"Can that spear interrupt the flow of chakra?"
Jiraiya fixed Uchiha Iori with a sharp gaze and asked, "Is this the legendary Mystic Code?"
"You could say that. It's called Gae Dearg. You can call it that."
Iori nodded, making no attempt to hide it. Gae Dearg's effect was too obvious; anyone who saw it a few times would figure it out.
"Truly astonishing. An unknown Mystic Code has this kind of effect. I wonder what powers the legendary Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror possess."
Jiraiya marveled. Being able to interrupt the flow of chakra meant that binding techniques and ongoing techniques were useless against it.
Jiraiya's specialty, the defensive Ninja Art: Needle Jizo, for example, would leave him practically naked before it, with no defense to speak of.
He slowly released one hand from Gae Dearg, and a red longsword appeared in Iori's other hand. Its blade glinted, radiating a chill.
A spear and a sword—that was the fighting style favored by Diarmuid, the "Face of the Faceless."
Jiraiya's expression turned grave. "I admit I underestimated you, Iori. From here on, I'm going all out."
Despite what he said, Jiraiya had no intention of using Senjutsu. His hands formed seals at lightning speed, and he called out, "Summoning Technique!"
Boar–Dog–Rooster–Monkey–Ram. Amid a billowing cloud of smoke, Mount Myoboku's great toad, Gamabunta, came crashing down from the sky. The ground shook, and dust swept across the area.
"Everyone, back up! Don't get too close!"
Minato Namikaze quickly herded the others away from the battlefield. He hadn't expected Jiraiya to need to summon Gamabunta.
The moment Gamabunta appeared, Iori quickly retreated.
[Sheesh, are you trying to cosplay as the Destroyer of Worlds with an entrance like that?]
Uchiha Iori grumbled to himself.
[Looks like fighting kaiju is a staple of high-powered worlds. Can't pass that up.]
It seemed he'd have to let the toad experience the power of a Noble Phantasm's release after all.
Just how powerful was the divine sword gifted by the sea god?
Iori was curious too. It looked like the lucky fellow who'd get to experience the sword's might was Gamabunta.
"Be careful. If you think things are going badly, you can surrender early, and Minato will take you out. Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya stopped holding back. In his eyes, Iori was now capable of posing a threat to him.
Gamabunta spat out a massive stream of oil, and Jiraiya followed up with Fire Release. The two combined into a colossal Flame Bullet.
Roaring flames seemed to set the air itself ablaze. The heat warped the light as fire surged toward them from every direction, as if it would consume the world.
"I thought I'd first use this against a Four-Tails Jinchuriki or Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Never expected to use it against our own people."
Uchiha Iori scratched his head. This exchange felt like a bit of a loss; he'd have to reveal one of his trump cards.
"Whatever. At least this should make a name for me. If I can get a title out of it, the jonin should be more willing to accept me."
"Rho Aias!"
Iori summoned a petal-shaped shield.
It had seven petals, each emanating a mysterious light.
The shield originated in the Trojan War of Greek mythology. It was the exalted form of the legendary seven-layer oxhide-and-bronze shield Ajax used to block Hector's spear.
Legend said the spear pierced six layers of oxhide before being stopped by the seventh, which was why the seventh petal's defenses were astonishingly powerful.
Flames crashed against the shield like a flood against a dam. After breaking through three layers of petals, they finally came to a halt. The air filled with the smell of burning.
Jiraiya couldn't help asking, "The younger generation is truly impressive. How many Mystic Codes do you have?"
As soon as he said it, he realized he'd overstepped. He hurriedly added, "No, forgive my impertinence. Let's continue."
He knew that information about secret techniques was crucial in the Ninja World. He shouldn't have pressed for details.
Uchiha Iori only smiled and didn't answer. He really did take up a fighting stance and charged forward.
Gamabunta swung his short blade, his enormous body moving with surprising agility.
Iori didn't dare block head-on and used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge.
Jiraiya and Gamabunta worked together seamlessly. Jiraiya flickered above Iori, a small whirlwind forming in his hand.
This was the Rasengan, a technique Minato Namikaze had spent three years developing. He'd completed it not long ago and taught it to Jiraiya.
"Too slow, Lord Jiraiya."
Relying on his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Iori easily tracked Jiraiya's movements. Without hesitation, he thrust Gae Dearg at the Rasengan.
"Unless it hits me before I can react, this technique won't work on me."
Bang!
"Shadow Clone?" Iori was startled. He hadn't sensed it at all.
"Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
A stone suddenly transformed into Jiraiya. His hair grew long, forming a lion's mane that wrapped around Uchiha Iori and bound him with tremendous force, though without killing intent.
Iori thought it over and realized that Jiraiya had used the dust kicked up by Gamabunta's strike as cover, transformed into a stone, and flown toward him.
Iori turned his head and met Jiraiya's eyes. Genjutsu: Sharingan!
In an instant, the genjutsu struck Jiraiya. His movements faltered, and his hair loosened its grip.
Iori seized the opportunity and quickly broke free.
The genjutsu hadn't held Jiraiya for long. He was a Kage Level fighter, and his raw strength still surpassed Uchiha Iori's.
"Just as expected of one of the Sannin, Lord Jiraiya. You're the strongest opponent I've ever faced. You broke free of my genjutsu in no time."
Iori smiled slightly, preparing to release his Noble Phantasm.
"Fair is fair. Now let me show Lord Jiraiya my full power."
"Be careful. This attack will be no weaker than the one that wiped out the Iwagakure Ninja in a single strike. Moralltach!"
Iori leaped high into the air, the red longsword in his hand gathering an enormous amount of chakra..
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!" Jiraiya spewed out a raging torrent of flames. They danced like a dragon, splitting into three streams that attacked Iori from the front, left, and right. If they hit him directly, Iori would likely be reduced to ashes on the spot.
At that moment, the red longsword in the Uchiha's hand erupted with enormous chakra. The chakra formed three blades that shot straight down at Jiraiya from above.
Jiraiya controlled the fire dragon and sent it crashing directly into Moralltach. After a brief stalemate, the chakra blades shattered the flames and continued toward Jiraiya.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya braced himself to defend and suffer serious injuries. He regretted challenging Iori; he'd been far too careless.
Iori's age was deceptive. People kept thinking he was only a genius, not a powerful fighter.
The blades were knocked off course by the fire dragon and passed close to Jiraiya, cutting off only a few strands of hair.
The ground was smashed to pieces. Jiraiya lost his footing and nearly fell.
Minato Namikaze reached the battlefield at that moment. Without a mark prepared in advance, even the Flying Thunder God took time.