Chapter 62 Betting

Chapter 62 Betting

Jiraiya mentioned Nawaki's name, stirring a ripple in Orochimaru's otherwise calm heart.

As his first and most beloved disciple, Nawaki always held a special place in Orochimaru's heart.

Jiraiya, unaware of Orochimaru's emotional shift, continued, "Your skills as a mentor are still top-notch. I've heard about Chiba's battle with Kuroiwa Tatsuji, the leader of the Hidden Hot Water Village."

"It's really impressive. How old is he now, 12 or 13? He should be around the same age as Minato, right? I never expected him to fight an elite Jonin to such an extent, even severely injuring Kuroiwa Tatsuji while sustaining only minor injuries himself. That's quite astonishing."

Orochimaru smirked slightly and said, "Chiba is very talented. Compared to regular training, real battles like these bring out his full potential."

Jiraiya chuckled, "But my disciple isn't too shabby either. Orochimaru, let's make a bet. Let's see who will improve faster and become stronger in this war, Chiba or Minato."

Orochimaru glanced sideways at Jiraiya, "There's nothing to bet on. Your disciple has some talent, but that's it."

Jiraiya retorted, "Orochimaru, I don't accept that. Minato's talent is incredible and definitely not inferior to your disciple's. Since you said that, this bet is on!"

Orochimaru crossed his arms and stared directly at Jiraiya, "What's your wager then?"

Jiraiya smiled, "I'm currently working on a book. Once it's finished, you'll be the first to read it. How about that?"

"Hmph, boring."

Orochimaru headed straight for the tent entrance, intending to leave.

Jiraiya quickly called out, "Orochimaru, what about your wager?"

After saying, "I won't lose," Orochimaru left.

Jiraiya got up from his seat, mumbled "so stubborn," and also left the tent.

Even Jiraiya felt exhausted from this ongoing battle.

Moreover, they would be even busier in the days ahead, leaving little time to rest.

When Jiraiya returned to his tent, he noticed that Minato Namikaze was not in the neighboring tent.

Jiraiya sighed, "It seems my disciple is lost again and really needs his master's guidance."

He found Minato sitting and staring blankly on a hilltop.

"What's wrong? Are you doubting yourself because Chiba is so outstanding?"

Jiraiya sat down beside Minato.

Minato replied with a heavy expression, "Sensei, I really do have doubts—doubts about whether my decisions are right or wrong."

Jiraiya asked, "Oh? Why do you think that?"

Minato lowered his head and said, "Chiba is incredibly rational, almost frighteningly so. He could unhesitatingly attach an explosive tag to a comrade who lost the ability to fight, making them perish together with a Cloud ninja to maximize benefits, as he put it."

"But I think what he did was wrong. He shouldn't treat a comrade's life as a tool."

"When I questioned him, his response left me speechless, making me feel like he was right and I was wrong."

Jiraiya frowned slightly.

He hadn't expected Chiba to do something like that in the Hidden Hot Water Village battle.

But then he understood.

That was typical of Orochimaru's disciple.

If it were Orochimaru, he would've done the same.

Just as Jiraiya was about to comfort Minato, Minato continued, "I witnessed the entire battle between Chiba and the Hot Water Village leader. I admit, I'm no match for Chiba."

"I thought I would catch up to him after these years, but I haven't, and the gap between us has only widened. He's the real genius, while I… I'm not one at all."

"What makes me feel most guilty is that when Chiba was in danger, I stopped. I remembered the moment Chiba gave Daigo the explosive tag to sacrifice himself with the Cloud ninja, and at that moment, I hesitated to save Chiba."

"I wanted to help my comrades, but I went against my heart."

Jiraiya sighed, "It seems Chiba's presence really affects you, Minato. You're only human. You have people you like and people you dislike. You and Chiba are like two extremes, and it's normal to dislike each other."

"This isn't your fault. Everyone has selfishness, even me. There's no need to be so conflicted."

"Chiba's actions can't be judged as right or wrong; it was on the battlefield, after all."

"But your desire to help your comrades is absolutely right, so don't doubt your intentions to support your comrades."

"Chiba is indeed a genius, well-taught by Orochimaru. But Minato, you mustn't doubt yourself. Once you do, you'll lose the chance to become stronger."

"If you don't believe in yourself, how can you get stronger or catch up to Chiba?"

"Minato, let me ask you something. Do you think I'm a genius?"

Minato looked at Jiraiya and replied, "Sensei, of course you're a genius. You're the Hokage's disciple and one of the Sannin."

Jiraiya smiled and shook his head, "I'm not a genius. Back in the day, I was always the underdog."

Minato was shocked, "That's impossible!"

Jiraiya said, "I'm not lying; it's true. I was always chasing after Orochimaru, who was known as a genius. But I refused to believe I was any less talented than him."

"With that belief, I kept chasing after Orochimaru, growing stronger along the way until I reached my current strength."

"So what if you're not a genius? As long as you believe you're not weaker than anyone else and put in the effort, you'll definitely become strong."

Minato exhaled deeply, the gloom in his eyes gone, "I understand, Sensei. I will work hard!"

Jiraiya smiled and patted Minato's head, "You're a real handful. I've made a bet with Orochimaru that you'll become stronger than Chiba in this war."

Minato was startled, "What? But…"

Jiraiya asked, "What's wrong? No confidence?"

Minato took a deep breath and said loudly, "I'm confident!"

Jiraiya stood up and said to Minato, "Go back and rest early. We'll be even busier soon. Oh, and good news—I'm requesting support from the Leaf Village, and I'll ask the old man to bring over the training method for the Flying Thunder God Technique."

After Jiraiya left, Minato silently made up his mind: he had to work even harder in training.

He could not let down Jiraiya's trust in him!