Chapter 39:
"Haha, I've found an interesting little guy," Jiraiya chuckled, his white hair catching the light as the red markings by his eyes gave him a sharp, almost wild look.
His gaze had settled on a blond boy standing in the tenth assessment group. For a moment, his thoughts drifted back to Myoboku Mountain and a prophecy told to him long ago.
The Great Toad Sage had once spoken of a disciple — a child of prophecy who would one day change the world. A boy with special eyes.
Now, staring at Minato Namikaze's striking blue eyes and his excellent performance so far, a sense of familiarity stirred within Jiraiya.
"Could it be him?"
Not far from him, Orochimaru's pale face held a hint of curiosity as well.
"I've also found someone interesting," Orochimaru remarked, his voice smooth, almost casual, though his golden eyes betrayed a deeper interest.
If anyone followed his gaze, they would have seen that his attention was also on the tenth assessment group. But unlike Jiraiya, Orochimaru wasn't watching Minato. His interest lay in the black-haired, black-eyed boy standing quietly beside him — Naoki Asakawa.
"Orochimaru, you personally inviting a student? Who in the academy would dare refuse?" Jiraiya teased.
"I'd like to think so," Orochimaru replied with a faint smile.
Jiraiya turned to the only one among them who looked more disinterested than intrigued.
"Tsunade, did you find anyone you like?"
Tsunade sighed, looking slightly annoyed. "Do I have to take on three disciples? Can't I just have Rope Tree?"
If it weren't for the Second Hokage and her teacher insisting they each take disciples, Tsunade wouldn't even be here. The only reason she showed up was to watch her younger brother, Rope Tree, take his graduation exam.
Among the three, it was no secret that Orochimaru was the most eager to accept students. Jiraiya, on the other hand, was chasing after the prophecy, and Tsunade didn't want any disciples at all.
"Tsunade, you know the rules," Jiraiya reminded her. "The Second Hokage forbade team leaders from taking their own relatives as students."
It was an old regulation, and a practical one. If every clan ninja took in their own family as disciples, civilian ninjas would be squeezed out, and the village would soon split into factions, making growth and unity impossible.
The rule was meant to help bridge the gap between clan-born and civilian ninjas and foster balance within Konoha.
"Then why not let Nawaki join my team?" Jiraiya suggested brightly. "I promise I'll teach him well."
And Jiraiya meant it — mostly. Sure, he'd train Rope Tree seriously, but he also had his own ideas. If Nawaki became his student, it might help him get closer to Tsunade. Future brother-in-law or not, having Nawaki on his team sounded like a win.
Besides, he had already decided on Minato as one disciple, and still had two open spots.
He grinned to himself. Genius move, Jiraiya.
But while Jiraiya indulged in his little daydream, Tsunade was imagining a different scenario. In her mind's eye, she saw herself heading to a hot spring one evening, only to catch two familiar figures peeking through the fence — one tall and grinning, the other a younger, equally lecherous version.
A horrified shiver ran down her spine.
No way.
"I'm not handing Nawaki over to you!" Tsunade declared firmly.
"Why not? Don't you trust me to protect him?"
"I trust your strength. I don't trust your character!" she shot back.
Still, Jiraiya's suggestion got her thinking. If she couldn't take Nawaki herself, maybe Orochimaru could. He hadn't turned down a dark path yet, and if anyone was a model of discipline and focus, it was him. It wasn't for nothing that Orochimaru was considered a candidate for Hokage alongside Minato.
"Orochimaru," Tsunade said, turning to him, "do you have a spot open? Would you be willing to take Rope Tree as your student?"
Orochimaru glanced at her and nodded. "No problem. I've only picked one so far."
He was already familiar with Nawaki, and taking him under his wing wouldn't be troublesome.
"Thanks," Tsunade said, genuinely relieved.
"It's a small thing," Orochimaru replied. "You should probably use this chance to find a student too. It was our teacher's last request before leaving."
"I know, I know," Tsunade sighed.
As she glanced across the students, a flash of red hair caught her eye.
If I can't have Nawaki, then maybe…
Her gaze landed on Kushina Uzumaki.
She's got a strong, unique bloodline — different enough from mine. That might work.
With that, Tsunade made up her mind about her first disciple. As for the second, she eventually agreed to Hiruzen's earlier request, though reluctantly.
On the training field, Asakawa Naoki could sense a few watchful eyes lingering on him. But it wasn't new. Being taller and standing out naturally attracted attention. Over the past three years, he'd grown used to it — as long as there was no killing intent behind it, he let it be.
"Alright, our class is up for the first physical test," the cold-faced instructor announced as he led the tenth assessment group onto the track.
He swept a stern gaze over the students. "No cheating. I'll be keeping track of every lap."
"Yes, sensei!" the students responded in unison.
"Begin!"
With a sharp wave of the flag, twenty students burst forward.
Though still young, most of those who graduated early were clan-born, their physical abilities already surpassing most of the older students in the academy.
Even so, to the surprise of many watching, the top three in the race weren't from any prominent clan.
The ones leading the pack were none other than Asakawa Naoki, Uzumaki Kushina, and Namikaze Minato.
They left the clan heirs trailing behind, struggling to catch up even in the final laps.
From the rooftops of the academy, many instructors and jonin observed the scene with interest. A talented civilian student was always worth noticing.
But when they saw Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade already watching over the tenth group, most of the other ninja could only sigh in defeat and turn away.
After all, no one wanted to fight for a student when those three had already staked their claims.
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