The Strength of a Land of Stars Jonin

On the Great Bridge, the thick fog had reduced visibility to less than ten meters.

The air was cold, damp, and viscous, every breath heavy with moisture.

Jiraiya, the young Sasuke, and Naruto stood in an area where the mist was relatively thin, listening intently to the fierce sounds of combat coming from within the fog.

Jiraiya turned his head and said in a low voice to the young Sasuke beside him, "Hey, 'Sazun,' keep an eye on Naruto. Don't let the kid run around. I'm going in to give Kakashi a hand."

However, the young Sasuke slowly shook his head. "There's no need. If the opponent is only Momochi Zabuza, then with Kakashi's strength, he's more than enough to handle him. If we barge in recklessly, we might disrupt his rhythm instead."

He still remembered that battle of life and death. He and Naruto had been held back by Haku, while Teacher Kakashi had dealt with Zabuza alone.

Hearing this, Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and was just about to say something when, suddenly, both of their expressions sharpened at the same time. They keenly sensed another powerful chakra rapidly approaching—and stepping into the range of the dense fog without the slightest attempt to hide itself!

"Who is it?!" Naruto had also heard the footsteps. Nervously tightening his grip on his kunai, he turned to look in another direction of the Great Bridge.

Heavy footsteps drew closer and closer, accompanied by the teeth-grating scrape of metal rubbing against the ground.

The dense fog seemed to be pushed aside somewhat by an invisible force, and a tall, burly figure gradually came into view.

The newcomer wore a blue-and-gray uniform, his figure as straight as a pine. His short silver hair looked faintly hazy in the mist.

Most eye-catching of all were