He turned back and fought his own Wood Clones, holding his ground against two opponents at once.
While Watanabe Ichiro split his attention three ways to control the three Disguises in combat, young Jiraiya gritted his teeth and reset his dislocated wrist, eager to jump back in.
Just then, Watanabe Ichiro kicked the Cult Leader in the right arm. He lost his balance, leaving his chest wide open and exposing an obvious opening. Jiraiya lunged straight at him with his weapon.
Oh, this unlucky kid hasn't learned a thing... You fell for bait that obvious?
Watanabe Ichiro, who had intended to end the fight outright, sighed. It seemed lectures alone were useless.
Squelch.
Blood spurted.
Jiraiya felt the resistance as his blade pierced flesh, and relief flooded him. It wasn't a Shadow Clone. It was the enemy.
Great, I did it! I helped Leaf Dragon kill an enemy!
A drop of warm blood landed on his shoulder, and Jiraiya turned his head.
A blood-drenched blade tip pointed straight at his pupil. A fraction closer, and it would have pierced his skull.
He froze. His gaze followed the blade to a hand it had stabbed clean through.
"Don't space out."
Watanabe Ichiro spoke into his ear.
Jiraiya lowered his eyes in shame and gave a dispirited reply. He twisted his dagger half a turn, pulled it free, and retreated.
Only when he got a clear look at the deadlock between Watanabe Ichiro and the enemies did he realize how dangerous the situation had been.
The second enemy's surprise attack hadn't been the only threat to his life. There was also the left hand of the enemy he had stabbed, which held a weapon too.
If Watanabe Ichiro hadn't blocked it with his kunai, that blade would have pierced Jiraiya's back