"Hiss—" Jiraiya gasped, instantly feeling a warm current erupt from his heart, sweeping through his limbs and bones.
His bones seemed to hum faintly, and his muscle lines subtly tightened.
At the same time, a massive amount of information flooded his mind—about how to precisely control each tough strand of hair, how to weave it into an offensive and defensive white hair barrier (Needle Jizo), and a more fluid, swifter muscle memory sensation for hand seals.
He subconsciously wiggled his fingers, and they fluttered like dancing butterflies, incredibly nimble!
"This feeling... it's amazing!"
When he saw the last item, [Ice-Winged White Tiger Egg], Jiraiya's eyes widened like brass bells: "A mount? An Ice-Winged White Tiger? Can it fly? Aren't my summoned beasts frogs?!"
"Ding! Host, please note the distinction: the mount 'Ice-Winged White Tiger' is a physical companion and does not conflict with the Myōboku Mountain summoning contract system.
Its advantages: no summoning time limit, permanent companionship, unwavering loyalty, excellent flying ability, and immense growth potential.
In the future, the host can still contract with Myōboku Mountain toads," the system patiently explained.
"Holy crap! Double the fun!" Jiraiya almost laughed out loud, as if he could already see himself soaring through the sky on a majestic, ice-shrouded flying tiger, almost drooling.
He quickly wiped the corner of his mouth and composed himself.
"System, panel!" He thought.
[Host Attribute Panel:]
Name: Jiraiya
Age: 4 years old
Strength Rating: Provisional Genin (Chakra volume meets standards, but strength and ninjutsu mastery are insufficient)
Bloodline Limit: None
Chakra Volume: 30 standard units (Already meets the baseline for a normal Genin)
Chakra Attributes: Fire, Earth, Wind, Water, Yin, Yang (Astonishing potential!)
Ninjutsu: Body Replacement Technique (D-rank, Mastery: Average) Lion's Mane Hair Technique / Needle Jizo (Not mastered)
Special: Physical Enhancement (Ongoing), Ice-Winged White Tiger Egg (Hatching)
Looking at the panel, his talent attributes made him happy, but "Provisional Genin" and the sole "Body Replacement Technique" made him face reality—he still had a long way to go.
Just then, "Ding-a-ling-ling—" The crisp sound of the dismissal bell suddenly rang, pulling him back from his excited thoughts to reality.
The classroom door opened again, and Sarutobi Ueda walked out with a textbook, looking at Jiraiya leaning against the wall, his stern expression softening slightly: "Jiraiya, go in.
Remember, classroom order is very important, don't make the same mistake next time."
"Yes! Teacher Ueda! I'll definitely remember!" Jiraiya quickly stood up straight and bowed respectfully, his attitude more proper than ever before.
Sarutobi Ueda glanced at him with a hint of surprise, nodded, and turned to leave.
Jiraiya took a deep breath and pushed open the classroom door.
A wave of noise rushed over him.
The newly liberated ninja academy students were like birds released from a cage, gathering in groups of three or five, excitedly chatting, exchanging snacks, or mimicking ninja movements and playing around.
Jiraiya ignored the curious or slightly mocking glances and walked straight to his seat.
His seat was by the window in the classroom, and next to him sat his two future legendary companions—Tsunade and Orochimaru.
This was also the fixed "iron triangle" position for the three during their time at the ninja academy.
"Hey, Jiraiya!" Tsunade propped her chin with both hands, her beautiful brown eyes looking over with a mischievous smile, "Did Teacher Ueda 'invite' you out to 'enjoy the scenery' again?
What were you shouting about in class this time? Did you dream of a pretty older sister?" Her clear voice carried a hint of teasing.
"Well…" Jiraiya scratched his conspicuous white hair, a helpless yet habitual smile on his face, "Who knows, it's not the first time anyway."
He pulled out his chair and sat down, feeling a surge of vitality in his body that was stronger than ever—that was the initial effect of the physical enhancement.
"Hmph." A cold snort came from beside him.
Orochimaru didn't even lift his head, his pale, slender fingers slowly putting books and scrolls into his bag, his golden snake-like eyes glancing at Jiraiya, his thin lips parting to utter three precisely aimed words: "Dead last."
These three words accurately hit Jiraiya's (or rather, the original owner's) sore spot.
"Stuck-up Orochimaru! You arrogant guy, wanna fight? Huh?!" Jiraiya instantly bristled, sharply turning around and slamming his hands onto Orochimaru's desk with a "thwack."
He leaned forward, his face flushed with excitement almost touching Orochimaru's delicate yet unusually pale face, his hot breath even spraying onto the other's face.
"Being first in class is a big deal, huh? Always putting on a gloomy face and acting deep!"
Orochimaru's brow furrowed at the sudden close-range "attack."
He instinctively leaned back, a flicker of displeasure and coldness in his golden pupils, just about to speak... "You're so loud! You two idiots!"
Accompanied by a crisp, impatient shout, a seemingly small but immensely powerful fist, whistling through the air, landed with a "thump" precisely on the back of Jiraiya's head!
"Whoa—!"
The immense force made the unprepared Jiraiya stumble forward violently!
What was worse, his and Orochimaru's faces were already extremely close!
The tragedy happened in a flash.
"Pop~"
A barely audible sound, but one that was infinitely magnified in both their ears.
Time seemed to freeze.
Jiraiya maintained his forward-lurching posture, his lips firmly pressed against Orochimaru's lips, which were also slightly parted in shock.
Both of them had wide eyes, their pupils reflecting each other's instantly petrified expressions.
The sensation was soft, with a faint, almost imperceptible coolness (from Orochimaru) and the taste of sunshine (Jiraiya?).
But this was definitely not a pleasant contact!
One second later.
"Ugh—!!!" Jiraiya's face instantly turned from red to green.
He recoiled as if burned by a branding iron, his stomach churning, a strong wave of nausea rushing to his throat.
He clutched his mouth, his features twisted in disgust.
"Ugh—!!" Orochimaru's reaction was even more violent.
His perpetually stoic face instantly drained of all color, then turned an extremely unhealthy purplish-brown.
He violently pushed Jiraiya away, hunched over the desk, his shoulders heaving, dry retches coming one after another as if he wanted to vomit out his internal organs.
His golden pupils were filled with unbelievable horror and extreme revulsion!
His usual composure and elegance were completely gone.
"Ugh… cough cough… Idiot… Jiraiya!!!" Orochimaru finally managed to catch his breath, looking up with a murderous glare, his voice squeezed through gritted teeth, trembling with unprecedented anger.
He stared intensely at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya, still clutching his mouth and dry heaving, was on the verge of tears: "Ugh… I… I didn't want to! Tsunade, you…"