Chapter 62: The Teacher's Gambit
Jiraiya's casual mention of Nawaki's name sent a subtle but sharp ripple through Orochimaru's carefully maintained composure. As his first and most cherished disciple, Nawaki had always occupied a unique, painful space in his heart—a symbol of a path not taken, of a warmth he had once, briefly, allowed himself to feel.
Oblivious to the shift in his old friend's mood, Jiraiya barreled on. "Your teaching standards are still as high as ever. I heard about the fight between Kagenori and that Yugakure leader, Kuroiwa Tatsuji. It's incredible. He's what, twelve or thirteen? The same age as Minato. To fight an elite jonin to that extent, to wound him seriously while only suffering exhaustion himself… it's astonishing."
A faint, proud smirk touched Orochimaru's lips. "Kagenori possesses high innate talent. But potential like his is best honed not in training grounds, but in battles where his life is on the line."
Jiraiya grinned, a competitive spark in his eyes. "But my disciple isn't so bad either, Orochimaru. Let's make a bet. We'll see who improves faster and becomes stronger during this war—Kagenori or Minato."
Orochimaru cast a dismissive glance his way. "There is nothing to wager. Your disciple seems to have adequate talent, that is all."
"Adequate?!" Jiraiya scoffed, rising to the bait. "Minato's talent is tremendous, no worse than your disciple's! Since you said that, the bet is on!"
Crossing his arms, Orochimaru fixed his golden gaze on Jiraiya. "And what are the terms of this pointless wager?"
Jiraiya's grin turned conspiratorial. "I'm working on a new book. My masterpiece. When it's finished, I'll let you have the first look."
A look of profound distaste flashed across Orochimaru's face. "Hmph. Boring." He turned on his heel and strode toward the tent flap.
"Hey, Orochimaru! What's your side of the bet?" Jiraiya called after him.
Orochimaru didn't break his stride, his final words drifting back over his shoulder. "I will not lose." And then he was gone.
Jiraiya stood up, muttering under his breath about tsunderes, and left the tent as well. The battle had left even him, a Sannin, feeling drained. And he knew the days ahead would be even more demanding, offering little time for rest.
When he returned to his quarters, he noticed Minato was not in the adjacent tent. Jiraiya sighed, a fond, weary sound. "It seems my disciple is troubled again. It seems he needs his master's guidance."
He found Minato Namikaze sitting alone on a hill overlooking the base, his posture slumped, staring at nothing.
"Why? Doubting yourself because Kagenori is so exceptional?" Jiraiya asked, lowering his large frame to sit beside the boy.
Minato's face was heavy with conflict. "Sensei, I am doubting myself. I'm starting to question whether my decisions are right or wrong."
"Oh? How so?" Jiraiya prompted gently.
Minato stared at his hands. "Kagenori is so... rational. So rational it's terrifying. He could strap explosive tags to a comrade who had lost the ability to fight, without hesitation, using his death to kill the enemy. He sees it as maximizing gains. But I think what he did was wrong. Our comrades aren't tools. But when I challenged him, his logic was... irrefutable. It made me feel like he was right, and my beliefs were just naive fantasies."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed. He hadn't known the specifics of what had happened in Yugakure, but it didn't surprise him. This was Orochimaru's disciple. It was to be expected. He was about to offer his own perspective when Minato continued, his voice dropping lower.
"I watched his entire fight with the Yugakure leader. And I have to admit it, Sensei... I'm completely outclassed. I thought I was catching up over the last few years, but the gap has only grown wider. He is the real genius. I... I'm not." He swallowed hard, the most painful admission yet to come. "And the thing I feel most guilty about... when he was in danger, I hesitated. I saw that kunai flying at him, and in that moment, I remembered him giving that detonator to Daigo. And I had the thought... the thought that I didn't want to save him. I want to protect my comrades, but in my heart, I betrayed that ideal."
Jiraiya let out a long, slow sigh. "It seems Kagenori's presence affects you deeply, Minato. But listen to me. You are human. You have people you like, and it's natural to have people you dislike. You and Kagenori are two extremes. It's normal for there to be friction. This isn't a fault in you. Everyone has selfish desires, me included. There's no need to torment yourself over a single, fleeting thought."
He placed a heavy hand on Minato's shoulder. "As for Kagenori's actions... on the battlefield, it's hard to label them simply 'right' or 'wrong'. But your desire to help your comrades? That is never wrong. Don't ever doubt that part of yourself."
"Kagenori is indeed a genius, and Orochimaru has trained him well. But Minato, you cannot doubt yourself. The moment you do, you lose the chance to grow stronger. If you don't believe in yourself, how can you ever hope to catch up?"
Jiraiya looked his disciple squarely in the eye. "Minato, let me ask you a question. Do you think I am a genius?"
Minato looked at his master, confused. "Of course, Jiraiya-sensei. You're the Hokage's disciple. You're one of the Legendary Sannin."
Jiraiya laughed, a warm, rumbling sound, and shook his head. "I'm not. I was always at the bottom of the class."
Minato's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? How is that possible?"
"I'm not lying to you. It's the truth," Jiraiya said, his tone turning nostalgic. "Back then, I was always chasing after Orochimaru. He was the recognized genius. And I just refused to accept that I was worse. I believed, deep down, that I was just as good. I held onto that belief, and I chased him, step by step, getting stronger and stronger in the process until I reached the level I'm at now. So, what does it matter if you're a genius or not? As long as you believe you're no weaker than anyone, and you put in the effort, you will become strong."
Minato let out a long, slow breath, the shadows in his blue eyes clearing as if blown away by a fresh wind. "I understand, Jiraiya-sensei. I will work hard! I won't give up!"
Jiraiya smiled warmly and ruffled Minato's bright yellow hair. "That's my boy. You worry too much." He stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants. "Get some rest. We'll be even busier soon. Oh, and I have some good news for you. We're requesting reinforcements from Konoha. I'll include a note to the old man, have them bring the training scrolls for the Flying Thunder God Technique."
As Jiraiya walked away, Minato Namikaze sat up straighter, a new, unshakable resolve hardening within him. He would train harder. He would push himself further. He would not let Jiraiya-sensei down. The bet was on.