Happy New Year, everyone (*^▽^*)
Asura Path raised both hands. Amid a rumbling roar, several missiles shot toward Jiraiya.
Bang!
The missiles exploded, and the Jiraiya they hit turned into a puff of white smoke. It was a shadow clone.
But that was no matter. He could not escape.
Animal Path summoned a gigantic strange bird and rode it in pursuit of Jiraiya.
The strange bird's beak was extremely sharp, like a blade, and it hurtled straight toward Jiraiya's body.
As it closed in, Jiraiya twisted sideways, narrowly dodging its attack, then formed hand seals.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique]
With little time to spare, Jiraiya chose this ninjutsu for its low chakra consumption and short hand seal sequence.
The fireball struck the strange bird squarely. It let out a mournful cry as its feathers caught fire, then vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Animal Path jumped off its back and summoned a large chameleon in midair.
The chameleon clung to the wall and caught Animal Path.
Just then, a figure flashed behind Jiraiya. It was none other than the Human Path from the beginning.
He curled his hand into a claw and reached for Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you let your guard down."
He spoke softly, then activated Human Path's ability.
Bang!
Another puff of white smoke dispersed. This one was also a shadow clone.
The two Paths of Pain were not discouraged and returned to the battle, chasing the remaining Jiraiyas.
After a period of flight, Jiraiya's shadow clones vanished one after another.
All nine shadow clones disappeared, leaving only one person.
"Was this the end?"
Jiraiya's lips curved into a helpless smile. As he watched Pain descend from the sky like a god, along with the other five Paths who had reappeared as well, despair actually rose within