One vs. Three

Bang!

An explosion rang out, and several figures leaped from the black smoke.

"The Sannin of Konoha? You are every bit as formidable as the rumors suggest."

Jiraiya looked ahead, where three ninjas stood—all of them, without exception, rogue ninjas.

Leading them was a man who bore a striking resemblance to Heili.

Around his neck hung a forehead protector, the symbol of Takigakure scratched out.

"However."

Kurohane spread his arms, and the two Jonin behind him assumed combat stances.

"Three against one—what will the legendary Sannin do now?"

As the words fell, Jiraiya chuckled, though his eyes quickly turned stern.

"In that case—"

"Prepare yourselves to experience the true power of the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku!"

With a powerful kick against the ground, Jiraiya lunged toward Kurohane and his men.

"Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet!"

As seasoned Jonin, their combat experience was vast; the moment Jiraiya moved, they unleashed their own ninjutsu.

"Water Style: Water Bullet!"

Jiraiya wove hand signs while charging, a Water Style technique instantly neutralizing the incoming Great Flame Bullet.

"Earth Style: Earth Walk Technique!"

Suddenly, the ground beneath Jiraiya gave way, causing him to lurch forward as a figure emerged from the earth below.

Only seconds ago, this man had been standing right in front of him.

The man underground thrust a Kunai upward. Though Jiraiya was off-balance, his superior combat instincts allowed him to narrowly evade the strike.

The Kunai grazed his cheek, and Jiraiya countered with a flying kick toward the man beneath him.

"Lightning Style!"

The man in front ignored his comrade's safety and began weaving hand signs.

Jiraiya's kick connected, but his opponent was a Jonin and a rogue at that; his combat experience was not far behind Jiraiya's own.

Poof! Smoke swirled around Jiraiya's foot as the enemy he struck transformed into a cloud of mist.

A log appeared out of thin air, suspended in place—the telltale sign that the man had used the Body Replacement Technique.

"Earth Flow!"

At that moment, the other two Jonin unleashed the Lightning Style technique they had been holding back.

A bolt of lightning, resembling a serpent, surged toward Jiraiya.

Jiraiya leaped lightly, dodging the technique with ease.

But that was exactly what the enemies were waiting for!

While their teammates provided cover and distraction, Kurohane and the other Jonin seized the moment Jiraiya was airborne, charging at him from both sides.

The Kunai in their hands glowed with a sharp light; it was a Chakra Blade, a feat achievable only through precise chakra control.

These were no ordinary Chakra Blades, however; from the corner of his eye, Jiraiya could see that they were imbued with nature transformation.

This was a prerequisite for any Jonin. Any ninjutsu enhanced by nature transformation saw its power level rise significantly.

The Rasengan was a classic example; once wind-style nature transformation was added, it could elevate from an A-rank technique to the level of a forbidden jutsu.

Similarly, a standard Chakra Blade became far more lethal with nature transformation applied.

One Kunai glowed with a crimson heat, while the other hummed with a sharp, cutting edge.

These were the fire and wind nature transformations.

It was clear that Kurohane and the other Jonin possessed these respective affinities.

Regardless, Jiraiya was in a precarious position, suspended in mid-air with attackers closing in from both sides.

It seemed there was no way to dodge.

Or so it should have been.

But—

Jiraiya did not panic; he clicked his wooden sandals together.

The clack-clack sound rippled outward like a sonic wave.

Kurohane and the other ninja were already upon him, but the moment the crisp sound of the sandals rang out, both men froze for a split second.

They were on the verge of swinging their Chakra Blades, but that momentary hesitation gave Jiraiya the opening he needed.

Jiraiya extended his legs in mid-air, performing a split, and with a single kick to each side, he sent both Kurohane and the other ninja flying.

Jiraiya landed steadily, while Kurohane and his companion retreated a few steps.

This exchange was a victory for Jiraiya.

"Fire Style."

"Fire Dragon Flame Bullet Technique."

A ninja's battle leaves no gaps for the opponent; every moment of combat is intense.

Even after being pushed back, Kurohane and his companion immediately began weaving hand signs.

Soon, two Fire Dragon Flame Bullets erupted simultaneously from both of Jiraiya's sides.

Jiraiya was naturally not foolish enough to stand there motionless; he pushed off the ground and leaped away, dodging the attack.

The two fire dragons collided, their flames merging and surging upward.

The scorching heat seared the air and the wind, and the battle between Jiraiya and them continued.

"Lightning Style, Heavy Flow Violence."

Just as Jiraiya landed after dodging the two ninjutsu, the sound of electricity crackled in his ears.

Turning his gaze, he saw a third person rushing toward him with hands wreathed in electricity, moving at high speed.

"Earth Style."

Jiraiya slammed a palm onto the ground, and seals emerged from his palm.

"Multiple Earth Spikes Technique."

As Jiraiya's voice fell, the ground surged.

The third person, still wreathed in electricity, had already reached Jiraiya, but the next moment, the ground beneath him heaved.

The undulating earth lifted him off the ground, and he saw spikes thrusting toward him.

They were sharp spikes formed from the earth beneath his feet.

He did not panic too much; after all, he was a Jonin and a rogue ninja, having seen such scenes many times before.

Clenching his fist, the electricity on his hand crackled loudly as he nimbly adjusted his body in mid-air, shattering the incoming spikes with his electrified fist.

"Wild Lion's Mane Technique."

Jiraiya's voice reached his ears, and when he looked over, all he saw was a blur of white.

Puchi.

A puff of smoke rose, and a few drops of blood stained the ground.

"Fast reactions."

Jiraiya retracted his white hair and looked to the side.

There, Kurohane stood with the other two ninjas, one of whom was already drenched in blood on one side of his body.

It was the ninja who had just been struck by Jiraiya's Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

"Do you want to continue?"

After a series of exchanges, it was clear to any discerning eye that although Jiraiya was alone, he was undoubtedly the one with the advantage.

Should one say the Sannin are still the Sannin? After all, their reputation was forged in war.

"The 'Madman' Jiraiya is indeed as formidable as the rumors suggest. I wonder, how do your disciples fare?"

Kurohane wore a smile, as if everything were going according to his plan.

"What do you mean?"

Jiraiya's expression turned cold.

Kurohane did not panic, continuing with a smile.

"We have more than just three Jonin!"

Jiraiya immediately understood what he meant; the opponent's goal was simple.

It was nothing more than to stall him, a high-level combatant.

"Damn it."

Jiraiya immediately tried to dash toward Yueshu's direction, but Kurohane and the other two quickly blocked his path.

"We can't let you ruin our plans now. Rest assured."

Kurohane smiled.

"It won't take long."

Jiraiya gritted his teeth and charged forward; the Madman's battle continued!