Matatabi, the Cat Demon wreathed in brilliant blue flames, arched her back at the hostile human and warily watched Leaf Dragon close in.
She opened her mouth and spat out a mouse-shaped flame, which scattered in midair into a swarm of blue homing fireballs.
Leaf Dragon tapped his toes against the rocks several times, using the terrain to dodge them all.
The flames shattered rocks and ignited trees, and the fire began to spread.
Leaf Dragon slowed slightly, but there had never been much distance between them. Despite the brief delay, he was already within striking range.
Matatabi raised her razor-sharp claws to attack, only for Jiraiya to shout a warning. "Above you!"
At some point, Leaf Dragon's Shadow Clone had approached her back, a Sealing Jutsu Formula ready in its hand.
Jiraiya formed Hand Seals and unleashed Wind Release from his mouth. Though launched later, it struck first, blasting the Shadow Clone behind Matatabi into a cloud of white smoke.
Meanwhile, the Leaf Dragon in front of her pressed straight into her slashing claws. As her paw struck him, he slapped a Sealing Jutsu onto her body.
A Tadpole-Shaped Black Seal spread over Matatabi's body, while Leaf Dragon flew aside, coughing up blood. He hit the ground and tumbled several times. He tried to rise but seemed too weak, managing only to kneel awkwardly on one knee, covering his mouth as he vomited blood.
Jiraiya's eyes widened at the sight of Leaf Dragon taking that blow head-on and suffering such terrible injuries.
That was far too risky. Against a Tailed Beast's strength, human organs and bones were as fragile as paper, easily pierced. A solid blow from that paw would leave a person dead or crippled.
Had Big Brother Leaf Dragon always been this reckless with his life?
Watching