Cooperative Practice

When Hattori Heizo confronted Jiraiya, Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen watched from the sidelines. Seeing Jiraiya use his own "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique," Hiruzen couldn't help but cover his eyes.

"What on earth is Jiraiya doing? He actually made my technique look like this," Hiruzen muttered under his breath.

Masaki knew that Hiruzen used the principle of shadow clones and applied it to shuriken. If chakra's nature transformation is attached, the power of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique becomes formidable. Even without nature transformation, the sudden increase in shurikens can catch an enemy by surprise.

However, Jiraiya did not demonstrate the advantage of the Shuriken Shadow Clone in his hand. He believed his opponent had been hit by the move, but it was merely a simple substitution technique.

"Really, as a ninja, how can you fall for such a simple trap?" Hiruzen sighed.

"He's still young and easily impulsive. He'll improve in the future," Masaki replied, retracting his gaze.

"I hope so. But I wonder what kind of ninja he will become in the future. Although I have confidence in teaching him..." Hiruzen said.

Masaki glanced at Jiraiya again. At that moment, he was arguing with Orochimaru. Hiruzen likely never expected that this student, who seemed the most unreliable, would later demonstrate extraordinary boldness.

Jiraiya truly embodies the title of "Hero." He embraces the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage and considers how to bring change to the world of ninjas. Beneath his superficial lechery lies a certain profound wisdom. Compared to the other two, he is more like a sage.

"Happiness is not something that men should pursue." This was a philosophy Masaki had previously stated, one that deserves careful contemplation.

—Are you happy?

Masaki pondered for a moment, noticed some figures appearing not far away, and said, "Hiruzen, we should go out, Kagami and Torifu have already arrived."

"Ah, indeed. Let's go quickly," Hiruzen replied.

At this time, the six kids—Jiraiya, Sakumo, and the others—making noise in the training area saw two other groups approaching. One of them was the head of the Uchiha clan and also the captain of the Police Department, often seen on the streets helping residents, most of the villagers knew him.

As for the other chubby man, few knew much about him. Only Tsunade recognized him and waved, "Kagami-Oji! Torifu-Oji!"

Uchiha Kagami responded with a smile. Although Akimichi Torifu looked serious, he was actually gentle-tempered, evident in the slight smile on his face.

Following them were the students of Torifu. The younger generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio was brought by, as he was one of the mentors suitable for teaching them. Of course, the Sarutobi clan, being witnesses to the Ino-Shika-Cho, were also fit to teach. However, since Sarutobi Hiruzen had other students, the instruction should fall to Torifu.

The students of Kagami, There were two from the Uchiha clan, one from the Hyūga clan,  one Uchiha, who was Kagami's nephew, while the other was a talent recognized by Uchiha Kagami. The latter was likely to become a mainstay of the Uchiha clan. To avoid wasting his efforts in the future, he needed to ensure that the next generation received proper education early on.

The Hyuga member was not from the main clan but from a branch family. The current clan leader, Hideaki Hyūga, not yet to have a child. Even if he did, they wouldn't be taught by the Uchiha clan, as the traditional Hyuga successors were trained internally.

The prominent clans in Konoha Ninja Village generally possessed this special right and didn't need to send their heirs to ninja school to receive instruction from other teachers. This was a comfort and compromise for the major clans. Since Uchiha Kagami himself was the head of the Uchiha clan, even those teaching Uchiha students would raise no objections. It was simply a compromise.

"Haven't Hiruzen and Masaki arrived yet?" Torifu asked, scanning the area.

As soon as he spoke, Hiruzen's voice rang out, "We're here! It's you who are a little slow to arrive."

Then, Hiruzen and Masaki appeared before the group. Jiraiya and Sakumo hurriedly approached their teachers. As Jiraiya passed Hiruzen, the latter said, "Jiraiya, you will need special training in the future."

Jiraiya's body stiffened slightly. Great, this teacher had been watching the match from the sidelines the entire time. How unfortunate!

He realized he had made Hiruzen's Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique look foolish and vaguely felt anxious about the type of training Hiruzen would employ. He wanted to cry but reminded himself that if he endured, his strength would surely increase dramatically. He would make the dwarf pay for it at that time!

Jiraiya was truly big-hearted. Initially, he lamented the upcoming special training, but soon thoughts of its potential benefits crossed his mind. He couldn't help but show a silly smile.

—What was he thinking?

Asuka and Orochimaru, who were nearby, watched Jiraiya with confusion. If they hadn't heard Hiruzen's words, they would have thought Jiraiya was behaving normally.

Masaki observed Kagami and Torifu's students. Everyone could see their unique characteristics: the chubby and gluttonous Akimichi, the lazy Nara, the quick-witted Yamanaka, Uchiha Naoki from the Uchiha clan which Kagami's nephew, another Uchiha, and Kazuya from the Hyūga clan, which he know from the previous Clan Head who still talk with Masaki when they available.

Masaki introduced each student, and apart from Jiraiya—who had been celebrating and was less friendly with Tsunade—everyone else met for the first time and exchanged simple greetings.

"You should all know that Hokage-sama wants to initiate a joint ninja test with other countries. You are essential for our Konoha Ninja Village," Masaki explained to the students after they met. Since he had proposed this meeting, he took the lead in the discussion.

"I hope that you can compete with one another, challenge yourselves, and interact with different types of people. This will help you gain valuable experience for dealing with others from different villages," Masaki said. "You will study together from now on, and I hope you can get along well."