Madara Uchiha possessed the Rinnegan, so naturally, he had detected Jiraiya long ago. When he saw Jiraiya take such decisive measures before he had even drawn close, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
However, that surprise soon gave way to amusement, and Madara Uchiha murmured:
"Oh? What an interesting little mouse."
A powerful surge of chakra rippled from Madara Uchiha. Like a cannonball, he shot toward Jiraiya at several times his previous speed, smashing the raindrops in his path into clouds of fine mist.
I've already used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. The Second Hokage developed this ninjutsu based on the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. Even if that unknown enemy is an expert, he shouldn't be able to tell where my real body is. As long as I can buy a little time, I should be able to shake him off.
Jiraiya mulled this over as he darted through an alley.
At that thought, Jiraiya frowned slightly.
Which faction has been keeping that damn bastard as its trump card? How come there hasn't been the slightest sign of him before now? I'll have to get this information back to the village as soon as possible and see if they can uncover his background.
Just as Jiraiya was muttering to himself, he suddenly sensed something wrong. A deep chill spread rapidly from the back of his head. He abruptly shifted his footing, his wooden sandals groaning under the strain as he veered sharply in another direction.
"Hiss!"
The next instant, a beam of purple light swept through the spot Jiraiya had just occupied, slicing everything along its path in two like a high-frequency laser.
At the same time, a languid voice drifted over.
"Storm Release-Light Fang."
"Little mouse, you're rather good at dodging."
Madara Uchiha was not particularly bothered that Jiraiya