It was no wonder Jiraiya was suspicious. Chiyo was proud and arrogant, always fighting alone, convinced that teammates would only hold her back. Even her younger brother Ebizo had never been able to interfere in her battles. Back in the day, she had repeatedly lost to Tsunade without ever seeking help. Who would have thought she would change her ways now?
Was it because she was getting old?
Jiraiya did not think so. The older people got, the more stubborn and unreasonable they became. Hiruzen Sarutobi was a fine example.
"Hmph, you're the one who's too arrogant! No one on the battlefield is going to talk righteousness with you, brat Jiraiya. Killing you here would be the same as securing half our victory. Why wouldn't we do it? On the other hand, you're the commander, yet you treat the bigger picture like a joke and recklessly enter the battlefield yourself. Didn't the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, teach you better?" As Chiyo's words fell, the Puppet Brigade unsealed the scrolls they carried and released a huge number of puppets.
"The old man only taught me that a general should lead from the front and fight bravely against the enemy." Jiraiya chuckled, utterly fearless despite facing enemies ten times his number.
Before he had finished speaking, three figures flickered into place before him. They were the Ino–Shika–Chō team responsible for protecting him.
"Lord Jiraiya, leave this to us!" Shikaku said.
"I'm counting on you, Shikaku, Choza, Inoichi."
Shikaku turned back to remind Jiraiya, "Lord Jiraiya, the Sand Shinobi's attack is far too strange. I suspect they're plotting something."
"What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing." After saying that, Jiraiya jumped onto Gamabunta's back. As for the safety of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, he was not worried in the slightest. Personally selected