Dragon Flame Jutsu

"Mr. Teng Ran, will anyone really take the job?"

"You can tell at a glance that you're inexperienced. Just wait—ninjas will be accepting the job any moment now."

Teng Ran Yida was a mineral merchant. This shipment of iron ore came from a newly launched mining venture of his and was to be transported from the Land of Grass to the western part of the Land of Fire.

There were two major transportation hubs along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.

They needed to pass through one of them: Kannabi Bridge.

It was their first time taking this route, so they needed powerful ninjas to escort them.

To that end, he had offered a reward of ten million and sent someone to Konoha to commission the mission.

"Just watch, Yuichi! The ones who come will definitely be tall, strong, and formidable warrior ninjas."

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone was knocking at the door!

The moment Chi Yi Yuichi heard it, he was overjoyed and hurried over to open the door.

Before Teng Ran Yida could stop him, he had already opened it.

"Hello."

Orochimaru greeted the person before him, then took out his token and displayed it.

"Ahahaha! Ninja sirs! Please, come in, come in!"

Teng Ran Yida, who had rushed over, had sharp eyes and spotted the token in Orochimaru's hand at once.

He hurriedly invited the three of them inside...

Three people? Why was there a child with them?

"Ninja sirs... may I ask, did the three of you accept this mission together?"

"That's right. This is my child, so there's no need to worry. He's an outstanding ninja as well."

Orochimaru casually told the lie without even batting an eye.

"Mr. Teng Ran... do ninjas bring children along on missions?"

"Shut up! I haven't even dealt with you for opening the door so suddenly!"

Moving like lightning, Teng Ran Yida swiftly knocked Chi Yi Yuichi on the head before turning to greet his guests.

"Please, have a seat, gentlemen!"

Teng Ran Yida brought over two more chairs, and the four of them sat around the table.

"When can you set out?"

"We can leave at any time, but the sooner the better."

"Wonderful. Let's discuss the details briefly, then set out after lunch at noon!"

"No problem."

Orochimaru and Teng Ran Yida began discussing the details of the mission.

Xuanhui had wanted to listen in, but Jiraiya immediately dragged him aside.

"Hey, kid! What kind of ninjutsu has Orochimaru taught you?"

"Well... just the ordinary Three-Body Technique. Teacher Orochimaru mainly uses Wind Release, while my innate chakra natures are Lightning Release, Fire Release, Yin Release, and Yang Release."

"You were born with four chakra natures! What bloodline limit do you have?"

"I don't have one for the time being. I want to learn chakra nature transformation, but Teacher Orochimaru said it was too early. He said I should at least learn a few more ninjutsu of those attributes first."

"Oh! I see!"

Jiraiya nodded. He stared thoughtfully at the patterns on the floor.

"How about I teach you a Fire Release ninjutsu? Interested?"

"Right now? Let's go!"

The two exchanged a look with Orochimaru and hurried downstairs.

They arrived at the mountain behind the inn, where Jiraiya selected a wide open area.

"Kid, did Orochimaru teach you how to throw shuriken and kunai?"

"He did. Teacher Orochimaru has given me plenty of guidance in taijutsu and weapon use too!"

After saying that, Xuanhui recalled something and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, a one-tomoe Sharingan had appeared.

"Those eyes! You're from the Uchiha Clan too!"

"You're one-quarter right..."

"One-quarter... you're mixed-blood too?"

Xuanhui briefly explained his family situation, leaving Jiraiya dumbfounded.

"A marriage alliance between four clans... these clan people really know how to have fun!"

Jiraiya shook his head, then put on a serious expression again.

"Back to business. Can you use chakra strings? The kind tied to kunai and shuriken."

"I can use that advanced technique too."

"Excellent. I'll teach you a C-rank ninjutsu: Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

As Jiraiya explained, he pulled out a shuriken.

He looked toward a massive boulder and threw the shuriken, striking the center of it with flawless precision.

Looking closely, the faintly visible crystalline glimmer in the air was the chakra string attached to it!

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

A powerful blaze raced along the chakra string and struck the boulder in the blink of an eye.

The boulder was instantly swallowed by a sea of flames!

"Wow! Amazing!"

Jiraiya proudly wiped his nose, planted his hands on his hips, and basked in Xuanhui's admiring gaze.

"I originally planned to teach you just any ninjutsu, but I didn't expect this one to be especially suitable for you at your current stage.

This ninjutsu is suited for mid- to long-range combat. Although the chakra string imposes a prerequisite, compared to other Fire Release techniques, it is faster and more precise in its strike range.

You possess the Sharingan, the Yamanaka Clan's sensory abilities, and the Uzumaki Clan's powerful vitality and chakra.

Compared to others, you have an enormous advantage in meeting its prerequisites. It's perfect for helping you through the early stages."

Listening to Jiraiya's analysis, Xuanhui could not help but feel impressed.

It really made sense! Not only was it fundamental, but it was also highly practical for him!

"I'll learn it!"

A C-rank ninjutsu was not particularly difficult to learn.

Since Xuanhui had undergone nearly a year of basic training under Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru, he was already highly proficient in chakra control.

With Jiraiya's guidance and his different teaching style today, Xuanhui felt as though he had undergone a transformation!

It was a breakthrough in his way of thinking!

His previous accumulation was like a volcano that had lain dormant for ages, finally erupting!

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

Xuanhui's chest swelled as fierce flames surged along the chakra string like a dragon plunging into an abyss, striking the boulder's remains with perfect accuracy.

After being hit by the flames twice, the boulder had already cracked apart into stones of all sizes.

"A genius..."

Jiraiya looked at Xuanhui with delighted surprise. For a moment, he seemed to see the young Orochimaru before him.

"Forget Orochimaru, Xuanhui! Become my disciple instead!"

Jiraiya grabbed Xuanhui's hand with a solemn expression, as though he were discussing something of utmost importance.

"Forget it, Lord Jiraiya. I could never betray my teacher. I'm not that kind of person."

Achoo!

Orochimaru sneezed—a rare occurrence that startled both Teng Ran Yida and Chi Yi Yuichi.

Jiraiya? What exactly are you saying to Xuanhui behind my back?

Back on this side, Jiraiya squatted on the ground dejectedly, occasionally glancing at Xuanhui as he practiced over and over again.

At last, Xuanhui could no longer ignore that burning gaze. He turned around and quickly walked over to Jiraiya.

"Xuanhui, have you changed your mind?"

"Lord Jiraiya, stop dreaming about me. I came to recommend someone else to you."

"Who?"

"He's about the same age as me, with blond hair. He's smart and gentle. If you go back a little later, there's a chance you'll see him pestering a red-haired girl..."

Wait... is that any way to describe someone? How long am I supposed to search for him?