Naruto: Tsunade's Twin Brother

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his chair in the Hokage Tower, with his robe and hat obscuring his expression. An audible sigh was heard.

"Tensions along the Iwagakure border have been rising. Sungakure has been restless lately as well. I hope this doesn't end up in war, not so soon..."

His wrinkling face seemed conflicted as he looked at the moon, whispering to who knows what.

"Sensei...what would you do? I don't think I'm fit for the Hokage's role, maybe Kagami would have been better..."

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Jiraiya was a genius. But when he compared himself to actual prodigies like his friends Orochimaru and Akira, he fell short in all areas. The shinobi world has plenty of talents, and Konoha surely was not lacking in them.

The problem was - would those geniuses be slaughtered before they awaken their full potential?

Most of the time, yes. It was an unanswered question, and it could only be answered by those who experienced it themselves.

The fact that all three members of Team 7 survived their childhood, as well as Team 10, was quite miraculous. 

Childhood. 

That's when enemy nations strike, before they are strong enough to retaliate and cause damage. Once a certain ninja shows any sort of potential or talent, the old schemers in other nation's councils will start plotting their 'unfortunate' demise.

It was cruel, but it was shinobi life. You just either have to die on the battlefield, or live and survive with the haunting screams echoing in your mind forever.

Jiraiya could accept Orochimaru being stronger than himself - they were both civilian orphans with no clan backing, or even a parent to help. He could accept Akira, knowing how hard he truly worked as well, not just relying on talent and heritage to get past life.

So no matter what he achieves in life, the others have already done so years ago. Be it summoning techniques, a new A to S-rank jutsu, or even just a special way to get housework done faster - he was always behind.

But whenever his back harshly met the training ground, he wouldn't get upset or mope around for days. Jiraiya would just smile and laugh it off, then continue to train harder for another challenge.

He surely had grew stronger due to Akira's influence, having another incentive to increase his strength besides Orochimaru.

Seeing his potential lying deep, deep, deep, deep underneath, Fukasaku from Mount Myoboku decided to teach him something way ahead of time. With the help of his wife, Shima, and her lovely, and absolutely delicious dishes of bugs, of course.

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"Orochimaru!"

A call startled said shinobi, who was currently hunched over at his laboratory table, probably doing some experiment. Fortunately for everyone, these experiments were pardoned, even encouraged by the Hokage and definitely were not live human ones.

Orochimaru looked up, his long black hair shifting which gave a clear view of his sharp, snake-like golden eyes. 

He still had a menacing aura that made children stay away as well as that unnaturally pale skin that sent shivers down anyones spine.

"Akira? What do you need?"

He smiled ever so faintly at the sight of his self-proclaimed best friend.

"Do you want to come with me and Tsunade? Hiruzen-sensei asked if we could scout some new talents in the academy," outside the Hokage office, Akira referred to him in a far more casual way.

"The academy?"

Akira nodded, bouncing up and down like an excited child who was just given a candy or new toy.

"Yup, and he said we could take a disciple if we spot anyone worth it,"

"A disciple at this time? But aren't we too young for that, and besides I'm a little busy with my research. I can come with you two to the academy though."

He was a little disappointed, and didn't hide it at all with a pout.

"Alright, then, let's go!"

Orochimaru hummed as a response and let him drag him like when they were younger.

When they arrived at the academy gates, they saw not just Tsunade but also Jiraiya, the white-haired pervert who was staring at her already big peaks.

Akira froze right on the spot.

His body turned mechanically as his smile turned not so genuine.

"Jiraiya~" he coed sweetly, "What are you doing?"

The culprit ceased all movement as well.

"Ahahahaha, uh, Akira-san, please don't be mad," Jiraiya even used a formal tone, chuckling nervously as sweat dripped down like a downpour of rain.

"I accidentally looked somewhere I shouldn't have, hehehe," all efforts of quelling his anger were in vain.

A few years ago, when they were just fresh graduates, Akira might have snickered along with Jiraiya for one of his dirty minded jokes about Tsunade. 

But now...

No way. Have Jiraiya even dare think about the notion of peeking, he'd have to pay. Literally and figuratively. 

After a few well-deserved beatings, they went on along their way.

"Why is he here anyway? I don't remember inviting you,"

"He was peeking on me in the bathhouse, and then he just followed me I guess. But I would have hit him harder if I knew he was peeking again."

Tsunade crossed her arms and turned her face away from Jiraiya, huffing less than happily.

He froze again.

Snitcher!

Akira was looking at him with a Shinobu-style kind of smile and several tick marks over his forehead.

"Ara ara~ Jiraiya, you have been naughty lately~"

He tilted his head innocently, brown eyes blinking in 'thought'.

"How should I punish you?"

Academy students walking along the hallway saw the spectacle but decided not to get involved anyways. 

"Itai...I'm sorry Akira, I won't do it again..."

A Jiraiya clutching his throbbing head could only voice his apologies between his sobs of pain.

Sigh.

"Let's go. Hiruzen-sensei asked us to look at the first years first."

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"See anyone?"

The class they were observing quietly (no, not like stalkers) were currently having their physical education class, the one many from their original class despised.

Akira shook his head, slightly disappointed.

He had hoped that Minato, Kushina and other important figures from the original timeline would have started the academy by now. His sense of the timeline has only gotten worse, but hey, you couldn't win them all, could you?

Besides, it would be far too early. The sanin haven't even gotten their titles yet, heck, the war hadn't even started yet for goodness sake, not that the war was a good thing. If you thought about it even more, Kushina would only arrive at Konohagakure after the Uzushio destruction, which was still some time later.

"What about you?"

Everyone else shook their heads.

"Haaahhhh...well I guess you can't find a new crop of geniuses every year like us," Jiraiya laughed it off with his signature goofy smile.

"What us?" 

Akira stared blankly at him, gesturing to himself, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.

"I'm pretty sure that it's just us three and the Hyugas. Oh, and probably Minoru-san as well."

Orochimaru, who had been silent the entire time, couldn't hold back a laugh at Akira's blank expression and Jiraiya's dumbstruck one.

Tsunade, as always, was rolling on the floor, laughing her head off.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, you tell him Akira!"

And Jiraiya couldn't even say anything. Truly, compared to these talented giants such as Orochimaru, Tsunade and Akira, he was nothing but a person who worked harder.

Still, he couldn't just stand there and do nothing as they tore his reputation to tatters, right? So he pulled out a trump card which he really shouldn't have revealed.

"Hey! I'll have you know I am a genius alright! The Mount Myoboku toads are even starting to teach me Sage Mode!

Then, as soon as the words left his lips, both hands went up and covered his mouth, realising he had said something he shouldn't have.

"Sage Mode?!"

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Words ~1309

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