WebNovels

Chapter 22 - Students, Power reveal.

"Let's welcome the three Legendary Sannin of Konoha!" Daiki announced loudly as the door slid open.

Instantly, three figures appeared before the class.

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Jiraiya's gaze swept over the rows of students until it landed on Minato. Tsunade, meanwhile, gave a faint nod toward Kushina, while Orochimaru's sharp eyes scanned the classroom, searching.

The three had just returned from war. Though their presence was commanding, the subtle exhaustion in their eyes revealed the toll of battle. The fighting had ended not long ago, and even legends bore scars of fatigue.

Daiki's voice cut through the low murmurs. "Keep silence!"

The class stilled.

Then, Tsunade spoke firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "Kushina Uzumaki… and Mikoto Uchiha. Come with me."

Kushina and Mikoto rose from their seats and walked towards Tsunade, standing at her side with an air of pride and nervous excitement. Orochimaru and Jiraiya, meanwhile, stepped forward.

Orochimaru shook his head, whispering under his breath toward Jiraiya. "I came only because you insisted. I've no intention of recruiting a student… besides—" his eyes swept the room with disdain, "—there isn't anyone here with true potential."

Stepping back, he folded his arms.

Jiraiya smiled instead, voice warm as he spoke out to the class. "Minato Namikaze… and Indra Uchiha. Come forward, please." His gentle tone echoed across the room, making several students sense happiness just hearing his voice. The tone of a figure who is easy to talk to and loving to everyone—(get that feeling?)

Indra and Minato rose at once, walking steadily to Jiraiya's side.

With that, the three Sannin departed with their chosen students—though Orochimaru lagged behind, expression dark.

His golden eyes flicked once more toward Kushina, and his tongue clicked against his teeth. 'Tch. I wanted that jinchūriki… but the old man handed her over to Tsunade.'

Without another word, Orochimaru left the Academy.

Outside, Tsunade turned to face the two girls beside her. "Let's introduce ourselves officially."

Kushina was quick to speak, her voice full of life. "I'm Uzumaki Kushina, dattebane!"

"I am Uchiha Mikoto," Mikoto said softly, her smile polite but steady.

Tsunade gave them a nod of approval. "I'm Tsunade Senju. From today onwards, we'll be training together."

Her words carried enthusiasm, almost uncharacteristic of the woman known for her temper. Mikoto's eyes shone, her smile widening. In a world where male shinobi dominated the battlefield, a kunoichi as strong as Tsunade was more than a teacher—she was a symbol, a role model for every female ninja striving to prove herself.

The atmosphere between the three was calm, soft, almost comforting.

Unlike—

"Okay! Snatch these bells!" Jiraiya suddenly barked, thrusting two bells forward.

Indra's eyes widened. "Hey! We aren't even genin yet! motherf—"

Before he could protest further, Minato quickly covered his mouth with his palm. "He said nothing, Jiraiya-sensei!"

Jiraiya's face stayed unreadable. "You're right… you aren't genin yet." He paused, then his lips curled into a grin. "But that doesn't mean you can't break your limits!"

He slammed a fist into his palm. "Come on! Be a man!"

Indra's thoughts raced, disbelief crashing against his composure."Is he insane?! Jiraiya-sensei, I liked you as a sensei, dattebane!"

The words slipped out audible to only Minato as Minato froze.

"…Dattebane?" Indra muttered again, blinking as Minato's ears twitched.

"Have you already fallen in love?" Minato whispered quickly, then pointed at Jiraiya looking at his Defenseless figure. "Hurry up! It's a test, Indra! Look how defenseless he's standing."

Indra's eyes sharpened, studying their new teacher. His tone turned flat. "Defenseless? There isn't a single opening on him, Minato."

Minato faltered, then nodded with newfound resolve. "Even so… we can at least try."

Jiraiya's booming voice interrupted, his grin widening. "Looks like you've agreed! If you don't attack now, I'll come for you myself!"

Indra just stared, dumbfounded. "Shouldn't we introduce ourselves first?!"

"No! After we become comrades in this sparring, we'll introduce ourselves!"

"…You're mad," Indra muttered through gritted teeth.

And then Jiraiya charged.

"Indra!" Minato called, already moving.

"Alright!"

A kunai suddenly whistled through the air, slicing Jiraiya's cheek before he even registered the throw.

'Huh? I didn't even see it coming…'

Indra darted for cover, slipping into the trees as Minato unleashed a barrage of shuriken to keep their teacher distracted.

"I'll make this dumbass give up himself," Indra muttered darkly, a terrifying smile curling on his lips. His eyes shifted, the Sharingan swirling into three tomoe. With a subtle hand sign, he cloaked it under a henge, his crimson gaze dissolving into an ordinary black.

But the truth was clear—his Sharingan was fully active.

In a blur of movement, Indra appeared behind Jiraiya. A kunai lashed out, striking across the sannin's back with sharp precision.

Jiraiya's eyes widened for a fraction of a second—then his body burst into smoke with a log dropping onto the ground.

"Oh, I was just about to come find you… looks like I don't have to."

His voice came from above. A powerful kick spun downward, aimed straight for Indra's face.

Indra ducked at the last instant, the air from Jiraiya's strike brushing across his cheek. He darted backward in a blur, landing beside Minato with both hands clutching kunai.

"We only need to grab the bell?" he asked quickly.

"Only the bell!" Jiraiya confirmed, his grin sharp.

Three kunai shot forward at once, streaking toward the sannin.

"Fire Style—Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The words rang out like thunder. In the next instant, the air itself seemed to shudder—the temperature dropped sharply, the atmosphere bending as chakra swelled around Indra. Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock.

"Such… strong fire affinity…"

Then, a massive sphere of roaring flames burst forth, towering over even Jiraiya himself.

"Water Style—Water Cannon!"

Water slammed against fire with explosive force, steam erupting in thick clouds that engulfed the battlefield. Minato's eyes widened, astonished by the sheer display before him.

But then—Indra was gone.

'Body Flicker?!' jiraiya thought

In the blink of an eye, his form reappeared behind Jiraiya, kunai flashing as he drove it forward into the sannin's back.

"Hohoho~ quite nice tricks, Indra," Jiraiya chuckled, unbothered, even as he twisted and hurled the boy away with brute strength.

Indra's body skidded across the dirt, steam still swirling as shadows danced within the haze.

A figure moved through the mist. Minato stepped forward, kunai twirling in his hands with sharp precision. He lunged at Jiraiya, his kunai's edge aimed true—only for it to be caught between two fingers.

The sannin's amused eyes met his. "Boy, you're too weak to rush opponents head-on like that."

From the side, Indra's smirk widened. Then, laughter poured from him—deep, confident, the kind only an Uchiha could make echo through the air.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Jiraiya's frown deepened.

"Jiraiya-sensei…" Indra's voice was low, deliberate. "…you were never my target in the first place, remember?"

The sannin's expression froze. His hand dropped to his belt.

The bells were gone.

Indra's laughter grew louder—more maniac as Jiraiya glanced back at him—then, to his own surprise, the sannin began to laugh as well.

"Haha! Nice one, Indra. You've outmaneuvered me."

"Thanks for the compliment, Jiraiya-sensei."

But Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly, studying him. "Where did you learn Body Flicker?"

Indra's smirk faltered just a touch. "…My brother was a jōnin, remember?"

The mood shifted. Jiraiya felt it in his chest—the heaviness behind the boy's words. His thoughts raced. 'I came here because of Minato… but this boy… is he the child of prophecy?'

He let the tension fade with a grin, waving the bells lazily. "Okay, okay. Let's introduce ourselves next over… ramen!"

His tone was casual, but his eyes flicked knowingly toward Indra.

Indra hesitated—then shrugged. A free bowl of ramen was never something he'd refuse.

"Fine," he said, following.

——

Good chapter I believe...but I would like your comments as well.

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