Goodbye

A spray of tea erupted from Aizen's mouth as Hiruko's words landed. He swiveled his chair, bewildered, to face the imposing figure at the doorway. "Battlefield? Did I hear that correctly?"

Hiruko, Aizen's direct supervisor, held a stern expression. "I was skeptical myself, but the transfer order from Anbu confirms it." He strode towards Aizen's desk and laid the document down with a thud. Aizen snatched it, his eyes scanning every word with meticulous scrutiny. A shadow flickered across his youthful face as he finally placed the paper back down. "Don't fret, Aizen," Hiruko said, misinterpreting Aizen's frown.

"Anbu assured me your position in the medical department remains secure. Besides, this is a prime opportunity! You'll be joining Jiraiya's team as the war nears its end – practically a guaranteed credit with minimal risk. Apparently, Jiraiya's prodigy student, Namikaze Minato, recommended you. You've struck gold this time, Aizen." Hiruko sighed, a hint of envy flickering in his dark eyes. In Konohagakure, merit was paramount. From acquiring new jutsu to securing promotions, merit fueled a ninja's progress. Daily tasks offered a slow, steady trickle, but the battlefield provided a rapid surge of recognition.

True, the battlefield holds inherent dangers. A single misstep could be fatal. However, joining Jiraiya's team at this stage offered undeniable benefits. "Joining Jiraiya's team could grant me immediate access to cell fusion technology and blood-based boundary intelligence research!" Hiruko grumbled inwardly. Aizen wasn't just talented, he was infuriatingly lucky. Over the past two years, Hiruko had personally witnessed Aizen's meteoric rise in medical ninjutsu, fueling a simmering resentment.

Now, seeing Aizen effortlessly acquire what he coveted through mere "connections," the bitterness festered. Despite his simmering envy, Hiruko, a master manipulator, maintained a facade of concern. Aizen, however, saw through this charade with practiced ease. In the two years since joining the medical department, Aizen had thoroughly deciphered Hiruko's duplicitous nature. His immediate focus shifted to the transfer order. Initial nervousness gave way to a swift analysis of the situation based on Hiruko's explanation.

"Namikaze Minato," Aizen muttered, a steely glint flashing in his eyes. He understood Minato's gesture as a token of goodwill. In truth, if everything unfolded as presented, Aizen wouldn't mind the battlefield assignment. With his current abilities, he could navigate the waning stages of the war with minimal risk, especially with Jiraiya and Minato as teammates. However, a warning remained: was the war truly ending? Drawing on knowledge from his past life, Aizen knew the Second Ninja World War spanned Konohagakure years 33 to 37. The current year, based on his calculations, was Konohagakure 35.

A jolt of realization coursed through Aizen. The year was only Konohagakure 36, a full year before the war's official conclusion! This revelation held significant weight. Crucially, Senju Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother, and Kato Dan, her boyfriend, hadn't perished yet. Their deaths, both occurring during the Second Ninja World War, were pivotal moments that shaped Tsunade's future. The trauma triggered her hemophobia, rendering her practically useless in combat. It wasn't until much later, in the original Naruto timeline, that Naruto Uzumaki healed her.

Aizen had scoffed at the rumors of an imminent war end. Based on his knowledge from his past life, the conflict was about to escalate, entering its most brutal phase. Senju Nawaki's demise, he suspected, would occur amidst this violent change. Aizen had even prepared for the inevitable, pre-purchasing incense to burn in Nawaki's memory. He'd even formulated a plan: crafting a believable display of grief, offering condolences to Tsunade, his "master."

However, the current situation presented a dilemma. Was this a karmic twist of fate? Despite the initial shock, Aizen quickly regained his composure. After all, the Hokage's orders were beyond his control. Fretting wouldn't change the situation. He had to adapt and overcome. Aizen wasn't one to shy away from challenges. "Understood," he replied calmly to Hiruko. "Please inform Lord Hokage that I'll wrap up my current tasks tonight and report to Jiraiya's team promptly tomorrow." With the message delivered, Hiruko had little reason to linger. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he departed. Aizen remained seated in the lab, his gaze fixed on Hiruko's retreating figure, lost in thought.

The next day, dawn painted the eastern outskirts of Konohagakure with a soft glow. Aizen arrived at the designated meeting point well ahead of schedule, determined to make a good impression on Jiraiya and his future teammates. He reasoned that a positive first impression could be life-saving on the battlefield. Building trust and rapport with his comrades was paramount. Roughly ten minutes into his wait, Jiraiya's boisterous laugh echoed through the clearing. "Aizen! You're here already? That's some impressive enthusiasm! I thought I might be the first one, haha!"Aizen bowed respectfully. "Lord Jiraiya."

"No need of that formality here, relax a bit," Jiraiya chuckled. "As the saying goes, courtesy goes a long way! A well-mannered individual always leaves a good impression." Jiraiya's initial impression of Aizen was undeniably positive, his polite demeanor a welcome sign. Just as Aizen was subtly cultivating Jiraiya's favor, a familiar voice broke the silence, causing a slight twitch in his lips.

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