Chapter 15: The new Team Jiraiya

The days blurred together as I lay bedridden, my body still weakened from the ordeal that had nearly claimed my life. For the first few days, I couldn't even lift my arms, let alone think about getting out of bed. The pain was a constant companion, and even the simplest movements felt like a mountain to climb. I was a far cry from the ninja I had been before, but Tsunade's hands—those miraculous, life-giving hands—kept working their magic. I owe her more than words could ever express.

Two weeks of intense care passed, each day feeling like an eternity, but gradually, I could feel strength returning to my limbs. The first time I stood on my own was nothing short of a miracle, though I was still shaky and had to lean heavily on Yukino's shoulder for support. Tsunade told me that I'd be back on my feet in no time, but I could see the concern in her eyes. It's almost like she couldn't believe her own words, or maybe she couldn't believe the progress I was making. Either way, what was obvious was that the damage had been severe. While my body was healing, it was clear that I wouldn't be the same for a while still.

Regardless of that, I couldn't stay down forever. Another week passed, and I forced myself to move around more, pushing through the lingering pain and the fog of weakness. Soon, I was walking on my own, albeit slowly, and the sense of freedom that came with it was almost overwhelming.

Dai-san had been extremely helpful in my recuperation. He would always show up whenever I would do my little exercises to regain my ability to walk, and in general, move. His encouragement, hyper energy, and power of youth certainly helped a lot in motivating me. Though he ended up being awfully concerned because the damage caused to my body had a lot to do with opening the eight inner gates which he'd taught to me, but there was also the fact that if I didn't learn that technique I would've long since been too dead to even worry about trying to heal from overusing the gates in the first place.

Once I was well enough to move around on my own, I officially graduated the academy and received my headband. Holding it for the first time felt awesome, like I'd taken one big step forward. One of many I still needed to take.

After putting the headband on for the first time, my first job was joining Minato and Yukino in their training sessions, though I could only watch from the sidelines at first. I still wasn't well enough to participate in these sorts of things, so Jiraiya kept me busy with the theoretical lessons—strategies, tactics, chakra control exercises that didn't require much physical exertion. I soaked it all in, but my eyes were always on the sparring grounds, watching Minato and Yukino go at it.

I was shocked by what I saw. Minato was, of course, a prodigy, moving with the speed and precision of a seasoned Jonin despite his age. I had expected that, but Yukino… Yukino was a revelation. She wasn't keeping up per say, but she was pushing Minato in ways that surprised even him. Her movements were fluid, her strikes precise, and her chakra control was nothing short of remarkable. She wasn't on Minato's level, not even close, but she was far stronger than any genin ought to be. She sure wasn't an ordinary undergraduate, that much was clear. The way she fought—it wasn't unlike how I'd imagine Neji to be during part one of the canon story.

As the weeks turned into months, my strength gradually returned, though I was still far from my former self. I began to take part in the low-level missions that Jiraiya had us do—simple tasks within the village to help us build our portfolio as a team. The missions were almost laughably easy for the likes of Yukino and Minato, but I was grateful for the chance to contribute again.

Yukino, with her keen senses, mainly the Byakugan, always seemed to find the targets before we even began searching. Whether it was locating a missing cat or tracking down a petty thief, she made it all look effortless.

When it came to the more menial tasks, I found myself able to keep up, though I had to pace myself. Slowly then after, we accumulated a list of successful missions. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was necessary, and it gave us the chance to work as a team. Eventually, as I recovered and regained my strength, we took on some more serious missions and even fought a few rouge-nin outside the village. Safe to say, they were no match for Jiraiya and Minato, but they definitely served as good opponents for Yukino and me to practice on. 

We fell into a rhythm, each of us finding our place within the group. Minato, naturally, took the lead, his calm and confident demeanor guiding us through each task. Yukino was our sharp-eyed scout, always one step ahead, while I did what I could to support them both, even if it was just with a few well-placed words or a bit of extra muscle when needed.

In the meantime, we also each chose our own jutsu from the catalog we were given. Minato didn't seem too interested in anything at first, but after Jiraiya pulled a few strings, he seemed really happy. I think I know what he got his hands on.

As for me? Well, I wasn't gonna let Minato be the only one who got special treatment, so I convinced Jiraiya for help too and learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

I am proud to say that I can make two clones.

Take that, Kiba.

Now I know it ain't much, but you gotta give me credit where it's due. I ain't a chakra monster like that good ol' Naruto fella. I'm sure I'll be able to get more clones out when I grow up and my chakra increases, though.

It's the sort of thing that increases to a certain point as you age depending on the vessel, or, body. I can't really train to increase my chakra directly, but by training physically and creating a powerful body, I can sow the seeds for a larger amount of chakra in my adult years.

It is still mostly just marked by birth and that's that, though. So, I'm still limited by birthright in what I can achieve unless I become a Jinchuriki or something. But I'll strive to gain the theoretical peak chakra my own body can have all the same! That's my best option at the moment!

Perhaps Sage Jutsu can help additionally down the line. With shadow clones, I can abuse it a little better than most. I'll see.

Anyway! Regardless of all that, my adult body's chakra amount should definitely be significantly more than it is currently, so that's certainly something to look forward to.

Actually, come to think of it, two shadow clones is pretty good for an eleven year old, no?

Yeah, I'll keep telling myself that.

As for Yukino, she opted to keep what she learned a secret when I asked, she seemed to want to surprise me when the time came to use her "secret technique", whatever that was.

Time passed in a quiet blur of routine and recovery. The village became our world, a place of little victories and steady progress. But as the months rolled on, I could feel a shift in the air. We had outgrown these simple missions, and it was only a matter of time before Jiraiya would send us out on something more serious. The thought of it sent a thrill through me, tempered by a lingering caution. We were ready—at least, Minato and Yukino were. As for me, I wasn't so sure. It had taken me a while to get my physical strength back as I had to return to lighter weights and slowly build back up to that hundred and fifty I had found comfort in before. 

Now, I was already back to my previous peak. Dai-san was extremely helpful in that regard as he helped train me back up to that level without risking injuring myself again. Honestly, I'm eternally grateful to that man for everything he's done for me. I'll need to repay him when the time comes. Somehow. 

Right now, my only real issue was just that I don't know whether being back to the same level I was at before will be enough to keep up with the rest of the team at this point.

But I knew one thing: I would do everything in my power to keep up with them. The storm had passed, but another one was brewing on the horizon, and I needed to be ready for whatever came next. The second great Ninja War should be starting soon, real soon, within the year even, and I need to be ready for it.

…