Jiraiya, Satoru, and an Important Decision
After the absolutely ridiculous "duel" between Obito and Jiraiya, the class atmosphere finally returned to normal.
Well… as normal as it could be.
Obito, still fuming after being tickled nearly to death by Jiraiya, sat cross-legged on the ground, arms folded, pouting like a child.
"Stupid pervy sage… I swear I'll get my revenge!"
Kakashi merely glanced at him with his usual expression of mild disdain, not even bothering to comment.
On the other side, Jiraiya stood confidently with his hands on his hips, still wearing his signature goofy grin.
Then, turning to Satoru, his gaze sharpened slightly.
"Hokage asked me to assess your abilities."
Satoru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Jiraiya smirked mysteriously, stroking his chin as if contemplating something deep.
"I've read through your records in the files Hokage gave me."
Satoru frowned slightly.
Jiraiya continued.
"You have an impressive talent—quickly mastering advanced jutsu. But that doesn't mean you're strong enough yet."
His arms crossed, his tone turning more serious.
"So… I've decided to take you on as a provisional disciple!"
The entire forest fell into absolute silence.
The kids' jaws dropped.
Kotetsu: "Wait… did I hear that right?"
Izumo: "The legendary Sannin… wants to take Satoru-sensei as his disciple!?"
Obito, in the middle of chewing on a piece of bread, spat it out violently.
"WHAT!?"
Even Kakashi looked up, a flicker of surprise in his usually calm eyes.
Satoru, on the other hand, remained outwardly composed. But internally…
System! Can I refuse!?
He was well aware that Jiraiya was one of the most powerful ninjas in Konoha. But… he was also a wandering hermit who spent most of his time writing… questionable literature.
Becoming his disciple definitely wouldn't be an easy experience.
[System Alert]: If Host refuses, Jiraiya may view you as arrogant. If accepted, you will have the chance to learn high-level jutsu and receive direct training from a Legendary Sannin.
Satoru let out a quiet sigh.
"Jiraiya-sama, I don't oppose the idea… but why me?"
Jiraiya nodded, eyes filled with curiosity and something more… recognition.
"You have something very rare in this world, kid."
Satoru frowned.
"And that is?"
Jiraiya's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Creativity."
Satoru blinked.
Jiraiya continued.
"There are plenty of strong shinobi out there, but most are trapped by convention. You, however—I've been watching. You constantly create unique training methods and develop a combat style that's entirely your own."
"A shinobi who thinks differently is sometimes more terrifying than one who is simply strong."
With his hands behind his back, Jiraiya spoke in a lower tone.
"Hokage saw it too. That's why he sent me. He wants me to help you unlock your full potential."
Satoru's Thoughts
Satoru couldn't deny that Jiraiya's words made sense.
There were many geniuses in this world. But most of them followed the rules set before them. They were bound by tradition, by the system.
He wasn't.
He had the System, knowledge from another world, and an analytical mind that didn't follow the norm.
If he could learn from Jiraiya, he wouldn't just grow stronger—he'd gain a deeper understanding of this world.
Satoru took a deep breath, then nodded.
"I accept."
Jiraiya grinned broadly.
"Good! From today onward, you are the provisional disciple of the Great Toad Sage!"
Obito spat out his food again.
"Why is Satoru-sensei suddenly falling into the hands of this pervy old man!?"
Jiraiya's Observation of Eren
Now that Satoru's apprenticeship had been settled, Jiraiya finally turned his full attention to Eren.
From the moment he arrived, he had sensed something unusual about this young man.
Eren tried to maintain a composed facade, but in his eyes—Jiraiya could see it.
Pain. A burden far heavier than any of these children could understand.
Jiraiya stroked his chin, his sharp gaze scanning Eren's entire being.
"This kid… doesn't have chakra. But the energy inside him is… something else."
Satoru glanced at Jiraiya.
"What do you think?"
Jiraiya remained silent for a moment before replying.
"…It's hard to say. But one thing's for sure—"
"The energy inside him doesn't belong to this world."
Satoru's hands clenched slightly.
He had already suspected this much.
Eren wasn't a shinobi. He didn't have chakra. He couldn't use ninjutsu.
But he had something different.
Something wild. Something primordial.
A power that defied the very laws of this world.
A power that had never existed in shinobi history.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.
"…Perhaps, this kid is one of the variables that fate has thrown into this world."
An Unpredictable Future
Satoru exhaled deeply, stretching his arms behind his head.
For some reason…
He had a gut feeling.
From this moment on—his fate, Eren's fate, and the fate of the entire ninja world… had begun to shift.
End of Chapter 55. Stay tuned for the next part – Satoru, the Rising Star of Konoha!