Pain sensed Jiraiya's presence in the rubble, but it felt utterly unfamiliar. Curiosity filled his ringed eyes. It seemed his former teacher wasn't as weak as he looked.
"His presence has changed. It's powerful, and unfamiliar."
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was still chatting with the two toads he had summoned.
Fukasaku and Shima had appeared on Jiraiya's shoulders, chatting with him on and off.
"Hey, kid, why do you always summon us to places like this? Gamaken just told me you seem to have run into trouble." Sage Shima was as hot-tempered as ever.
Although she seemed concerned about Jiraiya, she was actually still upset about Gamaken getting hurt earlier. She had watched them all grow up. How could she not feel hurt when they were injured?
Seeing this, Fukasaku hurried to soothe her. "Come on, don't be angry, Ma. Little Jiraiya ran into a really strong enemy. He didn't have any choice."
But Shima clearly wasn't interested in listening to Fukasaku.
"Pa, stop making excuses for him. Honestly."
Jiraiya felt awkward at that and explained, "Boss, Ma, this time I've encountered the legendary eyes of the sage-the Rinnegan."
"Those things really exist?" Fukasaku was surprised. They were the stuff of legends, after all. No one could say for certain.
But Jiraiya nodded beside him, confirming that it was true, and that really stunned Fukasaku.
"Then, little Jiraiya, do you think we can beat them?"
"I don't know, Boss. Our chances aren't good."
Shima's expression grew darker and darker beside them. These two were talking up the enemy and killing their own morale before the fight had even begun.
"Tch, it's just the Rinnegan. What's there to be scared of? Honestly, you old fool, you're getting more spineless with age. Just look at you! It makes me furious."
"And you, little Jiraiya!