Chapter 10 The Trio of Gambling, Drugs, and Smut

It was a regular day in the Village Hidden in the Leaf. Kadoya was casually walking through the village with his hands crossed, according to his newly finished hidden quest, "Heir to the Uzumaki Clan," meaning Kushina Uzumaki will probably be transferred to Konoha sooner or later.

As the "Heir to the Uzumaki Clan", does that mean his future children must carry Uzumaki's blood?

But besides Kushina, Kadoya couldn't think of any remaining Uzumaki around his age with whom he could marry and have children.

Of course, he isn't aiming for Kushina as a wife. She is Minato's future wife and the mother of the future child of prophecy. 

How could he, Kadoya Uchiha, Minato Namikaze's best friend, steal his best friend's wife?

Although this is one way to change the story, he doesn't want to change the reincarnation of Indra and Ashura, by then searching for them would be a hassle. Although by then he probably could solo Kaguya Otsutsuki all by himself.

She can absorb Chakra but not Hamon. But then again, who know if she would suddenly pull a "random bullshit go!" throwing whatever bullshit power the Otsutsuki Clan has at him.

While lost in thought, Kadoya takes a wrong turn and walks in the opposite direction of the Ninja School.

...

"You're late... again." Ms. Mayabi said, arms crossed, his black gaze locked onto the late Uchiha.

"I got lost thinking about Minato's future, wondering if he leaves his wife and child behind, does that mean his best friend would have to take care of them for him?" Kadoya said all of that with a casual shrug.

Minato: "..."

Everyone: "..."

This bastard! Why does he suddenly make me sound like a scumbag who leaves their wife and children to get milk!?

Minato's eyelid twitched, feeling like he needed to strangle his best friend at this instant.

Ms. Mayabi sight feeling like she need to ask for a raise, since only her class has this type of Problem Child. She didn't believe his word, chucking it up to him, making some kind of random excuse.

After all, Minato is a good boy, how could he do something like that?

In fact, they would find it more believable that Kadoya disappears into the night and leaves his wife and children instead of Minato.

"Alright, just get to your seat." Ms Mayabi said, waving him off, she clearly didn't get paid enough to amused his antic.

...

The training ground was really crowded, more than usual.

That was Kadoya's first reaction, he didn't sneak out of class today since Grandma Mito told him an event was going to take place today, so he shouldn't skip class.

It seems the young trio of gambling, drugs, and smut are still very popular in Konoha.

The Ninja School was created by the Second Hokage. After the Third Hokage took office, the school underwent a major renovation and expansion.

Now, the school has added a super-large training ground, and various training facilities have been added one after another.

This not only represents the village's emphasis on the school but also expresses the Hokage and Konoha's emphasis on and cultivation of civilian ninjas on a deeper level.

Therefore, it is based on this that Konoha can continuously produce one genius after another, like leeks.

The saying that Konoha is the cradle of geniuses is not just casually said. Even if there is a genius destroyer like Danzo internally, geniuses will be produced generation after generation.

This is inseparable from the well-established Ninja Academy system.

"Alright, brats, quiet down for a moment."

Jiraiya, newly turned sixteen, stood atop a wooden platform built within the training ground. Despite the jonin vest marking his status, his wild white hair and easygoing posture made him look more like a delinquent than a future Toad Sage.

His voice, infused with chakra, carried effortlessly across the crowd of young students, ensuring even those at the back could hear him without issue.

"Let's start with introductions. I'm sure most of you already know our names. That's right—I'm the famous Jiraiya! Konoha's outstanding jonin, a handsome genius ninja! And next to me is my teammate and… subordinate, Orochimaru. And over here, we have Tsunade."

Orochimaru's expression barely shifted, but the sharp-eyed among the students could catch the faintest twitch of his lips. He really dared to say that?

Tsunade, on the other hand, nodded with a casual confidence, her golden hair catching the sunlight. She gave a small wave, and the reaction was immediate.

The boys in the audience practically erupted in excitement, their energy as frantic as if they had just been injected with pure chakra.

Orochimaru, the future Snake-sense, merely gave a nod of acknowledgment, his presence alone sending a quiet chill through the air.

Jiraiya continued, his voice keeping the students engaged.

"The reason we're here today is because we've been entrusted with this task by our teacher—the Third Hokage himself. As the future of Konoha, it's important that you all gain a clearer understanding of the ninja world you'll be stepping into. The Hokage himself might even come to teach a few lessons."

That set off another wave of excitement.

"That's great! Long live Lord Third Hokage! Thank you, Lord Hokage! Long live Lord Jiraiya! Long live Lady Tsunade! Long live Lord Orochimaru!"

The training ground buzzed with energy, the students fully caught up in the moment. It was clear Jiraiya had a way with people—he knew how to fire them up.

For many of these children, especially the civilian-born ones, this was a moment of inspiration. The thought of learning from legendary shinobi was intoxicating. They weren't thinking about politics or war—just about the bright future they believed awaited them.

This was how Konoha cultivated its image.

A righteous, glorious vision of the village. One that began shaping the minds of its future warriors from childhood.

It wasn't just about words—it was about perception. About acting the part. About reinforcing loyalty.

Danzo would have scowled at such theatrics. His approach was one of shadows, of cold pragmatism. But in the grand scheme of things, appearances mattered.

And the students—especially the civilians—were fully engrossed.

Kadoya didn't look too impressed by this. Remembering how, later on, Konoha would win two more Great Ninja Wars, but the Third Hokage would humbly bow his head and submit to other villages as long as they brought up the threat of war.

But when the Uchiha spoke that they wanted to be treated with respect, the Third Hokage would scream that they are planning a rebellion and butcher the entire clan.

And then they expected a boy who watched his entire family slaughtered by his own brother not to be consumed by revenge. To stay loyal to the very village that betrayed him. To resist the lure of power when it was offered to him on a silver platter.

Fools.

Jiraiya cleared his throat, snapping Kadoya out of his thoughts.

"Orochimaru, you're up next."

Jiraiya took a step back, ceding the stage to his teammate.

Orochimaru, his pale complexion and golden eyes giving him an eerie presence, walked forward with unhurried steps.

"One day is short, and there are only three of us," he began, his voice smooth yet commanding. "So this outdoor training session will not follow the usual one-on-one method. The rules need some adjustments."

With a series of swift hand seals, the training ground began to shift. Sections of the earth rumbled, rising and rearranging into several towering platforms, each designed for combat.

"If you want to grow into the towering trees that uphold Konoha, you must cultivate your strength through battle. So, show us what you're capable of. We will be watching."

His golden eyes gleamed.

"Now, the rules: First, grade-level confrontations. The top three students in each grade will form a team. They will then compete against other teams from different grades. In the end, the top three from the entire Academy will receive personal guidance from Jiraiya, Tsunade, and myself."

"Furthermore," Orochimaru continued, "if I see someone with exceptional talent, they may seek my instruction in the future. That promise is absolute."

The students stirred with excitement. The opportunity to be personally trained by Sannin was not something to take lightly.

At the Academy, outdoor sparring was common, and healthy competition was encouraged. No one objected to the new format—if anything, it only fueled their enthusiasm.

Jiraiya stepped forward, dragging over six wooden boxes.

"These are the number-drawing boxes, one for each grade. Those who draw matching numbers will face off in battle. Winners will advance to the next round."

He placed them in front of their respective platforms.

"Don't rush, go one at a time."

Kadoya made his way toward Platform Two, where the second-year students were gathering. The Academy was packed this year—each grade had between two and three hundred students, meaning nearly a thousand were gathered on the training ground.

He eyed the box in front of him but didn't reach in right away. Something felt… off.

Then, in a blur of motion, he tilted his hand and grabbed.

A kunai.

The number box had been nothing but an illusion.

"Not bad, not bad." Jiraiya grinned, eyes glinting with approval. "Able to see through a genjutsu at first glance—not surprising for an Uchiha."

Kadoya twirled the kunai between his fingers with practiced ease.

"This has nothing to do with my clan. It's all skill," he replied flatly before pocketing the weapon.

Despite being an Uchiha, Kadoya's family wasn't particularly wealthy. He was always looking for ways to stockpile ninja tools—kunai, shuriken, anything useful. If an opportunity presented itself, he'd take it.

With that, he reached into the real number box and pulled out a slip.

"Number eight."

One by one, students followed suit. 

The strong had priority. It was an unspoken rule of the Academy.

Kadoya, the undisputed top of the second-year class, was first. Then came Saiguu, then Minato, followed by the representatives of the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans.

Leaning in slightly, Kadoya glanced at Minato and Saiguu.

"What number did you get?"

Minato smiled. "Number one. Looks like I'm up first." He with a smirking grin before stepping onto the sparring platform.

Saiguu smirked. "Number five. Looks like I'll be waiting for you in the next round."

She was already confident he'd make it through.

Kadoya, on the other hand, was just pleased knowing he'd get to beat the crap out of people and rack up points.

With his late-Genin to early-Chunin level skills, the only ones who could actually challenge him were the fifth- and sixth-years. But by then, the fights would be team battles.

Kadoya narrowed his gaze back toward the arena.

How far could a commoner ninja truly go?

To answer that, one only needed to look at Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

Born without prestigious bloodlines or inherited jutsu, they had risen to become two of Konoha's legendary Sannin. Proof that talent and determination could shatter the limits of birthright.

And now, before them stood another example—Minato Namikaze.

Minato had no clan to back him, no inherited techniques, no prestigious lineage. His parents had died when he was young, and neither had been shinobi. By sheer luck, he had passed the entrance test and entered the Academy.

Unlike clan-born students who had access to family jutsu and private training, Minato had started from nothing.

Everyone knew the Ninja Academy only taught the Three Basic Techniques—Substitution, Transformation, and Clone Jutsu. Everything else was theory, basic taijutsu, shuriken practice, and physical conditioning.

That meant commoner ninjas were always at a disadvantage against their clan-born peers.

Minato, however, had refused to let that limit him.

In their class, his strength was now second only to Kadoya's—perhaps even rivaling Saiguu's.

And now, he stood on the battlefield, facing Komora Sarutobi.

The match began in an instant.

Minato's right hand flicked forward, releasing a flurry of shuriken at sharp, unpredictable angles.

At the same time, he shot forward, closing the distance.

His opponent, Komora, moved to dodge—only for another set of shuriken to come flying at him from Minato's other hand.

Bang!

A log replaced Komora mid-air—Substitution Jutsu!

But Minato didn't hesitate. He stopped short mid-sprint and suddenly swung a fist behind him.

Sure enough—Komora had reappeared there, launching a surprise counterattack.

Minato's punch struck forward, aiming for Komora's face.

The Sarutobi boy barely leaned back in time, dodging the blow, but Minato capitalized on the opening—launching a kunai straight at his opponent's chest.

Forced to retreat, Komora landed a few meters away, his face tense.

He hadn't expected a commoner ninja to be this tricky to deal with.

"Huff!"

The two clashed again, kunai meeting in a rapid series of metallic clashes. Sparks flew as their weapons met midair, their movements a blur. Neither side yielded.

Jiraiya, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow.

'This kid…'

Finally, after a fierce exchange, Minato staggered off the stage, covered in bruises and shallow cuts.

Behind him, Komora Sarutobi lay unconscious.

"Not bad, not bad. You're very good," Jiraiya said, clapping Minato on the shoulder. He was clearly impressed.

"Go find Tsunade to heal you, you're walking a bit unsteadily."

Minato gave a weak chuckle. "Okay. Thanks, Lord Jiraiya."

Meanwhile, Orochimaru's gaze flickered to the side.

A few shimmering bubbles floated across the battlefield—each containing used kunai and shuriken, silently drifting away.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. These weren't ordinary bubbles. They possessed a unique property—capable of carrying solid, sharp metal within them.

His lips curled slightly.

'Interesting.'