Chapter 40: Meeting the Legends
The moment Shinra pushed the door open, the attention of the three legendary shinobi and the Hokage instantly focused on him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Shinra with a grandfatherly kindness that had only grown warmer since the tournament. Ever since Shinra's masterful declaration of loyalty to Konoha, the Third Hokage found himself viewing the boy with increasing fondness, even with a hint of preference that was beginning to rival his regard for Minato. The only lingering regret, a thorn in his side, was Shinra's lack of deep-rooted clan ties within the village—a fact that had cost Hiruzen some sleep. Yet, seeing Shinra now, his face still broke into a wrinkled, chrysanthemum-like smile that made Shinra fight back an internal snort of amusement.
"This is the Chief Student of this year's Academy class," Hiruzen announced, standing and walking over to place a hand on Shinra's shoulder. He addressed the Sannin with clear pride. "The young man who defeated young Minato."
"This kid defeated Minato?!" Jiraiya blurted out, his formerly lazy posture snapping straight. He stared at Shinra with open disbelief.
"Oh my! Such a handsome little guy," Tsunade remarked, her gaze appreciatively sweeping over Shinra. "And that presence… how did I miss someone like this before?" A flicker of professional assessment passed through her honey-colored eyes, followed by genuine surprise. "Well now… that physique alone is enough to overwhelm most of his peers." Her expert medical ninja's eye could perceive the terrifying density and potential power coiled within his frame.
Orochimaru remained silent, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. His serpentine eyes observed Shinra not as a person, but as a fascinating specimen, a complex puzzle. A deep, covetous curiosity glinted in their yellow depths, carefully masked.
"Shinra, these three are my proudest disciples," Hiruzen said, a note of smugness in his voice as he gestured to each in turn. "Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru."
"It's an honor to meet you, Senpai," Shinra said politely, offering a respectful nod.
"Hey, kid!" Jiraiya leaned forward, his expression shifting to one of challenging curiosity. "I heard you've awakened some new kind of bloodline limit? Let's see it!"
It was clear he was looking to reclaim some pride for his apprentice, Minato.
"Oh."
Shinra's response was a simple, non-committal syllable. Then, without any further warning, he moved.
It wasn't a shunshin. It was pure, explosive physical motion. His fist, covered in a hazy, distorting white aura—the visible manifestation of the Tremor-Tremor power—shot straight for Jiraiya's midsection.
The air screamed.
None of the four veterans showed surprise at the sudden attack. The moment Shinra had uttered that casual "oh," their battle-honed instincts had already braced for action. Anyone who couldn't read that level of intent wouldn't have lived to see this many battles.
Their focus, instead, was entirely on the hazy white energy wreathing Shinra's fist. Four pairs of experienced eyes sharpened in unison, registering clear surprise at the unique, tangible pressure it emitted.
Jiraiya's playful expression vanished, replaced by focused assessment. He didn't dodge. Instead, his palm came up to meet the fist, chakra flaring to life around his hand in a dense, defensive coating.
CRACK-BOOM!
The calm air in the office didn't just ripple—it shattered audibly, like glass. A terrifying wave of concussive force erupted from the point of impact and poured into Jiraiya's guard.
Feeling the raw, world-shaking power behind the punch, Jiraiya's brow furrowed slightly. His chakra output surged.
WHUMP!
A visible shockwave blasted outward from their clash. The windows of the Hokage's office rattled violently before several panes cracked and webbed.
And Jiraiya, the legendary Toad Sage-in-training, who had taken the punch head-on, was forced to slide back a full half-step across the polished floor before he rooted himself, looking completely unruffled but undeniably moved.
So this is a Sannin's level, Shinra mused internally, impressed. He'd used a solid fifty percent of his new physical strength, channeled through the fruit's power, and had only managed to push the man back half a step. Jiraiya hadn't even seemed to take it seriously. The gap between them was still a chasm.
"Not bad, kid! That punch has some serious weight to it!" Jiraiya boomed, his initial shock giving way to excited appreciation. He hadn't expected to be moved at all by a pre-genin's strike.
Tsunade and Orochimaru, who hadn't witnessed Shinra's capabilities firsthand until now, were visibly taken aback. They had to remind themselves: this boy hadn't even graduated from the Academy.
While Jiraiya wasn't yet the world-renowned 'Sanin' he would become, he was already a formidable elite jounin with a growing reputation across the shinobi world. The difference in their levels should have been insurmountable. Even most standard jounin wouldn't have been able to force Jiraiya back half a step.
Yet Shinra had done it.
It was unprecedented.
And the potential it revealed…
…was nothing short of terrifying.
(End of Chapter)
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