"What incredible strength."
Shirayuki gave up trying to pull back her katana and instead lashed out with a kick aimed at Jiraiya.
She wasn't dressed in ninja combat gear but was wearing a casual floral dress, which she had on at home. As her leg swung up, the scenery beneath her skirt was instantly exposed to Jiraiya's gaze—a light yellow pair of panties embroidered with two little fish. Truly, kawaii.
Jiraiya glanced at the sight for only a moment before his left hand shot out, grabbing Shirayuki's ankle. With a quick motion, he flung her aside with force.
Thud.
Shirayuki hit the ground hard but hadn't even managed to stand when Jiraiya appeared next to her again. Without hesitation, he delivered another kick, sending her small frame flying once more. She landed heavily again, her body rolling to a stop.
Watching from the side, Sakumo Hatake felt a twinge of pain seeing his younger sister treated so roughly. However, he didn't interfere, knowing full well that such hardships were bound to occur if she joined the Anbu.
"Still want to join the Anbu?"
Jiraiya stood over the crumpled Shirayuki, his voice calm.
"If you're serious about joining, I'll be your captain. Training sessions like this will happen all the time."
"This pain is nothing!" Shirayuki gritted her teeth as she pushed herself off the ground, staring up at Jiraiya. Determined, she charged toward him again.
Thud.
She barely got close before Jiraiya sent her flying once more with a sweeping kick.
Despite being effortlessly beaten time after time, Shirayuki refused to give up. She kept getting back on her feet, charging again and again. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Jiraiya reached out a hand to pull her up from where she lay on the ground.
A rare smile crossed his face. "You've passed my test. By the latest, you'll be part of the Anbu in two days."
"Thank you," Shirayuki gasped, panting heavily but smiling brightly.
Her entire body was covered in dirt, but her joy shone through.
"Sis, you should go take a bath and change your clothes first," Sakumo said gently, his voice tinged with concern.
Shirayuki nodded enthusiastically and ran off toward the house, humming a cheerful tune as she went.
Jiraiya glanced at Sakumo. "I didn't hold back. Hope you're not upset."
Sakumo, still watching his sister retreat, shook his head.
"I'm not that petty. If she wants to join the Anbu, she'll have to endure this kind of pain. Now, how about a sparring match?"
Without waiting for a reply, Sakumo drew his White Fang Blade and swung it toward Jiraiya in a sudden attack.
"Damn it, Sakumo! You call this not being upset? You even resorted to a sneak attack!" Jiraiya cursed, raising his Lightning Flame Blade to block the strike.
"What's wrong with you?!" Sakumo said innocently. "There was no rule against sneak attacks in a sparring match. Besides, we're testing swordsmanship, aren't we? My sneak attack is perfectly reasonable."
"Perfectly reasonable," Jiraiya echoed, sighing in exasperation.
...
About ten minutes later, Sakumo was lying on the ground, covered in cuts and glaring at Jiraiya. His gaze also wandered to the massive forms of Gamabunta and Gamaken, who loomed behind Jiraiya.
During their spar, Jiraiya had summoned his toads, who were both skilled in swordsmanship.
"These two are excellent swordsmen," Jiraiya said, gesturing to his summoning beasts. "You said it yourself—we're testing swordsmanship. Letting them join in is perfectly reasonable. Besides, it's a good chance for you to experience the swordsmanship of Mount Myōboku."
After dismissing the two toads, Jiraiya turned to Sakumo with a grin.
"Reasonable?!" Sakumo snapped, chucking his White Fang Blade in Jiraiya's direction. "You didn't want to spar, you wanted to kill me!"
Jiraiya caught the blade and smirked. "Was I that obvious?"
Meanwhile, Shirayuki, who had returned in fresh clothes, stood on Jiraiya's side.
"Brother, Jiraiya-sama was kind enough to let you experience Mount Myōboku's swordsmanship. If you weren't strong enough to enjoy it, why blame him?"
Sakumo, still lying on the ground, groaned. "Sis, can't you see my injuries? Whose side are you even on?"
Shirayuki ignored him and turned back to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sama, you must be tired after sparring for so long. I've prepared some tea—please come inside and rest."
"Don't mind if I do." Jiraiya's lips twitched in amusement as he glanced at the heartbroken Sakumo.
"Jiraiya-sama, when you have time, please continue to guide me in swordsmanship," Shirayuki said as she walked Jiraiya to the door, bowing deeply.
"Once you join the Anbu, I'll personally train you in swordsmanship," Jiraiya promised before leaving.
As Shirayuki turned to her brother, her tone was sharp.
"Brother, Jiraiya just left, and you didn't even get up to see him off. How rude!"
Sakumo groaned. "I wanted to, but I'm covered in injuries. It hurts to even move. Can you at least grab the medical kit and help me patch up?"
It was only then that Shirayuki noticed the extent of Sakumo's wounds.
"Brother, why are you so badly injured?"
At that moment, Sakumo felt like crying.
Am I even your real brother?
...
Back at his home, Jiraiya found Tsunade in his training room, deep in her drills.
When she noticed his return, she stopped her training and headed into the house. Her gaze fell on several limited-edition manga volumes spread across the table.
It seemed she had followed his earlier instructions and learned a few things from them.
It looked like tonight would be an unforgettable experience.
"Learned anything from those manga?" Jiraiya asked with a mischievous grin.
"I was just curious, so I skimmed them. I didn't read them carefully," Tsunade replied hastily, rushing to gather the books and stash them in a drawer.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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