The lower level of the Hokage Tower always felt a bit cold. Feeling the morning breeze hit my skin, my body shivered. Around me, the activity of shinobi moving in and out, quieted chatter and scrolls being passed.
'Remember, ask for a Bandit mission, Jiraiya, bandit mission.' I thought to myself, repeating this multiple times in my head.
I stood at the front desk, resting an elbow against the counter while the guy behind it flipped through a stack of mission sheets. At the corner of the office, my team was chatting among themselves.
Waiting.
Sakumo stood straight, hands relaxed at his sides, chatting with Hiruko. Naori's eyes moved around the room in keen interest looking a little meek, while Shiki leaned against a wall with his hands in his pocket.
"Hello, are there any missions available?" I asked, glancing at the stack. Taking a better look at the clerk, I've never seen him here before. Must be a new hire, seeing his age being around 15-16.
"Jiraiya, right?" His words made me straighten. He shuffled a few papers, then pulled a couple out and set them aside. "You've got a few requests. Specifically for you."
Taking a better look at the mission requests, they probably just wanted to hire me for my reputation.
---
Mission: C-rank Escort
Client: Daichi Morino & Emi Morino
Destination: Land of Tea
Reward: 200,000 ryo
---
Mission: C-rank Extermination
Client: Shinji Ikari
Destination: Kurogane Town
Details: A bandit group with around 20-25 people took over a town with a recently discovered mine. No civilian survivors.
Reward: 150,000 ryo
---
Mission: C-rank Escort
Client: Kaido
Destination: Land of Fire Capital
Reward: 210,000 ryo
---
'No civilian survivors? What the fuck happened there? I thought to myself with a massive frown. Did these bastards commit genocide on a town?
Normally, C-rank missions are around 30-100k, but purely because of me. The price has increased to double, nearly triple.
The bandit extermination with the mines immediately got my attention. We need experience killing for Naori and Hiruko, plus there are no civilians to take care of, making this simpler. Taking a better look, the escort missions weren't time sensitive, so after completing this, my team can go do them later for cash.
"Anything else?" I off-handedly asked, not expecting much.
"I can take a look for new missions, but they aren't really high-paying," he replies, shrugging his shoulders.
I nodded, then grabbed the middle paper before turning back to my team. Watching me walk to them, their attention settled on me.
Getting up to the four, I gave them a quick rundown.
"I took a bandit extermination mission. We will start heading to Kurogane Town when we are ready. This mission is mainly to help us work better as a team. The pay is also 150,000 ryo." Both Sakumo and Shiki were surprised at the latter information, while Hiruko and Naori just had curious looks.
I glanced between the two "veterans" of the team. They should know that this mission, in the end, is just to help Naori and Hiruko.
"Out of curiosity," I said, looking at Sakumo and Shiki. "How'd you guys usually get missions before this?"
Sakumo answered first with confidence.
"Assigned. We are only able to choose D-rank missions, Captain."
His words make me rub my chin.
"We don't get to choose, and we rarely get a C-rank mission every other month," Shiki added quietly. Watching the two take a better look at the pay, they seemed to be ecstatic, which definitely made sense.
These two solo shinobi were probably forced to do D-rank missions to make money outside the occasional C-rank mission.
'Is this how Jiraiya got such a big number of missions complete?' I thought to myself in interest. 'Off the top of my head, the Sannin split up after they became Chunin. Then teamed up again for the second shinobi war…'
I folded the paper once and tucked it away.
"Before we head out, Shiki, put a Bikōchū on everyone. So we are able to find each other in case we get lost."
"…Understood."
His sleeve shifted slightly as he moved; four insects the size of rice grains made their way to each of us. Watching this with a smirk, I had read about the Aburame beforehand with the help of the sensei.
These bugs help Shiki track each of our locations, no matter where we are. As long as we aren't in a different dimension, of course.
Simple, but useful.
'Mt Myoboku isn't in a different dimension, could he locate it then?'
Naori glanced down briefly, with stars in her eyes. "That's so cool!"
"Let's move," I order.
Footsteps followed behind me without hesitation.
…
The road out of the village was quiet. Giving our IDs to the village guard, we soon started to head out using a map and the information given by the mission.
Trees lining the sides, dirt path worn down from years of use, the occasional shinobi passing by without much thought. We kept a decent pace, nothing rushed, nothing slow.
I stayed near the front, more out of habit because of my previous situation with Orochimaru and Tsunade. Sakumo was at the back, being the best fighter of the group. While Naori, being the sensor, and Hiruko, a support, were in the middle, being protected by Shiki.
'Not a bad set-up if I had to say so myself.'
I hear nothing but the wind brushing my face and my teammates' footsteps. I felt awkward knowing no one on my team really talked a lot. Besides Naori, but she didn't really ask general questions.
"Hey, Captain, what should I use to kill bandits?" Naori's voice echoed behind me.
"Try your whole repertoire. Start with kunai then your Ninjato. I'd say ninjutsu is a bit overkill unless they're in a group." I answer without much thought.
"Oki!"
With this being the only real conversation this trip. We started to slow down a bit, travelling on foot. But after a while, Hiruko started to slow down at a noticeable pace.
"Captain, we should rest for a bit," Sakumo shouts from the back. Hearing his words, the team stopped.
"…Sorry."
Hiruko's voice came from behind me, apologetic. I glanced over my shoulder.
"It's fine," I said, waving it off. "We're not in a rush."
He nodded, but I could tell he wasn't satisfied with that answer. We kept moving for a while longer before I slowed again, this time stopping near a small clearing off the path.
"We'll take a break," I said simply. No one argued.
They spread out slightly. Sakumo stayed standing. Naori stretched her arms a bit, her sensing ability still active. Shiki leaned back against a tree, barely moving. Hiruko exhaled quietly, sitting down for a second.
I walked over, stopping at an appropriate distance to talk.
"…Hey," I scratched my cheek, thinking about how to phrase it.
"I'm gonna be honest with you," I started. "Right now? You're kind of a liability in a straight fight."
He flinched at my words, looking at the floor in disappointment at himself.
"But that doesn't mean you're useless. Stop being so down and focus on the mission! Your use is your medical ninjutsu and fuinjutsu. Those outweigh every bit of your liability. That doesn't mean you shouldn't grow, but get your head out of the mud." My hands slight clenched wanting to shake the doubt out of him myself.
My words caused the white-haired kid to get a more serious look. Seeing this, I sigh to myself inwardly. 'I really don't wanna keep giving long ass pep talks, so please.' I begged in my head. This boy needed to have some confidence in himself. Hiruko didn't talk after this and wasn't showing that sluggish posture, which was promising.
Other than promising to train in taijutsu together, the team soon headed off.
Naori glanced at him once, then forward again, not too interested.
By the time the sun started dipping lower, the sight of a mountain and the outline of a town came into view. I slowed slightly, eyes narrowing as I looked ahead. We passed through several towns and made stops to arrive here.
"Kurogane Town…" I mutter.
"Captain, I can sense a lot of activity in that town," Naori states.
Raising my hand a little, everybody stopped moving.
"How many are there?"
Watching her scrunch her face, we waited thirty seconds before we were given an answer.
"30, with 4 of them having Genin-level reserves. The rest are below." Hearing her short but precise words, I nod. "Three of the genin-level bandits are grouped up to our left, while the last are to the right."
Telling my team to be on guard and prepare anything at the last minute, I made a hand sign.
Tiger
[Shadow Clone Technique]
"Let my clone scout ahead before we strike. Naori, make sure to notify me if any of the signatures leave." I order, making her nod. Watching her serious face, I couldn't help but thank the heavens for such good teammates.
They watched my clone become transparent.
'Four genin reserves… According to the information, there aren't any civilians here. So everyone is a target.'
People such as Might Guy are rare, rare enough that there isn't any reason to doubt whether reserves equalled strength. Still, we have multiple Genjutsu options and insects to be safe.
My mind raced, thinking of possible outcomes.
'Shiki has experience doing solo runs… Sakumo is the strongest, Hiruko the weakest… I need to keep an eye on Naori.'
…
After several minutes, my clone finally finished his job with the information of his trip rushing through my brain. Holding my head with one hand, I started to formulate a simple strategy for this mission.
"Here's the plan."
They focused immediately.
"Naori and I will clear out the right side where the village is. Sakumo and Hiruko will go towards the mines and clean up there. Shiki, there's a single two-story building near the mines where the stronger bandits are. Kill them and then support Sakumo and Hiruko by flanking the remaining bandits." I order, making them all nod with each of them having different expressions.
Except Shiki, as I couldn't see his face at all…
Being a shinobi, you can't really micro-manage all their small actions. So it's better as the team leader to just give them a general direction, which is what my experience has taught me so far.
'Especially for someone like Tsunade.' I thought with some sweat going down my face.
"Any questions?" Watching them all shake their head, we soon split off.
"Naori, I'll immobilise them, and you will do the killing, alright?"
She nodded with some tension in her voice. Naori held her ninjato with a silent determination that was almost adorable.
"…Yes, Captain."
The two of us flickered forward, the setting sun masking our movement. Naori located several groups gathered, with just a few guarding the edges of the small town. After some thought, we decided to take out the isolated bandits.
Stalking two bandits casually walking around, I had a devious smirk. Gathering chakra to my mouth. The image of a black and grey, lore-accurate angel entered my head. Thousands of eyes are constantly blinking on two rings, rotating around one main eye.
"Hello there."
The two bandits, right after hearing my voice, locked up. Bodies tense, eyes staring into the sky with an empty look. 'I can't even imagine how that would feel, seeing that in first person.' An illusion physically impossible to escape as civilians…
*Swoosh* *Schlick*
Two clean kunai hit both their heads, hitting perfectly between the temples and into their brains. Their bodies dropped the same instant. Taking a step back, I stare at Naori, who looks away with her eyes closed in disgust.
She couldn't bear to see the bursting blood. Which, in all fairness, I was sort of the same. My kills were more clean or with a ninjutsu.
"You're fine," I said quietly, rubbing her back. "You did well."
Naori didn't look me in the eyes, but she meekly nodded.
No panic. No breakdown. No vomiting.
She just pushed on. I couldn't help but admire the girl who quickly adapted to her situation as we kept moving. Walking through the eerily calm village, some dead bodies of civilians caught my eye. Dead women with their kids, two teens with their backs facing the sky.
Bodies piled on bodies made my blood run cold.
'Oh…' My eyes dimmed in real time. Despite my tolerance for death increasing throughout these two years. Civilian deaths will never not get a reaction out of me.
It's something I can't change.
"I'm curious." My voice hit the ears of several bandits gathered around a fire. Their bodies locked up as they suddenly "awoke" on a red plane similar to Klyntar. Multitudes of alive black bobs wriggled around, with a few even holding their body in place. Soon after sight of a large black symbiote slowly crept up into their vision, holding each and every one of them in a missionary position as they were helpless, unable to move or resist. "How it felt to kill the town's folk."
I whisper the latter part more to myself.
"HMMMM! HMMM!" A few of them desperately hummed, with gritted teeth and clenched asses. Watching their eyes threatened to pop out, I felt goosebumps on my skin.
The details of the Genjutsu? That can be up to your imagination…
Naori, in the back, made some hand seals, seeing her targets still. Some of them shaking in desperation, with two even pissing their pants. I almost felt bad at their plight.
Almost.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger
[Fire Release: Fireball Technique]
*Roar!*
The fire surged forward in an orange rage out of Naori's mouth and engulfed all eight of the bandits without mercy. Leaving nothing but ashes remaining. By the time we cleared the last of the town, it had only been twelve minutes.
"The last bandit is sleeping in the house. Should we enter?" Naori asks, with visible bags under her eyes.
"Hmm, there could be a trap," I mutter. Grabbing the wooden window, I rip it out with my strength. Soon after, I threw a kunai straight at the sleeping guy's head.
*Shlick*
With our side finished, we headed toward the mine. Thankfully, by the time we got there, it was already over.
Sakumo stood near the entrance, having small cuts on his body healed by Hiruko, who was crouched. Taking a look at the glowing white orb in Hiruko's hand in interest, my eyes drifted to Shiki, who was already heading towards us.
"They're all dead, Captain." He simply states as if it were normal.
I let out a small breath.
"Good work,"
…
---
[2 Years Later]
Time kept on moving.
One mission turned into three in a month. Three turned into ten. Somewhere along the way, missions became a part of our routine. Finishing more missions each month until there was nothing left for us.
Forcing me to do the occasional D-rank mission with shadow clones.
I was back in the Hokage Tower with my team, sifting through missions. They just sat back, waiting for me to choose whatever I could get my grubby hands on.
"Captain, get us a good paying missions please! I spent all my money on a new sword." Sakumo jokingly begged with a casual smile.
"Sure, sure." I wave him off, pushing him towards the team. Though my slight smirk didn't escape his view. Which made him sigh knowing that his financial situation was his own fault.
Shiki was in that same corner where we took our first mission together this time talking with Hiruko in interest. Naori, has shed her nervous looks with a more confident strut, hands on her hips.
I walked to the front desk.
"Hello, can you update my info?"
"Sure." The clerk nodded, already used to my presence in this building. Watching him grab the scroll and make a few notes. I waited, tapping my fingers lightly against the wood.
After a moment, he handed it back.
[-----]
Name: Jiraiya
Rank: Chunin
Age: 10
Missions <>
B-rank: 11
C-rank: 42
D-rank: 25
(Notes: An all-rounder with Ninjutsu/Summoning/Taijutsu/Genjutsu. Has proven abilities in infiltration & leadership. Skills heavily lean towards general combat and leading a squad.
[-----]
Certainly not bad at all. This pace was around 1.8 missions a month, which was honestly pretty good.
"Oh yeah, Jiraiya, I've been told to inform you. There has been a mission assigned to your squad." His words made me raise an eyebrow.
"Who is it from?"
He hesitated for a second before answering.
"The Hokage personally put it through. A B-rank mission."
Those words were enough to catch my attention. He reached under the desk and pulled out a single sheet, placing it down in front of me. Taking a better look, my heart dropped knowing that this wasn't a mission that I could just refuse.
---
Mission: B-rank Supply Raid
Client: Konoha
Destination: Land of Grass
Details: Three Genin and Two Chunin from the Land of Grass will transport essential supplies from the Land of Iron. The goal is to find out what type of supplies are being transported, with the option to destroy or recover them.
Reward: 150,000 ryo
---
My eyes narrowed slightly.
'Supply raid?' I thought to myself with squinted eyes. This definitely seemed a bit sketchy and way different compared to other B-rank missions my team has done.
Find out what they are transporting, huh.
On the paper, a note told me to go to the Hokage tower without my team. Taking the scroll and heading towards my team, I inform them that I needed to head to the Hokage's office to hear a small debriefing.
…
It didn't take long as I knocked once, then pushed the door of the Hokage office open.
"Sensei."
Hiruzen looked up from behind his desk, already expecting me.
"You're here," Sensei said with an uncharacteristically serious tone. A better way to say it is that he's mostly shown his warm side to me.
"This mission isn't so simple, is it?"
He nodded.
"One of the Chunin, Kaito, is a traitor who defected to the Land of Grass. Sharing shinobi training techniques in exchange for money. Make sure to eliminate him; this will be classified as a private A-rank mission for you, and you only my boy."
My brows scrunched at his words.
Is this how the minor hidden villages start out? This definitely explained a few questions I personally had. The early conflicts of the Second Shinobi War seem to be flickering even as early as now.
"I understand, sensei."
...
---
[A/N: Getting into the scuffles of smaller villages will be very interesting. While it's still early on, with the second Shinobi War canonically at least 8 years away. Early signs of trouble are brewing.
Do we know the conflicts of other villages besides Konoha and the Hidden Rain?
Sorry for a single upload this week, I've been playing Schedule 1 because of Joe Bart lmao
Word Count 3000+]