Him?!
Inside the Susanoo's skeletal frame, Chen Yiban opened his blood-red Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and looked toward the figure who had just blasted through his defense.
Chen Yiban was slightly surprised to see that familiar yet unfamiliar figure, but soon his expression turned cold again.
Meanwhile:
"Jiraiya...!"
Tsunade Hime stared in surprise at the figure standing in front of her.
"Toad Sage! Reporting for duty!" The man struck a classic pose.
He had appeared before everyone present!
Just like Tsunade Hime, he was one of the legendary Sannin...
The Toad Sage, Jiraiya!!
Who would've thought that after finding Tsunade Hime and bringing her back to Konoha to become the Fifth Hokage, this guy had stayed in the village?
Or had Jiraiya returned after hearing some commotion?
Chen Yiban: Forget it. It doesn't matter. A mere Jiraiya can't change anything!!
His Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan fixed a cold stare on Jiraiya, whose white hair had just blasted through his defenses with a "Great Ball: Rasengan."
Chen Yiban's blood-red eyes held nothing but murderous intent!
"Lord Jiraiya?!"
Kakashi spotted Jiraiya, who had just appeared, and couldn't help feeling a surge of joy.
After all, Jiraiya was known as a "sage." There was no question about his strength.
His arrival should ease the pressure on Kakashi and the others considerably.
"It really is Lord Jiraiya...!!"
The many Konoha Ninja around them also looked delighted when they saw Jiraiya.
Even Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, Kurenai Yuhi, Mitaraishi Anko, and the other Konoha Jonin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Tsunade, pull yourself together." Jiraiya glanced back at Tsunade Hime.
"Heh, you don't have to tell me." Tsunade Hime gave him a haughty smile.
Then she slowly straightened up and stepped beside Jiraiya!
The injuries Chen Yiban had inflicted on Tsunade had already been completely healed by her Hundred Healings Technique.
"Be careful, Jiraiya. Our enemy might be the legendary ninja... Uchiha Madara!"
Tsunade Hime turned to Jiraiya and warned him.
"This is hard to believe. But the enemy's Chakra is so astonishing that I can't help believing it!" Jiraiya gave a wry smile.
At the same time:
"That's..."
"Might Guy?!"
Jiraiya saw Might Guy's body beneath the cliff wall at the far end of the enormous ravine behind Chen Yiban.
He couldn't help showing his shock.
"Guy... opened all the gates of the Eight Inner Gates, but he still couldn't kill that damn Madara in front of us!!" Tsunade Hime clenched her fists and shouted furiously.
"What? Guy opened the Gate of Death?" Jiraiya was even more astonished.
"And he still couldn't kill the enemy before us?!!" Even Jiraiya couldn't help looking at Chen Yiban in disbelief.
"How could anyone survive the Gate of Death? Just who is this legendary Uchiha Madara...?"
Jiraiya was completely shaken.
"Pervy Sage!!"
Naruto Uzumaki, who was being kept at bay in the distance by the Susanoo of more than a dozen Shadow Clone Chen Yibans, spotted Jiraiya and called out loudly.
"Pervy Sage, hurry up and beat that bastard! Avenge Bushy Brow Sensei and Uncle Asuma!" Naruto shouted to Jiraiya from afar.
"Naruto..." Jiraiya paused, then glanced at Tsunade Hime beside him. "Asuma, too...?"
"Yeah." Tsunade Hime nodded.
"Old Man Hiruzen..." Jiraiya couldn't help feeling a pang of grief.
Not long ago, Old Man Hiruzen had been killed by Orochimaru.
And now, one of the old man's successors had also...
"Uchiha Madara, the legendary ninja? I'm curious to see just how powerful he is!"
At last, anger spread across Jiraiya's face as he stared at Chen Yiban inside the blue Susanoo.
Just then:
Shu, shu, shu, shu, shu-----
Many Konoha Root Ninja appeared around the perimeter.
And then:
Whoosh---!
An aged figure, far stronger than the other Konoha Ninja, secretly slipped past the blockade formed by Chen Yiban's more than a dozen Shadow Clone Susanoo and landed beside Tsunade Hime and Jiraiya.
It was Shimura Danzō!
Had this old schemer really come out in the open of his own accord?
Had he seen Tsunade Hime faltering and come to the battlefield as Konoha's last resort?
How ridiculous!
At a time like this, the old bastard was still thinking about his beloved position as the [5.5th Hokage]?
"Danzō?!" Tsunade Hime and Jiraiya were both surprised to see Shimura Danzō appear.
"With enemies attacking Konoha, how could I stand by and do nothing?"
Shimura Danzō put on a righteous air in front of all the Konoha Ninja.
"Tch!" Tsunade Hime and Jiraiya both rolled their eyes inwardly.
Still, the more help they had right now, the better!
After all, their enemy was no ordinary opponent.
"Are you that brat from the Shimura Clan?" Chen Yiban said, looking at Shimura Danzō with his arms crossed inside the Susanoo.
"I remember that in Hashirama's era, you... hadn't even been weaned yet, had you?"
"And now you dare spout nonsense in front of me?"
With his blood-red Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Chen Yiban gazed coolly at Shimura Danzō, who stood not far away.
"Hmph. I don't know how you've managed to remain in this world and keep such a youthful appearance. But your era has passed! I, Shimura Danzō, am no longer the brat I once was!"
Shimura Danzō fired back at Chen Yiban's contempt.
"Is that so?" Chen Yiban suddenly wore a sinister smile.
The next second,
Chen Yiban exchanged a glance with his more than a dozen Shadow Clones.
At once, the dozen or so "Shadow Clone Chen Yibans," who had been keeping the many Konoha Ninja at bay, dispelled their Susanoo: Stage Two.
Then:
Shu, shu, shu, shu, shu-----
They all leaped over and gathered beside Chen Yiban.
"Leave Konoha, or... die!" Chen Yiban's original body spoke coldly, his blood-red Eternal Mangekyo fixed on them.
That was the last scrap of mercy he would offer!
"That's impossible!" Tsunade Hime remained firm.
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade beside him, then smiled. "No matter what, I'm a member of Konoha. The Toad Sage is willing to follow the Fifth Hokage's orders."
Jiraiya would, of course, support Tsunade!
"Root Ninja!" Shimura Danzō barked a single command, and all the Root Ninja who had appeared outside gathered behind him.
The meaning was clear!
With Chen Yiban's Shadow Clones no longer blocking the way, Kakashi, Mitaraishi Anko, Kurenai Yuhi, Hyuga Hiashi, and countless other Konoha Jonin and ANBU Ninja also moved behind Tsunade and Jiraiya.
And so, including Shimura Danzō, everyone seemed united against a common enemy!
At this:
"Do you know something?"
"When everyone focuses too much on one person, the blind spots around them open up."
Chen Yiban's lips curled into a smile, his expression laced with conspiracy.
Before you continue