The three of them ran through another two rounds of basic coordination drills.
This time, there were no bells and no elusive figure of Teacher Hiruzen. They simply worked on their positioning and coordination.
Jiraiya had indeed reined in some of his aggression. Tsunade's kicking stance was a little more restrained, while Orochimaru's gaze grew sharper, his predictions and commands coming almost simultaneously.
The sounds of footsteps, heavy breathing, and the occasional command gradually wove themselves into a fine net beneath the morning light.
After another round, Jiraiya finally could not take it anymore. He sprawled flat on the grass, his chest heaving violently.
"No, I can't... I need... ten minutes..."
Tsunade was tired too, but not nearly as dramatically as him. She merely leaned against a tree, her eyes closed as she adjusted her breathing.
Sweat slid down from her temple. She wiped it away casually and said irritably,
"We've barely been training, and you're already this pathetic."
"What do you know? This is called giving it everything!"
Jiraiya's voice was weak and breathless.
Orochimaru did not join the conversation.
He still stood in the middle of the training field, looking down at his hands, seemingly replaying every movement and every command from earlier in his mind.
His golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly, his habitual expression whenever he was deeply focused.
A light breeze swept across the training field, carrying the faint scent of food from the distant cafeteria.
The sun had already risen higher, and the shadows had shortened considerably.
Jiraiya rolled over onto his stomach, propping his chin on his arms as he stared toward the entrance of the training field.
The wooden gate remained quietly shut, showing no sign of opening.
"Ahhh—"
He dragged out the sound like a fish left to dry on shore.
"Say,