The next morning, I made my way to Tanaka's Tools & Armour. This shop was the same place where Sensei first bought me my armour almost two years ago now.
How time has flown since then.
Still, being a Genin felt very suffocating. My daily routine consists of training and the occasional mission. There really was no freedom or any wiggle room to plan for the future because let's be honest.
Being under constant surveillance of the literal assassin president of the village is not exactly stress-free.
While yeah, there probably will still be people watching me, at least it's not right behind my back. Breathing right down my neck.
For now, it was time to do some last-minute purchases.
The little bell on the shop door jingled as I pushed it open. The smell of metal and old wood hit me immediately. Rows of gear lined the walls, such as gleaming kunai, stacks of armour mesh, sealed scrolls, and a few niche tools.
"Ah. Hiruzen's boy, what are you looking for?" he said in a gruff tone.
The old man behind the counter glanced up.
"Um, do you guys sell gauntlets?" I ask immediately, cutting straight to the point.
"Hmm, go check the far left corner of the shop. They are quite heavy, though you'll be lucky if there's one your size." He answers with a raised eyebrow.
I wandered the aisles in interest at anything that could potentially help. But most things were accounted for and bought, with my basic equipment already set up in my pouch.
Taking a look at my notebook, I check what else I wanted to add.
-----
[Equipment]
- Ration Pills
- Explosive Tags (Tied to Kunai)
- Wire (Tied to Kunai)
- Substitution Technique with explosive tag
- Gauntlet
- Helmet
- Storage Scroll
-----
'Still three things...' I think to myself, picking up a storage scroll on the way.
Taking over 20 minutes to go through the different equipment, I was able to pick out a bulky looking metal helmet with two slits to see. And gauntlets which had leather underneath.
Taking a look at the two, the thought of wearing everything plus some mesh underneath it would be plenty uncomfortable. Plus, the accumulated sweat over time, even in smaller battles, would be horrid.
But in the end, it would be worth it.
It was only gonna be used in one or two fights anyways.
Right after, I headed to the counter wanting to know the price.
The shopkeeper finally spoke when he saw what I had placed down.
"Are you trying to become a samurai? Just be honest with me..."
"No?" I answer, narrowing my eyes.
"I'll give you a discount on a sword if you admit it." He says, to which I immediately respond without a shred of shame.
"Yes."
"You see, I lied."
"..."
"130,000 Ryo total."
Bruh.
Ignoring his smirk, I forked over the cash.
The price wasn't cheap, but it didn't stab my wallet either. Compared to paying 230,000 for a Genjutsu, this was practically a discount meal. There was no reason to be stingy with my money.
I unrolled the storage scroll, which sealed everything inside with a small puff of smoke. These do sell for a lot; maybe selling them could be a little lucrative. Watching the giant helmet and gauntlets vanish into harmless ink was always satisfying.
It was time to meet up with Sensei for the last time before the Chunin exams tomorrow for any last-minute talks.
Before I could even make it a few meters out of the shop, a voice could be heard from my side.
"Look who it is, the dead last of the class!"
A group of kids who were a similar age to me were walking together and chatting. Two girls and three guys were staring at me with all of them having a shinobi headband. Furrowing my brows, trying to remember who they were, it clicked.
They were my academy batch mates, but it seems like they had some jealousy towards my standing as Lord Third's student.
Which was understandable.
'Shit, I would be mad too seeing the lazy pervert get the opportunity of a lifetime.'
"I heard you made it to the Chunin exam finals. How did getting babysat by Orochimaru and Tsunade feel?" One says, trying to get a rise out of me.
"Yeah I bet you'll just flunk out in the first round."
"You're lucky that you're Lord Third's student!"
Why are these guys who don't even qualify for the exam trying to talk shit? This is that kid brutality who doesn't give a damn about anybody's feelings.
I've got better things to do than entertain a group of kids.
Shooting an unimpressed look at them, I simply put my newly bought scroll in my pouch and started to gather some chakra.
[Flicker]
Leaving them speechless as they were curtly ignored.
...
It didn't take long before I arrived at the training grounds just as the morning sun tipped over the rooftops of Konoha. Hiruzen was already there, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Good morning, Jiraiya," he said, not even looking at me.
Must of sensed me beforehand.
"Morning, Sensei," I replied casually, not before yawning.
We walked slowly towards the lake where we usually sparred. I asked a few final questions about the techniques I'd been working on, mostly practical concerns. Which actually got him to go in more depth.
"It's a bit unfortunate timing," he said slowly, pacing a few steps ahead. "You're learning a Genjutsu now, but your opponents are among the worst possible targets." He ticked them off on his fingers.
Hearing his words, I just nod, knowing he wasn't wrong.
"Two Uchiha, one with a dojutsu, a Hyuga, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Shinkū Yūhi, a Genjutsu specialist. Realistically, only the Sarutobi boy from my clan could be remotely susceptible to your new technique. You're not that adept at it right now, especially to use it on anyone higher than a basic Genin."
I let that sink in while keeping pace. "Yeah… I figured. I'm planning on relying on my more refined techniques and my summons. The Genjutsu was more a spur of a moment thing."[1]
Hiruzen gave a small nod, a warm smile on his face.
"Good. Always think about probability over fancy tricks. Still, it could catch someone off guard if used wisely, especially with clones and distractions."
I allowed myself a small smile, thinking about the Earth Pulse technique being the best thing to come of this month break.
As we finally made it to the lake, Sensei turned around.
"For today, we will just stretch and go through some movements. Nothing stressful."
We stretched lightly, pacing across the field, my armour creaking softly. As the hours went by with my body started to relax, and my mind felt a sense of calm; it was time for me to head back home and sleep.
"Tomorrow is the big day," Hiruzen said, voice steady, almost heavy with the weight of expectation. "Get a good sleep and head to the arena."
And with that, we parted ways, each heading in our own direction for a final rest.
'We will see how this goes...'
-----
[Viewing Panel]
Name: Jiraiya (Genin)
Age: 7
Affiliation: Konohagakure
Teacher: Hiruzen Sarutobi
Team: Tsunade Senju, Orochimaru
---
[Attributes]
Ninjutsu: Chunin
Taijutsu: Chunin
Genjutsu: Low Chunin[2]
Shurikenjutsu: High Genin
---
[Body]
Strength: High Genin
Speed/Agility: High Genin
Stamina: High Genin
Chakra Reserves: High Genin
Chakra Control: High Chunin
---
[Techniques]
__
Ninjutsu <>
E-rank: [Body Replacement Technique], [Transformation Technique], [Leaf Burning Exercise]
D-rank: [Cancel], [Body Flicker Technique], [Lightning Release: Body Enhancement]
C-rank: [Transparent Escape Technique], [Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique], [Summoning Technique], [Lightning Body Flicker], [Earth Pulse Technique],
B-rank: [Shadow Clone Technique],
A-rank: [Shuriken Shadow Clone], [Kunai Shadow Clone]
__
Taijutsu: Leaf Academy Taijutsu (D-rank), Muay Thai (C-rank)
Genjutsu: Clone Technique (E-rank), Afterimage Clone (C-rank), Genjutsu Speech (B-rank)
-----
Nothing really improved to a degree from my statistics. The stats for my body seemed to be maxed out for my age, as despite any more hard training, it didn't change for 3/4 of a year. So there wasn't much I could do there.
Everything else was nice to see, but maybe in the future, Shurikenjutsu could be improved upon as a Genin stat looked weird in my eyes.
It would be a lie to say it didn't bother me, seeing one of my attributes at a Genin level. While the others were Chunin.
[Chidori Current] could perhaps elevate it in the future.
Though those are thoughts for another time.
...
---
[The next day]
The morning air had a crisp bite to it as I walked into the arena. The large open space was buzzing with anticipation, the murmurs of clans and students alike floating over the spectators' seats.
Hiruzen wasn't going to sit with everybody else as the Hokage of the village. Especially since in my memories of the Konoha Crush, he does sit in a high place with anyone important.
Moving around, feeling a little lost, I was soon picked up by an Anbu member who flickered me to a high vantage point. Sensei, who was already sitting down, nodded at me.
Tsunade and Orochimaru stood near me, were silent, as they were doing their own thing. Seeing this, I didn't talk to disturb anyone. They must be a little nervous as well seeing all the spectators here.
'Let's take a look.' I thought, staring down at everybody here. The arena was huge, but the spectating towers were a bit weird.
There were three erect towers, with the middle one having two floors. The higher floor held the Hokage, while the bottom floor and the bottom buildings held everybody else. The view didn't seem too nice, but I guess that's just me remembering going to a soccer match.
I was never one to sit in a stadium in the first place.
The Uchiha clan caught my attention first. Numerous members were scattered in their designated section, all wearing the familiar fan-shaped crest proudly on their backs.
All of them did have that raven hair, and if my memories serve me well, there was an Uchiha here, so they probably mostly came for him.
The Hyuga clan was just as easy to identify. At the complete opposite tower to my right, for anyone's guesses to why...
Each of them held a perfect posture.
'Damn, that's impressive.'
And then my eyes found Hiroko and Sakumo. Their white hair practically stood out amidst all of the people here, sitting next to the Uchihas.
Moving my attention back to the Hyuga, across from them, I noticed a red-haired woman seated formally with attendants by her side. Most of her attendants had lighter tones of hair colour.
'Mito Uzumaki?'
As my thoughts went on, the red-haired woman stared directly into my eyes. A small smirk crept on her face.
"Oh hell no," I whisper. She was watching me?
Probably just looking up at the Hokage box...
The other families and important clans were probably under the Hokage floor to which was impossible to see. Which was a shame, as I did want to look at the rest of them, as their clan heads were probably watching.
The audience buzzed with soft whispers and quick glances.
"Who do you think will win?"
"I have a bet on the Uchiha. They never disappoint in a one-on-one!"
"Aren't Lord Third's students participating today?"
"They are, it's the only reason I'm here..."
The tension was palpable, and I felt nervous even at all the words being spoken.
Putting a hand over my heart, it was beating wildly.
Finally, the proctor stepped onto the arena floor. His voice carried over the crowd, formal but clipped. "The first match of the Chunin Exam finals is about to begin. Competitors, please prepare."
Everybody started to lock in at the proctor as he held a small box with names inside.
"The first match will be between Shinku Yuhi!" Watching the proctor's hand go back in the box, he pulled out another piece of paper. "Versus..."[3]
[1] The Genjutsu speech does have hand seals, I just didn't add that. So while yeah it would still be effective. It's still awkward in a 1v1 setting unless Jiraiya makes a shadow clone do it.
[2] As said by Hiruzen, a month isn't enough to get his Genjutsu speech to a high enough level. Plus he was also working on his sensing.
[3] Before you guys hunt me down. I've read too many cliff hangers. I'm just passing on the trauma or something like that xD