"These three fundamental jutsu are the Body Replacement Technique, the Clone Technique, and the Transformation Technique. For convenience, most people refer to them collectively as the Three Basic Jutsu."
The moment Jiraiya started speaking, many of the students already knew the answer. The Three Basic Jutsu were the most elementary techniques—ranked only E-class—but to this group of kids, they still held an air of mystery.
After all, a fair number of them hadn't even managed to form chakra yet.
As his voice faded, Jiraiya casually swept his gaze across the crowd. Most of the students wore excited expressions. Even Uchiha Mikoto, a prodigious girl from the famed Uchiha clan, was no exception.
He paid special attention to Namikaze Minato. The boy's face remained calm, but those vivid blue eyes were fixed on him with unwavering focus.
Jiraiya slowly withdrew his gaze, then noticed Uchiha En, seated in the front row, wearing an expression of indifference—like none of this was worth his time.
Such a small child, and yet the arrogance typical of the Uchiha was already taking shape in him...
Not necessarily a good thing.
Still, Jiraiya didn't dwell on it. He was here for one reason only: to see if the student Hiruzen had singled out was truly as exceptional as claimed.
"First, I'll demonstrate the Clone Technique!"
He spoke as he raised his hands to form the seals—slowly and deliberately, for demonstration's sake. Three simple hand signs, stretched over three full seconds.
Puff! Puff!
Mist drifted through the air, and two identical clones appeared on either side of Jiraiya.
"Whoa… that's so cool!"
Despite being the most basic of techniques, the students couldn't help but cry out in amazement.
For some, it was their first time witnessing ninjutsu in action.
Jiraiya glanced around again. Uchiha En now looked even more disinterested—like this was child's play. As if he'd already mastered the Clone Technique.
Which wasn't unlikely. Children from the Uchiha clan were often taught the basics by their parents or clan elders before ever setting foot in the academy. En knowing the Three Basic Jutsu wouldn't be unusual.
But what truly caught Jiraiya's attention was Minato's expression. The boy remained silent, focused. Not a hint of awe or excitement—only a subtle glint of inquiry in those eyes.
Not the look of someone witnessing the unknown… but someone trying to deepen their understanding of something they already grasped.
A flicker of surprise crossed Jiraiya's face. Could it be that Minato had already mastered the Transformation Technique as well?
But according to what Hiruzen had told him, while Minato had talents far beyond his peers, he had no clan or notable background. As a first-year student, it was highly unlikely he'd already been taught the Three Basic Jutsu by an instructor.
So—who had taught him ninjutsu?
Suppressing the thought, Jiraiya formed another set of seals. Mist billowed again, and a moment later, he transformed perfectly into a copy of Instructor Jotamoto.
"This is the Transformation Technique," Jiraiya announced.
Gasps filled the room as students blinked back and forth between the real Jotamoto and the transformed Jiraiya. Their young faces lit up with unfiltered amazement.
"There are two identical Teacher Jotamotos!"
"They look like twin brothers!"
Their innocent voices rang out with childlike wonder. Nearby, Jotamoto and the other instructors rubbed their temples in exasperation. They'd worked hard to bring in someone like Jiraiya—one of the Sannin—to give this lecture.
And yet these kids were treating it like a magic show.
Still, a few students began practicing hand signs in the crowd, mimicking Jiraiya's movements with eager determination. It was at least something for the teachers to feel hopeful about.
Jotamoto's gaze naturally fell on Minato again, as did Jiraiya's.
Uchiha En and Namikaze Minato—two promising students. One aloof and disinterested, the other quietly focused and inquisitive.
They might both have already mastered the Three Basic Jutsu, but mastering jutsu alone was never the whole story.
These two contrasting attitudes—one careless, one diligent—might not seem significant now, but in time, they could shape the very paths these boys would walk as shinobi.
When Jiraiya had arrived, it was just to fulfill a mission from the Third Hokage.
But now, in this short time, his interest in Namikaze Minato had been well and truly piqued.
"Next," Jiraiya said, "comes the final of the Three Basic Jutsu: the Body Replacement Technique."
He released the transformation and turned toward the instructors. "I'll need one of you to assist me for the demonstration."
They looked at each other, startled, and after a brief exchange, Jotamoto was the unlucky volunteer.
He stepped up to Jiraiya, who said simply, "Attack me."
Jotamoto had expected this, but he still hesitated. This was Jiraiya—one of the Sannin. Attacking him felt… improper.
Jiraiya smiled knowingly. "It's just for demonstration. You're not insulting your superior—just helping your students learn."
Though not an exceptional ninja, Jotamoto was a good teacher. Jiraiya's words hit their mark, and the hesitation in his eyes faded.
Everything—for the sake of his students!
"Then forgive me for this!"
With that, Jotamoto lunged forward and threw a punch straight at Jiraiya. To the watching students, his speed seemed incredible.
Only Minato and En could clearly track every movement. They could even tell—he was holding back.
Jiraiya smiled faintly and didn't dodge. The punch landed squarely on his chest.
Puff!
A burst of mist.
The students stared in confusion, and even the instructors looked momentarily unsure of what had just happened.
There had been three Jiraiyas in the field—now there were two. Then one of them dissolved into mist as well.
The remaining Jiraiya stepped forward, facing the crowd.
"The principle behind the Body Replacement Technique is to swap your body with another object in the environment—a log, an animal, anything really. In this case, I swapped places with a clone. It's a good way to confuse an opponent in real combat."
He gave a knowing smile. "As you can see—even your teacher didn't realize what happened."
The explanation was clear enough. But for these kids, it would take time to fully digest.
Even Uchiha En, who had looked so uninterested before, now had his head down, deep in thought.
Jiraiya smiled to himself. But behind him, the instructors exchanged strange glances.
Clone Technique clones don't have physical substance—they can't be used in a body swap.
Unless… one of the clones Jiraiya had created earlier wasn't a regular clone at all.
They noticed. Of course they did—they were chunin. It would've been embarrassing if they hadn't.
But what Jiraiya cared about wasn't their reaction.
It was his reaction.
"That wasn't a Clone Technique…" Minato muttered, eyes narrowing. A flicker of confusion and suspicion sparked in those deep blue eyes—just enough for Jiraiya to catch.
And in that moment, Jiraiya's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"So… you noticed?"