"Alright."
Jingyi did not refuse.
Exchanging secret techniques was not unusual among ninja especially those with trust or shared purpose. While clan-specific jutsu were usually kept within the family, self-developed techniques, like Jiraiya's Hair Needle Senbon (Needle Jizō), were fair game.
Needle Jizō was a highly practical defensive jutsu. Jingyi saw no reason to refuse such a valuable technique.
In return, he explained the principles behind the Seven-Day Breathing Method,a custom taijutsu-enhancement system he'd developed. He elaborated on its effects when localized to specific body parts via skin-based chakra stimulation:
Enhanced leg breathing for explosive speed.
Enhanced hand control to accelerate hand seals.
Future plans even included one-handed seals, allowing simultaneous ninjutsu and kenjutsu use.
Jiraiya was fascinated.
As one of the Legendary Sannin, he had vast knowledge and formidable chakra control. With a foundation already in elemental chakra manipulation and body techniques, he quickly understood Jingyi's localized stimulation theory which, while derived from the full-body "Seven-Day Call," was actually more desirable for practical combat.
After some field testing...
"This technique is incredible," Jiraiya said, awe evident in his tone. "It's S-rank in difficulty, but I think it's worth categorizing as a learnable forbidden technique."
"Really? I was thinking of making the entry point even harder…"
"Harder? You're a devil," Jiraiya chuckled.
He saw through Jingyi's intentions. If the technique's difficulty could be brought down to A-rank, more jōnin and even elite chūnin might be able to master it significantly increasing survival rates in high-risk missions. However, cell stimulation required precise chakra control. Jingyi's current iteration, using skin-based breathing, was too advanced for anything below S-rank.
Jingyi could only sigh in frustration.
"Alright then. Let me teach you my technique Needle Jizō."
Thanks to his control over chakra flow and hand seal speed, Jingyi learned it rapidly. But as he practiced, a question lingered.
What was Jiraiya's original motivation for creating this technique?
Was it... self-defense while peeking?
Hard to say.
After the exchange, Jiraiya grinned and took his leave, looking extremely pleased with himself.
"He probably got 'lost' again," Jingyi thought with a shake of his head.
Sannin all had their quirks.
He glanced at his system panel:
> [Secret Technique Exchange Complete]
[Evaluation: Average]
[Reward: Fire Sealing Method]
"Average?"
At first, he was surprised then it made sense.
Jiraiya had barely needed instruction. He was already able to activate localized stimulation after the concept was explained. The system recognized this as more of an exchange than actual teaching, which lowered the evaluation.
Still
The Fire Sealing Method (Katon Fūin) was a huge gain. Capable of even sealing Amaterasu, it was a high-level sealing technique only a few in the Leaf could use. If the Fourth Raikage had known it, he might not have had to sacrifice his arm.
In retrospect, this was a win-win situation. He gained Needle Jizō, and the Fire Seal essentially came free. Sealing techniques were rare and extremely difficult to learn.
As he reflected on his gains, Jingyi had a mischievous thought.
Later that day, a loud scream rang out near the ninja school, followed by furious scolding.
Jingyi cleared his throat and quietly walked away his contribution to justice unseen.
---
Much later, a disgruntled Jiraiya stormed up to him.
"Jingyi! I disappear for five minutes, and someone shows up? You sold me out!"
"Lord Jiraiya, of course not," Jingyi said innocently. "Someone must've just happened to be nearby. By the way, didn't you almost die doing that back in the day?"
He grinned.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth. The two shared a silent understanding.
But then he froze.
He suddenly remembered something.
Jingyi... that name...
Minato had mentioned it multiple times in his letters. A prodigious junior with creative ideas, passionate about reform, especially in education. It had to be the same Jingyi.
"Watergate's too naive," Jiraiya muttered.
This boy might look innocent, but beneath the surface he was just as crafty as Orochimaru.
Still, Jiraiya respected him. Jingyi was brilliant, motivated by loyalty to the village, and eager to share his knowledge to improve Konoha. Jiraiya had heard of his efforts at the ninja academy.
This year's graduating class, for instance, had the strongest foundational skills in recent memory. His training camp program was simple but brilliant ideas others would've overlooked.
From Jiraiya's perspective, Jingyi and Orochimaru were similar: geniuses with boundless creativity.
---
Unaware of Jiraiya's praise, Jingyi returned to the Hokage Building to submit the progress of the activation technique.
Before he could speak, the Third Hokage cut in.
"Asuma came to me recently. He said he wants to take on a B-rank mission to temper himself. Was that your idea?"
"Misunderstanding, Lord Third!" Jingyi coughed. "It was just a joke!"
The Third chuckled. "Enough. Asuma's grown more mature and capable. Here look at this."
He handed over a scroll.
Jingyi opened it. As he read, his expression turned serious.
Mission location: Land of Rivers (Kawa no Kuni).
The scroll detailed intelligence from bandits former wandering samurai who'd turned to crime. Lately, however, ninja had been spotted in the north.
Hostile ninja... possibly from Amegakure? Or worse Akatsuki?
"This isn't a B-rank mission," Jingyi said firmly.
The enemy threat level could escalate at any time.
He wasn't as reckless as Kakashi had once been Kakashi's infamous Wave Mission had nearly cost his students their lives.
"You're right," the Third replied. "This isn't a normal B-rank. Minato's team left two days ago on a C-rank mission to the same area. Your job is to support them if things escalate."
He tapped a marker on the map.
"This seal it's the Flying Thunder God?"
"Yes. If necessary, Minato will warp his team to your position. Anbu are stretched thin. You're the only one available. Of course, the village will compensate."
The Third sighed.
"Kumo, Iwa, Suna… and now even Kirigakure has started to move. Orochimaru warned me. The war is over, but the threats remain."
Jingyi nodded solemnly.
"Understood. I'll depart immediately."