You Regret, I Shadow

Jiraiya's expression changed. "Is this the ninjutsu Danzo mentioned?"

Feiyun shouted, and Jiraiya removed his own head.

Under Jiraiya's shocked gaze, his own chakra-condensed giant hand suddenly clutched at his neck.

Shima's expression darkened as Sage Jutsu filled the air.

A chakra tongue shot out and bound Jiraiya's hands.

Taking the opportunity, Feiyun flashed onto Gamaken's head and slashed at the still-struggling Jiraiya.

"You brat!" Fukasaku roared. "Sage Art: Water Severing Moon!"

A fierce torrent blocked Feiyun's chakra blade. As the stream narrowed, its power only grew stronger.

The Water Release transformed into a laser-like blade and directly severed Feiyun's chakra sword.

Feiyun's Sharingan focused as he flashed away from the water blade's cut. He continued shifting through the air, dodging its pursuit, until he deliberately arrived beside Gamaken, who was battling the Wood Golem. Fukasaku had no choice but to withdraw the water blade.

"How is Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath. His body had already recovered. It seemed that Feiyun's Tree of Zero could only control others for a few seconds.

Fukasaku sucked in a cold breath. "Even so, that's terrifying. It directly controls people!"

Cold sweat dripped down Shima's forehead. "In the future, if little Jiraiya encounters him alone, he must run immediately!"

The two sages stared intently at the handsome youth below, their expressions grave.

Feiyun was rapidly forming hand seals. "Earth Release!"

The ground split apart and shook violently, making Gamaken, who was swinging his sword, lose his footing. Then two enormous earthen mountains burst from the ground and slammed together around him.

"Ah!"

Gamaken let out a pained cry. After holding on for a moment, he turned into a sky full of white mist and vanished, releasing the summoning technique.

"Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan!" Jiraiya flashed above Feiyun's head, bringing down an enormous chakra sphere. Feiyun formed a hand seal, and sturdy wooden walls rose before him, blocking the massive Rasengan.

He stared fixedly at Jiraiya. A moment later, the corner of his mouth curled up. "So that's how the Rasengan works!"

The energy exploded!

Feiyun flashed forward and attacked directly. Their figures crossed, fists striking flesh, as the two launched into a fierce battle.

Jiraiya's Sage Mode made his body incomparably powerful. His strength, speed, and reactions had all reached their peak. Yet Feiyun's physical body was invincible, and with his Mangekyo Sharingan, his formidable dynamic vision did not lose to Jiraiya's Sage Body techniques. Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! Water Release: Iron Cannon Prison! Their close-range combat became a clash of ninjutsu, and the battle entered its most intense stage.

With the power of the Bronze Tree in his right eye, Feiyun's ninjutsu was no weaker than Sage Jutsu—if anything, it was even stronger than Jiraiya's Sage Jutsu.

After repeated exchanges, Jiraiya had been injured in many places, while Feiyun's wounds healed in the blink of an eye.

Jiraiya repeatedly dodged the piercing attacks. Fukasaku said in a low voice, "He's too strong. Ninjutsu and taijutsu probably can't bring him down."

"What do we do?"

"We can only use genjutsu."

Jiraiya kicked Feiyun away, but was struck by a punch himself. Both were sent flying backward.

"But I'm not good at genjutsu at all. Kid, just buy us time. Leave the rest to me and the missus."

Shima looked reluctant. "I don't want to. Isn't Danzo from Konoha here?"

"Besides, more Konoha ninja will be arriving soon."

Fukasaku's expression turned stern. "Ma, there's no time to hesitate. This man is too dangerous to Konoha."

Shima still refused. "The Uchiha Clan specializes in genjutsu, and he even possesses the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan. Our technique might not succeed."

Jiraiya and Fukasaku both fell silent upon hearing that.

That was true. And they had no idea when that troublesome Bronze Tree would activate again. They simply could not prepare the Tree of Zero wholeheartedly.

Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta. Holding a huge shield in one hand and a fork in the other, he blocked the attacking Wood Dragon.

"Whoa, what's going on?"

"Is this kind of high-level battle really something I can take part in?"

Jiraiya was forced back by a Fire Release attack. He turned and said, "Bunta and Gamaken have both been seriously injured. Keep an eye on that guy's Wood Release!"

A sea of flames collided with Sage Jutsu Water Release. Water and fire clashed fiercely, and the high temperature filled the area with vast clouds of mist. Within a radius of ten miles, everything lay in ruins.

Jiraiya knelt on one knee. Excessive chakra consumption and consecutive injuries made blood continually seep from the corner of his mouth. Mount Myoboku's giant toads had also been severely injured and retreated to Mount Myoboku. Fukasaku and Shima looked exhausted, clearly having overexerted themselves as well.

Feiyun stood atop the shattered head of the Wood Golem. His Spiritual Power remained full, but his body trembled faintly, and his eyes ached without stopping.

Was this the result of overusing the Mangekyo Sharingan in my first battle with it?

Feiyun's gear-shaped Mangekyo spun and reverted to its Three-Tomoe form. The discomfort in his eyes immediately eased by more than half. Just as he prepared to move and search for Jiraiya, a black shadow rushed out of the thick mist, leaping several times before arriving beside him.

"Feiyun, is that you, Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru looked at the Uchiha youth, unable to conceal the astonishment on his face.

He had watched this battle clearly through his snakes. Feiyun's performance had shocked him. Even Orochimaru at his peak could not have achieved this, let alone fight Danzo, the Hokage's assistant, and Sage Jiraiya in succession.

Though Orochimaru was unwilling to admit it, he knew that if they fought head-on, he could not even defeat Jiraiya in Sage Mode.

He was confident that Jiraiya could not kill him either, but all he could do was retreat safely.

Yet Feiyun had not only gained the upper hand—he seemingly wanted to continue and kill them.

Could this kid really take down Jiraiya and Danzo?

Had he truly become this powerful, or was it merely the hot blood of youth, thinking only of killing his enemies without considering anything else?

Orochimaru calmed himself and looked at Feiyun's eyes. Seeing that Feiyun could no longer maintain the Mangekyo, he finally felt a little more balanced.

Orochimaru spoke. "He Yunjun, are you all right?"

Feiyun took a deep breath. "I can still hold on. Orochimaru, you came at the right time. Help me kill Danzo and Jiraiya. This is the most important step toward destroying Konoha, isn't it?"

Orochimaru's golden pupils suddenly contracted. This brat really wanted to do something so defiant. Those were Sage Jiraiya and half of Mount Myoboku, as well as his greatest creation—the inferior Six Paths Danzo.

Orochimaru tried to persuade him.

"It won't be easy to defeat the two of them. They only fought you this long because they wanted to kill you. If they realize they cannot win and choose to leave, even if two more of me helped you, you still wouldn't be able to keep them here."

Feiyun gritted his teeth.

"More than half of my intelligence capabilities have been exposed. Am I supposed to just let them go? It will only become harder to kill them in the future."

Orochimaru comforted him.

"There will be plenty of opportunities. You're still young, with limitless possibilities. They, on the other hand, are already old fossils."

Orochimaru paused, then continued, "And my scouting snakes have discovered a large number of Konoha ninja heading this way. If we continue, we'll fall into the danger of being surrounded."

Feiyun knew that he had already consumed too much. His body was beginning to weaken. Left with no choice, he nodded. "Then let that old dog Danzo live a few more days."

Hearing this, Orochimaru finally sighed in relief. He had truly feared that Feiyun would insist on fighting to the end. If that happened, his plans would be completely disrupted.

After all, Orochimaru could not abandon Feiyun, his only friend on the path to eternity.

At some point, Orochimaru had gradually begun to regard Feiyun as his friend.

Orochimaru formed hand seals and used a ninjutsu. Their figures vanished into the mist. Jiraiya, who was half-kneeling on the ground, was also discussing with the two sages whether to continue fighting or retreat.

Fukasaku said gravely, "Jiraiya, don't force yourself. You're already near your limit."

Jiraiya coughed up blood as he spoke unwillingly. "But if we don't stop him here—"

Shima looked worried. "Your injuries are too serious, and that guy possesses Hashirama Senju's self-healing ability. If this drags on, you'll die."

At this moment, Danzo also came to Jiraiya's side. "Jiraiya, when the time comes, I'll serve as the bait and create an opportunity for you."

Suddenly, Jiraiya cried out and sprang to his feet, staring straight into the mist.

Danzo was slightly startled. "What is it?"

Jiraiya gritted his teeth. "Another chakra signature appeared and took Uchiha Feiyun away."

Fukasaku asked, "Was it his companion?"

"Who was it?"

Jiraiya clenched his fists and shook his head after a moment. "That person used a secret technique to deliberately conceal their chakra. I can't tell who it was."

Danzo grew anxious. Ignoring Jiraiya, he darted into the mist to pursue them. Yet after searching everywhere, he could not find the slightest trace.

Danzo secretly regretted not bringing a sensory-type subordinate. He had spent so much effort carefully arranging this killing trap, yet he had still failed to capture that naturally evil Uchiha brat. He had wasted so many resurrection coins for nothing.

Not long afterward, a large number of Konoha ninja arrived. A group of Root ninja reached the scene first, all kneeling on one knee behind Danzo.

"Lord Danzo, where is the enemy?"

Danzo rewrapped his right arm and tucked it inside his robe, treating it like a treasure.

Why did he tuck those remaining big eyeballs into his robes?

Because that place was closer to his heart.

Of course, cherished things had to be kept in one's heart. If you loved them, you had to install them on your body.

Danzo spoke darkly.

"The enemy may have escaped."

"Have the sensory ninja lead the search. Split up and find him!"

"Yes!"

The Root ninja responded in unison.

"Move out immediately!"

Danzo's eyes darkened as he muttered, "It's time to have a talk with someone. To deal with the Sharingan, I still need to use the Sharingan. As for the Sharingan on my body, I already have an explanation for Jiraiya."

"In recent years, the Uchiha Clan's threat to the village has grown increasingly severe. To protect Konoha, to counter the Sharingan, and to prevent my subordinates from making excessive sacrifices, I, Danzo, had no choice but to sacrifice my own body. With the resolve to die, I transplanted the Sharingan that Konoha had collected over decades. Everything was for Konoha!"

Seeing that Jiraiya still looked suspicious, Danzo revealed a weary expression and sighed. "If only you younger generation would stay in Konoha. You and Tsunade are away from Konoha all year round, leaving the village to us old men. How old are we now?"

"If Tsunade and you, Jiraiya, devoted yourselves wholeheartedly to Konoha, would we still need to risk our old bones like this? Hiruzen and I are both seventy years old. Do you think we don't want to retire and enjoy our remaining years?"

"But who would let us retire?"

"Who else would hold up the sky?"

"Jiraiya, stay in Konoha and take up your post from now on."