Jiraiya

A tall man stood there without a Forehead Protector. He had long white hair, red markings beneath his eyes, and a red outer robe over brown clothes. He wore wooden sandals, and both his hands were fitted with armor-like guards.

His expression was grave as he formed hand seals, as though performing some kind of technique.

In midair, Rasa, standing on a platform of Gold Sand, and the Kazekage, beating his Iron Sand Wings, were in a wretched state as they dodged one blade of light after another.

The flashes of light were incredibly sharp. Neither the golden walls nor the iron barriers could withstand them; before those slender blades of light, they were as fragile as clay figurines.

If the Kazekage hadn't been constantly helping Rasa fend them off, Rasa would already have been cut into pieces, like the Gold Sand scattering across the sky.

"Jiraiya?!"

"What's he doing here?"

When Souya and Sasori arrived at the battlefield and saw the scene, Souya couldn't help showing his surprise.

Before Jiraiya and his student, the Kazekage and Rasa were struggling just to stay alive, with no chance to fight back.

"Hm?" Minato Namikaze's figure suddenly appeared on the Gold Sand-covered ground.

He warily watched Souya and Sasori.

"Sasori, the blond one can teleport to the location of any special Kunai he throws, even while it's still in flight!"

"The white-haired one's ninjutsu is extremely powerful. Anyway, both of them are stronger than you and me, so be very careful!"

Souya furrowed his brows and hurriedly explained the key details about Minato to Sasori.

Facing these two practically flawless "all-rounders," Souya was seriously troubled.

But he couldn't stay away, either. The Third Kazekage was still here, after all.

Souya looked up. There seemed to be a faint, transparent Sealing Technique barrier in the sky. It was probably Jiraiya's way of stopping the Kazekage and Rasa from flying high up and then launching sneaky long-range attacks...

"Heh! Two more formidable opponents!"

"Sunagakure certainly isn't to be underestimated, Minato!"

Jiraiya turned to look at Souya and Sasori. From the auras they gave off, he could tell they were no ordinary opponents.

"That's right, Jiraiya-sensei. It's a good thing you're here this time, or things would've been really difficult!" Minato's gaze lingered more on Sasori.

After all, Sasori's striking red hair was very familiar to Minato.

"Hahaha! It's been a long time since we fought together, hasn't it? Today, let's take on these Sunagakure upstarts together!" Jiraiya suddenly let out a hearty laugh.

Then he moved his hands, forming the seals for Boar, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Ram, and Ox in sequence.

"Summoning Technique!"

Poof!

A huge cloud of white smoke billowed up, but the mountain breeze quickly swept it away.

A giant red toad, more than ten meters tall, emerged from the swirling smoke. A huge pipe dangled from its mouth, bandages were wrapped around its waist, and a short sword was tucked there.

"Hm? Jiraiya? Minato's here, too!"

"What kind of enemy could make you two team up?" Gamabunta puffed out a cloud of smoke and quickly surveyed the battlefield.

"This enemy's a bit troublesome. Sorry to trouble you," Minato said with a smile, polite and modest as ever.

Watching from a distance, Souya couldn't help feeling impressed. Minato Namikaze really did deserve the nickname "Little Sun." Having him as an ally would make anyone feel safe.

Unfortunately, ever since Souya was born in Sunagakure, he'd been taken in and raised by his masters and uncles there. Later, after the Third Kazekage took him as a student, the Kazekage had guided him with great care and entrusted him with important responsibilities.

He'd never forgotten any of it. As a member of Sunagakure, if he met Minato Namikaze on the battlefield, then all he could do was fight to see who came out on top.

"Sensei, are you all right?" Souya turned toward the Kazekage, who had flown over to them.

"I'm fine. Rasa has just used up a lot of Chakra." The Kazekage looked at Souya and Sasori, a trace of pride in his eyes. Konoha might be overflowing with talent, but he was confident that the promising young shinobi his village had raised were just as good.

Souya quickly pulled out a Military Rations Pill and gave it to Rasa. There was still a fierce battle ahead, and every bit of strength could improve their chances.

If there hadn't been several fighters around with power close to Kage Level, Souya would have run for it by now.

Come on, what difference was there between making him take on Minato and Jiraiya alone and sending him to his death?

"Sensei, these two are going to be tough to deal with!" Souya stared intently at Jiraiya, standing atop the Great Toad's head, wary that they might launch a sudden attack.

"That's right! Their mastery of Sealing Technique is exceptional. They even managed to set up a high-altitude barrier that's restricted my ability to fly..."

"And this barrier is remarkably sturdy. Even my Iron Sand Spear Strike couldn't pierce it."

The Kazekage glanced up at the seemingly empty sky. But if one looked closely, the sunlight revealed a ring of beautiful colors in the air, like ripples of light refracted off the surface of water.

"Watch out!"

As soon as the Kazekage finished speaking, a wave of scorching heat surged toward all four of them.

"Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"

Blazing flames mixed with hot oil. The combined oil-and-fire ninjutsu blanketed Souya's field of vision.

Anyone who tried to block Jiraiya's technique with Water Release out of habit would quickly learn a lesson they'd never forget.

Fortunately, none of the four of them were skilled in Water Release. The Kazekage raised both hands.

A vast mass of Iron Sand instantly appeared in front of the four of them.

But before it did, Souya had already completed his own ninjutsu.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"

A thick, sturdy wall abruptly rose before the Iron Sand.

Boom!

The raging flames crashed into the towering earthen wall, sending sparks soaring into the sky.

But in the blink of an eye, amid a dense series of crackles and pops, the oil-coated flames tore through the wall.

Boom!

Huge chunks of stone, their surfaces burning with flames, slammed into the Iron Sand behind the wall.

"Iron Sand Wall!"

The Kazekage had had enough time to summon it, so the Iron Sand Wall's strength was nothing to worry about. The oval barrier sealed all four of them safely inside.

Even so, waves of heat continued to seep in from the sides. This Fire Release was so powerful that it felt as though the air itself was burning.

Sizzle!

Flaming oil spread across the ground, licking away what little green remained.

Souya furrowed his brows and lifted his right hand, summoning a Gold Cloud.

Souya and Sasori jumped onto it. Staying on the ground was too dangerous.

Three of the four of them could fly using Magnet Release, so they naturally had to make full use of their mobility.