Hiruko, now slightly taller, his white hair reaching past his shoulder, his eyes a piercing red, sat in the back of his classroom playing tic-tac-toe with Tsunade, both waiting for class to start.
Suddenly Hiruko looked up to see his teacher Dan Nakamura appear, suddenly clearing his voice with a grunt.
Dan Nakamura said, "Hiruko, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, you four are to go to training ground nine; you'll be filled in once you reach there." he said simply before turning to the rest of the class to begin his lesson.
'So today's the day.' Hiruko thought as he got up lazily, grabbing his stuff.
Tsunade walked close to Hiruko as the pair began to descend the stairs where Orochimaru and Jiraiya were waiting and whispered silently.
"What's going on, Hiruko?" Tsunade asked, confused as to why only the four of them were called out.
Leaning into her ear, Hiruko whispered, "My guess is we're graduating." Hiruko said simply, as if he already knew this was going to happen, and that's because he did.
Tsunade, though wanting to ask more, decided to hold back as the both of them reached Jiraiya and Orochimaru and walked out of the classroom.
As soon as all four were out of the room, Jiraiya, scratching his head sheepishly, said, "So any idea where we're going?" he said, looking at the three.
Orochimaru spoke in his usual hoarse voice, though it held a hint of something like he was seeking praise.
"Looks like we're graduating, meaning we're probably going to meet our Jonin instructor, isn't that right, Hiruko?" Orochimaru said, turning to Hiruko.
Hiruko taking a glance at Orochimaru and using observation Haki
'He wants…praise?' Hiruko thought more proficient in Observation Haki before turning around, simply thinking Orochimaru wanted them to know how smart he was or something.
Turning his head back forward, Hiruko simply nodded and said, "Yeah, Orochimaru's completely right."
"So we're going to be a team. And why do we seem to be the only ones? There are plenty of kids ready for graduation." Tsunade posed, speaking up for the first time.
"It's because we're the four students with the highest potential. Tsunade, the granddaughter of the first, second, and Lady Mito, has high talent in Chakra Control and is already proficient in beginner medical ninjutsu.
Orochimaru has an impeccable mind and high talent in ninjutsu and chakra to match it."
Hearing this, Orochimaru blushed a little, though no one could tell.
"Jiraiya is well. Jiraiya is an all-rounder who, despite not being a genius in a certain aspect, can keep up with you guys; his high physical attributes and chakra are just a bit short of Orochimaru's," Hiruko said simply.
"Makes sense," Jiraiya said, shaking his head in understanding.
"Wait, but what about you, Hiruko? Why were you chosen?" Jiraiya asked, immediately turning confused again.
"It's because he awakened a unique Kekkei Genkai," Tsunade said after realizing Hiruko had no intention to say why. She decided not to say anything else about Hiruko's capabilities, though the others were too soon find out.
"Wait, when did that happen, and what's a Kekei Genkai?" Jiraiya asked, confused, looking at the others for an explanation.
But the others just sighed and kept walking, ignoring Jiraiya.
"Come on, guys, don't ignore me; just tell me!" Jariya said pleadingly.
—
Arriving at training ground 9, Hiruko and the others were met with a barren field.
"Where's our instructor?" Jariya said,
"Right behind you," a voice said from behind the group. Everyone except Hiruko tensed up, jumping a few meters from their previous spots.
Hiruzen, seeing this, offered a small glance toward Hiruko. 'He knew I was there. How?' He thought bewildered but hid it on the outside.
Regaining their bearings, the group looked to see a young man with tan-brown skin, brown hair, and a goatee. Immediately upon seeing him, Tsunade, fuming with anger, yelled,
"Uncle Hiruzen, how could you sneak up on me?" She said,
Hiruzen, lightly smiling, took a lollipop from who knows where and extended it toward Tsunade, smiling.
"Sorry, Tsuna, will you forgive me if I give you this?" "Hiruzen," he said, bending down slightly with a smile on his face.
Tsunade snatched the candy, popping it into her mouth and walking back while saying, "I guess I'll let it go," and joining the others who lined up in a straight line.
Hiruzen, standing up, began to project his voice. "Okay, I am Hiruzen Sarutobi. As you may know, I am also the third Hokage—" But before Hiruzen could continue, a surprised voice shouted out.
"You're the Hokage, old man!?" Someone said,
Everyone turned to see Jiraiya pointing dramatically at Hiruzen in surprise.
'Old? I'll let you know, brat, I'm still in my prime.' Hiruzen thought internally, his eye twitching.
"Idiot," Orochimaru said quietly; he knew the old man was the Hokage. The only reason he didn't kneel was because neither did Tsunade nor Hiruko. Plus this man was to become their sensei, so he probably wanted to foster a closer relationship than subordinates.
Hiruzen, taking a breath, continued, "I am the third Hokage but also your sensei. Now starting with me, we'll go around saying our likes, dislikes, and dreams. Now I like…books and…certain activities. I dislike those who do bad, and my dream is to create a safe and prosperous village. Next?"
Tsunade was the next to speak up. "I like my parents, my grandma, my grandpa's, medical ninjutsu, and I guess Hiruko too. I dislike perverts, annoying people, and unsettling people. And my dream is to become the strongest Kunoichi alive!" Tsunade said, pumping her fist in the air; her dislike of perverts and unsettling people was obviously targeted towards Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Orochimaru hearing Tsunade liked Hiruko tensed slightly before calming down, thinking
'She seems to mean it in a familial way.' He thought taking a breath
Orochimaru didn't like Tsunade or, in general, anyone getting closer to Hiruko. But he knew how much she meant to him, and he wouldn't want to make Hiruko mad as long as it stayed within limits. Plus, he would eventually become Hiruko's most important person; it was only a matter of time.
Orochimaru thought, licking his lips at his thoughts of Hiruko becoming his
Jiraiya, on the other hand, completely oblivious of Tsunade's dislike of him, went next. "I like women and… certain activities. I don't really dislike anything, and my dream is to become a ninja respected by all and to have my own harem of women," Jiraiya said with a perverted laugh.
The others lightly shook their heads at his antics.
Tsunade, however, punched him on his head; though it wasn't enhanced by chakra, it still packed a punch, causing Jiraiya to double over clutching his head.
Orochimaru, completely uncaring about what was happening, went next: "My likes are Ninjutsu, learning, and…" Orochimaru said, trailing off, his eyes darting to Hiruko and leaving just as quickly, escaping all but Hiruzen's eyes.
'So Mito was right, huh?' Hiruzen thought, sighing.
Orochimaru continuing "I dislike nothing in particular, and my dream is to master every jutsu there is." Orochimaru finished and turned to Hiruko, and so did Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, waiting for Hiruko to go next.
Hiruko, sighing slightly, said, "I like sweets, my family, learning, and a good sleep. My dislikes are spices, annoying people, and the color yellow. And my dream is to protect my family." Hiruko said simply,
At this Hiruzen just sighed, 'This child has no grand ambition, which worries me somewhat.'
Orochimaru was thinking about how Hiruko's answer changed from wanting to have a family to protect to wanting to protect his family.
'So he already considers them family, huh?' Orochimaru thought he wished to be one of the people Hiruko considered family; no, he wanted to be more.
'I wonder how Hakuja is doing; it better be doing its job.' Orochimaru pondered coldly.
Jiraiya, however, was tuned out, thinking about how he would try and peep on Tsunade later, completely ignoring Hiruko's introduction.
While Tsunade smiled slightly at Hiruko's declaration of wanting to protect them.
'You know, if it wasn't so demeaning, I might've actually called you brother,' she said with a hint of pride.
After finishing up the introductions, Hiruzen turned to the group of four and clapped his hands twice.
Once he did, a tall man with an elephant-looking mask appeared kneeling; in his hands was a basic steel sword.
Picking it up from the man's hands, Hiruzen threw it to Hiruko, who caught it; then, reaching to his pocket, he pulled out three bells.
"Your objective is to grab these bells. If you do, you would have proved you have the qualifications to become a genin. Oh, and Hiruko, you are allowed to use your kekkei genkai on everything but the bells."
Hiruzen said seriously. He knew all it would take is for Hiruko to apply gravity to the bells and have them fall and then grab them or have them come to him. If this was a normal battle, maybe, but the objective isn't to win.
At this Hiruko nodded; he knew Hiruzen wouldn't let it be that easy.
After seeing everyone understood the rules, Hiruzen smiled slightly and said, "BEGIN!"