The Sannin's Shared Disciple

"In that case, since you don't want to return to the village, how about becoming my disciple? Travel the entire ninja world with me, hahahaha!" Jiraiya was the first to extend the invitation. He was never one to be indecisive; when he encountered a potential student he wanted, he spoke his mind.

Orochimaru, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes.

"I believe this child has the potential to cultivate alongside me instead. Jiraiya, I don't think he is a suitable disciple for you. With your reckless personality, you would inevitably turn this little one into a fool just like yourself. I certainly don't wish to see a 'Jiraiya the Second' emerge," Orochimaru remarked.

Jiraiya: ?

"Aren't you and Tsunade supposed to return to Konohagakure? Since that's the case, it's best for this kid to stay with me and train. I, for one, have no desire to return to the village," Jiraiya said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Heh... I knew you would use the return to the village as an excuse. Two days ago, the teacher sent a secret dispatch ordering us to head to Sunagakure immediately in one week's time to take down their forces in one fell swoop," Orochimaru said, a smile appearing on his face.

Jiraiya scratched his head.

"There is no point in us arguing here. Let the little one choose for himself," Orochimaru said, crossing his arms.

Following this, Jiraiya and Orochimaru both turned their gazes toward Uchiha Chiba, who was sitting on the hospital bed.

In a sense, Uchiha Chiba's goal of becoming a disciple to one of the three had seemingly succeeded, but in reality, when it came to choosing... Uchiha Chiba had his own considerations. The most suitable mentor for him was undoubtedly Tsunade.

First, regarding Jiraiya: if he were to follow Jiraiya, he would likely learn various special ninjutsu related to Mount Myoboku, as well as the exclusive Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku. However, the problem was that he had already formed a Blood Pact with Katsuyu of Shikkotsu Forest. For a ninja to summon two different types of summoning beasts simultaneously was unheard of. Furthermore, if he truly followed Jiraiya to train, encountering Konan and the others would only be a matter of time. Uchiha Chiba did not want to put them in danger; once Hanzo the Salamander knew he had appeared within the borders of the Land of Rain, he would likely be relentless, just as he had been a week ago.

Second, regarding Orochimaru: although Orochimaru would have a brief cooperation with Danzo after the Second Shinobi World War in the original timeline, he would part ways with him after being discovered by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He practiced the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave, though it seemed he lacked the talent for it; even in the original story, he never displayed it. While this future mad scientist could provide him with a great deal of help, his own secrets would eventually be discovered by him. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not choose to apprentice under Orochimaru.

Swish!

The curtain at the entrance was pulled aside.

Tsunade's figure appeared inside the tent.

"This brat, he's coming with me. I happen to be short an assistant," Tsunade said abruptly, pointing at Uchiha Chiba on the bed.

Jiraiya: ?

Orochimaru: ?

"Tsunade, Uchiha Chiba is clearly a ninjutsu-type ninja. Your taijutsu probably won't be of much help to him. It would be better for him to learn alongside me," Jiraiya said, spreading his hands. He truly couldn't understand why his two old friends were fighting over this child.

After hearing Jiraiya's words, Uchiha Chiba suddenly remembered something. He then looked toward Orochimaru, who was standing not far away: "Lord Orochimaru, have you seen my Kusarigama? That weapon is truly important to me..."

Orochimaru was the rational one. He ignored the bickering between Jiraiya and Tsunade and pondered quietly before saying, "You mean that Kusarigama? I remember now. Your weapon seems to have been left outside the tent. But why is it so important?"

"My apologies..."

"Ha... I suppose I asked too much."

Following this, Uchiha Chiba walked out of the tent.

He scanned his surroundings.

He finally spotted the Kusarigama on a rack and walked toward it. This weapon was not the one originally gifted to him by Hanzo the Salamander, but rather a keepsake left behind by Katsuzuki of the Salamander...

"Hey, kid? Hurry up and come in. We've finished talking. You don't need to agonize over who to choose as your master," Tsunade said in a loud voice.

Uchiha Chiba slung the Kusarigama over his back and walked into the tent.

Then, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade exchanged a glance and said in unison: "In that case, you can just be the disciple of all three of us."

"What? Isn't that too hasty?"

Soon, a week passed.

Today was the day the Konoha forces, led by Orochimaru, were to head toward Sunagakure to defend against the Sand.

"Chiba, do you know why Sunagakure wants to go to war with Konoha?" Orochimaru asked, his eyes fixed on the map without looking up at Chiba.

"Because the terrain of the Land of Wind does not seem to support the production of ordinary crops; their resources appear to be very scarce," Chiba replied.

Orochimaru nodded.

As it turned out, over the past week, the three of them had devised a perfect plan for Chiba.

"Orochimaru, we are now within the borders of the Land of Wind. This appears to be a battlefield," Jiraiya said, rubbing his chin with a look of confusion. By all logic, this was the time when Konoha and the Sand were locked in a fierce struggle; this battlefield shouldn't be devoid of people.

"Chiba, go and take a look. And don't forget the concealment techniques I taught you," Jiraiya said, patting Chiba on the shoulder.

Uchiha Chiba nodded. He took a step forward, just about to walk onto the deserted battlefield, when suddenly!

The forbidden Blood Pact deep within his body began to hum, as if warning Uchiha Chiba that something of great importance was nearby within the Land of Wind.

The Land of Wind contained the largest desert in the entire ninja world, and the sands hid many dangers, such as quicksand traps. However, under normal circumstances, a ninja with Kage-level strength would not be restrained by a mere quicksand trap.

Yet, perhaps due to the influence of the Blood Pact in his body, he failed to notice the quicksand trap hidden beneath his feet for a split second. The next moment, he felt the ground beneath him begin to loosen, and his body sank uncontrollably.

He tried to struggle free, but the power of the quicksand was immense, swallowing him rapidly. His body was gradually buried, leaving only his head and one arm visible, his hand still clutching his weapon tightly.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Orochimaru performed the hand seals, and a massive gray python lunged forward, biting onto Uchiha Chiba's clothing and dragging him out of the quicksand.

"What's wrong? How could you fall into such an obvious quicksand trap?" Orochimaru frowned.

"No... I, it seems, felt something... It blocked my chakra perception? I..." Uchiha Chiba clutched his forehead. Inside his body, the forbidden Blood Pact was humming incessantly.

Seeing that Uchiha Chiba was in a bad state, Tsunade immediately rushed to his side.

"Mystical Palm Technique."