Jiraiya drew a deep breath. Looking at the wound on Leaf Dragon's neck, blood pouring from it, he said nothing and released the restraints of his Senjutsu.
The loose earth beneath his feet scattered over his toes. Leaf Dragon stopped trying to kill himself and administered some basic first aid to his neck wound, keeping himself from bleeding to death on the way.
He stared at Jiraiya, neither sorrow nor joy in his eyes. Then he put away his blade and the Two-Tails, turned, and left.
"You shouldn't have done that, Jiraiya."
Leaf Dragon's spirit body let out a long sigh, disapproving of Jiraiya's actions.
"With such an upheaval during the Chunin Ninja Exams, I feel Black Zetsu's schemes must be involved."
"They have the Two-Tails, and the Eight-Tails will probably be captured too. That would leave only the Nine-Tails, putting Konoha in danger."
"Having the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails draw some of the fire for us is a safeguard for Konoha's security..."
Leaf Dragon's spirit body rarely spoke at such length, a faint anger toward Jiraiya coloring his words.
Big Brother Leaf Dragon really does love Konoha deeply. He doesn't care about his own life at all...
Jiraiya pressed his lips together without a word, bitterness filling his heart.
On this one point alone, he could not follow Big Brother Leaf Dragon's advice.
Killing Leaf Dragon, driving Leaf Dragon to his death, or even watching Leaf Dragon die before his eyes-all of those were... impossible to accept.
Was there some way to have the best of both worlds?
Was there?
Jiraiya gazed in the direction where Leaf Dragon had disappeared, his eyes empty and lost.
The orange-red giant fought three opponents at once without giving ground.
Tsunade had initially been helping Xihuo withstand the Kazekage's attacks, but the three