Chapter XIV: New Teachers, Hidden Watchers, Masters & Students
New Teachers, Hidden Watchers
Mysterious Observers
In the crowded streets of Konoha's commercial district, two figures moved with the kind of casual confidence that suggested they belonged despite being complete strangers to the village's inhabitants. One was a woman with distinctive spiky black hair and an energy that seemed barely contained within her athletic frame. The other maintained a more reserved presence, his features obscured by the kind of casual transformation technique that avoided drawing attention while maintaining anonymity.
Caulifla—though she was using the alias "Kale" during her time in this dimension—surveyed the village with interest that went beyond simple tourism. Her Saiyan senses detected multiple power signatures that resonated with frequencies she hadn't felt in years. Frequencies that reminded her of home, of family, of the son she had been forced to send away when circumstances had made keeping him impossible.
"This village is more interesting than the reports suggested," she said to her companion, her voice pitched low to avoid eavesdropping. "Multiple Saiyan energy signatures, and at least one of them feels... familiar."
"You think it's him?" her companion asked, his own sensors having detected similar patterns.
"Maybe. The timeline would be right, and the power signature carries undertones that match what I'd expect from..." She trailed off, uncomfortable completing the thought. "We need to observe more before making contact. If I'm wrong, revealing ourselves could create complications we're not prepared to handle."
From her vantage point on a rooftop overlooking the main street, she caught sight of an orange-haired figure whose exotic appearance and barely contained power made her chest tighten with recognition and hope. Could it really be him? After all these years?
Dreams and Memories
That same morning, Houjin had awakened from dreams that felt more like memories—fragmented images of a woman with spiky black hair, of being held in arms that radiated warmth and safety, of a voice promising to find him again when circumstances allowed. The dreams had been recurring with increasing frequency since the preliminary matches, as though his Saiyan nature was trying to remind him of origins he had been too young to consciously remember.
My birth mother? he wondered as he prepared for the day's training sessions. The Haruno family had always been open about his adoption, about finding him in a metal pod that had fallen from the sky. But they had never been able to tell him anything about his biological parents—the pod had carried no information beyond the infant it protected.
The dream-memories suggested his mother had been Saiyan like him, that she had made the agonizing choice to send him away for reasons he didn't yet understand. But his father remained a complete mystery, the dream-images fuzzy and unclear whenever they approached that particular detail.
Does it matter? Houjin asked himself as he made his way toward the hospital to check on Lee's progress. The Harunos are my real family, regardless of biology. But still... knowing where I came from, understanding why I was sent here—that matters too.
Sibling Contrasts
At the hospital, as Houjin passed through the main corridor, he encountered Naruto and Kasumi Uzumaki engaged in one of their characteristic sibling exchanges. The contrast between them was immediately visible—Naruto's blonde hair marking his paternal inheritance, while Kasumi's red locks clearly came from their mother.
"You're being stubborn about Ebisu," Kasumi said, her medical training making her voice carry the kind of patient exasperation that marked older siblings everywhere. "He might not be Kakashi-sensei, but he has expertise that could help you develop better chakra control."
"But he's so... proper," Naruto complained, his voice carrying the kind of dramatic despair that made Kasumi roll her eyes. "Everything has to be done exactly right, with perfect form and following all the rules. That's not how I fight!"
"Maybe that's exactly why you need his training," Kasumi countered. "Your instinctive approach works because you have massive chakra reserves from..." She glanced around to ensure they weren't being overheard. "From our tenant. But learning proper control could make you exponentially more effective."
Houjin passed them with a friendly nod, his enhanced hearing catching their conversation despite his attempt to grant privacy. The Uzumaki siblings' dynamic reminded him of his own relationship with Sakura—the protective older sibling trying to guide someone whose stubbornness was matched only by their determination.
Family comes in many forms, he reflected. Blood relations like Naruto and Kasumi, adoptive bonds like Sakura and me, and perhaps even birth parents I barely remember but whose legacy I carry in every cell.
The Training Assignment
Naruto found himself in Sasuke's hospital room, having successfully navigated past the enhanced security that Kakashi had implemented after Kabuto's infiltration attempt. His sensei looked up from his position beside Sasuke's bed, his visible eye reflecting the weight of responsibilities that extended beyond simple team training.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto began before the jonin could speak, "I need you to train me for the match against Neji. I need techniques that can overcome the Byakugan, strategies that can prove fate isn't absolute—"
"Naruto," Kakashi interrupted gently, "I've already explained that I'll be focusing on Sasuke during the month before finals. But I haven't left you without instruction. Someone better qualified than me for your specific needs will be training you."
"Better than you?" Naruto's voice carried skepticism. "Who could possibly—"
"That would be me," Ebisu announced as he entered the room, his sunglasses reflecting the fluorescent lighting in ways that somehow made him seem more pompous. "I am Ebisu, elite tutor of Konoha, and I will be overseeing your training regimen for the upcoming month."
Naruto felt his enthusiasm drain completely. "You? But you're... I mean, you're weaker than I am! I defeated you using my Harem Technique that one time—"
Ebisu's hand shot out to cover Naruto's mouth with surprising speed. "Perhaps we should discuss training methodologies over lunch," he said quickly, his professional dignity clearly threatened by the memory Naruto was about to share. "I'll even treat you to ramen in exchange for... discretion regarding past encounters."
Naruto's eyes lit up at the mention of free ramen, his priorities temporarily reshuffling. "Deal! But I'm still not convinced you can teach me anything useful."
As Kakashi departed to continue monitoring Sasuke's cursed seal, Naruto found himself following Ebisu through the hospital corridors with the kind of reluctant resignation that marked someone who knew they had limited options.
The Escape Attempt
Outside the hospital, Naruto's reluctance transformed into active resistance. "Look, Ebisu-sensei," he began, deliberately making the honorific sound sarcastic, "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think your teaching style matches my learning style. Maybe you should focus on students who actually want proper form and following rules."
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses, his expression carrying the kind of calculated response that suggested he had anticipated exactly this reaction. "Very well. I'll give you one chance to escape my instruction. If you can evade me for... let's say thirty minutes... I'll resign as your tutor and recommend to Kakashi that he split his time between you and Sasuke."
Naruto's eyes widened at the unexpected opportunity. "You're serious? All I have to do is hide from you for half an hour?"
"Precisely. Though I should warn you—as an elite tutor, my tracking and observation skills are considerable. But if you're confident in your abilities..." Ebisu let the challenge hang in the air.
"You're on!" Naruto declared, immediately deploying his favorite strategy. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of orange-clad copies exploded into existence, each racing off in different directions with enough chaos to confuse even experienced trackers. Naruto's real body attempted to blend into a crowd of civilians, using the confusion created by his clones to mask his escape.
But Ebisu merely sighed and created his own shadow clones with economical precision. "Your technique is impressive in scale, Naruto, but lacks tactical sophistication. Observe."
What followed was a systematic demonstration of how experience and proper technique could overcome raw power and volume. Ebisu's clones moved with coordinated efficiency, identifying and dispelling Naruto's copies through observation of subtle tells that distinguished clones from the original. Within minutes, the chaos Naruto had created was methodically dismantled.
Naruto resorted to the Transformation Technique, attempting to blend into the environment by imitating a woman on a billboard advertisement. His confidence lasted approximately thirty seconds before Ebisu appeared beside him.
"Your transformation is visually adequate, Naruto, but you're still emanating chakra at your normal levels. Any sensor-type ninja would detect you immediately despite the disguise."
The chase continued through Konoha's streets, with Naruto deploying increasingly desperate strategies and Ebisu countering each one with the kind of methodical precision that came from years of experience. By the time the thirty minutes elapsed, Naruto found himself cornered in an alley, exhausted and grudgingly impressed by his instructor's capabilities.
"Point proven," Naruto admitted with characteristic good humor despite his defeat. "You're better at this than I expected. But that still doesn't mean I want to spend a month learning proper form and following rules."
"Then perhaps," Ebisu replied, "we should discuss what I'm actually planning to teach you over that ramen I promised."
Ichiraku Ramen and Revelations
At Ramen Ichiraku, Naruto's favorite establishment in all of Konoha, Ebisu observed his new student demolish three bowls of ramen with the kind of enthusiasm that suggested he hadn't eaten in days rather than hours.
"Your appetite is impressive," Ebisu noted dryly. "But it actually relates to the fundamental issue we need to address during training."
"My appetite relates to training?" Naruto asked between mouthfuls, his confusion evident.
"Your chakra usage," Ebisu clarified, pulling out a small notepad with diagrams. "You have enormous chakra reserves, certainly. But you waste tremendous amounts of energy on every technique you perform. Let me explain using your teammates as examples."
He sketched three circles, labeling them with names. "Sakura has excellent chakra control. When she performs a jutsu, she uses exactly the amount of chakra necessary—no more, no less. Maximum efficiency."
"Sasuke has good chakra control. He uses slightly more than necessary, giving him a safety margin for technique execution while still maintaining reasonable efficiency."
"And you," Ebisu's tone grew pointed, "use far more chakra than necessary for every technique. It's like trying to light a candle by setting an entire forest on fire. You achieve the result, but the resource expenditure is catastrophically inefficient."
Naruto set down his bowl, his expression thoughtful despite his usual impulsiveness. "But I can do things that Sasuke and Sakura can't. My shadow clones can maintain themselves longer, I can create more of them, and I've got techniques that work specifically because I have so much chakra."
"True," Ebisu acknowledged. "But you're attributing that to your personal capabilities when much of it comes from the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within you. Its chakra supplements your own reserves, allowing you to brute-force techniques through overwhelming power rather than proper execution."
The blunt reference to the Nine-Tails made Naruto tense, but Ebisu's tone carried professional assessment rather than fear or hatred. "The point, Naruto, is that learning proper chakra control won't diminish your strengths—it will multiply them. Imagine having your current massive reserves but using them with Sakura's efficiency. You'd become exponentially more effective."
Naruto found himself reconsidering his initial assessment of Ebisu. The pompous exterior masked genuine teaching ability and tactical understanding that went beyond simple rule-following.
"Okay," Naruto said finally. "I'm listening. What's the training plan?"
Hot Spring Training Grounds
Ebisu led Naruto to the Hot Spring Town, a recreational area on Konoha's outskirts that featured natural hot springs and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that seemed incongruous with intensive training. But Ebisu's destination wasn't the bathing facilities—it was the large pool area where steam rose from heated water.
"We'll be training here to master the Water Surface Walking Practice," Ebisu announced, his tone carrying professional authority. "It's an advanced chakra control exercise that requires maintaining precise energy output constantly. Perfect for addressing your efficiency problems."
"Water walking?" Naruto's enthusiasm returned immediately. "That's awesome! I've seen Kakashi-sensei do it, and it looks really cool!" He immediately attempted the technique, channeling chakra to his feet and stepping confidently onto the water's surface.
He lasted approximately two seconds before plunging straight through into the heated water below.
"Again!" Naruto shouted as he surfaced, his determination undimmed by immediate failure. He climbed back onto the pool's edge and attempted the technique repeatedly, each time falling through the surface despite his focused effort.
Ebisu watched with growing interest as Naruto's attempts gradually improved. The falls became less immediate, his balance on the surface lasting a few seconds longer with each try, and his understanding of the required chakra output was visibly developing.
He's learning faster than I anticipated, Ebisu thought, revising his initial assessment. The capacity to improve this rapidly under pressure—that's what defines truly exceptional ninja. Perhaps I misunderstood him. Perhaps beneath the loudmouth exterior and rule-breaking tendencies, he really is an excellent Konoha shinobi.
An Unexpected Interruption
As Naruto continued his water-walking practice, Ebisu's attention was drawn by movement near the women's changing area. A white-haired man with distinctive features was attempting to peer through gaps in the wooden barriers, his posture and behavior marking him as exactly the kind of degenerate that proper shinobi should not tolerate.
"Unacceptable!" Ebisu declared, immediately moving to confront this violation of propriety and decency. "Perversion will not be tolerated in my presence!"
He launched an attack designed to incapacitate without causing permanent harm, his taijutsu skills adequate for dealing with civilian perverts. But the white-haired man moved with speed that belied his apparent age and casual demeanor, easily evading Ebisu's strikes.
"Now, now," the stranger said with amusement, "no need for violence. Can't a man appreciate natural beauty in peace?"
"You're peeping on women in the changing room!" Ebisu protested, attempting another strike. "That's criminal behavior!"
"I prefer to think of it as research," the man replied, his tone carrying the kind of shameless confidence that suggested he'd had this conversation many times before. "For my writing, you understand."
With a casual hand seal, the stranger summoned something that made Ebisu's eyes widen with recognition and horror. A massive frog materialized, its size and the ease of its summoning suggesting the white-haired man possessed capabilities that exceeded anything Ebisu could match.
The frog's tongue lashed out with shocking speed, wrapping around Ebisu and slamming him into the ground with enough force to immediately render the elite tutor unconscious. As his vision faded, Ebisu's last thought carried recognition of exactly who he had just attempted to attack.
That's... that's one of the Legendary Sannin. I just attacked...
Naruto, having witnessed the entire exchange from his position on the water's surface—where he had finally achieved stable walking for several continuous seconds—stared in shock at the stranger who had just effortlessly defeated his instructor.
"Who... who are you?" Naruto asked, his instincts warning him that this white-haired man represented something far more significant than a simple pervert.
The stranger turned to face Naruto fully, his eyes carrying assessment that went beyond casual observation. "Well now, looks like I've interrupted someone's training. And you managed to stay standing on the water during all that excitement—impressive control for someone who was falling through moments ago."
"You just defeated Ebisu-sensei with one attack," Naruto said, his voice carrying awe and wariness in equal measure. "Who are you?"
The white-haired man smiled, his expression carrying the kind of confidence that came from decades of experience with impossible situations and legendary accomplishments. "Names have power, kid. But if you're curious... some people call me the Toad Sage. Others use more colorful titles, depending on their opinion of my character."
As Naruto processed this encounter with someone whose casual power exceeded anything his "elite" instructor could match, he found himself wondering if this strange meeting might represent an opportunity rather than a complication in his month of training.
The question was whether the mysterious Toad Sage had any interest in teaching someone like him, and whether learning from a self-proclaimed pervert would be better or worse than the proper instruction Ebisu had been attempting to provide.
Hidden Observations
From her position on a distant rooftop, Caulifla watched as Houjin made his way through the village toward his next training session. Her Saiyan senses confirmed what her heart had been hoping—this orange-haired warrior carried energy signatures that matched what she would expect from her son.
But I need to be certain before making contact, she thought, her analytical nature warring with maternal instincts. And I need to understand how he ended up here, whether he's been treated well, whether revealing myself now would help or hurt him.
Her companion joined her at the rooftop's edge. "You're going to watch him, aren't you? Even if it takes weeks to be certain."
"I am," Caulifla confirmed. "He's lived his entire life without knowing his birth mother. Suddenly appearing and disrupting whatever family bonds he's formed—that could cause more harm than good. But I need to know if he's okay, if the choice I made to send him away was the right one."
As she prepared to continue her covert observation, one question dominated her thoughts: Who raised my son? And did they give him the life I couldn't provide?
The month of training had begun, and with it, revelations that would reshape understanding not just of individual capabilities but of the connections between past and present, between birth families and chosen families, and between the various forms of power that defined what it meant to be a warrior in a world where multiple dimensions and energy systems converged.
Masters and Students
Training Ground 6: An Otherworldly Instructor
In a secluded training area far from Konoha's main population centers, Team 6 had gathered for what would prove to be their most intensive training month yet. Kage stood before them with the kind of relaxed confidence that came from power so overwhelming that normal combat concerns seemed almost quaint.
Rock Lee sat on a bench nearby, his left arm and leg still heavily bandaged as his body recovered from the catastrophic damage sustained during his match with Gaara. His eyes tracked every movement with the intensity of someone who understood that observation could be training even when physical participation remained impossible.
"Before we begin," Kage said, his dark eyes sweeping across Houjin, Kazuna, Hanabi, and Kasumi, "I want you to understand what this month will demand from you. The tournament finals will showcase your abilities before an international audience. Some of you carry secrets about your nature that make such exposure dangerous. The question is whether you can control your power well enough to win without revealing everything about what you are."
From her concealed position in the dense forest surrounding the training ground, Caulifla watched with maternal intensity barely held in check. The disguise she maintained made her appear as a simple traveler, but her Saiyan senses remained active, analyzing every detail of the orange-haired warrior who might be her son.
Beside her, two other observers maintained their own disguises. Kale—a young Saiyan woman whose features bore remarkable similarity to Kazuna's—watched the training ground with the kind of focused attention that suggested personal investment. The third observer, a man whose facial features mirrored Kazuna's in ways that couldn't be coincidental, stood with arms crossed, his expression carrying complex emotions.
"That's definitely him," Kale whispered, her eyes locked on Kazuna as he assumed a fighting stance. "The energy signature, the physical resemblance... that's our son."
"How did he end up here?" the man asked quietly. "We sent him away to protect him from the war, but we never learned where his pod actually landed."
"The same way Caulifla's son ended up here, apparently," Kale replied. "This world somehow became a refuge for Saiyan children whose parents couldn't protect them during the conflicts that destroyed our civilization."
Caulifla felt her chest tighten as she watched Houjin respond to Kage's initial instruction. He's strong. Controlled. The family that raised him did well—he carries himself with the confidence of someone who knows his worth but hasn't let power corrupt him.
Kage's Assessment
"Houjin," Kage called out, "you first. Show me your current maximum power without transforming into Super Saiyan."
The orange-haired warrior nodded, his emerald aura beginning to blaze as he accessed the depths of his base form power. The energy radiating from him made the air shimmer with heat, and even from her distant position, Caulifla felt the familiar signature of Legendary Super Saiyan potential contained within disciplined control.
That's my boy, she thought with fierce pride. Carrying power that could reshape worlds, but keeping it leashed through will and training.
Kage observed critically as Houjin's power peaked. "Good control. You've learned to suppress your true nature effectively—essential when living among normal humans. But in the tournament, you'll face opponents who might push you beyond your carefully maintained limits. Can you win without losing control?"
"I can," Houjin replied with quiet confidence. "I've spent years learning to channel power precisely rather than overwhelming opponents with raw force."
"Then show me," Kage commanded. "Attack me as though I'm an opponent you need to defeat without killing. Demonstrate precision over power."
What followed was a display that made the hidden observers hold their breath. Houjin moved with speed that created sonic booms, his strikes carrying force that should have been overwhelming. But each attack was precisely calculated—enough power to overcome defenses without causing unnecessary destruction, enough speed to demonstrate superiority without becoming impossible to track.
Kage deflected and dodged with minimal effort, his vastly superior experience allowing him to read Houjin's techniques before they fully developed. But his expression carried approval rather than disappointment.
"Excellent. You fight like a warrior rather than a berserker. That's what separates controlled power from dangerous power." He turned to Kazuna. "Your turn. Show me your golden transformation."
Kazuna's Struggle
Kazuna stepped forward with visible tension, his body language reflecting someone still coming to terms with abilities he didn't fully understand. "I... I don't know how to trigger it deliberately. It just happens when I'm pushed to my limits or when strong emotions override my conscious control."
From their hidden position, Kale and her companion watched their son with parental concern that transcended years of separation.
"He's struggling with the transformation," Kale observed. "Just like I did before proper training. The power is there, but he hasn't learned to access it at will."
"That's what this month is for," her companion replied. "Teaching him to control what he inherited from both of us."
Kage nodded at Kazuna's admission. "Then we'll spend this month teaching you to trigger the transformation deliberately. Power you can't access reliably is power you can't depend on in crucial moments." He moved closer, his presence somehow both encouraging and challenging. "Close your eyes. Feel the energy within you—not the chakra you've been trained to use, but the ki that defines your Saiyan nature."
Kazuna complied, his expression reflecting intense concentration as he searched for something he'd only accessed accidentally before. Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the sounds of wind through trees and the distant calls of forest creatures.
"I can feel it," Kazuna said finally. "Like fire beneath the surface, waiting to be released. But I don't know how to bring it forth without anger or desperation triggering it automatically."
"Then we start with emotion," Kage instructed. "Think about moments when the transformation activated. What were you feeling? What drove you beyond your normal limits?"
Kazuna's expression darkened as memories surfaced. "Fear for my teammates. Rage at seeing them threatened. The desperate need to protect people I care about from forces I couldn't overcome normally."
"Those emotions are valid triggers," Kage acknowledged. "But relying on them means you're always reactive rather than proactive. We'll teach you to access that same power through conscious will rather than emotional desperation."
Hanabi and Kasumi's Development
While the Saiyan warriors worked on accessing and controlling their otherworldly power, Kage turned his attention to Hanabi and Kasumi—the team members whose strength came from different sources but who still needed to develop capabilities that could compete at the tournament level.
"Hanabi," Kage said, "your Byakugan gives you perception beyond normal human capability. But I've observed that you rely heavily on that advantage. What happens when you face opponents fast enough that even enhanced vision can't track them?"
The question struck at something Hanabi had been contemplating since watching Lee's devastating speed during his match with Gaara. "I train my body to respond faster, develop techniques that don't require conscious thought to execute."
"Correct. But more than that—you need to develop predictive capabilities that go beyond simple observation." Kage demonstrated by moving so fast that even Hanabi's Byakugan struggled to track him. "You can see me moving, but can you predict where I'll be before I get there? Can you read my intent through subtle cues that precede action?"
From her position on the bench, even through his bandages and pain, Lee found himself absorbing these lessons. Predicting movement before it occurs... that's what separated Gaara's automatic defense from conscious reaction. That's what I need to develop once I can train again.
Kage turned to Kasumi next. "And you carry the Nine-Tails' power, but you've been holding back—afraid that accessing too much will result in losing control. That fear is both wise and limiting. We need to find the balance point where you can draw on the fox's power without being consumed by it."
"How?" Kasumi asked, her voice carrying years of anxiety about the sealed entity within her.
"By accepting that the Nine-Tails is part of you rather than something separate that might take over," Kage replied. "Fear of your own power creates the very loss of control you're trying to avoid. We'll spend this month teaching you to work with the fox rather than against it."
Lee's Observation
From his bench, Lee watched the training sessions with the kind of focused intensity that had always defined his approach to improvement. Though his body couldn't yet participate, his mind catalogued every lesson, every technique, every principle that Kage demonstrated.
Precision over raw power, Lee thought, observing how Houjin's controlled strikes achieved more than overwhelming force would have. Conscious control rather than emotional reaction, he noted as Kazuna struggled to access his golden transformation deliberately. Prediction beyond perception, he recognized in Hanabi's training. Partnership with power rather than fear of it, he understood from Kasumi's lessons.
These weren't lessons exclusive to Saiyan warriors or those with special abilities—they were fundamental principles that anyone could apply regardless of their power source. And Lee, who would soon begin learning to access ki instead of relying on his damaged chakra network, found himself grateful for this opportunity to observe before attempting to apply the lessons himself.
"You're processing these lessons even while injured," Kage observed, having noticed Lee's intense focus. "That's the sign of someone who understands that improvement happens in the mind before it manifests in the body."
"Sensei Guy always taught me that observation is training," Lee replied. "That understanding principles intellectually makes physical execution more efficient once the body is ready."
"Your sensei is wise," Kage acknowledged. "And in two weeks, when your body has stabilized enough to begin ki training, you'll have the theoretical foundation necessary to make rapid practical progress."
The Hidden Observers' Reactions
In their concealed position, the three Saiyan observers processed what they were witnessing with varying degrees of emotional complexity.
"He's teaching them well," Caulifla said, her maternal pride in Houjin's demonstrated capabilities struggling with the pain of years of separation. "Whoever raised him gave him strong foundations—moral and tactical. Kage is building on something solid rather than starting from scratch."
"Our son is struggling more," Kale observed, watching as Kazuna attempted and failed repeatedly to trigger his transformation deliberately. "He doesn't have the same instinctive understanding of his Saiyan nature. The human family that raised him did well, but they couldn't teach him about abilities they didn't understand themselves."
Her companion nodded grimly. "That's our fault. We made the choice to send him away, to prioritize his survival over his cultural education. He's alive and clearly loved by his adoptive family, but he's disconnected from his heritage in ways that complicate his development."
"The same could be said of my son," Caulifla replied. "Though Houjin seems to have adapted better—perhaps because his power manifested earlier, forcing him to develop control mechanisms just to function in human society."
They watched in silence as the training continued, each processing the complex emotions that came from observing children they had given up years ago, seeing them grow into warriors without parental guidance, recognizing both pride in their strength and pain for the years of connection that could never be recovered.
"When do we reveal ourselves?" Kale asked finally. "They deserve to know their birth parents didn't abandon them callously. That we made impossible choices during impossible circumstances."
"After the tournament," Caulifla decided. "Right now, they're focused on immediate challenges. Suddenly learning about birth parents could create emotional complications that affect their performance. Better to let them compete, let them prove themselves, and then approach with explanations they can process without competitive pressure."
Naruto's Pursuit
Meanwhile, in Hot Spring Town, Naruto was discovering that training with the mysterious Toad Sage involved far more complexity than simply learning new techniques. After attempting unsuccessfully to wake Ebisu from his frog-induced unconsciousness, Naruto turned his attention to the white-haired man with renewed determination.
"Hey! Perverted Hermit!" Naruto called out. "You defeated my instructor, so that means you have to take his place training me!"
Jiraiya—though he hadn't revealed that name yet—looked genuinely surprised by the demand. "Train you? Kid, I'm a busy man with research to conduct and writing deadlines to meet. I don't have time to babysit bratty genin."
"But you're strong!" Naruto protested. "Way stronger than Ebisu-sensei! And I need training from someone who can help me beat Neji Hyuga in the tournament finals!"
"Not my problem," Jiraiya replied, preparing to leave. "Find yourself another teacher."
But Naruto's determination, once engaged, proved difficult to discourage. He pursued the Toad Sage through Hot Spring Town, tracking him despite the older man's attempts at evasion. He caught up just as Jiraiya was being rejected by a woman he had attempted to impress with his legendary status.
"I'm telling you, I'm one of the Legendary Sannin!" Jiraiya was saying, his voice carrying wounded pride. "My accomplishments are renowned throughout—"
"And I'm telling you I'm not interested," the woman replied firmly before walking away.
"Smooth," Naruto observed with the kind of brutal honesty that only children possess. "Really impressive technique there."
Jiraiya's response was to trap Naruto in a summoned jar with surprising speed, then escape once more while the boy struggled to break free. But Naruto's determination exceeded the Sannin's patience, and within an hour, he had tracked Jiraiya to a quiet spot outside town where the older man was supposedly daydreaming but was more likely planning his next "research" expedition.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Jiraiya admitted as Naruto approached yet again. "Alright, kid. I'll train you, but only if you bring me curvy 'fruit' as payment for my time."
Naruto, whose worldly understanding didn't extend to recognizing obvious innuendo, nodded enthusiastically. "Fruit? Sure! How curvy does it need to be?"
Several hours later, Naruto approached Jiraiya at a location where the Sannin was attempting to impress two women with stories of his legendary exploits. The boy proudly presented a watermelon whose curved shape technically met the stated requirement.
"You wanted curvy fruit," Naruto declared. "This is the curviest watermelon I could find!"
The two women burst into laughter at Naruto's innocent misunderstanding, while Jiraiya felt his dignity taking yet another hit. After they departed, still giggling, the Sannin turned to his would-be student with exasperation.
"When I said curvy fruit, kid, I meant attractive women. Female companionship. You know, the kind of 'research material' I need for my novels."
Understanding dawned on Naruto's face, followed immediately by mischievous inspiration. "Oh! You want pretty girls? I can do that!"
Before Jiraiya could clarify that bringing actual women against their will would be kidnapping, Naruto performed hand seals with practiced ease. "Sexy Technique!"
The transformation that followed made Jiraiya's eyes widen and his nose erupt with blood. Where the orange-clad boy had been standing moments before, there now appeared an attractive young woman whose appearance had been calculated to appeal to exactly the kind of "research interests" that defined Jiraiya's literary work.
"Okay, okay!" Jiraiya said quickly, his professional dignity barely maintained despite obvious appreciation for the technique's effectiveness. "I'll train you! But you have to stay in that form while—I'm kidding!" he added hastily as Naruto's expression shifted to outrage. "I was kidding! You can train in your normal form!"
Breakthrough and Discovery
With training officially commenced, Naruto resumed his water-walking practice under Jiraiya's supervision. But despite his earlier progress under Ebisu's instruction, he found himself falling through the surface repeatedly.
"I don't understand," Naruto said in frustration, removing his wet jacket. "I was starting to get it before you knocked out Ebisu-sensei! Why is it harder now?"
Jiraiya's experienced eyes caught sight of the seal on Naruto's exposed stomach—the complex formula that contained the Nine-Tails within the boy's body. Recognition flashed across the Sannin's face, followed by analytical assessment of the seal's current condition.
That's definitely the Fourth Hokage's work, Jiraiya thought. But there's something wrong with it. An additional seal that shouldn't be there...
His fingers moved in precise patterns, channeling chakra to analyze the seal's structure. What he discovered made his expression darken with understanding and anger. Someone—likely Orochimaru during their encounter in the Forest of Death—had placed a Five Elements Seal over the original seal, disrupting Naruto's ability to efficiently control his chakra.
That bastard sabotaged the kid's development, Jiraiya thought grimly. Made every technique harder to execute, every training exercise more difficult. And Naruto's been fighting against this handicap without even knowing it existed.
Without drawing attention to what he was doing, Jiraiya performed the release technique for the Five Elements Seal. The additional formula dissolved, restoring Naruto's natural chakra control to its intended state.
"Try the water walking again," Jiraiya instructed casually, as though nothing significant had just occurred.
Naruto stepped onto the water's surface with renewed determination, channeling chakra to his feet exactly as he had been attempting for hours. This time, instead of sinking immediately, he found himself standing stable on the surface.
"I'm doing it!" Naruto shouted with joy, his balance perfect as he walked across the water without any sign of breaking through. "I'm actually doing it!"
"Good work," Jiraiya said, concealing his knowledge of what had actually made the difference. The kid's been training with a handicap that would have broken most people's determination. Removing it just restored him to baseline capability—everything he achieves from here is genuine growth.
"Alright," Jiraiya continued, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Now that you've got basic chakra control down, it's time to teach you something more advanced. You've got the Nine-Tails sealed inside you—that's a massive power source that most ninja would kill to access. We're going to spend this month teaching you to draw on that power consciously rather than letting it leak out accidentally during emotional moments."
Naruto's eyes widened at the implications. "You can teach me to use the fox's chakra deliberately? Without losing control?"
"That's the plan," Jiraiya confirmed. "But it's advanced, dangerous training that will push you beyond anything you've experienced before. We'll start tomorrow after you've recovered from today's exercises. For now, we're going to the hot springs for a well-deserved bath."
As they walked toward the bathing facilities, Naruto found himself contemplating the strange fortune that had placed him under this perverted sage's instruction. Ebisu had been proper and professional, but this white-haired hermit seemed to understand things about Naruto's situation that went beyond simple teaching methodology.
Maybe, Naruto thought, sometimes the best teachers aren't the ones who follow all the rules. Sometimes you need someone who understands what it's like to carry power that others fear.
Evening Revelations
That night, as Naruto slept exhausted from his day of training, Ebisu approached Jiraiya at the hot springs where the Sannin was supposedly relaxing but was actually continuing his "research" by observing the women's bathing area.
"Jiraiya-sama," Ebisu said formally, having fully recovered from his earlier defeat. "I apologize for not recognizing you immediately. Your reputation as one of the Legendary Sannin should have made you instantly identifiable."
Jiraiya waved off the apology. "Most people don't recognize legendary warriors when they're engaging in perfectly legitimate literary research. What brings you here, elite tutor?"
"Naruto," Ebisu replied simply. "That boy carries burdens that extend beyond normal genin concerns. The Nine-Tails, the village's complicated relationship with him, and apparently sabotage from Orochimaru that you corrected earlier today."
"You noticed the seal removal?" Jiraiya's respect for the other man increased slightly.
"I observed the immediate improvement in his chakra control. Combined with your known expertise in sealing techniques, the conclusion was obvious." Ebisu's expression grew serious. "Naruto needs training from someone who understands both the technical aspects of controlling bijuu chakra and the psychological challenges of carrying power that others fear. I'm qualified for basic instruction, but you're one of the few people in the world who can truly prepare him for what he'll face."
"High praise from someone who just got knocked unconscious by a toad," Jiraiya observed dryly.
"Deserved unconsciousness delivered by someone qualified to prevent Orochimaru from whatever he's planning," Ebisu corrected. "The Sannin are legendary for reason. Will you continue training Naruto properly? Help him develop not just power but the wisdom to use it appropriately?"
Jiraiya was quiet for several moments, his usual jovial demeanor fading to reveal the serious ninja beneath the perverted exterior. "The kid reminds me of someone I once knew. Someone who also carried burdens that seemed impossible but faced them with determination that refused to acknowledge defeat. Yeah, I'll train him properly. Help him become the kind of ninja who proves that power and character aren't mutually exclusive."
As Ebisu departed to file official reports about Naruto's training transition, Jiraiya remained at the hot springs, his thoughts divided between his "research" and contemplation of the responsibility he had just accepted.
The Fourth Hokage's son, carrying the Nine-Tails and facing opponents in a tournament that includes other kids with otherworldly powers, Jiraiya thought. This month is going to be more interesting than I anticipated. And probably more important than anyone realizes.
The parallel training sessions continued—Team 6 learning to control Saiyan power under Kage's expert instruction while hidden observers processed parental emotions, and Naruto beginning to access the Nine-Tails' power under Jiraiya's legendary guidance while Ebisu ensured proper oversight. Both sets of students were being prepared for challenges that would test more than simple combat capability, and both had found teachers qualified to help them survive what was coming.
Shadows Deepen
Jiraiya's Unsettling Discovery
As Naruto slept exhausted from the day's intensive training, Jiraiya remained awake, his analytical mind processing observations that went beyond simple instruction. The Nine-Tails' chakra was obvious—impossible to miss given its overwhelming presence within the boy's seal. But there was something else, something far more subtle woven into Naruto's energy signature.
That's not just bijuu chakra, Jiraiya thought, his extensive experience with various power sources making him sensitive to anomalies. There's another layer beneath the fox's influence. Something that feels... alien. Similar to what I sensed from those two orange-haired genin—Houjin and Kazuna—during the preliminary matches.
The similarity was unmistakable once Jiraiya focused his perception. The same fundamental energy pattern, the same undertones that suggested power operating by rules completely different from chakra-based systems. It was like detecting a shared frequency across multiple individuals, suggesting common origin or heritage.
The reports about otherworldly warriors weren't exaggerating, Jiraiya mused, his writer's mind already cataloging implications. Multiple genin in this generation carry power that transcends human limitations. The question is whether they know about each other, and whether that shared heritage creates alliance or rivalry.
He contemplated approaching the Hokage with this observation, but decided to gather more information first. Naruto's potential connection to whatever made Houjin and Kazuna different represented a complication in training that required careful consideration. Teaching the boy to access Nine-Tails chakra was already dangerous—adding the possibility that he might also carry some form of alien heritage created variables that needed proper assessment.
One thing at a time, Jiraiya decided. First, teach him to control the fox's power. Then, if this other energy manifests during training, we'll address it accordingly. No point complicating an already complex situation with speculation about origins we don't understand.
As Ebisu's footsteps faded into the distance and the night deepened around Hot Spring Town, Jiraiya found himself contemplating the convergence of unusual powers in Konoha's current generation. Whatever was happening, it extended beyond coincidence into territory that suggested forces beyond his immediate comprehension.
Kikyō Castle: Moonlight Madness
Far from Konoha's boundaries, at the ruins of Kikyō Castle that had become a temporary staging ground for foreign teams during the examination period, Gaara sat motionless on a crumbling statue. His pale green eyes reflected the full moon's light, and his posture suggested someone struggling against internal forces that demanded release.
"The moon is beautiful tonight," he said to no one in particular, his voice carrying the flat affect that marked his usual emotional state. "He becomes restless during full moons. The blood thirst becomes almost overwhelming."
From the shadows beneath the statue, Dosu Kinuta emerged with the kind of calculated confidence that suggested he had been planning this encounter for some time. His injuries from the preliminary match against Houjin had healed enough for movement, though his artificial enhancements still bore subtle damage from the Saiyan warrior's overwhelming assault.
"Gaara of the Sand," Dosu said, his sound-generating equipment humming with barely contained energy. "I came here to kill you in your sleep. They say you never sleep, but I thought if I could catch you during a moment of distraction..."
"You came to kill me?" Gaara's tone suggested mild interest rather than concern. "So you could face Sasuke Uchiha in the finals instead? Remove the obstacle standing between you and your revenge against the one who carries Orochimaru's cursed seal?"
"Something like that," Dosu admitted, his confidence beginning to waver as he reassessed the situation. Finding Gaara awake complicated his plan significantly. "I was curious whether my sound-based abilities could overcome your automatic sand defense. Whether precision could overcome overwhelming power."
Gaara's expression shifted slightly, the first hint of genuine emotion crossing his usually impassive face. "He's awake tonight. The full moon makes him restless, hungry for blood. Your timing is unfortunate—or perhaps fortunate, depending on your perspective on death."
The transformation began subtly—sand swirling around Gaara's form with increased intensity, his chakra signature spiking beyond anything he had displayed during the preliminaries. But it was the physical changes that sent genuine terror through Dosu's system.
Gaara's right arm began to expand and transform, sand and flesh merging into something monstrous. His pale green eyes took on a more feral quality, and when he spoke again, his voice carried harmonics that suggested something other than human consciousness.
"Mother wants your blood," Gaara—or the entity controlling him—declared. "She's been patient, but the full moon makes patience difficult. Thank you for offering yourself so conveniently."
Dosu attempted to deploy his sound-based attacks, his artificial enhancements creating waves of disorienting frequencies designed to disrupt even the most skilled opponents. But the partially transformed Gaara moved with speed and power that exceeded anything the Sound ninja had anticipated.
The assault was brief and brutal. Gaara's transformed arm crushed through Dosu's defenses, his sand forming configurations that trapped and compressed with inexorable force. The screams that echoed through the ruined castle lasted only seconds before being cut short by the sound of breaking bones and the wet finality of catastrophic physical trauma.
When Gaara reverted to his normal form moments later, Dosu's lifeless body lay crumpled at the base of the statue, his artificial enhancements rendered meaningless by power that operated beyond the parameters they had been designed to counter.
Dangerous Observers
From their concealed positions around the castle ruins, two figures had observed the entire encounter with different emotional responses.
Baki, Gaara's jonin instructor, watched with the kind of grim acceptance that marked someone who had witnessed his student's violent episodes many times before. The seal is weakening. The One-Tail's influence is growing stronger. If this continues, Gaara might become uncontrollable before we can deploy him during the invasion.
Kabuto Yakushi observed with clinical interest, his analytical mind cataloging details about Gaara's transformation and the ease with which he had dispatched Dosu. Orochimaru will want a detailed report about the jinchuriki's capabilities. The preliminary match against Rock Lee demonstrated defensive prowess, but this display shows offensive potential that exceeds initial assessments.
The two moved to a neutral meeting point, their conversation proceeding with the kind of careful diplomacy that marked allies whose alliance was built on mutual utility rather than genuine trust.
"Gaara killing an Oto-nin," Baki said without preamble, "will that create complications? Our villages are supposed to be working together toward the Konoha Crush operation."
"Dosu was acting independently," Kabuto replied, adjusting his glasses with practiced casualness. "His desire for revenge against Sasuke Uchiha made him a liability rather than an asset. Orochimaru-sama will view his elimination as... convenient pruning of unnecessary complications."
From a different shadow, neither observer noticed the presence of Hayate Gekkō. The special jonin, still recovering from his role as preliminary proctor, had been conducting routine security patrols when unusual chakra signatures at the castle ruins drew his attention. What he was now overhearing made his blood run cold.
"The invasion timeline remains unchanged?" Baki asked, his voice carrying the weight of impending violence.
"Precisely as planned," Kabuto confirmed, pulling out a scroll. "These are the updated deployment plans from Orochimaru-sama. The attack will commence during the tournament finals, when Konoha's attention is focused on the arena and foreign dignitaries are gathered in vulnerable concentration."
The casual discussion of invasion plans against his village sent Hayate's mind racing. I need to get this information to the Hokage immediately. If Suna and Oto are planning a coordinated attack during the finals, we need to prepare defenses and evacuation protocols.
But as Hayate began his careful withdrawal, hoping to escape undetected, both Baki and Kabuto demonstrated why they held the ranks and reputations they possessed.
"The eavesdropper in the eastern shadows," Baki said conversationally, "would you like to handle that, Kabuto? Or should I demonstrate why Suna's jonin are feared throughout the elemental nations?"
"By all means," Kabuto replied with false pleasantry. "I should maintain my cover as a loyal Konoha ninja. You eliminating a spy would be perfectly consistent with protecting invasion plans."
A Desperate Escape
Hayate abandoned stealth immediately, his body moving with the kind of speed that came from years of ANBU training despite his chronic illness. If he could reach Konoha proper, if he could alert the Hokage before Baki caught him, then his discovery of the invasion plans would be worth the risk of exposure.
But Baki moved with jonin-level speed enhanced by wind chakra, his path intercepting Hayate's retreat before the special jonin could gain decisive distance. They met in a small clearing, both assuming combat stances that reflected years of experience with deadly confrontations.
"You shouldn't have been there, Hayate," Baki said, his tone carrying regret that seemed genuine despite his loyalty to the invasion plans. "Now I have to ensure your information doesn't reach the wrong ears."
"The Hokage needs to know about the planned attack," Hayate replied, his sword already drawn. "You're talking about invading during a peacetime examination. That's not military action—that's betrayal of treaties that have maintained stability for years."
"Stability that favors Konoha at other villages' expense," Baki countered. "But philosophical debates are meaningless when both our orders are clear."
Hayate deployed his signature technique—the Dance of the Crescent Moon, a form that created shadow clones at close range to deliver multiple simultaneous strikes. The attack was designed to overwhelm defensive capabilities through synchronized assault, and against most opponents, it proved devastatingly effective.
But Baki's wind chakra enhanced his perception and speed, allowing him to track all three attacking forms. His defensive positioning minimized damage from the coordinated strikes, and when Hayate's blade connected, the wounds were superficial rather than decisive.
Baki's counterattack demonstrated why he held his rank. His hand caught Hayate's sword with chakra-enhanced grip, preventing the special jonin from withdrawing for another assault.
"A sword made of hard substance," Baki said, his other hand beginning to glow with wind chakra, "can be stopped, blocked, or caught. But a sword made of wind—pure chakra given cutting form—cannot be defended against by normal means."
The Blade of Wind technique formed in Baki's free hand, its edge carrying the kind of lethality that exceeded physical weapons. Hayate struggled to release his trapped sword, to create distance that would allow defensive maneuvers, but Baki's grip remained absolute.
"I'm sorry it came to this," Baki said, and his tone suggested genuine regret despite his unwavering commitment to his mission. "You were skilled and honorable. But some information is too dangerous to allow spreading."
The wind blade struck with surgical precision, its chakra-enhanced edge cutting through Hayate's defenses and flesh with equal ease. The special jonin's eyes widened in shock and pain, his body collapsing as life fled from injuries too severe for immediate treatment.
Baki stood over the fallen Konoha ninja for several moments, his expression carrying the weight of someone who understood the moral complexity of what he had just done. Then, with characteristic efficiency, he removed any evidence of his presence and departed into the night, leaving Hayate's body where it would eventually be discovered.
Morning Discovery
As dawn broke over Hot Spring Town, Naruto awakened with the kind of enthusiasm that marked someone eager to begin training despite yesterday's exhaustion. Jiraiya, having spent the night contemplating multiple complications, greeted his student with characteristic irreverence.
"Alright, kid," Jiraiya said, "yesterday you learned basic chakra control. Today we're starting something more advanced—teaching you to actually use that massive energy source you've got sealed inside you."
"You mean the Nine-Tails' chakra?" Naruto asked, his blue eyes lighting up with excitement. "You're going to teach me how to use the fox's power deliberately?"
"That's the plan. But first, we need to access it." Jiraiya studied his student critically. "Normally, the fox's chakra only manifests when you're in danger or experiencing strong emotions. We need to create conditions where it emerges on command."
They moved to the river's edge, the flowing water providing both training ground and natural barrier should things go wrong during the volatile process of accessing bijuu chakra.
"The fox's chakra is red," Jiraiya explained. "Your normal chakra is blue. Right now, your blue chakra is dominant, keeping the red chakra suppressed. If we empty your normal reserves completely, the fox's energy should begin manifesting to compensate."
"How do I empty my chakra completely?" Naruto asked, though his mind was already racing toward the obvious answer.
"Shadow Clone Technique," Jiraiya replied. "Create as many clones as you can, then have them fight each other until they're all dispelled. The chakra expenditure should be enough to trigger the fox's response."
What followed was exactly the kind of chaotic training session that defined Naruto's approach to improvement. He created dozens of shadow clones that immediately began fighting among themselves with the kind of enthusiasm that suggested they were enjoying the exercise despite knowing they were all the same person.
As the clones systematically dispelled each other through combat, Naruto felt his chakra reserves depleting rapidly. When the final clone vanished, he stood panting and exhausted, his normal energy completely spent.
"Now," Jiraiya said, his tone growing more serious, "I'm going to teach you the Summoning Technique. It requires significant chakra to execute, which you currently don't have. That should force the fox's energy to manifest as compensation."
He bit his thumb, drawing blood, and performed the hand seals with practiced ease. The summoning technique activated, bringing forth a small toad carrying a scroll far larger than itself.
"This is the toad summoning contract," Jiraiya explained, taking the scroll from the toad. "Sign your name in blood, leave your fingerprints, and you'll gain the ability to summon toads as allies in combat. The toads you can summon will depend on how much chakra you pour into the technique."
Naruto followed the instructions, his enthusiasm temporarily overriding his exhaustion. He signed his name with blood drawn from his bitten thumb, pressed his fingerprints beside the signature, and then attempted the summoning technique exactly as Jiraiya had demonstrated.
The result was... underwhelming. Where Jiraiya had summoned a toad large enough to stand on, Naruto's technique produced a tadpole so small it could barely be seen in his palm.
"A tadpole?" Naruto's voice carried profound disappointment. "I just signed a legendary summoning contract and I can only summon a tadpole?"
"Your chakra was completely depleted," Jiraiya reminded him, though his own expression suggested disappointment at the underwhelming result. "Without normal reserves and with the fox's chakra not manifesting as expected, this was all you could manage."
The fox's chakra should have emerged by now, Jiraiya thought, concerned by the lack of response. Either the seal is functioning too well, preventing automatic manifestation, or something else is suppressing the bijuu's influence. That other energy signature I detected—could it be interfering with normal fox chakra emergence?
Grim Discovery in Konoha
Back in Konoha, as morning training sessions began for various teams, a group of ANBU operatives made a discovery that would send shockwaves through the village's leadership. Hayate Gekkō's body was found in the forest area near where he had been conducting security patrols, his injuries speaking to skilled execution by someone with jonin-level capabilities.
Yugao Uzuki, arriving at the scene in her capacity as both ANBU operative and Hayate's partner, felt her chest constrict with grief that threatened to overwhelm her professional composure. She had been training Team 6, had been dealing with the complexities of guiding students who carried otherworldly powers, and had assumed that Hayate's role as preliminary proctor meant he faced minimal danger during the examination period.
"What happened?" she asked the medical examiner, her voice carefully controlled despite internal turmoil.
"Wind-based attack," the examiner replied clinically. "Chakra-enhanced blade that cut through his defenses with surgical precision. The technique suggests someone with significant skill and experience—likely jonin level at minimum."
"Were there signs of what he was investigating?" Yugao's analytical training reasserted itself despite grief. "Any evidence of why he was out here rather than in the village proper?"
The ANBU operatives exchanged glances before one spoke up. "We found traces of multiple chakra signatures in the area. At least two foreign ninja, possibly three. And evidence suggests Hayate was attempting to flee from an encounter rather than engaging deliberately."
He discovered something, Yugao realized with cold certainty. Something important enough that foreign operatives killed him to prevent the information reaching the Hokage. Something related to the examination or the foreign teams present for the tournament.
"I need to brief the Hokage immediately," Yugao said, her grief temporarily set aside in favor of duty. "If Hayate died protecting information, then ensuring that information reaches proper channels is the best way to honor his sacrifice."
As she departed to make her report, leaving the ANBU to process the crime scene and collect evidence, Yugao found herself contemplating the increasing complexity and danger surrounding the Chunin Examinations. What should have been a routine advancement assessment was revealing layers of conspiracy, otherworldly powers, and deadly plots that extended far beyond simple competitive evaluation.
Hayate wouldn't want his death to be meaningless, she thought, her resolve hardening. Whatever he discovered, whatever he died trying to report—I'll make sure the Hokage knows. And I'll make sure whoever killed him faces consequences for eliminating one of Konoha's most dedicated protectors.
The month before the tournament finals continued, but the discovery of Hayate's murder added new urgency to preparations that were already complicated by revelations about Saiyan heritage, Nine-Tails chakra, and the converging mysteries that seemed to define this generation of genin. The question was no longer just who would advance to chunin rank—it was whether any of them would survive the schemes being woven around the examination structure by forces whose ambitions extended far beyond simple village politics.
To be continued in Chapter 15: Progress, Determination, Hearts & Hopes