Orochimaru's Vessel

Jirobo secretly swore to himself that this time, he would give it everything he had and knock the brat in front of him flat in a single move!

That way, when the four of them returned to receive their rewards, Lord Orochimaru would know that he was the one who had defeated Takizawa Dan. Then he would surely be credited with the first merit!

He would no longer be the same useless, pathetic, unwanted fatso he had been before—the one everyone treated like a mascot!

Of course, with Jirobo's dull wits, it never occurred to him that his three companions hadn't stepped in because they thought this completely one-sided fight was beneath them. They couldn't be bothered to take part.

It was like a middle schooler refusing to fight an elementary schooler, while the weakest middle schooler got all excited and smug just because he had the chance to do it!

It really was a little sad.

But no matter what, Jirobo had gotten the chance to fight Takizawa Dan one-on-one. That much was true. If he played his cards right, this might even turn out to be an opportunity for him!

Seeing Jirobo staring at him with an excited look on his face, Takizawa Dan couldn't help finding it amusing.

With his knowledge of Naruto's plot and the scene unfolding before him, how could he not guess what Jirobo was feeling?

"Brat, you'd better surrender now. Otherwise, I'll make sure you suffer!"

Jirobo bared his teeth and snarled.

Though he said that, he was secretly hoping Takizawa Dan would refuse. Otherwise, he wouldn't get the chance to show off.

"Planning to use me to make a name for yourself? Not a bad idea, but unfortunately, you're not strong enough to take me down."

Takizawa Dan shook his head, his voice full of mockery.

"Smartass! You'll regret that soon enough!"

Jirobo was delighted. He kicked off the ground.

His kick left a sizable crater in the earth, and he shot toward Takizawa Dan like a cannonball!

Takizawa Dan's expression turned serious at the sight.

Jirobo might have been the weakest of the Sound Four, but that was only in comparison to the other three.

He was actually quite strong. At the Chunin Ninja Exams, probably no one—not even Neji or Sasuke—could be certain of beating him in a straight fight!

This wasn't going to be an easy battle!

But...

A smile tugged at Takizawa Dan's lips. This was a pure contest of strength.

Jirobo was probably too eager to finish the fight, or perhaps he was simply too overconfident. He hadn't even formed Hand Seals or used any Taijutsu. He'd just charged straight at Takizawa Dan to fight him.

If anything, he was relying on his brute strength alone!

If that was the case, this was the perfect chance to test the way Tsunade had taught him to apply his strength!

With that thought, Takizawa Dan didn't back away. Instead, he charged straight at Jirobo!

"Hm? That brat's got some nerve! He's actually going head-to-head with Jirobo?"

Kidomaru couldn't help exclaiming in surprise when he saw Takizawa Dan's move.

"Hmph, what an idiot. I thought he was pretty smart, but he's chosen the dumbest way to fight. Looks like we really don't need to get involved. Jirobo can take care of him by himself!"

Watching the scene, Tayuya let out a cold laugh and shook her head.

Of the Sound Four, Jirobo was the only strength-type ninja, and his raw power was astonishing. If they didn't count chakra and ninjutsu enhancements, the other three couldn't match him.

When it came to close-quarters combat, Jirobo was the strongest.

A fight that was nothing but a contest of strength might look stupid, but it was actually the best way for Jirobo to fight. If his opponent underestimated him and tried to do the same, they were sure to pay dearly!

That was what it meant to use your opponent's strength against them!

Takizawa Dan was certain to lose today!

At that moment, Jirobo saw that Takizawa Dan not only hadn't backed away, but was gathering his strength to meet him head-on. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

He'd expected someone his size to dodge and try to wear him down. Jirobo had a second plan ready for that, of course.

But he hadn't expected this brat to charge straight at him like a hotheaded fool!

"Hahaha! I like your spirit, brat! For that alone, I, Jirobo, will use every bit of strength I have to defeat you!"

A feverish battle lust flared in Jirobo's eyes. His already bulky body swelled another size as his muscles tensed!

He was getting serious!

The moment their fists met.

Everyone there, including Jirobo, thought Takizawa Dan was done for.

And yet...

What happened next made everyone stare in shock.

"Th-this... how is this possible..."

Kidomaru's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Tayuya and Sakon and Ukon weren't as visibly shocked as Kidomaru, but their faces were still filled with disbelief.

In the middle of the clearing, Takizawa Dan's fist had collided with Jirobo's. Yet neither of them had moved!

All their strength was concentrated in their fists. They shoved against each other with all their might, but neither could push forward even an inch!

"You... you can... actually match my... strength?"

Jirobo was stunned. Takizawa Dan felt like a solid wall of iron. Jirobo couldn't break through at all!

Even putting every last bit of strength he had into it made no difference!

"Heh... there are plenty of things in this world you don't know. You're far too ignorant."

Takizawa Dan shook his head mockingly.

He'd planned to use eighty percent of his full muscle strength, but when their fists met and he realized Jirobo's attack wasn't all that heavy, he used only fifty percent.

And that was already enough to hold his own against Jirobo!

"Tayuya, you stupid pig! Put your back into it and beat him! What good is all that fat if you can't use it? Are you going easy on him?"

Seeing Jirobo's pathetic performance, Tayuya shouted furiously.

Jirobo's failed attack didn't just make him look bad. It made the whole Sound Four look bad!

For someone as concerned with appearances as Tayuya, that was absolutely unacceptable.

"Tayuya, I... I..."

Jirobo was instantly drenched in sweat. He wanted to say something, but couldn't figure out what.

"Heh, looks like you still don't have a clear idea of how strong you are. In that case, I'll help you understand. Watch closely!"

Takizawa Dan smiled at everyone present.

Then his arm suddenly surged with power!

Eighty percent of his muscle strength!

BOOM!

Jirobo's bulky body flew through the air like a cannonball! He rolled dozens of meters through the forest, smashing through more than a dozen trees before finally coming to a stop!

Through the drifting smoke, Jirobo lay on the ground, covered in wounds and seemingly lifeless!

The whole area fell silent!