009 First Assessment

The location written on the envelope is a small forest located on the outskirts of the Death Forest.

The Forest of Death was created by the first generation Hokage with his own ability.

It is one of the major attractions in Konoha Village.

"What's the matter, why hasn't Teacher Jiraiya come yet?"

Kushina complained, looking around the dense trees with annoyance.

It's not Kushina's fault.

Because at this time, it should be an hour past the agreed time.

Simu had fallen asleep on the grass beside her.

Minato tried to calm Kushina down.

"Maybe something is delaying him. After all, Teacher Jiraiya is probably very busy."

"What could he possibly be busy with? Is he busy peeking at the women's bathhouse?" 

Kushina's words left Minato speechless. 

"Ahem!" 

A heavy cough interrupted them. 

Jiraiya, with long silver hair and a flushed face, appeared. 

It was no surprise; anyone hearing their banter for the first time would blush.

What's more, he just came from the bathhouse.

"Well, I happened to pass by a bathhouse on my way here..."

"No, I ran into a really difficult situation and it delayed me. I'm sorry," Jiraiya said with a huff.

Then he picked up a photo in his hand and looked at it.

"You must be Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato, right?" 

He looked around and asked, "Where is Hanyu Simu?" 

"Gruu..." 

A grunt caught Jiraiya's attention. Simu was fast asleep, snoring loudly. 

Kushina's head was full of black lines, and a fist knocked Simu awake.

"What happened?" 

Simu rubbed his sleepy eyes and finally focused on Jiraiya's silver hair. 

"Jiraiya?" 

Jiraiya had black lines on his forehead, clearly frustrated. 

What kind of students are these? First, he heard Kushina calling him a pervert, and now Simu is saying his own name?

It seemed that Minato was more obedient. However, after being late for so long, Jiraiya didn't know what to say. He could only wave his hands and say, 

"Let's start with introductions." 

Introducing yourself and telling your dream has always been one of Konoha's traditional reservations.

Simu wasn't surprised either.

"My name is Uzumaki Kushina. My favorite food is ramen, and I hate tomatoes and peppers. My future dream..." 

Kushina paused, then raised her fist and shouted, 

"I'm going to be Konoha's first female Hokage!" 

Simu rolled his eyes. While Minato might have passed down his golden hair, Naruto's fiery spirit definitely came from her. 

Mother and child were so alike! Unlike other adults, Jiraiya didn't laugh at Kushina's dream.

Instead, he looked at her with appreciation and even clapped lightly. 

"Don't you find that funny, Mr. Jiraiya?" Kushina asked. 

With a serious expression, Jiraiya replied, "Everyone's dream, no matter how absurd, deserves respect." 

"I didn't expect you, a pervert, to have a good side," Kushina muttered, warming up to Jiraiya a bit. 

Jiraiya, however, pretended not to hear her remark.

Namikaze Minato introduced himself with enthusiasm: 

"My hobby is studying ninjutsu, and my dream is to become a great ninja like Hokage-sama." Jiraiya nodded in approval. 

Despite his youth, Minato's calm and careful demeanor made him stand out as a promising ninja. 

Next was Simu. He flicked something he had picked from his nose and sighed, looking a bit troubled:

"Dreams like that..." Simu began. 

"If I have to say mine, it's to get rich without working." 

Everyone's expressions turned dark. 

The dreams of those around him were so grand—becoming Hokage, protecting the village, and becoming great ninjas. 

And here he was, just wanting to get rich without any effort?

What salted fish.

Simu scratched his head. 

"What's wrong, teacher? Didn't you just say we shouldn't judge anyone's dreams?" 

Jiraiya rubbed his forehead and replied, "It's a good dream." 

Then, he managed a smile.

"Now that we know each other, let's begin the assessment." 

"Assessment?" Minato and Kushina looked concerned. 

Team assessments are the best way for a teacher to gauge the combat effectiveness and teamwork of the group. 

As Simu expected, Jiraiya pulled a bell from his pocket.

The assessment method originated from the Third Hokage. 

Simu doubts even the Third Hokage imagined that the method he created on a whim would still be used in Konoha decades later.

Jiraiya held up the bell and looked at the three of them. "Your task is to take this bell from me before sunset, using any method you want." 

"Remember, any method is allowed."

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TO BE CONTINUED