Kashin Koji, Jiraiya Nearly Died
The Land of Rivers.
In a remote town.
Jiraiya crouched on the roof of a Hot Spring Inn, his rear in the air as he gathered material for his novel.
Just then,
a burly man with short white hair walked into the inn.
He wore a Stone Mask and a black cloak.
His instincts as a ninja immediately drew Jiraiya's attention to the mysterious man.
As if sensing Jiraiya's gaze, the man turned away from the entrance and hurried off.
Jiraiya followed without hesitation.
Something about the man felt strangely familiar.
One ahead of the other, they raced through the Dense Woods.
Suddenly,
the mysterious man Jiraiya was chasing spun around.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"
A scorching fireball swallowed Jiraiya's body.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
Jiraiya reappeared to one side.
He slammed both hands onto the ground.
The next instant,
the earth beneath the man's feet turned into a swamp.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
On the verge of sinking, the man rapidly formed hand seals. The swampy ground hardened once more.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
The man's white hair shot out, sending a dense barrage of fine strands toward Jiraiya.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya gave a low shout of his own, and his hair wrapped tightly around his body.
"Who are you?"
Jiraiya stared at the mysterious man and asked in a low voice.
Why
was this man using nothing but ninjutsu Jiraiya himself specialized in?
"Hmph!"
The man gave no answer. With a cold snort, he attacked Jiraiya again.
"Sage Art: Rasengan!"
When Jiraiya saw the man use even the Rasengan, his shock knew no bounds.
After all,
the Rasengan was his signature ninjutsu.
I have to break that mask.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth and charged at the man.
Bang!