"Hmph, Shimura kid, interested in training with me?"
In high spirits at the prospect of being discharged tomorrow to pursue his research, Jiraiya, after subduing Obito, hesitated briefly before posing this question.
"Training with you..."
Though eager to learn Sage Art, when Jiraiya actually asked, Feng Bai found himself wavering. If he became Jiraiya's student, that would make the Third Hokage his grand-master. If the old man discovered this, wouldn't he beat him to death?
Still, Sage Art was undeniably tempting...
Seeing Feng Bai caught in internal conflict, Jiraiya wasn't rushed. He gave the boy ample time to consider, turning his attention instead to appreciating the nurses' graceful figures.
...
"It's been quite some time, Sarutobi-sensei..."
Summoned by Hiruzen, Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage building to meet his teacher.
"Hehe, I should be the one saying that, Orochimaru. You've been in the village all this time yet never visit this old man—especially now that you've left Danzo's ranks to become an ordinary Konoha ninja."
Looking at his most gifted student, Hiruzen even found himself in the mood to jest.
"In any case, I have a mission for you this time."
Hiruzen produced a prepared scroll and tossed it to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru caught the scroll with interest, noting the "Top Secret" marking, and spoke in his signature raspy voice: "Top secret—so this is an S-rank mission?"
"Naturally."
Hiruzen nodded matter-of-factly: "Not just you—Jiraiya will also participate in this mission. Danzo himself recommended you both."
At Danzo's name, Orochimaru's previously good mood soured, his fingers pausing as his expression darkened.
That scheming bastard—once he had a son, he kicked me aside without a second thought, treating me as nothing...
But now wasn't the time for outbursts. Despite his displeasure, the substantial rewards of an S-rank mission convinced Orochimaru to patiently review the details.
"Targeting jinchūriki, I see. That's certainly Danzo's style."
After pocketing the scroll, Orochimaru left with that parting remark.
"I'll dispatch three ANBU to assist you."
Seeing his student unwilling to linger even a moment longer, Hiruzen could only sigh heavily.
"Understood."
Orochimaru gently closed the door and departed the Hokage building.
...
Feng Bai, who had accepted Jiraiya's invitation, hadn't even begun training when he learned that Jiraiya had already left the village on a mission.
So...
Smack! Smack smack! Smack smack smack!
Feng Bai continued his daily "cotton-picking" existence, though lately Danzo seemed considerably more relaxed than before, occasionally appearing at home to provide guidance on Feng Bai's training.
Days passed in this manner.
"Secret Technique: Demonic Ice Mirrors."
At a Konoha training ground, Feng Bai attempted to recreate Haku's signature technique from the original series—the Demonic Ice Mirrors, a secret art allowing free movement between ice mirrors.
As a single ice mirror crystallized into existence, Feng Bai extended his hand toward its surface.
As expected, it didn't work.
Feeling the solid resistance beneath his touch, Feng Bai shook his head.
What he'd created was merely an ordinary mirror.
"Yo, kid, working on ninjutsu here?"
A playful voice sounded behind him. Without turning, Feng Bai knew exactly who it was.
"Jiraiya-sama, that mission of yours certainly took its time—it's been nearly a year, hasn't it?"
Absorbed in studying the ice mirror, Feng Bai spoke without looking back.
"Well, that's the ninja world for you. Mm, this mirror's quite well-made—you could use it as home furnishing."
Leaping down from a tree, Jiraiya curiously examined Feng Bai's ice mirror, reaching out to test it.
"With this thickness, it might stop shuriken and kunai at best." Gauging the mirror's density, Jiraiya offered his assessment.
"The thickness isn't the point—it's about moving freely within them."
Feng Bai shook his head, explaining to Jiraiya: "Secret Technique: Demonic Ice Mirrors allows the user to travel freely between ice mirrors. But the scroll containing this technique has gone missing, so I can only experiment with chakra ratios through trial and error."
"Moving freely?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. If we're talking about free movement, then that would be—
"Kid, that's already venturing into space-time ninjutsu territory."
Placing his palm flat against the mirror surface, Jiraiya carefully sensed the ice mirror's composition, his expression growing knowing: "Without incorporating space-time jutsu formulas into the ice mirrors, achieving true free movement would be impossible."
"Of course, my conclusion might not be entirely accurate. Bloodline limits like Ice Release are passed down through clan generations, and the techniques themselves may possess unique mysteries. Since the scroll has gone missing, I can only answer based on my own experience."
"After all that explanation, you're essentially saying you're just guessing."
Feng Bai was somewhat speechless after listening to Jiraiya's lengthy discourse, which concluded with a disclaimer—it was tantamount to saying nothing at all.
Still, given the current circumstances, he could only try whatever desperate measures were available.
"How does one train in space-time ninjutsu?"
Feng Bai inquired of Jiraiya.
"Let me think... uh, you should ask your father about that. I believe he'll give you a satisfactory answer."
Jiraiya had initially wanted to mention the Flying Thunder God Technique, but then remembered the boy's father was Danzo, who had once served on the Second Hokage's guard detail and would certainly know about Flying Thunder God—no need for his own explanation.
Speaking of Danzo, Jiraiya felt his teeth itch with irritation.
That old schemer had manipulated the old man into sending him after jinchūriki.
After lurking for half a year, he'd finally caught the jinchūriki without their usual ninja protection—only to discover the pair were more formidable than their bodyguards.
They'd gone into partial Tailed Beast transformation on the spot, with a Tailed Beast Bomb nearly grazing his face. If Minato hadn't mastered Flying Thunder God, his entire team would have perished there.
Hmph, old schemer—since you set me up, don't blame me for being petty!
With this thought, Jiraiya's gaze toward Feng Bai began to shift ominously.
"Uh, well, Jiraiya-sama, I just remembered something urgent at home—I'll be taking my leave now."
Sensing the change in Jiraiya's expression, Feng Bai felt his scalp prickle.
He'd seen that look before—in the eyes of Shimura Ikku and Yamanaka Zen...
"Hahaha, didn't we agree to train together? Why the sudden rush?"
Jiraiya flexed his wrists, advancing step by step toward Feng Bai.
"No, my father's calling me home for dinner. Training can wait—ow! Jiraiya, you—ow!"
For a time, the training ground echoed with nothing but Feng Bai's anguished cries.
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