Konoha: Tsunade, I Am the Hokage! [9]

“Sensei, these two Water Release techniques only require basic elemental affinity. As long as you have the right nature, you can use them—so it’s not that impressive I learned them quickly. Honestly, I still have a long way to go...”

Kagenori summarized his reflections calmly.

He knew—

Tobirama Senju’s [Water Formation Wall] could rotate, strengthening its defensive power.

And the wall itself could be much taller, broader.

By comparison—

His own Water Release use was barely the beginning.

The system panel confirmed this too: both jutsu still held the glaring label of Entry-Level.

“You’re already really impressive,” Kakashi couldn’t help but say.

He remembered clearly—

When he first started learning Lightning Release, he definitely hadn’t been able to pull off a B-rank technique right away like Kagenori just had.

Now he finally understood what it must have felt like for his peers back then, watching him.

It hurts, damn it.

Kurenai felt even more conflicted.

Both Kagenori and Kakashi were indisputable prodigies. It made perfect sense for them to become Jiraiya-sama’s subordinates—his disciples, even.

But her?

She stared blankly, dazed and silent.

Back at the academy, she had always been a top student—her grades among the best in class. But now, seeing herself side-by-side with Kagenori and Kakashi, her confidence had taken a serious hit.

Jiraiya glanced at her and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—

Kurenai wasn’t bad by any means, but standing next to those two, anyone would feel outshone.

Still—

What surprised and pleased him most about Kagenori was not his jutsu, but his maturity.

Any typical genin, learning a B-rank technique on the first try, would be practically wagging their tail from pride.

But this kid?

Didn’t need to be humbled—he was already analyzing himself, offering his own critique.

All Jiraiya needed to do—

Was hand him a scroll and teach him how to train properly.

Easy kid to teach.

Jiraiya marveled quietly to himself, though his expression stayed calm and composed.

“As long as you understand. This kind of level is still far from what real geniuses can do. When I used Water Release like that for the first time, my teacher would’ve thought I was daydreaming.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kagenori lowered his head respectfully, hiding the amused glint in his eye.

Jiraiya clearly wasn’t talking about himself—he was talking about Orochimaru.

Back in the day, Orochimaru’s performance had made everyone else look like background noise. No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi had placed such hopes in him.

Jiraiya kept his poker face.

Clearing his throat, he looked toward Kakashi and Kurenai.

“Kakashi, if you’ve got questions later, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Understood.”

Kakashi nodded respectfully.

Finally, Jiraiya turned to Kurenai, his expression growing more serious.

He hadn’t chosen her for the team just on a whim.

As a genjutsu specialist, her chakra control was already excellent. And having trained in her family’s illusions for years, she had the potential to be a perfect candidate for medical ninjutsu as well.

“Kurenai, focus on improving your physical conditioning for now, then take time to study this jutsu.”

He handed her a scroll.

Kurenai opened it—

[Secret Technique: Wild Lion’s Mane].

“This is...”

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

She’d heard of this technique before.

It was one of Jiraiya’s signature jutsu—the very one that had played a major role during the bell test earlier.

“As a genjutsu user, your chakra control is excellent. Learning this is only a matter of time. And if you’re interested, I suggest you also study some basic medical ninjutsu.”

Jiraiya’s tone was firm. “You don’t have to master it, but I’ll write you a letter of recommendation.”

“Thank you, sensei.” Kurenai bowed deeply.

[Wild Lion’s Mane].
Genjutsu.
Medical Ninjutsu.

This path would shape her into a well-rounded, versatile support-type shinobi.

“Have faith in yourself. You have the potential to become someone like Tsunade. That’s why I chose you.”

Jiraiya laid it on thick, not holding back on the encouragement.

Kurenai was moved, nodding fervently.

The training continued.

Kagenori kept practicing his Water Release techniques.

As he’d said—

While he’d used the jutsu successfully, he hadn’t mastered it.

At the very least—

That [Water Formation Wall] needed to reach Proficient rank.

“Alright, everyone back to training. Starting tomorrow—we begin mission assignments.”

...

By evening, the team dispersed.

That night in Konoha, many couldn’t sleep.

Jiraiya had taken a team again. The genius of the Hatake clan was now under his wing—and even more surprising, he’d personally picked a civilian-born shinobi.

People started asking around, only to meet confusion.

Shiba Kagenori?

Parents with kids in the same year as him asked at the academy.

All the answers were strikingly similar—

“No real impression of him.”

And yet, this was the genin who had become Jiraiya’s disciple?

Especially for those who’d been in Kagenori’s class—it was a sleepless night.

They racked their brains trying to remember how an average, unremarkable classmate had suddenly become an unreachable “genius.”

...

The next day. Ninja Academy. Kagenori’s old classroom.

“Hey, did you hear? Kagenori’s squad leader after graduation is actually Jiraiya-sama.”

“What?!”

“No way. Seriously?”

“My dad told me yesterday.”

The classroom burst into an uproar.

The Sannin.

To them, those were legendary figures—unreachable icons.

But now, one of their own had become a disciple of one?

It felt surreal.

“That’s nothing—I heard Kakashi’s on the same team.”

Someone else chimed in.

Sarutobi Asuma’s eyes flickered with envy.

He’d chosen not to graduate this year.

If only he’d known Jiraiya was taking a team... If only he’d known Kurenai was graduating this year and becoming his student—

“Ugh...”

The young boy let out a deep sigh, staring longingly out the window.

Every child had their own thoughts.

But they all shared one thing in common—

On this day, the once-forgettable “Shiba Kagenori” became the most talked-about name in the entire academy.

And yet—

That very same Kagenori, while being the subject of endless chatter, was standing in the Hokage’s mission office, arguing with Jiraiya.

“I’m the squad leader. I say we’re ready for a C-rank mission!”

Jiraiya slapped his hand down on the desk.

Clerk Hamano Tatsu was breaking into a cold sweat, but he braced himself and pushed back.

“Jiraiya-sama, all new teams must begin with D-rank missions. That’s the rule. Even you can’t make exceptions.”

He was only a chūnin.

To say this in front of one of the Sannin took no small amount of courage.

Jiraiya looked ready to keep pushing.

But Kagenori, standing by the mission board, had been quietly reading for a while. Then he stepped forward and said, “Sensei, D-rank missions are fine. It’s still a way to serve the village.”

“Well said! No matter the mission’s rank, it’s all for the good of Konoha!” Hamano was practically begging for mercy.

Jiraiya clicked his tongue but finally nodded. “Fine, fine. Let’s start with a water-carrying mission, then.”

...

“With Kakashi on our squad, we could easily handle C-rank missions. I was about to go see the old man myself...”

Jiraiya muttered, clearly dissatisfied.

Kakashi and Kurenai offered no comment.

Kakashi was the kind to follow the rules—he didn’t care either way.

Kurenai had no objections.

Kagenori spoke softly. “Sensei, if we rush to claim special treatment, it might cause problems. Why not just complete more D-rank missions first? Once we hit the numbers, C-rank will be open to us. Besides, there’s plenty of training to be had in D-ranks too.”

“Fair enough.”

Jiraiya waved a hand. “Alright—let’s start the grind!”

---

This is a fan translation of 木叶：纲手，我才是火影！by 卖身葬节操 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!