Crisis! Ying to the Rescue!

With a cough, Jiraiya spat out Fire Release: Flame Bullet! His hands flew through seals, unleashing the power of a formidable jutsu.

Bang, bang, bang! The Hidden Stone ninja could not help exclaiming, "As expected of Hiruzen Sarutobi's student!" But Jiraiya was in bad shape. He was coughing up blood, his strength reduced to Chunin level, while his opponent was clearly a Jonin.

Jiraiya endured the pain, defiance burning in his eyes. He wiped the blood from his mouth and searched for a way to respond. The enemy Jonin gave him no chance to catch his breath, launching another fierce assault. Earth Release surged toward him like a raging tide, hurling stones and clods of dirt from the ground as sharp projectiles.

Jiraiya dodged nimbly, knowing that with only Chunin-level strength, meeting the attack head-on would be a mistake. He wove between the projectiles, looking for an opening. Then inspiration struck: he remembered a special jutsu he had once studied.

Jiraiya's hands raced through seals as he muttered an incantation. A moment later, a powerful surge of chakra radiated from him.

He unleashed his signature technique—Toad Oil Flame Bullet! He spat out a huge glob of toad oil that burst into flame in midair, becoming a blazing sea of fire that swept toward the Hidden Stone ninja.

The Hidden Stone ninja's expression shifted. He hurriedly raised an Earth Release defense, but the Toad Oil Flame Bullet smashed through it in an instant. He had no choice but to scramble away from the flames.

Jiraiya seized the chance to steady himself and recover his chakra. He knew the fight was far from over, but he had found a path to victory. He kept his eyes locked on the Hidden Stone ninja, ready to strike a fatal blow.

Resolve hardening in his