Let's Talk About the Opponent We Have to Face, Lord Shirou!

As a ninja who had mastered Sage Mode, Jiraiya was extremely familiar with Sage Mode and Sage Art Chakra, and he even knew some of Shirou Emiya's background.

Thanks to Tsunade being his comrade Jiraiya, Shirou Emiya had raised a sage over a thousand years ago, and must be exceptionally proficient in Sage Mode and the use of Sage Art Chakra.

Under Sage Mode

Not only does it enhance the ninja's physical body, but it also provides a terrifying boost to the power of Ninjutsu released from Sage Art Chakra!

It was only because he understood the power of Senjutsu that Jiraiya how troublesome Shirou Emiya, who had entered Sage Mode, was. A Shirou Emiya who might be able to use Senjutsu infinitely would be a nightmare for any ninja in the world!

"Celestial Technique—"

Shirou Emiya had already raised his palm.

It was as if he had manipulated the Natural Energy in the surrounding air, and a suffocating feeling was already coming from Jiraiya's nostrils!

As long as Shirou Emiya makes a move, his Sage Art will spontaneously cause a surge of all Natural Energy!

This was the first time Jiraiya had faced an opponent who could use Sage Mode, especially since the opponent's Sage Mode was stronger than his own!

"Um?"

Shirou Emiya glanced at the tense Jiraiya and Gamabunta with a hint of surprise, seemingly different from Jiraiya's indifference, and softly reminded Jiraiya that their warm-up was over.

"Now, you can also enter Sage Mode."

"Hahaha—Great!"

Jiraiya couldn't help but smile, but then he immediately made his request with a serious expression. "However, I may need a little time."

After all, if Jiraiya wanted to enter Sage Mode, he needed time to absorb Natural Energy, and he also needed to summon the Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima from Mount Myōboku to help him extend the duration of Sage Mode.

"Hey, Jiraiya— "

Gamabunta had to remind Jiraiya, hoping Jiraiya would consider it carefully: "Mom and Dad might—"

"I have to try."

Jiraiya still wanted to give it a try.

After all, he needed to know how long Emiya Tsuchihara could maintain Sage Mode and how powerful his Ninjutsu would be in that state!

But..

Even if I were to enter Sage Mode, I would probably still be no match for this Ancient Era ninja.

Because when Jiraiya's eyes fell on Shirou Emiya, he noticed that the other's feet had never moved an inch from beginning to end.

Now, Jiraiya can only hope that once he enters Sage Mode, he can team up with Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima to gain some advantage...

"Snort·-"

"What an overconfident fool!"

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, hiding underground, were extremely displeased that Jiraiya dared to challenge Shirou Emiya: "Even if Wei Yuan can only use less than one percent of his full power at this time, he is still not someone you can contend with."

Certainly.

Jiraiya was unaware of these things.

Even if Jiraiya knew this, he wouldn't choose to give up.

After obtaining permission from Emiya Tsuchihara, the white-haired man sat cross-legged on Gamabunta's head, slowly bringing his hands together, and began to try to sense and absorb Natural Energy.

"Does it take time?"

Shirou Emiya clenched his fingers, and the Natural Energy in the air instantly surged towards Jiraiya, making Jiraiya realize with surprise that he had entered a state of deep concentration!

Manipulation of Natural Energy

This has always been a key focus of Shirou Emiya's training in Ancient Era.

After all, before obtaining the power of the Sage of Six Paths, the only power Emiya Tsuchihara could rely on was his Sage Mode.

"This-"

A look of shock appeared in Gamabunta's eyes.

Even it had to admit that Shirou Emiya possessed the ability to manipulate Natural Energy, an ability that even the creatures of Mount Myōboku did not have!

This terrifying ability to manipulate Natural Energy was beyond Gamabunta's comprehension. He couldn't even imagine how powerful Jiraiya's Sage Mode would be when unleashed. At least, he no longer had much confidence that he could help Jiraiya!

But··

We don't need it anymore!

With Emiya Tsuchihara's help, Jiraiya absorbed enough Natural Energy, and toad-like pupils appeared on his face!

"Summoning Technique!"

A glint of light shone in Jiraiya's eyes!

Beneath him, the enormous Gamabunta vanished into smoke, replaced by two smaller clam-shaped figures!

Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima.

Within Mount Myōboku, he is second only to the Great Toad Sage in rank!

Although they are very small, the Sage Art Chakra they possess far surpasses that of super-large Summoning Beast like Gamabunta!

The moment the two small clams appeared, they realized Jiraiya's situation and leaped onto his shoulders on Jiraiya side!

Parts of the bodies of the two small clams merged into Jiraiya's body, continuously helping Jiraiya refine Sage Art Chakra.

"Little Jiraiya, who is the enemy?"

The first thing Sage Fukasaku asked was, "Hmm? Has the Natural Energy here been gathered together?"

"I feel like this place is just as beautiful as Mount Myōboku!"

Sage Shima's eyes scanned the surroundings, and she asked curiously, "Little Jiraiya, it's been a long time since you used Sage Mode."

"Lord Shirou."

Jiraiya did not answer. He turned his shoulder slightly, and together with the gazes of the two immortals, looked at Shirou Emiya, who was standing not far away.

"We can continue—"

Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima both fell silent.

Compared to the somewhat arrogant young man, Gamabunta, they, who have accompanied the Great Toad Sage for over eight hundred years, are much more cautious and careful.

Because they know more about Shirou Emiya's story.

The two sides are now on completely different levels.

If we're classifying them by rank, Shirou Emiya corresponds to someone like the Great Toad Sage, not these two little toads who are only eight hundred years old. "It's just a ninja battle—"

Jiraiya noticed the silence between the two Toad Sages and quickly comforted them, quietly explaining the cause of his battle with Shirou Emiya.

"That's alright—"

Sage Fukasaku's composure relaxed slightly, but his expression turned solemn. He bowed deeply to Shirou Emiya, saying, "Lord Shirou, please forgive our rudeness!"

"What a novel experience!"

Sage Shima, was quite understanding of her husband Sage Fukasaku's ways. She knew that Shirou Emiya had raised the hermits, but she still found it somewhat novel. "I never imagined that after living for over eight hundred years, we could still call ourselves juniors."

Jiraiya's eye twitched involuntarily.

No··

This is a bit demoralizing!

"It's alright."

Shirou Emiya responded to their politeness with a rather blunt remark.

Even disregarding the fact that he raised them, with his thousands of years of experience in the Underworld, he could indeed call them his juniors in a certain sense.

Politeness is politeness...

The two Toad Sage immortals from Mount Myōboku were extremely ruthless in their attacks!

"Sage Art: Water Slash!"

Sage Fukasaku opened his mouth and spat out a sharp, high-pressure stream of water at Emiya Tsuchihara, which was about to split Shirou Emiya's body in two in an instant!

"Etc-"

Jiraiya quickly tried to stop him.

However, it was already too late!

Shirou Emiya raised his palm, and a halo appeared on his palm, instantly transforming the high-pressure water stream into Sage Art Chakra and absorbing it completely!

"Ninjutsu cannot be used—"

Jiraiya could only remind the two sages of Emiya Tsuchihara's ability to absorb Ninjutsu, adding, "It seems he can't use Senjutsu either."

After saying that, Jiraiya thought for a second and then added, "However, there are no restrictions on the opponent's use of Ninjutsu or Senjutsu. His techniques do not require Hand Seals at all, so he must be proficient in all Chakra Nature Transformation— "

The expression on Sage Fukasaku turned strange.

No··

How are they supposed to fight now?

This is like the opponent having no restrictions at all, while our side is completely useless. We can't just rush over and look for an opportunity to fight the opponent in close combat, can we?

"Close combat aspect—"

Jiraiya seemed to understand Sage Fukasaku's thoughts, but he had to remind him, "The opponent must also possess monstrous strength like Tsunade, and their swordsmanship might even be able to suppress Gamabunta."

Even though it sounds a bit strange

After all, Shirou Emiya was just an ordinary-sized human, and he looked nothing like the Gamabunta, so there was absolutely no possibility of them exchanging swords.

However, this is exactly what actually happened.

Sage Shima immediately offered her idea. "Honey, since we've just come to Konoha, let's buy groceries and cook at home—"

Although it was a joke, Jiraiya could already sense that the two immortals were having second thoughts.

Given that Emiya Tsuchihara was such a formidable and terrifying opponent, it's not surprising that the two sages wanted to back down.

"I should give it a try after all!"

Sage Fukasaku's gaze was fixed on Shirou Emiya, and he stopped making jokes. "At least the Great Toad Sage wants to know how much power Shirou Emiya still has."

As the higher-ups of Mount Myōboku, they should also carry out the will of the Great Toad Sage.

"I'll prepare a plan."

"He might not be a match in close combat, and ranged Ninjutsu is also ineffective against him—"

Sage Fukasaku, devised a battle plan and discussed it in a low voice with Sage Shima: "Honey, let's try using Genjutsu to block his senses and let Jiraiya find an opportunity to finish him off."

"Genjutsu?"

Sage Shima's expression turned strange.

"Genjutsu —are you sure this is okay?"

Jiraiya remembered something and had to bring it up again at this moment. "I heard that Madara Uchiha once used Genjutsu against Lord Shirou, but Lord Shirou broke through his Genjutsu."