Boom!
"What happened?"
"Isn't that... where Root's base is?!"
"To think those guys would actually be willing to join the fight. Judging by that commotion, we really underestimated them."
Many Konoha ninja couldn't help looking up. They were all deeply dissatisfied with Root's members, but with an outside enemy upon them, as long as Root was willing to join the fight, they could put their grievances aside and settle for a few snide remarks.
But the reality was clearly rather different from what they imagined.
Even Jiraiya, who was barely holding on in Sage Mode, couldn't help looking in that direction.
"A Reverse Four Symbols Seal on that scale... looks like they've encountered a powerful enemy over there, too..."
Jiraiya was in terrible shape, covered in blood and grime. Even the two sages on his shoulders, Fukasaku and Shima, were covered in wounds.
"Pa, the enemy's too strong. Looks like we'll have to put these old lives of ours on the line this time."
"Little Jiraiya, can you still hold on?"
Jiraiya wiped away the blood about to trickle into his eyes and tried to steady his breathing. "I'm fine. The enemy's tricky, but after our earlier exchanges, I've seen through his moves. We'll only have one chance, though. If we fail..."
"Little Jiraiya, go ahead and do it without hesitation. With us two old fossils here, we'll make sure you get the time and opportunity you need."
The two sages, Fukasaku and Shima, gave Jiraiya tremendous encouragement and confidence.
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who should have been retired and spending his days at home, appeared beside Jiraiya, wearing his battle gear for the first time in ages and carrying the Adamantine Staff.
"Teacher Sarutobi? What are you doing here?"
"The enemy's at our doorstep. Am I supposed to keep