Kyojiro shifted his weight, his body still not completely recovered... his eyes narrowed down, 'Kakashi... that brat is so unpredictable — a tsundere to his core.'
Turning towards the nurse, he spoke in a pained voice, "What happened? I don't remember after I fell unconscious."He didn't know when, but somewhere, when he was crawling, trying to find a way through the dirt to safety, his body betrayed him — his eyes closed...
And the next thing he saw was the tent... and Kakashi.
Checking his body, he sighed in relief, his shoulders sagging at being in one piece.
"Well, it might be difficult to believe, but Jiraiya, you know — like one of the three Sannin — interfered... it was like whoosh and the fight was over," the nurse spoke, almost amazed herself.
Kyojiro nodded, 'So he truly helped, huh... I was almost wondering whether the man would do it or not.'Unlike what people thought, war was very unpredictable. If a Kage-level ninja like Jiraiya interfered, it would send bells rumbling through the lands of Lightning.
'They would probably also send a Kage-level ninja next time.' A sigh escaped his lips... Jiraiya had already started it.
The war had escalated to a point where now anything could happen. 'I just hope I don't end up in the middle of the Eight-Tails ambush.' Just the sheer thought sent shivers down his back.
Picking himself up, he sat on his bed, his eyes shining with determination and strength. 'It's time I start moving again.'
"Argh." A small grunt escaped his mouth... even the act of sitting made his already tired muscles ache. His eyes widened, 'Just how over-exerted was I?'
Not even once, even during his last battle, had he ended up this tired. 'I still can't understand why I can't use the Breathing Style perfectly...'
He couldn't help but clench his fist — realization finally setting in. 'Had Jiraiya not interfered, someone would have ended up killing me.'
It seemed the time was near. 'I can't keep relying on the Breathing Style to save me — I have to get better... both as a ninja and a swordsman.'
However, before he could think further, the nurse spoke, "Uh, well — actually there should be a scroll on your bed. It looked classified, so I didn't open it... you should check it," her voice soft and bubbly.
Kyojiro nodded before turning towards his pillow. His eyes immediately caught the unsuspecting block of paper beside his headrest.Picking it up, he read through it.
'A summon to the Hokage... as soon as possible, huh.'
'I already have a mental dilemma as to the rightness of my actions — my Breathing Style, for the first time, failed me... and now some political business with that shrewd Hokage.'Kyojiro couldn't help but palm his forehead.
Even for the Uchiha, this was too much....FLIP
FLIP
Soft sounds of pages being flipped erupted in the office. However, instead of the normal Hiruzen, someone else was sitting in his seat.
A white-haired brat casually looked through the many documents the Hokage had to sign. His eyes turned upward, catching the figure of Hiruzen slightly resting while smoking."You do this daily... no wonder you're getting old so quick."
Jiraiya got up from the chair. "Just sitting in this gives me headaches... let alone actually owning it — you keep it, old man," his voice unserious and jolly.
Hiruzen smiled. "Well, it is my duty after all."
Yet despite the casual atmosphere between student and master, both men had thoughts running through their heads.
Hiruzen couldn't help but stay amazed. 'A human sage... it's such a wonderful opportunity for Konoha... but why did it have to be a Uchiha?'
It wasn't like the man hated the Uchiha clan. However, facts were facts — the clan was too involved with itself... radical, unpredictable, with a history of dangerous characters.
And Hiruzen wasn't a fool. Uchiha always put their clan first before the village. He sighed, letting out another puff of smoke. 'That's why civilians are so good... at least they wholeheartedly believe in the village.'
However, Hiruzen had also seen Kyojiro. The man wasn't like a normal Uchiha. In fact, the brat reminded him of a certain someone he once called friend.
'Kagami... it seems I have once again found someone like you,' he thought, a blissful smile forming on his face.
He thought for another minute before the decision was made. "Jiraiya," his eyes sharpened, "I want you to take him in."
Jiraiya almost widened his eyes hearing the words of the man. "What do you mean, take him in, old man? I already have too many disciples... nope." His head shook, emphasizing his point.
Hiruzen sighed. "Well, at least I want you to try. If you truly don't want him as your disciple after a week, then sure." He leaned forward. "The decision is up to you."
Just then, the bells of the office tingled.
Both men's heads snapped towards the door — a tuft of blond hair emerged, a small embarrassed smile on his face.
Jiraiya boomed, "Minato, you brat — finally found you! Where were you all this time?"
Minato smiled. "On a mission, Sensei, and..." he lightly scratched the back of his head, "I couldn't help but hear the last part of your conversation, Sensei."
He continued, "I've known Kyojiro ever since the academy days... he's a good kid — with clear morals and a fine head on his shoulders. I truly believe you should give it a chance, Sensei," Minato spoke with conviction.
He considered Kyojiro a true friend — and what's the point of a friend if they don't help one another?
"You two... sometimes I think you both truly plan all these things," Jiraiya spoke with a sigh. "Well, alright — imma give it a try."
A huge smile emerged on Minato's face as he heard it. 'You owe me one now, Kyojiro.'
Hiruzen, meanwhile, looked at Minato with a twinkle in his eyes. "So what was your original reason for coming, Minato?"
Hearing the words, Minato's eyes sharpened. "The Kiri, Sensei — they've made their move."