"Senjutsu users from Mount Myoboku... How rare. To this world, beings like you must seem like gods from another realm."
Aizen looked at the Toad Sage standing on Jiraiya's shoulder, hands clasped just like Jiraiya's. His lips curled slightly as he spoke softly.
At Aizen's words, Fukasaku glanced at him, frowning slightly. His voice was low.
"So you're Sosuke, the one little Jiraiya never stops talking about. I never expected you'd push him this far."
Aizen shook his head lightly, smiling.
"Call me Aizen. I imagine the Mount Myoboku clan will come to understand that name more deeply in the future. After all, as one of the few Sage Caves in the Ninja World, I'm very interested in it."
Hearing Aizen's undisguised ambition and intentions, Fukasaku frowned deeply, clearly displeased.
Just then, Aizen's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed. He spoke softly.
"It seems we won't be able to continue our battle today."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru watched him with grave expressions. A flicker of awareness crossed Sage Fukasaku's eyes, and he quietly whispered to Jiraiya beside him.
"Jiraiya, there are a lot of ninjas heading this way. Are they from Konoha?"
Jiraiya frowned deeply, his expression grim.
"I doubt it. At a time like this, only the Rock Ninja would still be pursuing us."
Fukasaku lowered his voice.
"Then it looks like that group heading this way must be the Rock Ninja. If they get here, you may not be able to escape."
Jiraiya frowned at Fukasaku's words, his face, streaked with paint, looking grim.
Just then, Orochimaru spoke coldly.
"Let's go, Jiraiya. Take Tsunade with you. We need to leave now."
Jiraiya stared at him, momentarily stunned, then hurriedly said, "How can we just leave? Sos—Sosuke is still right there!"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and glanced at him from the