"Hey, hey, hey Orochimaru..."
"I was just saying, why did you actually tell the teacher?"
Jiraiya was somewhat at a loss:
"With so many ninjas watching, and my teacher being so strong, there's no way I can hold back..."
"If they win, what will that mean?"
Orochimaru and Tsunade exchanged a glance, and then couldn't help but laugh.
Upon hearing that "the teacher is so strong," the two of them thought that Jiraiya had some self-awareness.
But was the original concern that the teacher was too strong, so he wouldn't go easy on him?
Orochimaru and Tsunade were starting to lose their composure at the thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi Hanzo around like a fish Teuchi.
" Tsunade, do you still have the enhanced version of the Medical Chakra Scroll? I remember you said you wanted to make a few with special effects, for surviving extremely severe injuries..." Orochimaru asked quietly.
"Yes, yes," Tsunade said in a serious tone.
"I'll definitely be there. Just to see the battle between Jiraiya and Great Sage master, I'd activate the Strength of a Hundred Seal to heal you all. It'd be worth the ticket price!"
Jiraiya felt a chill run down his spine.
What a bloodthirsty audience...
Does it really have to come to that?
"No..."
" Orochimaru, tell me the truth, did your teacher also improve his skills while I was training?"
Jiraiya looked at him suspiciously. "Has Master developed some new technique, or mastered a new Kekkei Genkai?"
It wasn't that Jiraiya was overly arrogant.
Rather, the Sage Mode truly provides him with a tremendous boost; doubling his combat power is an understatement.
Although he cannot enter alone now, and there is also a time limit for the battle.
However, ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi was designated as the " Prophet Master " by the Great Toad Sage...
Jiraiya Mount Myoboku has become increasingly better.
Not only are the materials supplied to Konoha for making " Sage Land Pill " increasing, but Fukasaku and Shima are Jiraiya being asked by the Great Toad Sage to cooperate with Jiraiya as much as possible because of this prophecy.
Therefore, although Jiraiya only barely mastered the use of Senjutsu Chakra, he could still manage to use it in actual combat, as long as he entered the " Man-Toad Integration " state...
Fukasaku and Sage Shima will help him refine Sage Chakra...
These two are veterans who have cultivated Senjutsu for hundreds of years!
"I don't know that..."
Orochimaru shrugged:
"I've been very busy lately. I'll only ask my teacher what he's been up to if he wants to study Ninjutsu with me. But he's been going to see the Uchiha for the past few months."
Jiraiya said in bewilderment, " Stinky Snake, this isn't like you!"
"The teacher has developed a new Ninjutsu, and you don't want to learn it?"
"Of course I want to, how could I not?" Orochimaru smiled.
"But why should I rush? The teacher will teach me the Ninjutsu I want to learn step by step. It's too troublesome to learn one by one. It's better to wait for the teacher to keep iterating and then learn the complete version in the end."
"So let's focus on doing things for the teachers and the village first."
Orochimaru took an elegant sip of tea, a stark contrast to the drunken Jiraiya before him.
Since mastering the techniques of Living Corpse Reincarnation and Cloning Technology, Orochimaru has maintained a very stable mindset.
This is the unique secret and bond between him and Hiruzen Sarutobi!
unbreakable...
"Damn it, you..."
Jiraiya gritted his teeth and couldn't help but mutter, "Is this what it means to be a genius who's been spoiled by teachers since childhood? I envy that ease..." "Stupid students really aren't favored!"
Orochimaru shrugged.
"You Stinky Snake, tell me, what have you done for the village while I've been in seclusion for the past year or two?" Jiraiya somewhat unwilling to give up. "These are some gadgets I've recently developed..."
Orochimaru waved the " Pager " in his hand. "This is called the ' Heart-Pulse Ultimatum,' an encrypted Communication Ninja Tool exclusively for a select group of Jonin and Konoha Committee Member."
"It supports precise positioning, urgent strong reminders, and confidential long messages. It can also be linked with the Mind Body Switch Technique to trigger one-way mental warnings and mental image projections..." Jiraiya's mouth was slightly open.
This is clearly a powerful weapon for three-dimensional intelligence on the battlefield!
"Come to the Scientific Research Department tomorrow to register. We'll transfer your Chakra into it; you'll get a share too..."
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya's shocked expression and was quite pleased.
Orochimaru continued:
"The simple application of Natural Energy is also underway. Hizashi has already achieved a preliminary state of Sage. You should also prepare yourself as Material for my research on Sage Mode."
Jiraiya waved his hand in resistance.
"What? In order to make the village's ninjas stronger and the children more protected, is the Great Sage unwilling to cooperate with my work?" Orochimaru elegantly put down his teacup, his snake eyes slightly narrowed.
"Hey, hey, what are you saying! I'll go, okay?!"
Jiraiya quickly waved his hand:
"You're the master's disciple, not Danzo's... Don't jump to conclusions so easily, my head isn't that big!"
Tsunade chuckled. No matter how many years had passed, the interaction between these two was still as amusing as ever.
They care about each other, but they have to pretend they don't care at all, and they even have to attack each other.
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru felt slightly uncomfortable after learning that Jiraiya's strength had improved.
"Furthermore, research on the cells of the First Hokage has also made progress. Currently, through the use of the Uchiha Clan cells and Dojutsu Power, concentrated toxins from the Ibuse, and sealing formations, we are gradually able to reduce their activity."
"Give me three to five more confirmed research directions, and I believe a safe transplantation version of the First Hokage cells can be developed within a few years."
Orochimaru smiled and said:
" The Kekkei Genkai transplant was quite successful, but this was not my achievement alone; it was spearheaded by Hiruko."
"Besides that, there was also the renovation of the village's defensive and sensory Barrier Barrier, which I led Kushina and Uzumaki Shio to deploy..." Jiraiya's Circle Eyes Jiraiya listened, and he quickly waved his hand to tell Orochimaru to stop talking.
"No..."
"You've done so much? Putting aside manpower, where did you get so much funding?"
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya:
"It was approved by the teacher... I'm the person in charge of the entire Konoha Scientific Research Department! Billions of yen have passed through my hands; how can I not produce results? Don't think this is an easy task. Danzo, Hizashi, and the new young people are all watching me. That Uchiha Clan boy has the potential of Second generation..."
Tsunade looked puzzled, but said nothing.
Does the Uchiha possess the qualities of his Second Granduncle?
Jiraiya choked for a moment.
For a moment, he even felt embarrassed to take out and mention the " Breaking the Heavens with Ninjutsu " he held in his hand...
Can this really be sold for money?
Although it's just an outline given by the teacher, it's only one-third of the way through...
"Well..."
Jiraiya took a swig of his drink and shook his head dejectedly.
His training at Mount Myoboku was extremely rigorous.
However, mastering Sage Mode is not something that can be achieved overnight. Reaching the basics in just over a year already demonstrates his talent in this area. But compared to his peers...
Jiraiya felt he had fallen far behind.
Orochimaru and Tsunade aside, even Hiruko, who used to lag behind him by one or two steps, has found his irreplaceable place in the village...
That's a Kekkei Genkai transplant!
Even within the entire Shinobi World, this is absolutely top-tier technology...
The potential benefits for Konoha are immeasurable...
"Idiot, stop making that face. Everyone can find their place."
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya and said softly:
"If you have anything to say, go talk to the teacher after you've finished your match tomorrow."
Jiraiya sighed, "At my age, do I still need to confide in my teacher? Don't worry about me, I'm fine, I just had a momentary lapse in judgment."
Having said that, Jiraiya drank another cup of sake:
"Going back to rest! I still need to summon Jiraiya to Mount Myoboku later to say hello to my older brother and sister so I can enter Sage Mode sooner!" Orochimaru shook his head as he watched Jiraiya figure.
"That idiot..."
"Always appearing carefree, she's actually more meticulous than anyone else!"
Although Orochimaru was a genius from a young age, he mastered all Ninjutsu extremely quickly.
Jiraiya seem a bit dim-witted, always getting into abstract concepts, but his perseverance and talent actually put Orochimaru under considerable pressure... This guy is definitely a genius too!
Moreover, to be fair, it was actually Jiraiya who truly inherited Hiruzen Sarutobi's Five Releases Mantle after growing up.
Although he lacks one Chakra attribute...
"Aren't you one too?"
Tsunade shook her head:
"You two, your relationship is really strange. Sometimes it feels more awkward than those young lovers. Can't you just be more open and considerate of each other?"
"What did you say?" Orochimaru frowned deeply. "Nonsense!"
I won't repeat myself...
Tsunade chuckled as she stood up, "Alright, I'm going to rest too. Let's see if Jiraiya can give us a surprise tomorrow, he talks a big game..."
" His Ninjutsu Taijutsu Genjutsu has been strengthened to level three, and he's even invited two Sage to stay and help him."
"Don't be upset when Jiraiya actually gets stronger..."
Orochimaru chuckled.
Will it?
Perhaps it really will...
But he didn't care, because ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi approved his research on the Living Corpse Reincarnation and even put his own name on it, Orochimaru had already transcended that.
He will always be the teacher's most trusted disciple!
#
The next day.
Konoha First Training Ground.
This largest Training Ground in Konoha has undergone another renovation and has become incredibly vast.
This is due to both sufficient infrastructure funding and the need for ample space for the Konoha Ninja to practice freely as their battlefield performance grows stronger.
As a result of the publicity, many ninjas came to watch today.
It was clearly unrealistic to bring all the ninjas from an entire village; many critical positions couldn't be brought to a standstill, and the village needed to operate precisely at all times. However, each small group spontaneously sent a few representatives so they could seriously observe the competition and then immediately report back verbally...
At the Ninja Academy today, Kakashi, Asuma, Obito, and Might Guy are present.
The Military Police Force sent Fugaku. This Konoha Committee Member used all sorts of sweet talk, promising to treat everyone to dinner and drinks, before finally persuading everyone to let him come... The Anbu's Hizashi was also there, but he didn't need to compete with others for a spot, as everyone knew he was the Hokage's shadow.
Danzo also took a day off to come and watch the match with Tobirama.
There's also Might Duy and a host of other Special Jonin, Chunin, and Genin...
Below the Training Ground.
Jiraiya took a slow, deep breath.
It doesn't matter if people are watching him; after all, he's a man who fought valiantly in the Second Shinobi World War.
However, engaging in such serious and formal public discussions with his teacher always stirred his artistic sensibilities, leading him to associate things like "a son challenging his father" or "the passing of the baton among men"...
This sense of inheritance made Jiraiya nervous.
Minato stood smiling beside Jiraiya, Kushina also came over to watch.
"After sparring with my Grandmaster for so long, I'm finally going to see what Jiraiya- sensei looks like in front of Grandmaster. I'm really looking forward to it..." Minato smiled brightly.
"You must do your best, Jiraiya- sensei! Show the spirit of our lineage!"
"Yes, I will!"
Jiraiya carefully organized various Ninja Tool, a concentrated Military Ration Pill in his mouth to replenish his energy, his expression quite amusing, like he was taking his ninja graduation exam back in the day.
This time, however, Tsunade and Orochimaru weren't with him; he was all alone...
"Oh, right Minato..."
Jiraiya coughed lightly: "I heard that when I wasn't around, it was Master who guided your training. You should know some information about Master, right..." "You know, information is the most powerful weapon in ninja warfare!"
"Give me a hint..."
Minato looked embarrassed.
"Isn't this inappropriate, teacher?"
"What's wrong with that! That's my teacher, your Grandmaster! I'm about to go up and demonstrate, do you think I'm afraid of leaking information about the Hokage beforehand?" Jiraiya's eyes lit up when he saw an opportunity, and he quickly moved closer to Minato: "You better remember, kid, I'm your teacher, we're the closest of friends..."
"I feel like grandparents and grandchildren are closer..." Kushina said quietly.
" Our Grandmaster took good care of Minato and me, and always gave Minato pointers on his training. Jiraiya -sensei, on the other hand, has been gone for quite a while..." "And Minato even said he wanted our child to share the same name as your protagonist..."
"Oh dear..." Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly.
It's not good to argue with a pregnant woman!
"His name is Ming Yan? That's a pretty nice name..." Jiraiya said subconsciously.
" Naruto, Naruto! It's the biography of the Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi you wrote, Minato loves it so much..." Kushina glared at Jiraiya.
"You have a new book?" Minato said with delight, "Let me see it, Jiraiya- sensei!"
"Quickly, tell me about the teacher..."
Jiraiya coughed lightly. "From now on, you can see all the manuscripts!"
Minato turned to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi in the distance and noticed that his Grandmaster was also watching him with a grin, which put his mind at ease.
"I see, Jiraiya- sensei..."
Minato pondered:
" My Grandmaster has three forms in total, which I call Balanced, Speed, and Power. They are all different in their emphasis. Speed, defense, and power are all very strong, and he has a strange ability to ignore many Ninjutsu."
"And you must be careful, Jiraiya- sensei, try to avoid close combat with your Grandmaster. If it's unavoidable, be careful of the Heavenly Punishment Domain descending, as it can easily put you at a disadvantage."
"Besides, our Grandmaster's reflexes are extremely fast, so a sneak attack is generally not feasible."
"It's best not to use Genjutsu either. I heard from Aosui and Yashiro that our Grandmaster is immune to Genjutsu pressure."
"Anything else, it's nothing. You should also remember that Fire Release is ineffective."
"In short, my Grandmaster was an all-powerful man who inspired despair and shone with a dazzling light..." Minato described Hiruzen Sarutobi in a chuunibyou-esque way.
This is the clever design of the Minato...
Through his uniquely chuunibyou (delusional) way of speaking, he could convey information to Jiraiya without revealing too much.
Jiraiya was completely bewildered.
" Minato, I really have to control you..."
"Listen to what you're saying? Three forms? According to you, my teacher is an all-rounder of Ninjutsu Taijutsu Genjutsu, and genjutsu, and has immunity and resistance to all three. Why should I fight him?"
"You should stop reading those cringeworthy 'chuunibyou' quotes and start reading my novel, ' Breaking the Heavens with Ninjutsu '!"
Minato shrugged helplessly; honestly, nobody believed him...
In Minato's view, a one-on-one fight with Hiruzen Sarutobi would indeed be like that, with immense pressure from the very beginning.
Without a few distinctive ninjas forming a systematic team, Minato didn't think anyone could stop his Grandmaster, the Big Sun of Konoha... Jiraiya stepped onto the field.
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he looked at his old disciple and nodded, "Not bad. You've looked much more energetic since returning from Mount Myoboku, and your body seems much stronger."
"You've lost a bit of weight. I'll go home later and get a hundred pounds of Braised Beef to help you recover."
Jiraiya felt a warmth in his heart; it had to be his teacher, and this was pure encouragement-based Education.
But then he suddenly realized something was wrong...
"Teacher, does your Mistress usually cook over 100 pounds of beef?"
"Yeah, I ate a lot, it'll only be a few days..." Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.
"Then you must be really old..." Jiraiya looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's burly, middle-aged face and his shoulders, which were even broader than his own. After thinking for a moment, he remained silent.
Where is old?
"The fact that the teacher can eat means that he is indeed in good condition; that's the first piece of information."
Jiraiya took a deep breath:
"Teacher, please do your utmost to correct my mistakes in this competition..."
"I want to see just how well I can achieve with my full strength!"
In essence, this competition was not something that Jiraiya could afford to do without giving it his all.
This is because the goal is to demonstrate the power of Sage Mode to the ninjas, thereby boosting morale and laying some groundwork for the future implementation of the Cursed Seal... If it's just a sloppy job, it would be tantamount to tarnishing the reputation of the research project.
After all, most ninjas never actually see Hizashi in action; his story is simply passed down like Konoha Urban Legend.
"OK..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced intently at Jiraiya's tense expression and sighed softly.
As the Hokage and Director Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi was well-versed in the essence of the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine: observation, listening, questioning, and palpation.
At first glance, it was clear that Jiraiya's mental state wasn't very good...
He's clearly a sunny and cheerful young man...
"After all, he acted like a fanatic before, so it's not surprising."
"That's fine too. So far, Mount Myoboku's cooperation with Konoha has been sincere. I also need to meet with the leader of Mount Myoboku in person to discuss this..." "Let's see if we can send Enma over to strengthen our forces..."
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi is not sensitive to Natural Energy, his Summoning Beast may be able to do so.
Given Hiruzen Sarutobi's physique, it wouldn't be impossible for him to forcibly accept the Cursed Seal.
However, the Lord Hokage has always been reluctant to engage in any behavior that could potentially lower his potential.
It still requires iteration after iteration. He and Orochimaru are somewhat similar in one respect—they're not in a hurry...
Believe in the power of time and the growth of Konoha!
The two stood facing each other, forming Seal of Confrontation.
The battle between master and disciple has officially begun at this moment!
Fire Release: Great Flame Bomb!
Jiraiya instantly retreated, inhaling deeply as he did so, and then unleashed a torrent of flames of exceptional skill!
Minato looked puzzled. Didn't he just tell Jiraiya that his Grandmaster was immune to Fire Release?
But Minato soon realized that he couldn't understand this without experiencing it for himself.
In that instant, a torrent of lightning surged from Hiruzen Sarutobi's body.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode!
The cells activated rapidly under the stimulation of lightning, reaching their peak speed at that moment, almost as if they vanished from their original spot in an instant! "Is this the speed mode?"
Jiraiya was startled; he realized that Minato wasn't talking nonsense, but was actually describing something vividly.
At that moment, the surging fireball was violently split in two by a bolt of lightning, Hiruzen Sarutobi Jiraiya straight toward Jiraiya, arriving in front of him in almost an instant.
Jiraiya's eyes widened...
He had only intended to test the waters, so how could it seem like one misstep in the game was all it took to end things?
Is it that straightforward?
Hiruzen Sarutobi Jiraiya straight Jiraiya the face, causing him to instinctively cross his arms to cover his face.
However, their neurological responses differed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already withdrawn his power from the punch mid-air, and in one fluid motion, bent his knee and kicked out, sending Jiraiya flying like a cannonball...
"If you're going to go all out, you shouldn't have the mindset of testing someone when facing a strong opponent."
"A trump card that can't be used is meaningless."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice not loud but clear enough, with electric current crackling around him.
"Hehe..."
Danzo said smugly to Tobirama beside him, "See? Hiruzen's Lightning Release has reached its current level thanks to my Wind Release that helped him refine it!"
Tobirama nodded Tobirama agreement, ignoring Danzo.
Upon learning that his beloved disciple had actually mastered the " Ten Thousand Seal Body Absorption Seal," Tobirama felt a sense of urgency.
It's not that I want to compare my fighting strength with Hiruzen Sarutobi, it's just that I feel that since I've been reborn, I can't be weaker than my previous generation, right?
It must be significantly stronger in at least one dimension...
Otherwise, wouldn't we be holding Hiruzen back?
"This Lightning Release Chakra Mode is truly authentic..." Izuna murmured.
"Among the commanders of the Land of Lightning during the Warring States period, few could compare to Hiruzen!"
"Indeed..." Tobirama subconsciously wondered, what would he do if he faced Hiruzen one day?
With this level of Lightning Release skill, Water Release probably won't work.
Amidst the dust.
Jiraiya slowly stood up, rubbing his chest and panting heavily.
That kick almost knocked him out...
"The teacher held back, otherwise I would have been in trouble if she had caught up."
"We can't delay any longer! The teacher is right. When facing a strong opponent, we should go all out from the very beginning!" Jiraiya no longer hesitated. He immediately bit his finger and used the Summoning Technique.
A wisp of mist dissipated, and Fukasaku and Sage Shima landed on Jiraiya's shoulder.
"Little Jiraiya, you've come looking for us so quickly?"
"After all, he's the Prophet Master the Great Lord spoke of, and the Hokage of Konoha..." the two Toad Sage rambled on.
"Please help me enter Sage Mode as soon as possible!"
Jiraiya said with utmost seriousness, "Teacher is very strong, stronger than I expected!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not rush to attack, but instead calmly observed Jiraiya.
He even waved and smiled at the two Toad Sage to show his friendliness.
Regardless, Mount Myoboku is currently supplying a large quantity of raw materials for the Sage Land Pill at cost price, and the Toad also shed blood for Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War.
Although it's a bit of a charlatan act, cooperation is still possible.
Fukasaku and Shima were taken aback, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Big Brother, Big Sister..."
"We must go all out and fight a tough battle later!"
"Don't be afraid of getting injured. Tsunade and the Sage Katsuyu are ready to go. This time, we're going to promote the power of Natural Energy in Konoha, which will also serve as proof of my training results..."
Jiraiya muttered to himself.
"Alright!" Fukasaku and Shima agreed. Being able to fight the " Prophet Master " without restraint was a rare experience for them. It would also be very helpful in verifying the Great Toad Sage's prophecy...
Fukasaku and Shima were in a state of combat readiness at Mount Myoboku.
Soon, enough Senjutsu Chakra to sustain Jiraiya's combat abilities for a while was replenished.
At that moment, Fukasaku and Shima stood on Jiraiya's shoulders.
Jiraiya's body swelled slightly, his nose became rounder and larger, and some bumps appeared on his Toad skin.
The most obvious change is the appearance of deep red eyeshadow, representing celestial magic!
"Teacher, I'm incredibly strong in this form!"
Jiraiya visibly became more confident.
The blessing of immortal magic and the doubling of all his stats certainly gave him reason to be so proud!
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly.
If Jiraiya were to be defeated in one move under abnormal circumstances, how could the power of Sage Mode be demonstrated?
Everything becomes clearer when compared...
"I'm here, teacher!"
Jiraiya's speed increased significantly, and he arrived beside Hiruzen Sarutobi in the blink of an eye.
The two exchanged a solid punch.
This time, Jiraiya did not retreat noticeably.
Hiruzen Sarutobi; Jiraiya's power had clearly doubled...
This proves that Sage Mode is truly extraordinary!
But compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi's surprise, Jiraiya's heart was in turmoil. He hadn't expected that even with the enhancement of Sage Mode, his power was still inferior to his teacher's.
Jiraiya hardened his heart and mustered all his strength.
I have grown up after all!
"Sage Art: Frog Kumite!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi neither dodged nor evaded, but simply raised his arm to parry, his forearm striking precisely the point of force on Jiraiya's fist, and then flipped his wrist to lock Jiraiya's arm in place.
This time, Jiraiya reacted quickly, using the agility boosted by Senjutsu to deflect the force, and his sweeping leg, carrying the power to shatter the ground, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lower body.
But then Hiruzen Sarutobi swiftly leaped into the air, landing with a low knee strike aimed straight at Hiruzen's shoulder and neck!
Jiraiya's heart sank.
The only option is to take it head-on...
The shockwave exploded!
Jiraiya felt a tingling sensation in his shoulder bone, as if half of his body had lost sensation.
At that moment, the two Toad Sage unleashed their long tongues, imbued with Senjutsu Chakra, slightly forcing Hiruzen Sarutobi's attack back.
"You teacher..."
Sage Fukasaku retracted his numb tongue and mumbled, "I feel his body is much better than yours, that succumb to wine and women!" Sage Shima nodded in deep agreement.
"The teacher's reaction time is too fast..."
Jiraiya strained his shoulder blades. "I even doubt he can react to Minato's Flying Thunder God!"
Minato, watching Jiraiya's lip movements from below the stage, smiled slightly, "Indeed..."
"So, Jiraiya... how about trying a different fighting style?"
"No, I think I'm gradually getting used to the teacher's intensity!" Jiraiya stubbornly shook his head.
"Big sister, big brother, please provide me with some more Senjutsu Chakra. This time, I'll fight entirely with the Frog Kumite and my teacher. With you guys, I can make up for the speed difference..."
"As long as the strength can keep up, that's fine!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi silently watched Jiraiya and sighed softly.
He had three apprentices.
The mental conflict between Tsunade and Orochimaru has been resolved.
But Jiraiya did not.
Today is a great opportunity.
" Sage Mode is truly powerful..."
Danzo squinted: "To be able to exchange punches with Hiruzen, and barely lose too much speed, that alone is a remarkable boost to the body..." " The Cursed Seal certainly has great potential."
Danzo sighed and decided that he would no longer repeatedly check Orochimaru's project.
Of course, this only applies to Cursed Seal.
Hatake Sakumo squinted, suddenly feeling that he should also become stronger...
He's a bit out of touch with the times!
Cursed Seal, Sage Mode, Kekkei Genkai...
"I need to think of something..." Sakumo pondered to himself, wondering what type of person he was best suited for.
I heard that the newly joined youth from the Uzumaki Cult has even collected a pair of bi-directional lenses with " Left Zero Right Fire " on them...
I'll go for a physical exam at the Scientific Research Department sometime...
Otherwise, he wouldn't have the power to protect the Will of Fire, a thought that made Sakumo feel uneasy...
Although it was just Sakumo's psychological effect.
But he felt that the way his son looked at him just now didn't seem so admiring anymore...
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya were locked in combat once again.
This time, Jiraiya maintained his Senjutsu Mode enhancement throughout, and used the Frog Kumite to counter every attack.
Although they still couldn't keep up in speed, with the support of Shima and Fukasaku, they were able to keep the game going evenly despite it being essentially a three-on-one situation.
After several rounds.
Hiruzen Sarutobi a slight step back, and the lightning that had been wrapped around his body vanished in an instant, replaced by boiling white steam! Boil Release Chakra Mode: Unparalleled Super Strength!
Jiraiya knew something terrible was about to happen just from hearing the force of the punch.
"Is this the power form Minato was talking about?"
Unable to dodge, Jiraiya gathered all his strength and was forced to Hiruzen Sarutobi!
The moment their fists collided, a deafening explosion erupted!
A ring-shaped shockwave swept outwards from the two of them, sending up clouds of dust and debris.
The bluestone slab beneath their feet instantly sank, and spiderweb-like cracks spread in all directions.
Jiraiya felt a tremendous force slam into his meridians through his fist, and the bones in his entire right arm seemed to groan as his muscles instantly tensed to their limit.
His feet carved two deep furrows in the hard ground, and he managed to stabilize himself from a distance using Senjutsu Chakra.
Jiraiya's clenched fist trembled uncontrollably; the web between his thumb and forefinger was already split open, and bright red blood dripped from between his fingers.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a breath of stale air.
While the Boil Release Chakra Mode isn't as fast as the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and its resistance to blows is weaker, its power is significantly increased... This punch is essentially Chakra- enhanced version of a dump truck...
"Old woman, I feel so dizzy..."
"Honey, I'm dizzy too..."
Although the two Toad Sage did not directly come into contact with Hiruzen Sarutobi's fist, the force transmitted to them was enough to make their brains feel as if they were being repeatedly shaken.
"We must never use Taijutsu against the teacher again!"
"Unless you're like the Third Raikage, capable of hand-to-hand combat with Tailed Beast, fighting the Master in close combat is practically suicide..."
Jiraiya's mind stirred.
Senjutsu composed of Wind Release, Toad Oil, and Blazing Fire, combined with Natural Energy!
Sage Art: Goemon!!
This is a highly volatile oil composed of oil heated to thousands of degrees Celsius; in addition to its high temperature, it also has the characteristic of being continuously scalding.
And its coverage is extremely wide!
It's a devastating battlefield weapon; if you find the right moment to unleash it, it can easily wipe out multiple squads...
" Senjutsu?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi his mind; the structure he saw was indeed different from that of conventional Ninjutsu.
A bluish-white glow appeared in his eyes.
The invisible Spirit Release Chakra exploded violently in the boiling oil!
This invisible force suddenly pierced through the core of the Sage Senjutsu, forcibly stripping away the Chakra that maintained the balance of the technique, causing it to lose its harmony with Natural Energy.
The Natural Energy contained within the volatile oil is wildly dissipating in all directions!
The remaining Chakra was in disarray within the jutsu.
The first thing to collapse was the Wind Release frame.
Originally, the Wind Release technique, which had amplified the power of the spell by supporting the oil waves and fueling the fire, instantly dissipated into a chaotic torrent without the support of Natural Energy.
Instead of being a catalyst, it has become the culprit that disrupts the scheme.
The turbulent airflow scattered the oil waves and fireballs, and the once unified torrent was instantly torn apart.
The Fire Release that had been enhanced instantly reverted to its most ordinary form. The flames, which had been extremely solid, became ethereal and scattered, and even the surrounding air could no longer be burned and distorted.
In the blink of an eye, Goemon degenerated into a chaotic mass of ordinary kerosene.
Most of the flames and oil dissipated in the turbulent currents before they could even reach Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The remaining scattered fireballs landed sparsely on the ground, igniting only a patch of unremarkable flames.
Jiraiya and Sage Shima, Fukasaku on Jiraiya's shoulder, stared wide-eyed in astonishment, their Chakra, which was maintaining Sage Mode, even slightly disrupted.
Jiraiya stood frozen in place, his pupils filled with disbelief.
He never imagined that his Senjutsu Art would degenerate so quickly, from a world-destroying technique to a terrible jutsu that even an ordinary Jonin could easily block!
"It's working..."
"The proportions of Senjutsu Chakra are indeed crucial. Although I cannot interfere with Natural Energy, I can simply break down the Chakra components..."
With a thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi's blue light from his mouth and eyes intensified, and his Spirit Release Dojutsu locked onto Jiraiya!
For ordinary ninjas, the Spirit Release Dojutsu wouldn't be very effective, because the Chakra within their bodies is inherently a stable state without any attribute... at most, it would cause a period of disorder.
But Jiraiya was different; he needed to maintain a delicate balance between his Chakra and Natural Energy...
" Chakra is disordered!"
Jiraiya's expression froze, and the two Toad Sage were also shocked. They had practiced Senjutsu for hundreds of years and had never experienced their Chakra becoming uncontrollable...
Hiruzen Sarutobi his spirit and appeared before Jiraiya at that moment.
The hands, glowing with a blue light, clasped around Jiraiya's shoulders.
Without a sound, the Monkey King Enma, transformed into the Golden Cudgel, suddenly extended from a distance, and the arm that split off from the staff grabbed Fukasaku and Sage Shima, pulling them away from Jiraiya's shoulder.
Sage Mode was forcibly deactivated.
Jiraiya was suddenly startled. His most relied-upon Sage Mode, the only one among the Sannin who could master it, was gone...
In Konoha, a village teeming with geniuses, and among his dazzling fellow disciples, his only trump card to stand tall and prove he was no ordinary talent... But even Hiruzen Sarutobi had withdrawn from Spirit Release Mode.
Instead of activating Boil Release or Lightning Release Chakra Mode again, he threw a punch that was just slightly heavier than Jiraiya's.
But once Jiraiya began to adapt, Hiruzen Sarutobi would change his strength and punching style, gradually increasing the intensity...
"Hold on, Jiraiya!" Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Jiraiya was taken aback, and a surge of power welled up within him, forcing him to keep up with Hiruzen Sarutobi's pace.
As the rhythm and force gradually increased, Jiraiya seemed to lose consciousness, returning to the state he was in when he was a child undergoing special training with Hiruzen Sarutobi, completely forcing his potential to surge forward again with willpower.
I don't know how much time has passed...
Jiraiya collapsed from exhaustion, lying sprawled on the ground, panting heavily.
"Teacher..."
"I'm still the Dead Last, even after mastering Senjutsu."
Jiraiya said with a wry smile.
How could that be?
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down next to Jiraiya: "How could a Dead Last like you think of bringing peace to the Shinobi World all by himself? Such a grand ideal!" Jiraiya stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, a pang of sadness in his heart.
"You know, although you've been mischievous since you were little, out of the three of you, you're the one I worry about the most."
"You have a stubborn nature, but you always get back up quickly after every fall, just like how you pushed yourself to your limits time and time again, enduring round after round of pressure."
"But everyone has their breaking point. When you can't hold on any longer, you should lie down and rest for a while, see if your companions can lend a hand, and then walk side by side again Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly.
"One person's strength is limited..."
" Jiraiya, if peace can be brought by one person, it can also be taken away by one person."
"You've wandered the Shinobi World for so many years searching for the so-called Child of Prophecy, whether it's Nagato, Yahiko, Minato, or even me, your teacher..."
"Peace cannot be brought about by any one of us..."
"My strength is also a result of countless Konoha Ninja fulfilling their roles and uniting to unleash their individual energy, which has given me the courage and will to continue training..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Jiraiya:
"Peaceful journey is not an epic of one person, but of countless people walking side by side, passing the torch from one generation to the next..."
"You've done very well. I'm proud to have you as my apprentice."
"But you are not the Savior, and neither am Savior. It is only by all of us who yearn for peace, unite as one, and possess the Will of Fire in our hearts that we can possibly save this Shinobi World..."
Jiraiya stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
I was stunned.
Fukasaku and Sage Shima exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes...
He truly deserves the Prophet Master!