The Uchiha Are the Most Dramatic

Facing a large group of Tailed Beast Knights with icy gazes, even someone as optimistic as Jiraiya felt his scalp tingle.

"Gulp~"

He swallowed with difficulty. If his earlier sneak attack on Jigen had succeeded because of the information network laid out in advance, then what would be tested now was his own raw strength.

"It's fine, it's fine. I still have Sage Fukasaku as a fallback. If worse comes to worst, I'll ask him to Reverse Summon me back to Mount Myōboku."

After briefly comparing the strength of both sides, Jiraiya secretly began calculating and planning his escape route.

"Your calculations might come to nothing, Little Jiraiya."

Standing on his shoulder, Sage Fukasaku turned away with a grave expression and struck him down with those words.

"Huh?"

Jiraiya had not bothered to keep his plotting private. His voice was so loud it was like he had used a loudspeaker. Not only had the two Toad Sages heard him clearly, but Tsunade and Orochimaru beside him had as well.

"You idiot, Jiraiya! You're actually thinking of running away on your own? Believe it or not, Great-Aunt here will break all five of your limbs right now!"

Tsunade clenched her delicate fist, veins bulging across it, and glared dangerously at Jiraiya, who was looking around in every direction. Seeing this, Orochimaru hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Tsunade, now isn't the time for infighting. If you cripple Jiraiya, how will he..."

Sob, sob, sob. Stinky Snake, I'll never call you a sissy again.

Looking at Orochimaru, who had spoken up for him, Jiraiya was moved to tears and filled with guilt. He swore that once they got back, he would buy the man a stack of black stockings.

"...how will he serve as bait later and buy us time to