The pungent stench of blood and scorched earth filled the air. Abyssal fissures crisscrossed the ravaged wasteland. Jiraiya knelt on one knee at the edge of a rubble-filled crater, gasping for breath. His right arm hung limp at his side, the bone broken at a grotesque angle. White shards had even pierced his flesh, jutting into the air. His once-dashing red coat had long since been stained in patches of dark crimson.
His chakra had bottomed out. After Sage Mode was forcibly interrupted, the backlash was wreaking havoc throughout his chakra pathways. Normally, a ninja in this condition would struggle even to stand, let alone keep fighting.
Yet he not only stood up, but forcibly wrung out what little life force remained within him.
Visible wisps of blood-red energy seeped from Jiraiya's pores, forming a wildly unstable mist around his body. He was burning through his lifespan to force his body to produce chakra.
"Forcing an HP lock? That's not just against the rules. It's incredibly stupid." Chiya held Ryūjin Jakka by the hilt, its tip angled toward the ground. No flames coated the blade, but the pressure it radiated was still chilling. "Your health bar's empty, and you're still trying to trigger a second phase. You're only speeding up your trip to the coffin. Against my combat stats, feeding me a kill like this means nothing."
Jiraiya ignored Chiya's mockery. He clenched his teeth, veins bulging across his forehead, and raised his uninjured left hand. Extending his index and middle fingers, he formed a one-handed seal before his chest.
Behind him, Tsunade stumbled forward and grabbed his shoulder.
"Stop! Jiraiya! You'll die!" Tsunade's voice was filled with panic and terror. Chakra from the Strength of a Hundred Seal surged chaotically through her body. Ignoring the pain in her own