Jiraiya, the Opponent

"Have you heard? Yueshu, Kushina, and Mikoto all applied to graduate early."

"Really? All three of them applied together? Has that ever happened before?"

"Not even two have done it before, let alone three."

"No wonder the three of them have been walking together after school lately. They've been training in secret."

"Yueshu makes sense—he can already beat Minato Namikaze. But Kushina and Mikoto are graduating early too?"

"Can that even happen? Has a girl ever graduated early from the Ninja Academy?"

"I can't think of any."

Konoha wasn't all that big. In no time, news of Yueshu and the two girls applying for early graduation had spread throughout the entire Ninja Academy.

The commotion caused by Minato Namikaze's early graduation had only just died down, and now the school was buzzing again. All the children were talking about the three of them.

Three people graduating early together was unprecedented in Konoha's history. And with two of them being girls, it seemed all the more unbelievable.

Leaving the people at school aside, Yueshu, Kushina, and Mikoto had already arrived at the training ground behind the school.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was waiting for them there. The three of them had spotted him from a long way off.

Hardly anyone knew about this place, and it was quiet all around. It was a stark contrast to the Ninja Academy they'd just passed.

"You're here."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as he saw the three of them arrive.

Unlike Kushina and Mikoto, who greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen first, Yueshu's gaze was fixed on the person standing beside him.

Yueshu had seen that person once before.

He had long, beautiful black hair and skin paler than a woman's. He looked just like one.

Yueshu knew who he was, of course.

One of Sarutobi Hiruzen's three disciples, and one of the Sannin—Orochimaru.

The scientific madman whom people in Yueshu's previous life called Snake Uncle was one of the few people in the ninja world obsessed with research.

It could even be said that no one in the ninja world could match Snake Uncle's obsession with researching Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru had only one goal in his research: a perfect body.

Yueshu stared at Orochimaru, and Orochimaru stared back at him.

His slit pupils, like a snake's, seemed devoid of warmth as he fixed his gaze on Yueshu.

"You're interesting."

Orochimaru's voice was low, his words a soft hiss like a snake's.

He licked his lips. His tongue was thin and long.

There was no denying that Yueshu found this guy deeply off-putting. He even gave Yueshu the impression of a man who looked like a woman.

The feeling was hard to put into words. All Yueshu knew was that it made him uncomfortable.

Yueshu looked away and stopped meeting Orochimaru's gaze.

After all, no one wanted to stare into the eyes of a weirdo, and Orochimaru was a genuine weirdo.

"Ahem."

Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed a few times, instantly settling the scene. Even Orochimaru beside him became more reserved.

At this point, Orochimaru hadn't yet developed so many ideas. He wasn't the same kind of weirdo as in the original story.

He still greatly respected his teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"All right, are you ready?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked over the three of them.

Yueshu and the girls didn't say anything. Their eyes were answer enough.

"Good. I'll explain the graduation exam."

"It's simple."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

"You have to take the bell from an elite Jonin. If even one of the three of you manages to get one, you'll pass."

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, Yueshu immediately looked at Orochimaru.

There were only a few people here, and Orochimaru was the only elite Jonin.

Orochimaru followed Yueshu's gaze and gave him a look.

Then Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke again.

"Although Orochimaru is the only elite Jonin here, he won't be your opponent."

"Huh?"

Kushina and Mikoto both exclaimed in surprise, and Yueshu was taken aback too.

"Your opponent will be the elite Jonin who will lead your team in the future—assuming you pass, of course."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

Tap, tap!

A few knocks sounded against the wooden boards.

"The Sage of Mount Myoboku."

"Jiraiya makes his entrance!"

A figure leaped out from the side, landed neatly, and struck a pose.

That was right—it was Jiraiya, the person Yueshu had been eagerly waiting to meet.

"Jiraiya?"

Yueshu stared at the white-haired man before him in bewilderment. The two girls beside him looked just as confused.

"That's right!"

Jiraiya struck another pose.

"It's me, Jiraiya!"

"Hey, Yueshu, you're finally graduating early."

Just as Yueshu was about to say something, Minato Namikaze ran out from the side. It wasn't surprising—Jiraiya was here, and Minato Namikaze was always with him, so he wouldn't be far away.

"But aren't you already leading Minato Namikaze? There are three of us. Wouldn't that make more than three people?"

Yueshu glanced at Minato Namikaze in acknowledgment, then turned to Jiraiya and asked.

"Who told you a squad had to have three people?"

Jiraiya stopped posing and stood up straight.

"..."

Yueshu had no answer. It was true that no one had ever said a ninja squad had to have three people.

"Then if we pass, will we be Konoha's first four-person squad?"

Kushina asked too.

"Mm."

Jiraiya nodded firmly.

Mikoto and Kushina exchanged a glance. Neither of them had expected to become members of Konoha's first four-person squad.

"Well, normally, it's better to have three people on a squad. But Jiraiya offered to lead all four of you, and he's strong enough to take on that responsibility, so I approved it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said this from the side, then looked at Jiraiya.

"Orochimaru and I have some business to take care of, so I'll leave this to you, Jiraiya."

"Mm. You can go, old man."

"You should call me 'teacher.' How many times have I told you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed helplessly, then left with Orochimaru in an instant.

Only Yueshu, the two girls, Jiraiya, and Minato Namikaze remained. The area around them was completely silent.

"All right, get ready. You'll be facing me, Jiraiya, the Sage of Mount Myoboku."

Jiraiya smiled. His usual friendly demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharpness that radiated from his whole body.

A powerful presence swept over them like a gale. Yueshu and the girls could clearly feel the force Jiraiya exuded.

It was the aura of a true powerhouse, forged by countless kills on the battlefield.

Their breathing grew heavier. It was even worse for Kushina and Mikoto; their bodies were trembling slightly.

Standing before them was a legendary figure from the Second Ninja War, one of the Sannin: Jiraiya, a man powerful enough to rival someone at Kage Level.

Yueshu smiled. He didn't know why, but he felt a surge of excitement.

Kushina and Mikoto felt the same. When they saw Yueshu smiling, they smiled too, their bodies still trembling.

Jiraiya felt the same way.

This was exactly the sight he wanted to see.

The Will of Fire wouldn't fear the gale. It would only burn brighter.