"Sensei, these two Water Release techniques only require the most basic elemental affinity. As long as you possess the corresponding chakra nature, you can use them, which is why I was able to grasp them quickly. In reality, I'm still very far from where I should be…"
Kyohiko Yoshimine summarized his reflections calmly.
He knew very well.
The Water Formation Wall used by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, could rotate, greatly enhancing its defensive power.
Other versions of Water Formation Wall could also be made taller and larger.
Compared to those—
His own use of Water Release could only be considered entry-level at best.
The system panel's attribute evaluation confirmed this point exactly.
Two conspicuous Beginner-level ratings.
Kakashi couldn't help but speak up, "That's already incredibly impressive!"
Thinking about himself…
The first time he used a Lightning Release technique, he hadn't been able to immediately perform a B-rank jutsu the way Kyohiko had.
For the first time, Kakashi truly understood how his peers must have felt when they looked at him back then.
This feeling—
Was genuinely painful.
Kurenai Yuhi's emotions were even more complicated.
Both Kyohiko and Kakashi were undeniably geniuses. Becoming subordinates or disciples of Lord Jiraiya was only natural for them.
But what about her?
Her gaze turned vacant, her thoughts drifting as she fell silent for a long time.
Back at the Ninja Academy, Kurenai had always been an outstanding student, consistently ranking near the top of her class. But after leaving the academy, it was inevitable that she would compare herself to Kyohiko and Kakashi—and her confidence took a heavy blow.
Jiraiya glanced at her and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Kurenai Yuhi wasn't bad at all—but standing beside Kyohiko and Kakashi, the pressure was indeed overwhelming.
However—
What pleased and surprised him most about Kyohiko was that the boy was far more mature than he had expected.
If it were an ordinary genin, mastering a B-rank jutsu on the first attempt, their ego would probably shoot straight through the roof.
But this one?
Without needing to be taken down a peg, he criticized and summarized his own shortcomings first.
What Jiraiya needed to do now—
Was simply hand over the ninjutsu scrolls and teach Kyohiko how to train and improve.
So worry-free.
Jiraiya sighed internally, but outwardly nodded calmly.
"It's good that you understand this. This level is still far from that of a true genius. If my Water Release had been like this back then, my teacher would've asked whether I was spacing out."
"Yes."
Kyohiko lowered his head respectfully, suppressing a smile with great effort.
Jiraiya was definitely not talking about himself.
He was talking about Orochimaru.
Back then, Orochimaru's performance had indeed been far more monstrous than either Kyohiko or Kakashi's—otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have placed such high hopes on him.
Jiraiya's face didn't redden, nor did his heart skip a beat.
He cleared his throat and turned to Kakashi and Kurenai.
"Kakashi, if you run into any problems, you can ask me later."
"Yes."
Kakashi answered respectfully.
Finally, there was Kurenai Yuhi.
Jiraiya's expression turned serious.
He hadn't chosen Kurenai just because she looked agreeable.
As a genjutsu specialist, her chakra control was beyond question. With years of family-taught genjutsu training, she was an excellent candidate for dual training in medical ninjutsu.
"Kurenai, for the time being, focus on strengthening your body. Then go back and study this jutsu."
He took out a scroll.
Kurenai opened it—
Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane Technique.
"This is…?"
Kurenai's eyes widened in disbelief.
She had heard of this technique.
It was Jiraiya's signature jutsu, and it had played a crucial role during the morning's assessment.
"As a genjutsu ninja, your chakra control is excellent. Learning this should just be a matter of time. Also, if you have the time, you can study some medical ninjutsu as well."
Jiraiya spoke solemnly.
"You don't need to master them deeply. I'll write you a letter of introduction."
"Thank you, Sensei."
Kurenai bowed deeply.
Wild Lion's Mane Technique.
Genjutsu.
Medical ninjutsu.
This path would make her a highly versatile, support-oriented ninja.
"Believe in yourself. You have the potential to become a ninja like Tsunade. That's why I chose you."
Jiraiya handed out encouragement like it cost nothing.
Kurenai nodded repeatedly, deeply moved.
The three of them continued training.
Kyohiko focused once more on practicing Water Release ninjutsu.
Just as he had said—
Although he could already perform the techniques, he was still far from truly mastering them.
At the very least—
Water Formation Wall needed to be raised to the Proficient level, right?
"Alright, keep training. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin taking missions."
...
As evening approached, the team dispersed.
That night, many people in Konoha couldn't sleep.
Jiraiya had once again formed a team, taking in the Hatake family's genius ninja—and personally selecting a civilian ninja as well.
Many people began asking around, but in the end, they were left baffled.
Who was Kyohiko Yoshimine?
Those with children of the same age at the Ninja Academy asked around, and the answers were strikingly consistent—
No real impression.
And yet, this ninja had become Jiraiya's disciple?
Especially among Kyohiko's former classmates, many lay awake all night.
They racked their brains, unable to understand how someone who had once been an unremarkable, barely noticeable presence had suddenly become a "genius" far beyond their reach.
...
The next day, at the Ninja Academy, inside Kyohiko's former classroom.
"Have you heard? After Kyohiko graduated, his team leader turned out to be Lord Jiraiya!"
"What?!"
"Is that true?"
"My father said it last night."
The classroom erupted into chaos.
One of the Legendary Sannin.
To them, that was an untouchable figure—and now, someone right beside them had become his disciple. It felt unreal.
"That's nothing. I also heard Kakashi's on that team!"
Another student chimed in.
A hint of envy flashed through Asuma Sarutobi's eyes.
He hadn't chosen to graduate this year.
If he had known Jiraiya would be teaching… if he had known Kurenai would graduate this year and become Jiraiya's disciple…
"Ah…"
The boy sighed, sitting by the window and staring outside gloomily.
Children's thoughts differed greatly.
But what they all shared—
Was that on this day, the once-unknown Kyohiko Yoshimine became the most talked-about person in the entire academy.
Yet—
On the very same day, the Kyohiko Yoshimine everyone was discussing was arguing heatedly with Jiraiya inside the Hokage Hall over missions.
"I'm the team's instructor. I think we can take C-rank missions directly!"
Jiraiya slammed the desk.
Hamano Tachi broke out in a cold sweat but still gathered his courage.
"Lord Jiraiya, new teams must start with D-rank missions. That's the rule. Even you can't break it."
He was only a chūnin.
Being able to say this much to one of the Legendary Sannin already required tremendous mental preparation.
Jiraiya was about to "argue on principle" again—
When Kyohiko, who had been standing before the mission board for a long time, finally walked over and said,
"Sensei, D-rank missions are fine too. Either way, they're all contributions to the village."
"That young man is absolutely right. No matter the rank, missions are all about serving the village. Lord Jiraiya, please don't make things difficult for us."
Hamano Tachi pleaded repeatedly.
Jiraiya smacked his lips and reluctantly nodded.
"Fine. Then let's start with a water-fetching mission."
After leaving the Hokage Tower—
"With Kakashi on the team, C-rank missions would be easy. I was already planning to go argue with the old man…"
Jiraiya still sounded regretful.
Kakashi and Kurenai said nothing.
For Kakashi, following the rules was fine either way.
Kurenai had no particular objections.
Kyohiko spoke quietly, "Sensei, it wouldn't look good for us to receive special treatment right away. We might as well rack up some D-rank missions first. Once the numbers are there, we should be able to take C-rank missions. Besides, D-rank missions can still be used for training—the difference isn't that big."
"That works."
Jiraiya waved his hand.
"Then let's start grinding!"