After rolling across the ground, Jiraiya quickly scrambled to his feet and looked toward Naruto.
Naruto looked back at Jiraiya, smacked his left fist into his right palm, and grinned smugly.
Seeing this, Jiraiya smiled too.
Although Naruto had startled him, he was still very pleased. After all, the boy was practically his grandchild!
But-
"He really underestimated me!"
Naruto's performance just now had made him take this completely seriously! For the moment, he had forgotten his original purpose and simply wanted to see how strong Naruto had become.
Jiraiya stomped both feet against the ground and charged at Naruto at tremendous speed, reaching him in the blink of an eye. He immediately raised a fist and swung at Naruto's face without holding back. Naruto's Taijutsu just now had already been nearly on par with his own. If he kept holding back, he really might suffer an unexpected defeat!
If he actually lost to little Naruto, how could he ever show his face again?
Sure enough, Naruto blocked his punch with ease and even had enough strength to counterattack.
For a time, neither could gain the upper hand. Their dazzling array of Taijutsu moves made their hands and feet seem to melt into the air.
The sounds of their limbs colliding rang out incessantly, heavy and thrilling, filled with a violent beauty.
Their clashes produced one burst of air after another. If an ordinary person, or even a Genin-specifically, a normal Genin-rashly approached them now, the raging air currents would send them flying.
The longer Jiraiya fought, the more astonished he became. He could hardly believe it. What exactly had Naruto gone through over the years? How could his Taijutsu be this strong? He was only thirteen this year, at most! Yet he could fight Jiraiya to a draw in