Jiraiya and Itachi's Conversation

"What business do you have coming to Konoha!?"

Jiraiya stared gravely at the tall ninja before him and spoke in a cold, deep voice.

Hearing him, the ninja's tiny shark-like eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze slowly shifting to Naruto behind Jiraiya as he rasped.

"It seems that with you here today... taking that guy away will be difficult..."

Jiraiya's expression tightened at those words, and he said coldly.

"So your target really is Naruto!?"

The tall ninja's expression did not change much upon hearing Jiraiya's words. Even when facing Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, he showed little concern.

Clearly, he was extremely confident in his own strength.

Jiraiya did not waste any more words and spoke bluntly in a deep voice.

"In that case, I'll leave you in Konoha. Then we can learn from you what the Akatsuki intends to do with Naruto!"

With that, he suddenly swung both hands, rapidly forming hand seals.

"Boom!"

He suddenly thrust his palm toward the tall ninja before him!

"Frog Strike Palm!"

Just as his palm neared the other man's body, the tall ninja reacted as well. He hurriedly swung his right hand, dragging the massive bandage-wrapped blade at his side in front of himself.

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing through them as he thought.

Does he think that alone can block my Frog Strike Palm!?

At that thought, a faint smile rose to his lips.

However, in the next instant, his pupils contracted slightly, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

How is that possible... Nothing happened to him at all...!?

How could that be!?

"Whoosh!"

Under Jiraiya's disbelieving gaze, the tall ninja instantly pulled back, retreating with the enormous blade held before him. A smile hung on his strange, savage face.

He seemed to have noticed the confusion in