The Test

"All right, since this is the first time Team Jiraiya has gathered, I'll treat you to a meal. You can pick the place."

Jiraiya declared grandly. He was a jōnin, after all, and earned a very generous salary.

"Then let's go for barbecue. I happen to have something to discuss with the barbecue restaurant's owner."

Uchiha Nagi didn't feel the need to be polite. Jiraiya had money, and would even be able to help cover Tsunade's gambling debts later on. There was no reason not to take advantage of him.

"You're really not shy, are you, kid?" Jiraiya chuckled.

Uchiha Nagi looked at Jiraiya and smiled. "Sensei, do I need to be?"

Jiraiya burst out laughing.

"Of course not. I can still afford one barbecue meal."

With that, he led the way toward the biggest barbecue restaurant in the village.

The other three followed. Namikaze Minato seemed thoughtful. "Nagi, I remember you work at the barbecue restaurant. Are you going to quit this job now?"

Jiraiya was surprised to hear that. A Uchiha working at a barbecue restaurant? Had he heard that right?

Uchiha Mikoto was just as surprised. She hadn't expected someone from her clan to be working outside the compound.

She only knew that Eri's family didn't seem to be doing very well, but she hadn't looked into the details. Had even Eri's younger brother been working?

Uchiha Nagi nodded, not bothering to hide it.

"I've become a Genin, and I'll probably be going out on missions from now on. I won't have much time to keep working."

As they spoke, they arrived at the barbecue restaurant.

When Boss Akimichi heard that Uchiha Nagi wanted to quit, he was taken aback and looked reluctant to let him go.

After all, he had long since been won over by Nagi's barbecue skills, and had given him several raises.

But after hearing Nagi's reason for quitting and seeing Jiraiya standing beside him, Boss Akimichi could only agree, though he did so with reluctance.

The four of them enjoyed their meal, with Uchiha Nagi naturally in charge of grilling the meat.

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

Jiraiya made no effort to keep up appearances. Rubbing his stomach, he didn't feel like moving at all.

"All right."

When they were about to part ways,

"Nagi, let's walk together," Uchiha Mikoto said, catching up with him.

"Sure." Uchiha Nagi slowed his pace.

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

"I never expected to end up on a team with Eri's younger brother."

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

"Huh?" Mikoto looked surprised.

"Eri asked me to look after you, so that's why we ended up on the same team." Uchiha Nagi didn't try to hide it.

"Is that so?" Mikoto was completely taken aback. Could he really decide who his teammates would be?

"Otherwise, do you think Jiraiya-sensei, a student of the Third Hokage, would take on two Uchiha students?" Uchiha Nagi asked.

"I guess... not." Mikoto didn't know much about this, but it wasn't hard to figure out.

At that point, she started to believe what he was saying.

But... she also felt a little uncomfortable. Did Eri think she needed two junior teammates to look after her?

"Jiraiya-sensei probably arranged tomorrow's meeting so he can get a feel for our abilities, and so we can get to know one another."

Uchiha Nagi could guess that Mikoto might be unhappy about this. He would have had doubts too, if he were in her shoes.

After all, geniuses were rare, and anyone would question their abilities.

"Mm."

Uchiha Mikoto nodded and clenched her fist. She would see for herself whether they were capable of "looking after" her!

Before long, the two of them parted ways inside the Uchiha Clan Compound.

At eight the next morning, on the rooftop,

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto had already arrived and were waiting.

Uchiha Mikoto sized up Namikaze Minato. Honestly, she still wasn't entirely convinced by what Uchiha Nagi had said. This junior looked a little "frail."

Just then, Uchiha Nagi arrived right on time, yawning.

"Good morning."

After they greeted one another, Uchiha Nagi glanced around.

"Has Jiraiya-sensei not arrived yet?"

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto both shook their heads.

"I should've come even later," Uchiha Nagi grumbled, leaning against the metal railing at the edge of the rooftop.

It seemed Jiraiya had no better sense of punctuality than Hatake Kakashi.

Though Hatake Kakashi might be late on purpose. Jiraiya... that was another matter.

Time passed, and another half hour went by before Jiraiya finally showed up.

He ruffled his spiky hair and gave them an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I didn't realize how late it had gotten."

Uchiha Nagi grumbled inwardly.

Jiraiya hasn't gotten quite so thick-skinned yet. If this were the older version of him, he probably wouldn't even apologize.

"All right, I won't waste your time. You can probably guess why I called you here today." Jiraiya's expression turned serious.

The three of them immediately grew serious as well.

"I'll test your abilities through actual combat. If I decide you're not strong enough to be Genin, I'll revoke your graduation status."

Jiraiya spoke plainly.

Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto held their breath. If they failed, would they have to wait another year before graduating?

Uchiha Nagi wasn't too worried. If none of the three of them could pass this test, then practically no one would be able to pass Jiraiya's test!

Seeing their tense expressions, Jiraiya laughed again.

"That said, I believe in your abilities."

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

"Mm. I have two bells here. Once we begin, you can use any means necessary. If you can take these two bells from me, you'll pass the test."

Jiraiya took out two bells and, in front of the three of them, attached them to the back of his ninja tool pouch.

"I'll say it again: you can use any means necessary!"

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

Jiraiya laughed heartily.

"So you're competing against one another, too. Whoever doesn't get a bell can still pass the test, but will have to accept a punishment."

As he spoke, Jiraiya grinned. He thought of his own teacher and felt a little nostalgic, though he seemed to remember that he was the one who had ended up being punished.

Come to think of it, Jiraiya's smile faded.

Suddenly, he didn't feel so nostalgic anymore!