Naruto: The Scourge

Note: The team of 3 is Yuji, Kushina, and Hokuto!

Konoha Village Streets

Jiraiya, covered in dust from his travels, sighed helplessly. Upon returning to Konoha, he was immediately summoned by his teacher and then forced to take on a team of fresh graduates from the ninja academy. Although he initially refused, he found himself at a loss for words after being persuaded.

For three years, Jiraiya had been out of the village, looking after Nagato and the others. However, this coincided with a time when Konoha desperately needed manpower. For this reason alone, Jiraiya had no choice but to accept the assignment, despite his preference for taking on missions over becoming a team leader.

Unlike Jiraiya, who was reluctantly coerced, Orochimaru volunteered. When Jiraiya heard that Orochimaru would also be leading a team of students, his jaw dropped in shock, and he even blurted out, "Don't tell me Tsunade has taken a team too!"

Fortunately, the response was "no." However, Sarutobi's next words left Jiraiya speechless.

Originally, Tsunade was also supposed to lead a team, but her focus was deemed more crucial in training medical ninjas.

Here was the initial plan:

Orochimaru would lead the team including Hokuto.

Jiraiya would lead the team including Minato Namikaze.

Tsunade would lead the team including Kushina Uzumaki.

All three students were exceptionally talented, with Kushina being the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.

"How on earth did Orochimaru agree to this?"

Scratching his head, Jiraiya walked toward the ninja academy, still baffled at the idea of the cold and detached Orochimaru taking on such a role.

As he passed a tavern, the scent of alcohol wafted out, instantly stirring the cravings of his inner drinker.

Stopping in his tracks, Jiraiya glanced at the early hour and then at the tavern, chuckling to himself. "Well, there's still time. Why not grab a drink first?"

Inside the Classroom

Only six students remained in the classroom—Minato's team and Yuji's team. The other students had already been taken away by their assigned jōnin instructors.

Minato's teammates included a boy and a girl. The boy had a dark complexion, a stocky build, and small, squinting eyes that gave him a simple and honest appearance. The girl, on the other hand, was delicate and gentle-looking, with bright, expressive eyes that exuded a calm demeanor.

All three seemed to have quiet personalities and showed no signs of frustration over their tardy instructor.

Two days earlier, Yuji had learned that Orochimaru would be leading his team. Having spent three years under Orochimaru's mentorship, Yuji knew there had to be a reason for Orochimaru's delay. Even if he arrived by evening, Yuji wouldn't mind. Meanwhile, Hokuto, with his introverted nature, wouldn't dare to complain about such a thing.

However, Kushina was different. She quickly grew impatient and voiced her frustration multiple times.

Hokuto responded with a weak smile, while Yuji stared blankly out the window.

Suddenly, the door opened with a loud creak.

A pale-faced, handsome man entered the room.

As soon as Orochimaru stepped in, his gaze landed on Yuji's team in the corner, and he strode directly toward them.

"Lord Orochimaru!" Hokuto exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. He couldn't decide if he was more terrified or thrilled that one of the Legendary Sannin would be leading his team.

"Follow me," Orochimaru said coldly, sparing only a brief glance at Kushina and Hokuto before turning to leave.

Kushina's earlier irritation disappeared the moment she saw Orochimaru. Having one of the Legendary Sannin as their instructor was a rare opportunity, and any amount of waiting was worth it.

While Hokuto and Kushina eagerly followed Orochimaru, Yuji remained unfazed, having already known Orochimaru would be their leader.

As the three students left, Minato's teammates watched them with envy.

Just as Orochimaru reached the doorway, the classroom door was yanked open with a loud bang.

A faint but unmistakable scent of alcohol drifted in, making Orochimaru frown slightly. When he saw who it was, a trace of exasperation and indifference flickered in his eyes.

"Jiraiya," Orochimaru said flatly, his raspy voice betraying no surprise. In fact, Orochimaru hadn't even known Jiraiya was back in the village or that he would also be leading a team of new graduates.

"Well, if it isn't Orochimaru," Jiraiya replied, pausing in surprise before breaking into a grin. "What a coincidence." His gaze shifted past Orochimaru to the three students behind him. His eyes lingered on Yuji, whose cold demeanor reminded him of Orochimaru as a child.

Pulling his gaze away from Yuji, Jiraiya asked curiously, "Why did you agree to this?"

Orochimaru, understanding the question, replied indifferently, "I don't need to explain myself to you."

With that, Orochimaru walked out, and Jiraiya instinctively stepped aside to let him pass. The three students followed close behind.

Jiraiya stood in the hallway, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he watched Orochimaru's retreating figure.

"Um… Are you Lord Jiraiya?" a timid voice suddenly asked, interrupting his musings.

Turning toward the voice, he saw a shy girl looking up at him.

"That's right," Jiraiya replied with a nod, not one to boast about his reputation. At this point in his life, he was far less flamboyant than he would be in the future.

Hearing his answer, the three students broke into smiles of delight.

A moment ago, they had envied Yuji's team for having Orochimaru as their leader. Now, they were thrilled to have Jiraiya as theirs.

Minato, in particular, gazed at Jiraiya with eyes full of admiration.

Noticing Minato's gaze, Jiraiya pretended not to see it, though Sarutobi's words from earlier echoed in his mind.

"Namikaze Minato… a rare talent. He'll be your future student."

Jiraiya knew exactly what his teacher wanted—he was to mold Minato into a pillar of Konoha, someone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with himself.

And Orochimaru?

Was his student the one with the cold demeanor, so similar to Orochimaru in his youth?

With these thoughts in mind, Jiraiya began the customary team assessment.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru led Yuji's team to a training ground in Konoha.

"Introduce yourselves briefly—name, hobbies, and dreams for the future," Orochimaru instructed. Though he typically only cared to know their names, his interest in Yuji's aspirations made him follow this tradition.

"Yuji, what is it that you truly desire?"

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