Super Ninja

Training with Jiraiya and his summons turned out to be not just difficult—it was hellish, as none of them had any intention of going easy on me. Constant sparring alternated with physical conditioning and theoretical lectures. Moreover, I had to remain on high alert at all times.

 

The first days were especially tough, as they were entirely focused on me mastering the so-called Sage Mode. This technique, though it seems straightforward, requires precise execution of the preparatory stages. Natural energy is a powerful enhancement that can make training much easier... Jiraiya quickly realized this and loaded me with so much work that, even while maintaining Sage Mode constantly, I felt completely drained, like a squeezed lemon. Training with Might Guy had been challenging too, but if I had used Sage Mode during my training with his team, I would have breezed through all the stages.

 

However, the Sannin was such a powerful shinobi that even natural energy couldn't give me an edge. Under such pressure, many would have broken, as the training was grueling—especially since it continued 24 hours a day. But not me... I had already endured tough training with the captain of the Eleventh Squad. My willpower was strong, solid enough that I allowed myself to relax and rest only when I truly had the chance.

 

Once I gained more confidence in handling this mode, Fukasaku stopped calling me "tadpole" and "runt," addressing me instead as an adult toad.

 

"Alright, toad," he said with a satisfied expression. "You've learned a lot under my guidance. I'm pleased."

 

He tapped his stick on the ground, triggering a reaction in me, as I'd often felt that stick on my back. The blows had been both painful and precise. In the hands of a master like Fukasaku, that stick became a powerful instrument of punishment for any negligent student. I, unable to even squeak, endured hits so painful that I couldn't even speak.

 

"I think it's time for you to swim on your own in the sea of natural chakra mastery. I'm curious to see what you'll achieve with such potential."

 

"Thank you, Fukasaku-san," I said, bowing respectfully to the toad. "Your guidance has been incredibly valuable to me."

 

"Jiraiya," he addressed the jonin, "I hope you can train him a bit more. I know you're good at that."

 

"Alright," the Sannin sighed, closing his eyes for a few seconds. Then, a smirk appeared on his face as he turned to me. "Suzuki, get ready. I'll be training you even harder."

 

"Yes, Jiraiya-san," I responded. At that moment, Fukasaku dissolved into the mist, returning home. I didn’t get the chance to ask him where exactly he lived, as I had to constantly focus on the natural energy within me and distribute it correctly throughout my body.

 

"Let’s not waste time talking," Jiraiya said. "Let’s get to it."

 

The training continued in the same manner, but with the addition of new elements, like mastering a new chakra nature. Jiraiya was an excellent teacher, and I wasn’t foolish either, so we decided on the water element for my next step. From that point on, all the training took place on the lake’s surface, constantly. Sometimes, I had to swim in less-than-warm waters, but it didn’t bother me—it helped me strengthen my connection with the element. Jiraiya didn’t hold back, continuing to push me to give 100%.

 

During the remaining time, the Sannin made me learn two water-element techniques. It wasn’t easy, but under his constant pressure, there was no other choice but to grow and improve.

 

In the last few hours of training, Jiraiya decided to engage me in a full-contact sparring match. It had been a long time since I’d taken such a beating... The Sannin was relentless, but he kept the level just high enough for me to only slightly fall behind. Every minute, I had to be stronger and better than the previous one, as Jiraiya had no intention of showing me any leniency.

 

"Water Style! Water Bullet!"

 

I performed the technique, which required only one hand sign—the concentration sign. I then positioned my fingers like a gun and fired. A water bullet shot at high speed toward the Sannin. He easily dodged, giving me the opportunity to close the distance. Natural energy had already filled my body, putting me into Sage Mode.

 

At that moment, we clashed again. The Sannin blocked my strike effortlessly with a smirk. His movements were swift and precise, while I quickly formed another concentration sign and fired another water bullet. Jiraiya gracefully spun, his hair momentarily igniting, absorbing my attack. And then... I had to block a heavy kick.

 

I was thrown toward the shore, tumbling across the water like a skipping stone before ending up on the bank. Dodging to the side, I narrowly avoided another strike that left a small crater in the ground. Pushing off with my hands, I flipped into the air, quickly forming five hand signs and a concentration sign. Chakra gathered in my mouth, building pressure rapidly, preparing for release.

 

"Water Style! Exploding Wave!"

 

In an instant, I focused and unleashed a powerful jet of water, which, with a loud whistle and a roar like an enraged dragon, surged toward Jiraiya. He moved like a shadow, dodging with a sharp and fluid motion, almost instantly disappearing from my sight, leaving only a blurred trace in the air. The technique slammed into the ground with incredible force, creating a deep crater. Huge chunks of earth and stone were torn from the ground and scattered in all directions, leaving behind a small but deep pit, from which dust and steam rose. This dangerous technique, which I had previously used only on the water's surface, hadn’t allowed me to fully appreciate its destructive power until now.

 

I sensed movement from the side and immediately prepared to block. Jiraiya appeared, circling me without making a single strike. Then, he moved so quickly that I couldn’t keep up.

 

Anticipating an attack, I shifted to the side, attempting to take action. I still lacked the speed and agility to fully match such a powerful opponent, but I was sure any chunin would have been impressed by my skills. Pushing these thoughts aside, I somehow managed to block a powerful punch aimed at my chest. Jiraiya hung in the air for a moment before landing on his feet and striking again.

 

The force of his blow sent me flying backward, slamming me into a tree. As I slid down, I began regaining my senses, slowly recovering from the pain coursing through my body. The pain gradually subsided.

 

"E-e-e," Jiraiya stretched, glancing up at the sky. "Time’s up. Congratulations, you’ve finished my boot camp."

 

"Thank you, Jiraiya-san," I replied, barely resisting the urge to close my eyes and sleep. I hadn’t slept at all for the past two weeks, which had been another trial for me. Constant sparring, practicing techniques, and the lack of rest had significantly drained my energy. Only sheer willpower, already tempered through relentless training, had kept me going, pushing me forward.

 

The Sannin didn’t seem particularly well-rested either, but he handled it far better than I did. His greater stamina allowed him to accomplish even more. I believe I’ll reach his level in the future, which would place me among the top shinobi of the village, and perhaps the world.

 

"Let’s grab a bite," he said, pulling out a few scrolls from his bag. "Gather some firewood."

 

"Yes."

 

Gathering kindling for the fire was incredibly easy, especially when you know exactly what to collect and how. Within a few minutes, we had a nice little fire spreading warmth in all directions. Jiraiya pulled out some metal skewers and, from somewhere, brought out marinated meat. He placed it over the fire to roast while I rested, feeling sleep slowly creeping up on me, ready to claim its due for all the hours I had ignored it. But not yet... Forgive me, sleep... I still need to return to the village. There, I’ll collapse into bed, and we can finally “catch up.”

 

"How are you feeling, Suzuki?" Jiraiya asked as I received my own bowl of meat. It was incredibly delicious... Just some salt and a bit of ground pepper, yet so tasty. Washing it down with cold water... Mmm.

 

"I’m ready to keep training," I told the Sannin. "When we get back home, I think I’ll continue developing my own techniques."

 

"That’s the right attitude," he grunted. "But remember one thing: sometimes rest can be more beneficial than a thousand hours of training. Your body needs time to adapt to new loads."

 

"I understand, Jiraiya-san," I exhaled. "But I also understand that our world is not kind. It doesn’t forgive weakness."

 

"Eh," the Sannin sighed, looking at me somewhat sadly. "Times change... but shinobi never do."

 

An awkward silence followed. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut. No... of course not.

 

"Alright," the Sannin said, putting out the fire. I handed him back his cleaned plate. "Time to call it a day. Let’s head back to Konoha."

 

"Yes."

 

The journey was quite pleasant, as it felt like we were moving faster than time itself. Our pace was quick and active, but we didn’t manage to reach Konoha before nightfall. To keep me from falling asleep, Jiraiya set up another survival training.

 

"You’ll rest at home," he said, pouring a bucket of icy cold water over me. "Right now... you need to train. You know what kind of world we live in."

 

That night’s training was incredibly tough for me—not physically or chakra-wise, but mentally. I had to keep attacking or defending against Jiraiya, using the techniques I knew, all while constantly pushing myself to grow and develop.

 

At first light, we resumed our journey toward Konoha. It felt like my eyes were about to close on their own, and at times, I thought I heard voices or whispers. But I quickly realized they were just hallucinations from sleep deprivation. Natural energy helped me manage, giving me the energy and alertness I needed. Still, I knew I’d eventually have to pay the price for this.

 

Sleep tugged at the edges of my mind, suggesting that it would be great to lie down in the shade and close my eyes for a few hours—or better yet, a few days. But I refused, forcing myself to keep moving forward.

 

The Sannin noticed and chuckled to himself, saying nothing. As we neared the village, we left the main paths and began walking calmly, passing the occasional shinobi in a hurry or caravans moving along. No one paid much attention to us, though we had certainly been noticed, and the information had likely already been passed to ANBU. If ANBU had any pressing questions, they would’ve already made their move.

 

The village itself hadn’t changed much in my absence. Only two weeks had passed, after all. There hadn’t been much time for anything significant to change.

 

"Alright, Suzuki," Jiraiya said as we arrived in the village. "I think it’s time for us to part ways. I’ve got other matters to attend to."

 

"Yes, Jiraiya-san," I replied, giving him a deep, respectful bow. "Thank you for all the training. I truly appreciate it."

 

"See ya, Suzuki," he waved off my thanks casually and leaped onto a nearby roof, disappearing in the direction of the Hokage’s residence.

 

I stood there for a moment longer before turning to head home. It was time to rest and recover.

 

"Hey! Suzuki-san!" I heard a familiar voice call out, and I stopped. I turned to see none other than Naruto Uzumaki rushing toward me.

 

"N-Naruto, hello," I greeted him with a friendly smile as he reached the side of the road. His face showed surprise at my sudden appearance. "How are you?"

 

"S-uh, oh," he waved awkwardly, his gaze shifting away as though searching for an excuse. "Same old..." His voice sounded uncertain and a little dejected.

 

I walked closer, noticing his hesitation.

 

"Why aren’t you at the Academy?" I asked. "You should be in class right now, right? Skipping?"

 

"Well..." he dragged out, his eyes darting around, a slight blush rising to his cheeks. "I’m just not interested in learning about plants. And the teacher keeps kicking me out of class," he added, sounding frustrated.

 

"For what?" I asked, surprised. "Isn’t Muraki-sensei your teacher?"

 

"Yeah, him," Naruto nodded, his expression thoughtful.

 

"He taught me too," I said, recalling my Academy days. "You just need to be quiet and respectful in his classes. Try that—maybe it’ll help."

 

"I don’t think so. He just doesn’t like me," Naruto said sadly, lowering his gaze to his feet.

 

"Then you have to study the material on your own," I said calmly, looking him straight in the eyes to emphasize the seriousness of my words. "It’ll be important in the future if you want to become a strong shinobi. Or have you already given up on becoming strong?"

 

"No way!" Naruto quickly responded, his eyes lighting up with determination. A confident smile spread across his face. "I’m gonna become Hokage, the strongest shinobi in our village!"

 

"Good," I nodded, feeling his enthusiasm lift my own spirits. "Then you need to study the theory yourself. Theory is the foundation that will help you understand and master practical skills."

 

"I want to train," Naruto insisted, his voice full of resolve. "I need techniques to become strong."

 

"Haha," I laughed, amused by how eager he was to prove himself. "Then how are you with the Academy techniques?"

 

"I’m a master at them," Naruto said, his smile widening, showing all thirty-two teeth. "I can show you."

 

"No, no," I shook my head, still smiling. "No need. I believe you. Alright, Naruto, I’ve got to go. Got things to do."

 

"See ya, Suzuki-san," he waved, running off immediately.

 

I waved back and continued on my way. Naruto rushed off without a second glance at the world around him. Something tells me he’s already forgotten what we talked about. Well, he’s still young... I think he’ll realize someday that the Academy provides a solid foundation for becoming a great shinobi.

 

"Young man," an older woman’s voice called out to me. It was hard to guess her age.

 

"How can I help you?" I asked, though what I really wanted was to get home and finally get some sleep, not have a conversation.

 

"I saw you talking with that monster," she said, clearly referring to Naruto. "You shouldn’t associate with him. Nothing good will come of it."

 

"Are you... threatening me?" I replied, my tone sharp with disrespect.

 

"I’m giving you advice," she retorted. "And show a bit more respect for my age. That boy—he’s the spawn of a monster."

 

"He’s just a kid," I responded calmly. "And don’t tell me who I should or shouldn’t talk to, you old hag. You’d better worry about your own bones and joints—they might fall apart soon."

 

"How dare you..."

 

I turned and walked away, uninterested in continuing the conversation. She tried to say something else, raising her voice to attract attention, but I didn’t bother looking back. People like her... they annoy me. How could she just come up and tell me who I should or shouldn’t talk to? These kinds of "well-meaning advisers" aren’t the worst, but they’re certainly not the best.

 

Quickening my pace to avoid hearing anything else behind me, I soon arrived home. I unlocked the door, went inside, and immediately set about cleaning up. I threw some meat into a pot, took a quick shower, and collapsed into bed.

 

Sleep came instantly, and I drifted off.