"Hello everyone, I'm your host for today's Ninja Information Conference — I'm Kuroda!"
The light screen appeared once again.
Same room, same host, same setup as before.
For everyone in the Shinobi World, this appearance was nothing surprising. They watched with a calm, expectant attitude.
Even though the [Territories] battle had ended last night, discussions were still blazing hot today.
Which organization defeated which, what tactics they used — whether it was a battle of attrition or a head-on clash — everyone was still eagerly talking about it.
But at ten o'clock this morning, the Ninja Mobile Game released an update preview.
The next High-Class Recruitment was coming!
[A mysterious ninja is about to appear——]
[The Sage from Mount Myōboku has arrived!]
The colors of the image changed — from the green of [Might Guy] to orange, but still keeping that classic black silhouette.
Yet in many people's eyes, this level of mystery was unnecessary, because...
"It's Jiraiya!"
Tsunade wasn't surprised at all that Jiraiya had become the second High-Class Recruitment ninja.
That morning, the man had already been whispering mysteriously to her, saying he was going to do something that would make him famous across the entire Shinobi World.
Now, it was obvious what he meant.
"Hehehe~ The Toad Sage is merely a title I use to mislead the masses. In truth, I am the one known far and wide across the lands — one of the legendary Sannin!"
"Jiraiya — the Hero Jiraiya!"
On the screen, appearing alongside Kuroda, was none other than Jiraiya himself.
This guy was ridiculously over-the-top — he actually rode in on a giant toad, dramatically striking a pose at the camera as he introduced himself.
Seeing Jiraiya's huge face on the screen, Tsunade rubbed her forehead.
"It's Jiraiya-sama," Shizune said with a stiff smile. "Truly fitting of that man's... style."
Compared to last episode's guest, this one was far more high-profile.
And Jiraiya wasn't wrong about one thing — the title of "Sannin" was one of the biggest in the Shinobi World.
So even if his entrance was a bit awkward, people still watched patiently.
After taking his seat, Kuroda smiled and asked,
"Jiraiya-san, how does it feel to become the very first S-rank ninja in the Ninja Mobile Game?"
"Fantastic! And as for whether I deserve it — of course I do! Who else could possibly take this High-Class S-ninja spot if not me?"
Jiraiya's tone was outrageously arrogant, crossing his legs and sitting there like a man begging to be punched.
Those outside Konoha clenched their fists immediately.
"Hmph! Just a brat!"
Ōnoki snorted in disdain. The Sannin might be famous, but in his eyes, they were still just kids.
If Jiraiya could be an S-ninja, then him — the Great Ōnoki — should be an even stronger S-ninja without question!
Sure, the game had already fixed its rank system, but no one said there couldn't be rarer tiers among S-ninjas.
He, Ōnoki, would surely be the rarest of them all!
"I heard Jiraiya-san is quite skilled at gathering intelligence. That fits perfectly with today's theme — our information conference," Kuroda said with a grin.
"Hahaha! That's right! And I just happen to know a piece of information that no one in the Shinobi World can deny!" Jiraiya declared confidently.
"Oh? Please, do tell."
"Everyone's phone has a four-character game installed! Tell me I'm wrong!"
The entire Shinobi World: ...
No kidding! Of course everyone had it!
Kuroda's expression twitched slightly but he still led the conversation back to the main topic.
"You've already experienced the new High-Class Recruitment ninja [Jiraiya]. As the man himself, what do you think?"
"Not great," Jiraiya shook his head regretfully. "Only five skills."
"What?!"
The audience was stunned.
Five skills?! Every existing ninja had two skills plus one Ultimate Scene. Even the A-rank High-Class ninja [Might Guy] followed that rule.
So only [Jiraiya] had five?
Was this the treatment reserved for an S-rank ninja?!
"Damn! I've been outdone!"
Guy burst into tears, with his diligent student Lee crying alongside him.
"I mean, what's so surprising about being outdone by Jiraiya-sama?" Tenten complained. "You think you're stronger than him?"
"We can't even fill our organization's roster," Neji added dryly. "Let's not compare ourselves to an obvious S-rank."
That shut Guy up immediately. Their entire organization was still just the four of them...
That's right — Youth Forever couldn't recruit anyone!
Last night while others fought on the [Territories] battlefield, they could only sit and watch.
A tragedy worse than losing the match itself!
"I have so many talents, yet they only gave me this much. Really now..."
On screen, Jiraiya continued to complain.
A ninja should have all his abilities properly showcased — why only two or three?
Kakashi deeply agreed. As a renowned technician who had copied over a thousand jutsu, it was frustrating that in-game, only his dogs and Lightning Blade were useful. What a disgrace to his name.
Kuroda decided to clarify.
"That's actually quite simple. It's not that we can't include all of a ninja's abilities — but doing so would make things overly complex, which doesn't fit our all-ages design philosophy."
"So in the future, we'll be introducing ninjas by different stages of their life — dividing their abilities by era."
"For example, Jiraiya-san," Kuroda looked at him, "your younger self would naturally differ from your current self."
"I see!" Jiraiya nodded in realization.
The entire Shinobi World also understood — meaning that in the future, we might see a young version of Jiraiya appear!
...
"Now things are getting interesting."
In Otogakure, Orochimaru chuckled.
He recalled his days under Sarutobi-sensei's tutelage. Would that period also be represented?
As for whether he might appear as a ninja himself...
If Jiraiya could, then surely he, Tsunade, even the Third Hokage, could also be made into S-ninjas without issue.
Not just Orochimaru — many others thought the same.
An entire generation of S-ranks!
...
Back to the light screen — with the questions done, it was time for the main event.
"Then, Jiraiya-san, please demonstrate the new High-Class S-ninja for everyone!"
"Yosh!"
Jiraiya took the phone Kuroda handed him. At the same time, the screen's perspective shifted to the training grounds.
[Jiraiya]'s entrance animation was unlike any other — he tiptoed in from off-screen, hopping in little by little, full of personal flair.
But few people cared about that.
Everyone had only one thought now —
They'd been tricked.
Five skills? There were only two!
Jiraiya could already imagine what the audience was thinking, but he wasn't in a hurry. He started by showing off his slow, casual basic attacks.
First A — a hand swipe.
Second A — a punch.
Third A — a kick.
Fourth A — a high step that stomped the ground.
The first three were normal strikes; the last one launched the enemy into the air — with a ground sweep effect.
So far, nothing special.