Nagato's gaze settled on Tsunade's face again, his arrogance bordering on madness.
"I'll crush Konoha in one blow, along with your confidence! I'll make you remember the invincible God Pain forever. Only then can true peace be achieved..."
His voice cut off mid-sentence.
His lips remained parted, but the rest of the words lodged in his throat. His eyes could still move, his neck could turn slightly, and he could speak with effort. But his limbs, torso, and every last finger felt sealed inside something solid and invisible. He could not move them at all.
Jiraiya flashed out of the Ruins to the side and landed three steps behind Nagato.
His face was twisted, veins bulging across his forehead, making him look like a wild beast. Two palm-sized toads crouched on his shoulders—Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima. Their jaws were still moving faintly.
Jiraiya caught his breath, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
"Nagato, what do you think of Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant? Not bad for an auditory Genjutsu, right?"
Nagato struggled where he stood, then confirmed that only his eyes and lips could still move, and barely at that.
His gaze shifted to Jiraiya's face. His expression was complicated, filled with surprise, memories, and admiration he could not suppress.
"As expected of you, Master Jiraiya. Genjutsu is your weakest area, yet you made it your trump card. I never saw that coming."
"I have to admit I underestimated you. I actually thought you were no different from the rest of those useless fools."
Jiraiya's mouth twitched. He kept his guard up and swiftly formed the next hand seal.
"Hurry up and surrender! This isn't Ninjutsu. Even if you're my student, I won't give you a chance to turn this around!"
"Surrender now, or... die!"
As he spoke, he used