Chapter 258: Upgrades
---
"First of all, have you tried activating your seal now?" Jiraiya asked.
"No, Sensei, I thought it would be better to do that under your guidance," Kaida said.
"Good, it's always wise to be cautious. Now, try activating the seal."
Kaida focused on the seal on his forehead, but was surprised by what he felt.
"The seal has changed, Sensei. It's like there are two valves now. The original one is still there, but now there's also a smaller valve present," Kaida said.
"Yes, that's for the strength enhancement. You can choose which one to open and when. You can open both at the same time or one, depending on your need. Also, the Yin Seal has been improved by my sensei to avoid overburdening your chakra pathways.
He also added measures to reduce the lifespan reduction by 50%. Sensei really outdid himself this time. Now your seal isn't that inferior to Tsunade's. Aside from the healing aspect, everything else is nearly the best," Jiraiya explained.
"Then I can use it more now?" Kaida asked.
"If you take any major damage, your cells will divide, and your lifespan will be reduced. This happens to everyone, but because the recovery process is slow, the effect isn't visible in normal people.
However, with the Mitotic Regeneration Seal, the recovery speed is super fast, placing a heavy burden on the caster's body. But the most pressing problem is that your natural aversion to injuries will decrease. Since your injuries will heal so quickly, you'll start taking more hits just to deal more damage to the enemy. This will result in an unnecessary reduction of your lifespan, much more than needed, and this will happen subconsciously. It's difficult to monitor and guard against, which is why it's better to use it only when necessary," Jiraiya explained.
"I understand, Sensei. I'll only use it when my or my comrades' lives are in danger," Kaida said.
"Good, but that rule only applies to the sealing part. Your seal now has an extra feature you can use however you want," Jiraiya said, laughing like a child about to play with a new video game.
Kaida felt something was off, and Jiraiya's next sentence sent a shiver down his spine.
"For the next two weeks, you're going to spar with me, using that seal's chakra to enhance your strength. Since that chakra won't follow your usual pathways, it'll be difficult at first, but it'll get easier. We're tight on time, so let's start now," Jiraiya said.
Having no other option, Kaida nodded, but before he could activate his seal, Jiraiya interrupted him.
"Kaida, sensei told me your transformation jutsu is quite different. Why haven't you used it in our spars till now?"
"I have used it, Sensei. The sword my shadow clone transforms into is part of that jutsu," Kaida said.
"So, they can only transform into swords?"
"No, Sensei, but since I have to use kenjutsu, I normally use that jutsu to transform into swords," Kaida replied.
"Oh boy, having a strong suit is good, but swords aren't ideal for what you're going to train in next. What you need now is…"
---
For the next two weeks, different sounds echoed from Training Area 2. Along with the sounds came small tremors that could be felt by people nearby. As a result, Hiruzen and Kabuto had to change their training location.
After two weeks, Hiruzen himself went to Training Area 2, which had been locked from the inside. The area was fully ventilated, with water supply and enough food for two people to survive for years, but that was it—just survive.
His student and grand-student had been in this environment for two weeks without leaving for even a second. Normally, he would have sent an Anbu to summon Jiraiya and Kaida to his office, but since he was already there and curious about the results of such intense training, he decided to check for himself.
Even though the gates were closed from the inside, there wasn't a single gate in Konoha that could keep the Hokage out, especially not the gates of a training area specifically designed for him. With a simple hand seal, the gate opened, and Hiruzen entered the training area—only to be shocked by the scene before him.
The training area, which was made for a Kage, was in shambles. Normally, even an A-rank jutsu wouldn't be able to damage the walls, leaving a scratch or two at most. But now, various pits and cracks were present in the ground, walls, and even the ceiling.
"What have you two been doing for the past two weeks?" Hiruzen asked the two sleeping ninja, who, instead of using the provided beds, were lying on the hard ground.
Hiruzen understood they must have been exhausted and had fallen asleep, but still, he wanted to know what caused the destruction in the training area. Did Jiraiya use Sage Mode to show Kaida what true power looked like?
Normally, both Jiraiya and Kaida would wake at the slightest sound, but today was different. They knew they were in a safe place, and considering how tired they were after three days of continuous practice, their natural instincts didn't kick in while they slept. But when they heard Hiruzen's voice, both jolted awake, ready to attack—only to see it was Hiruzen himself, and they quickly calmed down.
"What day is it, Sensei?" Jiraiya asked, yawning.
"Tuesday, the day we agreed to let the team meet. Why are you in this condition anyway?" Hiruzen asked, noticing that even Jiraiya looked battered.
"Sensei, today you'll see something really great," Jiraiya said with a broad smile.
"Fine, get fresh. You both have two hours, then come to my office. I've already summoned the others," Hiruzen said.
"Okay, Sensei."
"Yes, Lord Third."
Hiruzen nodded, then turned to leave. But before he left, he added, "Kaida, this training area is a secret training area for me. Its information is classified."
"I'll keep my mouth shut, Lord Third," Kaida said, bowing slightly. Hiruzen just nodded and left.
"Boy, you've progressed by leaps and bounds. I've taught you the best I could... 'IF YOU GET OVERSHADOWED BY THE OTHERS, I'LL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE YOUR TRAINING GETS MORE EFFECTIVE,'" Jiraiya said, his tone bordering on threatening.
"Don't worry, Sensei. I'm sure that if I fought myself from a month ago, I could beat him in ten seconds."
"Confidence is good, but make sure it doesn't turn into overconfidence. Otherwise, you won't even know how you died," Jiraiya said, waving his hand as he left the training area.
"Get ready in an hour. I'll be back by then."
"Yes, Sensei."
---
Kaida and Jiraiya sat in front of Hiruzen, with Kabuto seated next to Kaida.
"You said you summoned everyone for two hours," Jiraiya said.
"And we still have ten minutes. Your impatience is showing with age," Hiruzen said, exhaling a puff of smoke from his pipe.
Knock, knock.
"Lord Third..."
"Send them in," Jiraiya said, eager to not spoil the final surprise he had in store for his student.
The secretary glanced at Hiruzen for confirmation. Despite Jiraiya's high status, he was still below the Hokage. Hiruzen nodded, and in a minute, two figures entered the office.
"Good morning, Lord Third," Fugaku said, bowing slightly, less than a normal shinobi, but still bowing. No matter how powerful or well-connected, in a shinobi village, you were always below the Kage.
"Good morning, Lord Third," said the boy following Fugaku. He bowed more deeply than Fugaku, his calm and composed demeanor reflected in his appearance. He had long, straight black hair that fell to his shoulders, with a distinct fringe framing his face. His pale skin complemented his sharp, well-defined features, and his slightly narrow, almond-shaped eyes gave him a thoughtful, almost distant expression.
"Good morning. Please, take a seat, both of you. We've been waiting for you," Hiruzen said, giving Fugaku the respect he deserved as the head of Konoha's most powerful clan.
"You're surprised that HE is your teammate, right?" Jiraiya teased with a grin.
'Considering only the best talent is being sent, there aren't many options left to send, Sensei. Since I already know two, picking the best among the rest was easy. I already knew, but you were so excited about it,' Kaida thought.
"How the hell… isn't it too dangerous to send a clan heir on such a mission?" Kaida asked in a hushed but shocked voice.
"Dangerous? I'm going as your sensei. There's no safer place than wherever I am when I've promised to protect you guys," Jiraiya said.
"Enough of your chatter. Let's move on to the main reason we're here," Hiruzen said, exhaling another puff of smoke before placing his pipe aside and extinguishing the flame.