"Good enough, I suppose."
"If you can contribute to Lord Orochimaru's resurrection."
Kimimaro nodded, accepting Hiruko's answer.
"So..."
Jiraiya stood atop Gamabunta, looking down over the battlefield.
"You're both going to take me on now?"
Kimimaro raised his bone blade, his murderous expression making his intent clear.
Hiruko watched with satisfaction, hatred in his eyes as he stared at Jiraiya.
Facing the two advancing enemies, Jiraiya remained calm and patted Gamabunta beneath him.
"Let's go, Bunta!"
Gamabunta nodded, a giant pipe clenched in his mouth.
Then both sides formed Hand Seals at the same time!
"Fire Release..."
"Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
Oil and fire converged in the air, producing an extreme chemical reaction. The already scorching flames now burned with an almost purple tinge!
They devoured the oxygen in the air and spread rapidly toward their targets.
The towering flames instantly cleared away all the trees around them.
"Swift Release!"
Hiruko had already suffered from Fire Release once, and the sight of flames made him wary. Without hesitation, he darted away.
Kimimaro, however, remained unfazed.
"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Larch!"
Countless bone spikes burst from Kimimaro's body, almost completely encasing him in an instant. He looked like a monster made of spikes.
He blurred forward, charging straight into the oil-and-fire blast!
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. He could actually feel pressure coming from Kimimaro!
With unstoppable momentum, Kimimaro charged forward, his body encased in bones tougher than steel. He showed no fear of Fire Release.
"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Camellia..."
Kimimaro blurred forward and closed in on Jiraiya in an instant.
"Clang!"
A tremendous collision rang out.
Gamabunta had raised his massive blade, blocking Kimimaro's strike before it could reach Jiraiya.
Kimimaro brought his weapon down hard against the blade. The force made it tremble.
"Not bad, little guy."
"You've got