Opponent Jiraiya

"Have you heard? Yueshu, Kushina, and Mikoto have all applied for early graduation together."

"Is that for real? All three of them applied at once? That's never happened before."

"We haven't even seen two apply at the same time, let alone three."

"No wonder the three of them have been walking together after school lately; they were secretly training."

"I can understand Yueshu—he can even defeat Minato Namikaze—but are Kushina and Mikoto really graduating early too?"

"Is that even allowed? Has any girl ever graduated from the Ninja Academy early?"

"I have absolutely no memory of that."

Konoha was only so big, and in just a short while, the news of Yueshu and his two companions seeking early graduation had spread throughout the entire Ninja Academy.

The stir caused by Minato Namikaze's early graduation hadn't even fully died down, and now the school was buzzing again, with every child discussing the trio.

Three people graduating early together was unprecedented in the history of Konoha, and the fact that two of them were girls made it seem even more incredible.

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

Sarutobi Hiruzen was already standing there waiting, and the three of them had spotted him from a distance.

Not many people knew about this place; it was quiet and still, a stark contrast to the Ninja Academy they had just passed.

"You're here."

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

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

Yueshu had met this man once before.

He had beautiful, long black hair and skin paler than a woman's, making him look almost feminine.

Yueshu certainly knew who he was.

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

The mad scientist known as "Snake Uncle" by people in his past life, he was one of the few in the ninja world obsessed with research.

It could even be said that when it came to the research and obsession with Kekkei Genkai, no ninja could compare to him.

Orochimaru's research was all dedicated to one goal: the perfect body.

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

Those snake-like slit pupils seemed devoid of warmth as they fixed their gaze upon Yueshu.

"You... are interesting."

Orochimaru's voice was low, a soft whisper like a serpent.

He licked his lips, his tongue thin and long.

It had to be said, this guy really gave Yueshu a bad impression; he almost felt like he was looking at a freak.

That feeling was indescribable, but in short, it was deeply uncomfortable.

Withdrawing his gaze, Yueshu stopped meeting Orochimaru's eyes.

After all, no one would want to stare into the eyes of a pervert, and Orochimaru was a genuine, bona fide pervert.

"Ahem."

Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed a few times, instantly commanding the scene, and even Orochimaru reined himself in quite a bit.

At this point in time, he didn't have so many twisted thoughts yet, and he hadn't quite become the pervert from the original story.

He still held great respect for Sarutobi Hiruzen, his teacher.

"Alright, you're all ready, I assume."

Sarutobi Hiruzen swept his gaze over the three of them.

The trio didn't speak, but their eyes spoke for them.

"Good. Let me explain the content of your graduation exam."

"It's very simple."

Sarutobi Hiruzen flashed a smile.

"You must snatch the bells from the hands of a Jonin. As long as one of the three of you succeeds, you all pass."

As soon as the words fell, Yueshu immediately turned his gaze toward Orochimaru.

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

Orochimaru acknowledged Yueshu's gaze with a look of his own.

Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke again.

"Although Orochimaru is the only Jonin here, he is not your opponent."

"Eh?"

Kushina and Mikoto let out a sound of surprise, and Yueshu was also taken aback.

"When your opponents are your future instructing Jonin, that is, if you can pass."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

Tap! Tap!

A few sounds of wooden boards being struck echoed out.

"The Sage of Mount Myoboku."

"Jiraiya has arrived—"

A figure leaped out from the side and landed steadily, striking a pose.

There was no mistake; it was exactly the Jiraiya that Yueshu had been longing for.

"Jiraiya?"

Yueshu stared blankly at the white-haired figure in front of him, and the two girls beside him were equally bewildered.

"That's right!"

Jiraiya struck another pose.

"It is I, Jiraiya!"

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

Just as Yueshu was about to say something, Minato Namikaze ran out from the side. This was not surprising; since Jiraiya was here, Minato Namikaze would naturally be wherever he went.

"But aren't you already leading Minato? We are three people, wouldn't that exceed the three-person limit?"

Yueshu looked at Minato Namikaze, acknowledging him, then turned to ask Jiraiya.

"Who told you a squad has to be three people?"

Jiraiya stopped posing and stood up straight.

"—"

Yueshu couldn't refute that; indeed, no one had ever stipulated that a ninja squad must consist of three people.

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

Kushina asked as well.

"Mm."

Jiraiya nodded affirmatively.

Mikoto and Kushina exchanged glances; they had never expected that they would become members of Konoha's first four-person squad.

"Well, originally, it is generally better for a squad to have three people, but Jiraiya personally requested to lead all four of you. Given Jiraiya's strength, he is capable of handling this responsibility, so I have permitted it," Sarutobi Hiruzen said from the side before looking back at Jiraiya.

"Orochimaru and I have matters to attend to, so I will leave this to you, Jiraiya."

"Yeah, go ahead, old man."

"You should call me 'Sensei'; I've told you that for so long."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed helplessly and vanished in an instant, taking Orochimaru with him.

The scene was left with only Yueshu, the two girls, Jiraiya, and Minato Namikaze. The surroundings were deathly quiet, without a single sound.

"Alright, get ready to face the Sage of Mount Myoboku, I, Jiraiya, as your opponent."

Jiraiya smiled, shedding his usual approachable demeanor as his entire presence turned sharp and fierce.

A powerful aura swept over them like a gale, and the three of them could clearly feel the intensity radiating from Jiraiya.

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

Their breathing grew heavy; Kushina and Mikoto were affected even more severely, their bodies trembling slightly.

Standing before them now was a legendary figure of the Second Great Ninja War, one of the Sannin known as Jiraiya, a man whose strength rivaled that of a Kage.

Yueshu broke into a smile; he didn't know why, but he felt a surge of excitement.

Kushina and Mikoto felt the same. Seeing Yueshu's smile, they began to laugh even as their bodies shook.

Jiraiya felt the same way.

This was the scene he had hoped to see.

The fire of Konoha would not fear the gale; it would only burn brighter and stronger.