Five years had flown by since Sayoh had brought Jiraiya back to the Uzumaki clan.
During this time, Jiraiya had been diligently gathering information, and he'd come to realize that many things were drastically different from his previous life.
The most striking difference was that his mother was still alive, while his father was not.
He'd learned that his father had been killed by a group of Iwa ninjas while trying to protect him and his mother as they journeyed to Uzushiogakure.
The only thing his father had left them was a sword bearing the symbol of the Hatake clan.
Jiraiya felt a pang of sadness that he'd never had the chance to meet his father, but he knew it couldn't be helped. In this perilous world, anything could happen.
He resolved to become even stronger than he was now, knowing that more powerful enemies would inevitably emerge and try to destroy everything.
Jiraiya assessed his current abilities and found that he was already as physically strong as a Jonin. His chakra reserves were even more impressive, reaching the level of a Low Kage.
However, he'd also noticed that the progress of his chakra development had slowed down significantly after reaching this point.
It was clear that he would need to find new ways to push his limits and continue growing stronger.
Jiraiya's muscles ached pleasantly, the hours of rigorous training he had just endured. He contemplated pushing his limits further.
As if materializing from his thoughts, a presence emerged behind him. Jiraiya's honed instincts screamed danger.
He reacted instantaneously, his body pivoting, a well-practiced kick aimed towards the intruder.
"Your reflexes are getting better. Commendable, Jiraiya."
The familiar voice halted Jiraiya's attack mid-swing. Relief washed over him, replacing the adrenaline that had coursed through his veins.
"Grandpa! You nearly gave me a heart attack,"
Jiraiya exclaimed.
Ashina chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. A rare expression that no one had ever seen.
"A ninja must always be prepared for the unexpected, my boy. Complacency is a dangerous foe."
Ashina, recognizing Jiraiya's potential since he was just a baby, took on the responsibility of training him personally.
Starting at the tender age of four, Ashina quickly discovered that Jiraiya possessed not only a super strong and resilient body but also a natural aptitude for combat.
It was as if Jiraiya's instincts and battle awareness were honed by years of experience, his movements displaying the cunning and calculated precision of a seasoned ninja.
Ashina was astounded by Jiraiya's ability to anticipate his opponents' moves, adapt to changing situations, and exploit even the slightest openings with ruthless efficiency.
"Let's have a light spar. It will give me a better understanding of your current power. Then, we can finally move on to the Fuinjutsu of our clan. Your chakra control seems adequate for the initial stages."
Jiraiya's chakra reserves were immense and constantly expanding.
Ashina remembered his own early training; the seemingly endless growth of his chakra had been both a blessing and a curse.
He'd had to patiently wait for the surges to stabilize before he could safely delve into the intricacies of Fuinjutsu.
Rushing the process would have resulted in disastrous consequences - uncontrolled chakra during Fuinjutsu practice was akin to playing with volatile explosives.
Jiraiya, with an eager nod, expressed his interest in learning the sealing art of the clan.
Granny Mito's tales of Ashina's greatness had left him with a profound impression.
She had told him, was a legend—the father of sealing art, a title that spoke volumes of his unparalleled expertise and profound impact on the shinobi world.
His knowledge and skill in fuinjutsu were so vast and extraordinary that even Mito herself, a formidable kunoichi and master of the Uzumaki sealing techniques, acknowledged her own inferiority in comparison.
The prospect of learning from such a figure, of delving into the secrets of an art that had shaped the destiny of countless shinobi, filled Jiraiya with excitement.
Jiraiya gripped the simple wooden sword for practice.
He began to make his move, the Hatake blood within him thrummed, a dormant talent awakening.
Each swing, each parry, each feint felt instinctively right, as if the sword was an extension of his own body.
A surge of exhilaration coursed through him.
"I should have picked up the sword long ago," he murmured, a hint of regret in his voice.
He could feel the untapped potential within him, the power that had lain dormant, waiting for the right catalyst.
The sword was not merely a weapon; it was a key, unlocking a hidden chamber within his mind.
The clash of wooden sword echoed through the training grounds as Ashina and Jiraiya's swords met in a flurry of strikes and parries.
It was immediately evident that Ashina possessed a mastery of swordsmanship that far surpassed Jiraiya's.
His movements were fluid and precise, each strike carrying the potential for lethal force, while Jiraiya, though skilled, struggled to keep up with the relentless onslaught.
Ashina's blade seemed to dance around Jiraiya's defenses, finding openings with unnerving ease.
Despite Jiraiya's efforts, he was clearly outmatched, his breath growing ragged as he desperately tried to fend off Ashina's relentless attacks.
Ashina's laughter echoed through the training grounds, a lighthearted counterpoint to the rhythmic clash of wooden swords.
"Well, well, Jiraiya,"
He teased, his voice laced with amusement as he delivered a playful smack to Jiraiya's head.
"It seems there's still something you haven't quite mastered. Good to know you're still human."
Jiraiya, rubbing the spot where Ashina's sword had connected, couldn't help but grin.
"Hey, nobody's perfect,"
He retorted, his tone good-natured despite the playful jab.
"Even the great Jiraiya has his off days."
Ashina chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
"Let's end the spar here. You go and take a bath, then come to my study. I will teach you about Fuinjutsu."
With the final words, Ashina turned and walked away from the training ground.
Jiraiya watched him go, a surge of excitement replacing his initial dejection.
The sting of defeat was quickly forgotten, overshadowed by the prospect of learning Fuinjutsu from Ashina.
The old man had displayed incredible strength and skill, surpassing even that of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
Jiraiya knew that losing to such a formidable opponent was nothing to be ashamed of.
In fact, it was a valuable learning experience. He had witnessed firsthand the pinnacle of ninja prowess, and now, he was being offered the chance to learn from the master himself.
The thought of delving into the intricate art of Fuinjutsu, of harnessing the power to seal and unseal objects, chakra, and even living beings, ignited a fire within Jiraiya.
He had always been fascinated by the mystical and esoteric, and Fuinjutsu represented the whole new realm of possibilities.
Jiraiya turned and headed towards the bathhouse.
The water would wash away the sweat and grime of battle, but it would not dampen his enthusiasm.
He was eager to learn, eager to grow stronger.
'I will become so strong that no enemy could stand in my way.'