Jiraiya even rolled his eyes at Kakashi as he rushed out.
You tried to interfere several times earlier, but now that things are actually dangerous, you're just standing there in a daze!
How did someone with a brain like yours ever become a Jonin?
Kakashi felt rather helpless.
With you right here, when would I ever get a chance to act?
Jiraiya had dropped his laid-back attitude. He could tell that Lin Mu wasn't holding anything back this time.
If this move was allowed to run its course, Sasuke would definitely be seriously injured!
That wasn't the outcome he wanted to see.
Jiraiya leaped out of hiding, releasing a terrifying amount of chakra that swept wildly in every direction like a storm!
Mixed into that chakra was a terrifying, irresistible pressure.
And Lin Mu was right at the center of that storm.
Power had been surging through his body, but when Jiraiya's overwhelming pressure bore down on him like a raging tempest...
His body involuntarily lost its strength.
He had been wrapped around Sasuke Uchiha, their bodies spiraling downward like a whirlwind.
Now that Jiraiya had intervened, his strength plummeted, and Jiraiya caught him outright.
After landing on the ground, Jiraiya withdrew his oppressive aura.
The pressure on Lin Mu eased considerably, and his strength returned, but he knew he couldn't continue.
So he withdrew the many vines wrapped around Sasuke Uchiha and stood before Jiraiya.
"Master Jiraiya, what brings you here?"
Lin Mu scratched his head, then bowed to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya looked Lin Mu over with a calm gaze and said in some surprise:
"I really didn't expect you to open your body's first gate in just half a month.
It seems the Eight Gates really are a perfect fit for you."
"But..."
Jiraiya shifted gears, his tone changing.