Challenging Jiraiya

"Oh? Are you sure you want to challenge me?"

Jiraiya didn't underestimate Qingshui, but the gap between them was indeed huge.

Although Qingshui already possessed Jonin-level combat power, Jiraiya was a solid Kage-level combatant.

It could be said that even if Jiraiya went easy during the fight, Qingshui would almost certainly not be able to defeat him.

This was how ninja strength worked; the further along, the greater the gap would become.

"I naturally know that I'm not currently Jiraiya-sama's opponent, but I really want to see just how big the gap is between myself and Jiraiya-sama."

This was a lie.

In reality, Qingshui just wanted to see if he could injure Jiraiya, assuming Jiraiya held back.

Yes, held back.

Qingshui didn't believe Jiraiya would use his full strength in a match against him.

And in such a situation, as long as he could injure Jiraiya and then heal him, Qingshui would obtain his first Color Orb.

He had been looking forward to what kind of rewards the Color Orb could yield for a long time.

Of course, while he desperately wanted the Color Orb, Qingshui hadn't lost his mind. Things like the Rinnegan, which couldn't be exposed, were definitely off-limits.

Seeing Qingshui's serious expression, Jiraiya no longer refused and agreed.

"Alright, I accept your challenge."

Originally, Jiraiya only taught Qingshui to cultivate out of gratitude for Qingshui taking care of Minato.

But after spending these past few days together, he had developed a very high affinity for Qingshui, who possessed both talent and politeness.

"Thank you."

Afterward, the two stood facing each other in the training ground.

"When you're ready, you can attack at any time."

Hearing Jiraiya's words, Qingshui silently drew his Ninja Sword and infused it with Wind Release Chakra.

Instantly, a faint glow formed on the Ninja Sword, increasing its cutting power by a few points.

This was an application of chakra nature transformation.

Originally, Qingshui couldn't do this. Thanks to the improvements brought by the Rinnegan, his mastery of chakra nature transformation had reached a new level, allowing him to achieve this.

Knowing how formidable Jiraiya was, Qingshui had no intention of testing the waters.

This scene, observed by Jiraiya, earned his silent nod.

With just this move, Qingshui was already stronger than some Jonin.

"Be careful."

Before the words fell, Qingshui had already used the Body Flicker Technique to charge at Jiraiya.

"Such speed!"

Even with the same Body Flicker Technique, its effectiveness varied greatly depending on the user.

Yahiko was astonished, and Nagato and Minato wore equally solemn expressions.

Clearly, compared to Minato's speed just now, Qingshui's current speed was much faster.

Placing himself in Jiraiya's position, Nagato realized he wouldn't be able to react in time and thus couldn't defend as he had against Minato.

He would have no choice but to use Almighty Push.

Clang!

However, Jiraiya, unfazed, blocked Qingshui's slash with a kunai.

Jiraiya naturally knew how to inject Chakra into ninja tools.

Otherwise, a normal kunai would have been severed in one strike by Qingshui's Ninja Sword.

"As expected of Lord Jiraiya!"

Qingshui was not surprised by this.

After offering a compliment, he continued his assault.

Although he hadn't mastered Konoha Ryūyanagi taught by Uncle Kosuke, that was an S-Rank difficulty technique after all.

But Qingshui's current Konoha Style Swordsmanship had also improved significantly, reaching the proficient level.

In terms of swordsmanship alone, he could even contend with a Special Jonin who specialized in swordsmanship.

Therefore, facing Qingshui's fierce onslaught, Jiraiya was actually suppressed for a time.

"Big Brother Qingshui not only has good medical skills, but his strength is also this formidable! He's even suppressing Teacher Jiraiya!"

Yahiko's face was filled with disbelief.

In his heart, Hanzo of the Salamander, known as a "Demigod," was the strongest in the ninja world, and Jiraiya, who could fight against a "Demigod," was also among the top-ranked.

Yet, such a powerful Teacher Jiraiya was being suppressed by Big Brother Qingshui.

It was easy to imagine the impact this had on Yahiko.

In contrast to Yahiko's reaction, seeing Qingshui's powerful strength, Konan was very excited, and even couldn't help but cheer for Qingshui.

But what the two of them didn't know was that although Qingshui seemed to have suppressed Jiraiya, that was all there was to it.

All his attacks were blocked by Jiraiya with kunai, and not a single blow achieved any substantial result.

Such defense could be described as flawless.

It was impossible to break through.

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, Qingshui decided to change his method.

He remembered that Jiraiya was strong in both taijutsu and ninjutsu, and could even use Sage Mode to use senjutsu.

But he was not proficient in genjutsu.

If he wanted to use genjutsu, he could only rely on the two Toad Sages of Mount Myōboku.

With his decision made, Qingshui quickly retreated, creating distance between himself and Jiraiya.

"Not bad, your swordsmanship is very impressive."

Since it was a spar, Jiraiya did not pursue, but stood in place and commented.

Qingshui did not reply to this, but instead formed hand seals and created three Shadow Clones, continuing to attack Jiraiya.

One of the Shadow Clones first threw more than ten shuriken, then brandished a ninja sword and charged forward again.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

A series of crisp metal collisions sounded as Jiraiya, also using shuriken, knocked down all the shuriken thrown by the Shadow Clone Qingshui.

Then, facing the approaching Shadow Clone Qingshui, Jiraiya had no intention of getting entangled and directly eliminated it with a single slash.

This was because Qingshui's other two Shadow Clones had already completed their hand seals and cast ninjutsu.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!

The wind aided the fire, and under the enhancement of Wind Style, the already powerful Great Fireball Jutsu became even more ferocious.

The rainwater falling from the sky was vaporized by the terrifying high temperature before it even made contact.

The terrifying power of this move made the four onlookers gasp.

"Qingshui Big Brother's move is so powerful!"

Yahiko's words were echoed by the other three.

"A very good combination ninjutsu, but useless!"

Before he finished speaking, Jiraiya quickly formed hand seals and also unleashed a Great Fireball.

The Great Fireball he used, at his level, was no weaker than Qingshui's Great Fireball, which had been enhanced by Wind Release.

After the two giant fireballs collided, a terrifying wave of heat erupted, blowing away the falling rain and creating a dry clearing.

The wave of heat then rapidly dispersed, nearly knocking over Yahiko and Konan, the two weakest members of the trio.

This showed just how terrifying the power was.

As the explosion sounded, Qingshui's two Shadow Clones flashed and charged towards Jiraiya together.

Meanwhile, Qingshui's main body had already cast Genjutsu on Jiraiya, successfully controlling him.

At this moment, Jiraiya, trapped by Genjutsu, stood frozen in place. The two Shadow Clones rushing towards him showed joy on their faces.

We got him!

With this thought, the two Shadow Clones simultaneously attacked Jiraiya.