Iruka sensei finished his class for the day, stretching his waist from the soreness of standing throughout the whole class.
Seeing the students already rushing to pack, Iruka quickly stops them.
"Don't leave just yet! I have an important announcement to make!".
The students who were already strapping their bags over their shoulders sat back down on their seats.
"Because of Konoha's recent losses, the higher ups had made decisions on holding a special Graduation Exam. Konoha is in need of talents. It is up to you to participate. But remember, once you pass the examination, you will officially become a Shinobi. You will leave the comfort and safety of school, and no more playing around like before. Those who want to give it a try, you can sign up now".
Contrary to the expectation that children would want to delay their graduation as long as possible - especially when it comes to such a dangerous career; most of the students actually start to flock up to Iruka sensei.
Seeing this, Iruka hesitated… and despite the higher ups asking them to keep quiet, he doesn't want to see his students get involved when they are still too young.
"Stop! Listen to me first!".
The students back away. Even Naruto, who's excited to graduate early had to wait.
"... Konoha… is going to face war".
Most of the students in class seemed taken aback at this revelation. In fact there's already rumors going around and unrest in the village. And this matter cannot be kept a secret.
Iruka's expression turned solemn and serious.
"In a few months at most, Konoha won't be as peaceful anymore. I will be direct. Once you become a shinobi, you will be drafted, and become a part of Konoha's fighting force. As genins, you would mostly be involved in logistics and play an auxiliary and support role. However…".
"In special circumstances, you would be promoted to a Chunin… and you cannot avoid battle and would face real enemies. You wouldn't be fighting to win or to compete with your peers. But you have to fight for your lives. And even end others' lives. And even if you are still a Genin in name, those of you who are exceptional…".
Iruka's eyes look at Naruto, then at Sasuke and a few others.
"You would be drafted into a dangerous position, and you cannot avoid risk… you all should have one more year in the academy."
The class suddenly went silent. If Danzo knew how Iruka scares the children off Danzo would have found someone to kill him in his sleep right now. But only a few seemed timid…
One of the students stepped forward with fire in his eyes. Despite being a side character, his words are loud and confident.
"Sensei, I want to graduate!".
Iruka sensei looked surprised at the young boy.
"My parents… they were gone because of the attack that day. I… I want to protect my village. And I want to protect everyone I cherish. Konoha is my home and I want to protect them!".
The other students were also infected by the same Will of Fire, resolutely stepping forward. If Tsuyu saw these, she would praise Konoha's brainwashing on the so-called Will of Fire to have these people send themselves to their deaths happily.
Iruka cannot help it but has to let these kids sign up even if he is reluctant. The children of named Clans weren't surprised at all, as they were told early about Konoha's situation.
Shikamaru is one of the students that definitely knows it's dumb to graduate early when you can enjoy peace longer. But his father had already given his words to him, so he too, had to sign up. All of the named Clans are pressured by the higher ups and most of the clans children will definitely graduate early.
It's also why Kiba, Hinata and others don't have free time to train with Naruto anymore. Each of their family placed importance on them and began their 'real' training.
Naruto cannot help but realise why Tsuyu had been so harsh to him…
"I have to fight for my life… and even end others…".
The registration form in his hand felt heavy at this moment. From the way Iruka sensei looked over at him just now, he gets a feeling that he is 'exceptional' and would be placed somewhere dangerous. He's not sure about ending others' lives. But, he's sure about one thing.
Konoha is his home. His friends are all out there.
He sees Hinata, Kiba, Choji, Ino, Shikamaru, and others all sign up. Therefore…
Naruto placed the pen down and wrote down his name. Perhaps he couldn't kill on command. But he could do anything to protect his friends. He couldn't help but think of Tsuyu at this moment.
Tsuyu must have known beforehand. Tsuyu is Tsuyu after all… Naruto can't help but feel like he's such a bad brother. No wonder Sasuke called him an idiot often…
As for Sasuke, he signed up without much thought. While he can't say he had patriotism - he wanted to graduate solely for selfish reasons. His ultimate goal is to kill Itachi; and what he needed most is the right information and condition which he lacked.
He wants to gain more strength. Fighting the enemy of Konoha is a good thing for him. And secondly, If he contributes enough, he may eventually find Itachi's whereabouts.
Sakura looked at Sasuke's back. She felt ashamed of herself for hesitating. She pinched a corner of her skirt, trying to make a decision for herself. She looks at the majority of her classmates, even Hinata and Ino sign up for early graduation.
"I can't get left behind…!". With firm resolve, Sakura too took steps forward to sign up. With that, they had set themselves up, tangling themselves with Konoha's future.
***
Naruto and Sasuke returned home walking side by side. Both of them wondered about what's to come…
But as the two walked past a bathhouse, Naruto's step halted. He turned his eyes seeing a man in red clothes and long white hair squatting down and planting his face on the side wall.
"Oi ossan! What are you doing!".
Naruto screamed seeing the audacity of that man.
The women in the bathhouse heard the loud scream outside and all of them panicked. Seeing the beautiful scenes all covered up, he felt annoyed and turned to the yellow haired boy.
"You kid! Mind your own business!".
"You pervert! What are you doing peeping in broad daylight!".
Just then the door to the public bathhouse opened, and women in bathrobes had anger in their faces with buckets and objects in their hands.
"That's the pervert! Catch him!". The women threw everything they had.
"Damn it!", the mysterious man suddenly jumps so high, landing on the rooftop and disappearing in a blink of an eye.
"Gasp! So high!". Naruto was surprised; Sasuke too. He can see that person is definitely a strong shinobi just from how high he leaped and disappeared in a single instance.
That person is no other than the legendary Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, the author of Icha-icha paradise and the esteemed Toad Sage that had returned to Konoha!
***
Konoha Council
"Jiraiya-kun, you are still lively just after returning…". Koharu spoke seeing the unserious-looking man. The commotion of the sannin peeking on a public bathhouse wasn't hidden from their eyes.
"Ahaha… Koharu-san, I am looking for inspiration! Inspiration you know!".
"Have a seat". Koharu didn't bother. She's too old to care about his antic.
Jiraiya's face turned serious as he sat down. He turned to look at the gloomy looking old man sitting at the same table - Danzo Shimura. Seeing him was like seeing a unicorn for most people, even for Jiraiya as usually he was always lurking in the dark.
Danzo placed the cup of tea down after taking a sip.
"Jiraiya, the councils had decided on the candidates for the position of 5th Hokage". Homura started the discussion. But before he could mutter another sentence; Jiraiya raised his hand in objection.
"Leave me out! I am not suited for this. I like to be free and about".
Koharu's already wrinkled face wrinkles more. "This is not just about you. Konoha is in need of a Hokage to lead them". She said in a dissatisfied tone.
"I know Tsunade is among the candidates! Give it to her!".
"...". Homura looks at Koharu. Koharu looks at Danzo. Danzo already expected this outcome from Jiraiya.
"...Well, once Tsunade-hime is back, we can decide. But she needs to return to Konoha first. Her tracks are very difficult to find. And we believe you are the most suitable person to get her to return. The team we dispatched couldn't catch up to her. Sigh, troublesome…".
Homura also sighed. "If she's heard of Konoha's predicament, I am sure she would return. This is her home after all. But the team didn't even get to talk to her".
Jiraiya takes a sip of the tea. He knew Tsunade already 'quit' being a shinobi, probably toiling away drinking and gambling, not caring about the outside world and what's happening.
"Fine. I will try to bring her back".
"Good… as for the second matter…". Koharu looked at Danzo, letting him speak.
"9 tails jinchuriki…".
Jiraiya's expression became a little stiff after hearing the term. He recalled Minato's children. He saw one of the siblings, that boy Naruto. Loud and annoying for sure. But he grew up well, he thought.
"Konoha will be facing many enemies. And we don't have much to defend ourselves with. I think having you overseeing his training on that power would bear good results…".
"Those two are still children". Jiraiya's voice is calm, but his eyes looked sharp, as if glaring at Danzo.
"Minato's child. And that's why I am asking this to you. I can't think of a better teacher. But of course, if you aren't willing… you can leave it to me". Danzo squinted his eyes, making his point clear.
"You..-".
The pressure inside the room increased slightly. Koharu wiped a sweat formed on her forehead, feeling like her old bone is about to be crushed from these two.
"Do you think Konoha in this state can fight against all of them? You should know that answer yourself. Even if you are travelling around you should know our situation clearly".
"...". Jiraiya went silent. He knows Konoha is in a very dangerous position. The recent losses of the village became the trigger that pushed others to make a move against Konoha. Konoha really is in the weakest state in its history. And they need their Jinchuriki…
"Besides… the daughter of Minato can already fully control 9 tails power…", Danzo took a sip of tea, while gauging Jiraiya's reaction.
"Impossible!". Jiraiya stood up from his seat slamming the table. He doesn't believe it. He knew how ferocious 9 tails is. Even Kushina, who's a pure Uzumaki that has trained since she's a child can't control it!
"It is true…". Danzo reassured Jiraiya.
"I will need to see it with my own eyes…".
"In fact… she already had a great merit to her name". Danzo tossed a scroll containing the report on the day Konoha got attacked by the Land of the Sky and Orochimaru.
"This…". Jiraiya read the report on that day. There's no mention that Tsuyu used 9 tails power, but the thousand meters wide wall that protected the center of the village meant she did tap into it. Such a scene cannot be kept hidden anyways. Looking at the other pages, it tells about Tsuyu's performance fighting on Ancor Vantian along with the other elites. She received approval and praises from many.
Jiraiya felt solemn. He didn't know Minato's child is that fearsome.
Could she be… the child of prophecy mentioned by the toad sage?
Jiraiya felt a sense of urgency to see her. The child of prophecy is the one who could bring about a great change in this world… either to its destruction or peace.
"Wait… she's… in ANBU? Since she's 10…". His eyebrows furrowed, looking at Danzo with a questioning look.
"She is a natural. Almost like a fish in water".
Hearing that disturbing praise, Jiraiya stood up again in anger all of a sudden, even almost choking Danzo on his tea but Danzo managed to keep poker face.
"Your Root and its dark ways. Did you…", Jiraiya's tone became murderous.
He knew what kind of organisation Root is, and how they raise its 'perfect' soldiers that are merciless to both themselves and enemies. Seeing Tsuyu's genius, her being in ANBU while housing the more evil part of 9 tails, and how highly Danzo is praising her, it's almost as if Tsuyu is his own people, and that Danzo had his hands on her from the very beginning. He suspects Danzo had even done something to her to make her his weapon. The scroll in Jiraiya's hand is crumpled under Jiraiya's clenching hands.
If what he suspects is true, he will never forgive Danzo for doing this to Minato's child, and in case she's the child of prophecy, Danzo might have guided her to the path of destruction.
"You are thinking too highly of me…". Danzo snorted. It is half-right in the way that Danzo supported Tsuyu. But her genius and cold nature had nothing to do with him at all.
"...". Jiraiya took a deep breath to calm himself and sat down. He already made the decision to see Tsuyu, this genius child housing the more evil part of 9 tails. He prayed it's not what he suspects.
Seeing Jiraiya's silence, Danzo added.
"That boy is graduating in three days. It's inevitable he would be involved in Konoha's struggle. For Konoha - and Minato's sake, you should know what to do".
"Fine". Jiraiya had to agree. He knew the importance of this matter.
Hearing the short reply of agreement, Danzo doesn't feel much surprise. Jiraiya is someone with a high sense of belonging towards Konoha and he put Konoha first before anything else. It seemed Danzo overthinked too much about his attitude just because the siblings are his late student's child.
***