." Mikoto didn't know much about these things, but it wasn't hard to figure out.

At that moment, she began to believe what he said.

But... she felt a bit uncomfortable inside. Did Eri-nee think she needed two juniors to look after her?

"Tomorrow's meeting is likely for Teacher Jiraiya to gauge our strength and for us to get to know one another."

Uchiha Nagi could roughly guess that she might be feeling annoyed; if it were him, he would be questioning it too.

After all, geniuses were always the minority, and anyone would doubt their strength.

"Mm."

Uchiha Mikoto nodded. She clenched her fists; she would let them show her their strength and see if they were truly qualified to "look after" her!

Soon, the two parted ways within the Uchiha compound.

The next day, eight o'clock in the morning, on the rooftop.

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto had already arrived early to wait.

Uchiha Mikoto glanced at Namikaze Minato. To be honest, she still didn't quite believe Uchiha Nagi's words; this junior looked a bit "frail."

At that moment, Uchiha Nagi arrived right on time, stifling a yawn.

"Good morning."

After the three exchanged greetings, Uchiha Nagi looked around.

"Teacher Jiraiya isn't here yet?"

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto also shook their heads.

"I should have come later if I'd known," Uchiha Nagi muttered, leaning against the iron railing of the rooftop.

It seemed Jiraiya's sense of time was no better than Hatake Kakashi's.

However, while Hatake Kakashi might have been doing it on purpose, Jiraiya... that was harder to say.

As time ticked by, another half hour passed before Jiraiya finally made his tardy appearance.

He scratched his spiky hair, a sheepish grin on his face: "Sorry, I lost track of time and ended up late."

Uchiha Nagi grumbled inwardly.

It's only because the current Jiraiya isn't thick-skinned enough yet; if it were the future him, he probably wouldn't even bother apologizing.

"Alright, I won't waste any more breath. You should all be able to guess why we're gathered here today," Jiraiya said, his expression turning serious.

Instantly, the three of them straightened up, their faces growing solemn.

"I am going to test your strength through a live combat exercise. If I decide your abilities are not up to the standard of a Genin, I will revoke your graduation qualifications."

Jiraiya stated this bluntly.

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto felt their breath hitch; if they failed, wouldn't they have to wait another whole year to graduate?

Uchiha Nagi, however, wasn't particularly worried. If the three of them couldn't pass this test, then practically no one would be able to pass Jiraiya's assessment!

Seeing their grave expressions, Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh.

"Although I say that, I do believe in your strength."

"Jiraiya-sensei, just tell us the rules already," Uchiha Nagi said.

"Right. Here are two bells. You may use any means necessary; as long as you can take these two bells from me, you pass this test."

Jiraiya produced two bells and hung them from the back of his ninja pouch in front of the three of them.

"I'll emphasize this again: you may use any means necessary!"

"But Jiraiya-sensei, there are only two bells, and there are three of us," Uchiha Mikoto said, looking puzzled.

Jiraiya laughed out loud.

"Exactly, which means you are also in competition with one another. Those who don't get a bell will still pass the test, but they will have to accept a certain punishment."

As he spoke, Jiraiya flashed a mischievous grin. He thought of his own teacher and felt a wave of nostalgia, though he recalled that he was the one who usually ended up receiving the punishment.

Thinking of that, Jiraiya's smile faded.

Suddenly, he didn't feel quite so nostalgic anymore!