Jiraiya snorted and pulled himself together.
The faint warmth against his chest gave him a little more confidence.
"Quit bragging. I'm not that easy to kill!"
He kicked off the ground, splashing muddy water everywhere.
A red blur flashed straight toward them.
Shima shrieked, "Little Jiraiya, go for their legs!"
Fukasaku shouted, "Watch out for the fat one on your right!"
Preta Path blocked his way again.
Jiraiya dodged around him and charged straight at Deva Path.
But Deva Path's eyes had already seen through everything.
"It's useless." Pain's expression remained cold.
A black rod thrust out from nowhere.
With a ripping sound, it sliced open Jiraiya's flank.
Blood and muddy water streamed down his thigh.
"Damn it, how did he get faster?"
Jiraiya gritted his teeth, his lips turning blue.
A clammy chill seeped from the wound.
It was the chakra on the black rod.
It was violently disrupting his Senjutsu energy.
"Old man, your chakra's in chaos!"
Shima dug her fingers into his shoulder, crying out in alarm.
"Don't panic, old woman. I can hold on!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals, his throat swelling.
"Sage Art: Goemon!"
A savage torrent of flaming oil erupted again.
Red light flooded the entire alley.
But Preta Path flashed into view without a sound.
Those open palms appeared again.
He swallowed every last bit of the flaming oil.
"That fat bastard can really eat."
Jiraiya spat, bitterness filling his mouth.
Before he could retreat, Asura Path closed in.
A serrated steel blade spun at blinding speed, whipping up the wind.
Jiraiya dodged, but he was half a beat too slow.
Rip.
His clothes tore, and a bloody gash opened across his chest.
Muddy water soaked the wound, making him shudder with pain.
"Old man, behind you! Duck!"
Sage Fukasaku's warning exploded beside his