Surrounded on All Sides

Watching Toad Oil seep from Jiraiya's hair, Jingū Kiraku felt a chill run down his spine.

His opponent, meanwhile, wore a smug expression.

"Just as I thought, once the paper is contaminated with Toad Oil, you can no longer use that strange ninjutsu to shape it, can you?"

"In other words..."

"I've got you now!!"

Jiraiya's hair coiled around Jingū Kiraku like countless tentacles. With a single exertion of force, those strands seemed capable of turning into steel blades and slicing him to pieces in an instant.

Tsunade, standing nearby, also showed delight.

Although Konoha's forces had suffered repeated setbacks in the Land of Rain, the root of it all was the Amegakure Leader before them.

If they could eliminate him, pacifying the Land of Rain would only be a matter of time.

Under the expectant gazes of the two, Jingū Kiraku said with a hint of disgust:

"How revolting..."

"Your hair oil."

The merciless jab made Jiraiya freeze for a moment.

He had not expected the other man to still be in the mood to say something like that at such a critical moment.

"You're at death's door, and you still dare spout such nonsense!"

Remembering the comrades who had died tragically at Jingū Kiraku's hands, Jiraiya felt his anger surge.

Jingū Kiraku merely chuckled.

"You think this is enough to take me down? You're underestimating me."

With a flick of his finger, several Exploding Tags drifted onto Jiraiya's white hair.

"Not good!"

Jiraiya's pupils contracted.

The Exploding Tags detonated with a thunderous blast, their immense power directly severing the white hair wrapped around Jingū Kiraku.

Regaining his freedom, Jingū Kiraku immediately pushed off with both feet, his body bursting forth at astonishing speed.

He appeared before Jiraiya, surging Chakra erupting from his fist.

"Get out of my way!!"

An overwhelming sense of danger instantly engulfed Jiraiya.

Before such violent power, he was sent flying backward like a cannonball, crashing straight into the ground.

Bang!!

The ground shattered beneath him, leaving a massive crater...

"Jiraiya!"

Tsunade hurried over, calling out anxiously.

"Cough, cough..."

"I'm fine."

Jiraiya's figure slowly emerged from the smoke.

A streak of crimson blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his white hair was a complete mess.

"This guy's strength is truly terrifying. He's no weaker than Tsunade."

Jiraiya crouched on the ground and gently pressed a hand to his chest as sharp pain shot through his mind.

"If I hadn't used the Lion's Mane Technique to cushion the blow just now, I'd probably have been reduced to pulp."

As he received Tsunade's treatment, he muttered silently to himself.

Meanwhile, Gamabunta stood before them with swords in both hands alongside the Katsuyu Sage.

"So you saw through the weakness of Paper Release so quickly. As expected of the renowned Three Legendary Ninja."

Jingū Kiraku wiped the Toad Oil from his body, a trace of displeasure flashing through his eyes.

He would not be able to wash this stuff off anytime soon, which meant he would be unable to use Paper Release to fly.

But that was fine too...

A plan formed in Jingū Kiraku's mind, though an ugly expression appeared on his face.

"I'll let you go this time."

Looking down from above at Jiraiya and Tsunade, he spoke coldly.

Having said that, Jingū Kiraku lightly tapped his foot.

Master Knife glanced at him and immediately understood. It promptly turned and ran at full speed.

"Not good, he's running!"

Jiraiya immediately saw through Jingū Kiraku's intentions and hurriedly shouted:

"Catch up to him!"

"His Paper Release has been covered in Toad Oil, so he can't fly away."

"We must seize this chance to capture him. Otherwise, he'll definitely be prepared next time!"

With that, he no longer cared about treating his injuries and called Gamabunta over himself.

"Catch him, Bunta!"

"Got it."

Though already extremely exhausted, Gamabunta still fulfilled his duty.

He grabbed Tsunade and Jiraiya, then rapidly pursued Jingū Kiraku.

"Tsunade, I'll interfere with him. Hurry and send a signal for reinforcements!"

Jiraiya's tone was grave. He clearly had no intention of letting this excellent opportunity slip away.

"I know."

Tsunade nodded and immediately took out a signal flare, firing it into the sky.

Once they received the signal, every Konoha ninja hiding nearby would converge and completely surround Jingū Kiraku!

On the other side, Jiraiya was not idle either.

He continuously formed hand seals, unleashing all kinds of ninjutsu to disrupt Jingū Kiraku's route.

"Ninja Art: Hair Needle Senbon!"

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!!"

All sorts of long-range ninjutsu flew from Jiraiya's hands one after another, leaving Master Knife overwhelmed.

Faced with the torrent of Shuriken raining down on it, Master Knife was forced to halt and spin the cleaver in its hand to block them.

Countless sparks burst from the blade, and a rapid clanging rang out like raindrops.

"I've held him up."

Jiraiya's face lit up.

Tsunade immediately leaped forward and struck with a heavy punch!

Like a rampaging tyrannosaur, she sent Master Knife flying dozens of meters with a single blow!

Seizing the opportunity, Jiraiya swiftly landed on the ground and pressed both hands down.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!!"

A massive amount of Chakra surged out, instantly turning the ground beneath Master Knife into a vast swamp.

Within the yellow mud, the enormous Ibuse was continuously sinking...

"Damn it, I didn't avoid it."

Master Knife clenched its pipe between its teeth and struggled desperately.

But the more it struggled, the deeper it sank.

Given its size, there was no way it could break free!

Jingū Kiraku, standing atop its head, remained calm.

He glanced at the map and discovered that a large number of Konoha ninja were converging to encircle him.

"It's fine. Dispel the summoning first."

"It's about time."

Jingū Kiraku glanced toward a certain place from the corner of his eye, his tone calm.

"Can you handle those two by yourself?"

The giant salamander Master Knife furrowed its brow.

Although it had not known Jingū Kiraku for long, it had already acknowledged him as its contractor.

By the rules of their trade, abandoning a brother to flee alone would get one expelled from the clan!

Seeing that it seemed rather worried, Jingū Kiraku smiled.

"Don't worry. They can't kill me."

"Do you really think your contractor is that incompetent?"

Hearing that, Master Knife finally relaxed somewhat.

"All right, then. Be careful!"

With that, Jingū Kiraku voluntarily dispelled the summoning.

As the enormous Ibuse turned into smoke, Jingū Kiraku activated the Water Body Flicker Technique and continued running toward a certain location.

"Still not giving up?"

Jiraiya frowned.

Naturally, he could not possibly let the other man go. He hurriedly gave chase again.

Moreover, as time passed, large numbers of Konoha ninja began appearing on the battlefield.

With everyone pursuing and blocking him, they finally trapped him within a valley.