Jiraiya alternated between keeping his distance and fleeing.
Thinking back to his recent battle with Kaguya Majen, he had to admit that his opponent truly lived up to the reputation of Kirigakure's Kaguya Clan.
He had outstanding combat skills and a troublesome Kekkei Genkai, especially the ability to use his own bones as weapons.
Whenever Jiraiya attacked with Taijutsu, his opponent's bones would turn into sturdy spears.
They blocked Jiraiya's attacks, while his opponent could attack with all his might, leaving Jiraiya too wary to commit in battle.
His finger bones were like a pistol, firing at Jiraiya. Whenever his opponent aimed a hand at him, Jiraiya could only block or dodge.
Instead of using Taijutsu, Jiraiya tried attacking with Fire Style. His opponent activated his Kekkei Genkai again, covering his entire body with protruding bones whose density he could adjust.
He endured the impact of the Fire Style blasts, and the burns didn't seem to affect him.
He was practically Jiraiya's natural enemy. It was a good thing Jiraiya had drawn him out, but how could he counter his opponent's Kekkei Genkai?
How could he seize the initiative and stop being chased all over the battlefield?
"Not good!"
His opponent had caught up. Jiraiya kept moving.
Before he knew it, he had reached the southern battlefield.
He saw Raiga Kurosuki holding the Thunder Blade Kiba and hurling it into the air. It spun rapidly toward Uzumaki Jiro's back.
Just as Uzumaki Jiro was about to be ambushed by Raiga Kurosuki, Jiraiya shouted,
"Watch your back, Uzumaki Jiro!"
Jiraiya charged toward the Thunder Blade Kiba, stopping right behind Uzumaki Jiro as he formed Hand Seals.
"Earth Style: Rock Theft Staff!"
By controlling the earth with chakra, he caused the ground below to form sharp, staff-shaped rocks that shot toward the enemy.
The Rock Theft Staff collided with the Thunder Blade Kiba as it came flying over. The blade struck the staff, shattering it into pieces and splitting it apart inch by inch.
Uzumaki Jiro controlled his body and quickly ran out of the way.
With chakra control in both hands, he made the Thunder Blade Kiba, which had been stopped by the Rock Theft Staff, spin faster in midair and fly back toward Raiga Kurosuki.
Raiga looked baffled. Why had Jiraiya appeared here?
Uzumaki Jiro drew in a sharp breath. Thankfully, Jiraiya had arrived in time to save him. Otherwise, he would have been lying on the ground by now.
"Jiraiya, good thing you got here in time. It's tough facing two opponents alone."
Jiraiya looked a little embarrassed. He glanced around.
"Jiro, sorry, but in a moment you'll still have to face the two of them alone."
Uzumaki Jiro was confused. Before he could figure out what Jiraiya meant, he heard—
"White-haired brat, you're pretty fast, but I still found you!"
"Dance of the Willow!"
Kaguya Majen mimicked the swaying of willow branches, slashing at Jiraiya with bones that grew from his body.
Jiraiya dodged, then retaliated.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
This time, he used chakra to strengthen his silver hair, forming needles that he fired at his enemy.
The Needle Jizo met Kaguya Majen's attack. Bone clashed against needles, ringing out with a crisp sound.
But Jiraiya's chakra-strengthened silver hair couldn't withstand Kaguya Kenma's bone attack. The bones pierced through the needles.
Jiraiya quickly moved backward, breaking into a cold sweat. A stinging pain crossed his face—he had been scratched, leaving a small wound.
Kaguya Kenma picked up the bone sword in his hand and looked at the blood on it. He had come so close—just a little closer, and he would have pierced his opponent's head.
Jiraiya hurriedly pulled Uzumaki Jiro back.
"I nearly got my head pierced saving you. You'd better repay me properly someday. How did you end up fighting two opponents by yourself? I can barely handle one—I've been running from him this whole time."
Uzumaki Jiro could only smile wryly. His teammates had trusted him, and if not for Jiraiya, he would have been long gone. His eyes lit up as he looked at Kaguya Majen.
"Jiraiya, it looks like we can switch opponents. Do you think you can seal Kaguya Kenma with Sealing Jutsu?"
Jiraiya saw how confident Uzumaki Jiro looked. He stood up and walked over to Raiga Kurosuki and Jinin Akebino, showing by his actions that they were switching opponents.
Looking at the two men before him, Jiraiya gave himself a pep talk. You've got two of them, so I'll find myself a helper. He formed Hand Seals.
"Summoning: Gamaken!"
A gigantic toad appeared beside Jiraiya. He carried a lid-shaped shield on his back and held a trident covered in spikes.
"Jiraiya, are those the Kirigakure ninja across from us? Their weapons look familiar."
Jiraiya let out a breath. Uzumaki Jiro had already told him about the weapons his opponents carried. All that remained was to deal with them.
Raiga Kurosuki spotted the giant toad and immediately charged at Jiraiya. The Thunder Blade Kiba released its stored lightning, stimulating his cells and enhancing his speed.
The lightning crackled sharply. Gripping both swords, Raiga slashed fiercely at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya stared in shock at his opponent's astonishing speed. He had no time to think—the swords were already coming down at him.
He raised a shuriken to block the Thunder Blades, but was immediately shocked, leaving his arm numb.
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
Jiraiya's silver hair instantly wrapped around Raiga Kurosuki. Raiga grabbed the Thunder Blade Kiba and swung it with incredible speed.
In an instant, he had cut through all the silver hair that was about to ensnare him.
Seeing Jiraiya under attack, Gamaken immediately rushed to help. Jinin Akebino stood in his way, blocking his path.
Jinin Akebino raised the Kabutowari and swung it at him. Gamaken could only lift the lid-shaped shield on his back to block.
The shield blocked Jinin Akebino's Kabutowari, and the two weapons crashed together.
Jinin Akebino raised his hammer, about to smash it against the back of his blade and shatter Gamaken's shield,
but Gamaken couldn't let him use the hammer against the blade. The combined force of the two was said to be able to break through any defense.
Gamaken thrust his spiked trident at the hammer, stopping the two weapons from joining together. The pair became locked in a contest of strength.
Raiga Kurosuki continued to rush at Jiraiya, slashing rapidly.
"Poof!"
Jiraiya turned into a log with an Explosive Tag attached to it.
The moment Raiga Kurosuki saw the Explosive Tag, his Lightning Release Chakra erupted. He leaped back quickly, retreating beyond the blast radius.
"Boom!" The explosion rang out.
The force of the blast reached Raiga Kurosuki, and the shockwave still hit him hard. He dropped through the air and landed on one knee.
When Jiraiya summoned Gamaken, he used the summoning smoke to conceal himself and form Hand Seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
He used chakra to create a solid clone, which took his place, while his real body hid on Gamaken.
As the Explosive Tag went off, Jiraiya released the Transformation Technique and formed Hand Seals.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Bomb!"
He condensed chakra and transformed it into oil, filling his mouth with it. Then he ignited it with Fire Release Chakra and sprayed it toward Jinin Akebino.
Jinin Akebino was grappling with Gamaken and had also been distracted by the explosion. Jiraiya's Great Flame Bomb struck him directly.
The Great Flame Bomb's impact sent Jinin Akebino flying, and another explosion followed.
"Boom!"
The Great Flame Bomb burst apart. Jinin Akebino was covered in wounds as he crashed to the ground and rolled across it.
Jiraiya let out a long breath, very satisfied with the results.