The morning sun struggled to pierce Amegakure's perpetual rain as Garp's household gathered for breakfast. The dining room was unusually crowded, with the three Sannin and Dan joining the family at their large table. The smell of fresh rice and grilled fish filled the air as Garp surveyed his guests over his enormous portion.
"So." Garp began casually, though there was a glint in his eye that his grandchildren recognized all too well, "I've been thinking."
"That's dangerous." Yahiko muttered, earning himself a chopstick to the forehead with pinpoint accuracy that knocked him out the chair.
"As I was saying," Garp continued as if nothing had happened, "We have three legendary shinobi here. It would be a shame not to take advantage of that for some training, wouldn't it? It could even serve as an important benchmark that the three of you have been hoping to reach."
The Sannin exchanged glances while Nagato quietly set down his chopsticks, already sensing where this was heading. Konan's eyes narrowed slightly, her tactical mind already working through the implications.
"Are you suggesting what I think you are, Grandpa?!!" Kaya asked with excitement, yet Garp gave no answer as he stare at the Legendary Three.
"What exactly are you suggesting, Garp-san?" Orochimaru asked, his golden eyes showing a hint of interest.
Garp's grin widened. "A friendly spar! My three brats against you three. Nothing too serious - just a chance to test their growth against some proper opposition."
"Absolutely not." Jiraiya responded immediately. "We're not here to-"
"I'll do it." Tsunade interrupted, causing everyone at the table to turn toward her.
Dan looked concerned. "Tsunade, are you sure that's wise?"
Most Shinobi didn't tend to do things like that, as whenever they engaged in combat, it allowed their information to spread. And secrecy was the biggest weapon when it came to Shinobi.
"Why not?" she challenged, her eyes fixed on the three young Marines. "After yesterday... I want to see it for myself. What kind of training produces Shinobi strong enough to take down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Yahiko and Nagato both glanced at Konan, since they knew the information had yet to be spread. But Konan merely turned away while whistling, as if it had little to do with her.
Garp's grin somehow managed to grow even wider. "Now that's the spirit! What about you two? Surely you're not going to let your teammate show you up?"
Jiraiya looked uncomfortable. "It's not about showing anyone up. We're shinobi from different villages. This kind of-"
"Are you scared, ya big pervert?" Yahiko taunted, a grin matching Garp's spreading across his face.
"What did you just call me?!" Jiraiya sputtered.
"Oh? Was I wrong? I just assumed from the way you kept peeping at Tsunade and Konan when they were in the hot springs yesterday..."
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees as Konan's paper began to rustle ominously while Tsunade cracked her fists. Jiraiya quickly raised his hands in defense.
"I would never look at Konan like that! I'm a perfect gentleman towards children! And fine, I accept the challenge just to prove it!"
All eyes turned to Orochimaru, who had been quietly observing the exchange. The snake Sannin's face remained impassive, but there was a calculating look in his eyes as he studied Nagato.
'I wonder... what's behind those contacts?' Orochimaru wondered to himself.
"Very well." he said finally. "It would be... educational."
"Then it's settled!" Garp clapped his hands together. "We'll use Training Ground Zero - it's designed to handle high-level combat."
~
"YOU WANT THEM TO DO WHAT!?!!" Hanzo yelled at Garp inside his office, with the two patrolling guards wondering if they would need to buy another new desk.
"We could use this test as a benchmark, allowing one of them to finally take that rank." Garp said while eating Hanzo's lunch, pissing off the man even further.
"Didn't you just have breakfast? Give me that!!" Hanzo yelled while snatching his box, leaving Garp to grumble.
After taking big bite of the lunch himself to prevent Garp from eating any more of it, he grew serious.
"They have enough merit for at least one of them to attain that rank. But they will be the ultimate guards and swords of Ame, protecting all it's people. Are you sure they are ready for that?" Hanzo asked.
"They are. I believe they will be the generation that brings true Justice to the world." Garp said, his face showing the unwavering belief he held in his grandkids.
He put immense pressure on them not because he felt that they could not, nor because of how they would have ended up in the original timeline, but because the were his world
If they had wished to become actual Shinobi, or just wander the world, he would hold nothing against them.
Above all, all he wanted was for them to be happy.
"Very well. If you believe that they are ready, then we shall appoint the very first of the next generation of leaders of the Navy.
An Admiral."
~
An hour later, they assembled at Training Ground Zero - a massive facility that bore signs of frequent, intense use. Craters and scorch marks dotted the landscape, while various training obstacles provided cover and tactical options. It was built a few years prior as a training ground for Senior Marine Academy students.
"Alright!" Garp called out from his position on an elevated platform, where he sat with Dan and Hanzo. "Let's keep this simple - fight continues until surrender or I call it. Try not to kill each other - paperwork's a pain!"
The six combatants spread out, naturally falling into their matchups. Konan faced Tsunade, her paper already beginning to float around her while plants seemed to stir at her feet. Yahiko grinned at Jiraiya, static electricity crackling faintly around his form while the young toad glared at the boy. Nagato and Orochimaru stood perfectly still, each studying the other unblinkingly.
"You know." Tsunade called out to Konan, cracking her knuckles, "I've always wanted to test myself against Grandfather's Wood Release. I guess you'll be a good substitution."
Konan's expression remained neutral, but there was a slight upturn to her lips. "It's not quite what you're expecting."
Jiraiya shifted into a ready stance, noting how Yahiko seemed completely relaxed despite the imminent battle. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're Garp's grandson."
"Wouldn't dream of it, old pervert." Yahiko replied, his grin taking on a predatory edge as lightning began to dance between his fingers.
Orochimaru and Nagato remained silent, but the air between them grew heavy with anticipation. Two prodigies, each hiding their true nature, preparing to test their limits against each other.
Garp looked down at the scene with pride, though there was a calculating look in his eyes.
'So, who shall be the first to be an Admiral?' Garp thought with a smile.
"Begin!" he roared, his voice carrying across the training ground.
The world seemed to hold its breath momentarily as six of the most powerful shinobi on the younger side prepared to clash.
Then, like a dam breaking, they exploded into action.