Uchiha Ascendant: Rewriting the Ninja World

The Land of Grass.

In the Konoha ninja encampment, Jiraiya sat casually on a large rock, holding a copy of Tales of the Gutsy Ninja while teasing Minato Namikaze.

"Haha, Minato, looks like you've experienced the battlefield now. It's a bit different from regular missions, huh?"

Jiraiya waved the book playfully in front of Minato. "Here, this is the latest volume of my masterpiece. It'll help you unwind."

Minato, ever the polite student, smiled wryly at his carefree teacher. Though his usual sunny disposition remained, there was a trace of helplessness in his expression.

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei."

As Minato accepted the book, Jiraiya's tone grew serious, the humor momentarily fading.

"This isn't just for entertainment. It's to help you adjust your mindset," Jiraiya said, his gaze steady. "Being surrounded by these bloodline clans and secret-arts families must be weighing on you."

Minato's surprised expression quickly gave way to a bitter smile. He nodded reluctantly, his eyes revealing a hint of frustration.

"Jiraiya-sensei, I used to think that hard work alone could bridge any gap. But on this mission, I've seen things differently. The Nara, Akimichi, and others—they have powerful family techniques at their disposal. The Hyuga and Uchiha clans with their kekkei genkai… Even the Aburame and Inuzuka clans have their unique strengths."

The journey to the Land of Grass had been a formative experience. Training under Jiraiya and Tsunade had accelerated their growth, but for Minato, it also underscored his limitations. As the only one among his peers without a prestigious lineage or unique abilities, he felt an invisible barrier between himself and the others.

Seeing Minato's self-doubt, Jiraiya burst into hearty laughter.

"You're not wrong, Minato," Jiraiya admitted. "Compared to those with bloodline limits or secret techniques, you're at a disadvantage. But that doesn't mean you can't catch up. Back in the day, when Orochimaru and I faced Tsunade..."

Jiraiya's eyes softened with nostalgia before he shook his head, his usual confidence returning.

"Look at us now. Orochimaru and I have closed the gap, each excelling in our own ways. Neither of us has a kekkei genkai or family technique, but we're still standing tall."

Jiraiya's words reignited the fire in Minato's heart. Determination replaced the doubt in his eyes as he straightened his posture.

"I understand now, Jiraiya-sensei."

Jiraiya grinned at Minato's newfound resolve, clapping him on the shoulder.

"That's the spirit, Minato. You're a true genius. Just keep moving forward."

Minato hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Sensei, before we left, the Third Hokage summoned me. He told me a lot of things… including some secrets about the village."

As Minato recounted his conversation with the Hokage, Jiraiya's carefree demeanor shifted. Beneath his seemingly casual facade, his eyes grew sharper, his expression more contemplative.

"That old man sure knows how to play his cards," Jiraiya muttered. "If he told you all that, it means he's placing a lot of trust in you."

Jiraiya's gaze turned piercing as he posed a question to Minato.

"Minato, let me ask you something: What are your true feelings toward Kushina? Is it about duty, a mission, or something else?"

The directness of the question caught Minato off guard. He lowered his head, his expression conflicted. After a moment of silence, he spoke hesitantly.

"When Kushina first came to the academy, I thought she was beautiful. But her personality… and the way our classmates treated her…"

It was clear that as a civilian-born ninja, Minato had chosen to stay with the majority, avoiding any direct interaction with the ostracized Kushina.

"But over time, she grew more and more beautiful. I… I kept my feelings buried, but this mission from the Third Hokage—sensei, my feelings are genuine. They're not about duty or the mission."

Minato's words carried the weight of years of suppressed emotions, finally spoken aloud. His candid confession reflected the innocence of a quiet, unspoken admiration.

Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh at his student's honesty. With a mischievous grin, he teased, "Listen, Minato, every man starts with looks. If you can be honest about that, you're already ahead of most guys."

"Just remember, as long as you're sincere and responsible, you've got nothing to worry about. Go for it."

Jiraiya gave Minato an encouraging pat on the back. He wasn't blind—he understood the Third Hokage's intentions perfectly.

The Hokage was sending a clear signal to the Senju clan: the village was open to compromise. Allowing Minato to approach Kushina was akin to a political gesture, a carefully calculated move.

For Hiruzen, it was a win-win situation. If the relationship succeeded, the village would gain control over Kushina and the Nine-Tails. If it failed, Kushina's lack of belonging to Konoha would provide a reason to exclude her as a Jinchuriki.

The outcome was irrelevant. The real victory lay in ensuring that the final decision remained in Hiruzen's hands.

As Minato left with newfound determination, Jiraiya let out a relieved sigh. He turned his attention to a nearby tree and spoke aloud.

"So, what do you think? Not bad for a disciple, huh?"

A cold snort came from the shadows as Tsunade stepped into view, with Uchiha Yo following behind her.

"Hey, hey, Tsunade, don't tell me you're actually bringing this kid along," Jiraiya quipped.

The glare Tsunade shot him was enough to silence any further remarks. Jiraiya scratched his head sheepishly, muttering under his breath.

"Tsunade, about Minato—he's a good kid. I've got a lot of faith in him."

It was clear that Jiraiya had been aware of the Hokage's plans all along.

Tsunade, who had seen everything unfold, remained calm. She fully understood the implications of Hiruzen's actions. Politics was a game of compromise, and this was no exception.

"Kid, what's your take on this?" Tsunade suddenly asked, turning to Yo.

Caught off guard, Yo hesitated briefly before breaking into a cheeky grin.

"It's shameless," he said bluntly.

Tsunade burst out laughing, while Jiraiya gawked in disbelief.

"Hey, kid, if my student is shameless, then what does that make you?"

Shrugging nonchalantly, Yo replied, "Of course, I'm shameless too. Kushina's red hair? Ninety points. Her Jinchuriki status? Ten points. If her looks only scored ten, I'd probably say it's for the village's sake."

Yo's straightforward honesty stunned them both.

Jiraiya, though initially taken aback, eventually nodded in agreement. "You know what? Fair enough. You're not wrong."

No matter how idealistic people claimed to be, appearances always played a role. Even Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle at Yo's audacity.

"You men are all the same."

Jiraiya took the jab in stride, laughing it off. "Well, that's how we are, Tsunade."

As Jiraiya excused himself to check on the camp, Yo bowed politely to Tsunade and followed after him.

Once they were gone, Tsunade turned toward the trees and spoke evenly.

"You heard everything, didn't you?"

The rustling of leaves gave way to Kushina's shy figure emerging from the shadows, her cheeks tinged with pink.