Challenging Jiraiya!

Konoha, the Hokage's office.

"...That was roughly how it happened."

Ye Chuan finished reporting on the mission to hunt down the Immortal Duo.

He left out how he had overwhelmed them at full power, saying only that he had joined forces with Asuma and the others and paid a certain price before finally eliminating the enemy.

"Excellent work, Ye Chuan!"

After hearing his report, Tsunade slapped the desk hard, her face full of admiration.

"You took out two members of Akatsuki in one go! That's an enormous achievement!"

"You're Konoha's sharpest blade now!"

She walked up to Ye Chuan in a few strides, undisguised pride beaming across her face.

After all, he was her disciple, at least in name!

She reached out and, out of habit, hooked an arm around his neck as she always had, vigorously ruffling his soft black hair.

After spending these past two and a half years together and sharing so many experiences, Tsunade had increasingly come to see him as family.

Somewhat helpless, Ye Chuan let her ruffle his hair. His arm could clearly feel the astonishing suppleness and warmth of Tsunade's mature body.

And...a certain suffocating bliss from being squeezed?

"Ahem..."

Inwardly, Ye Chuan marveled at the Fifth Hokage's mountain-like, expansive bosom, but outwardly, he could only try his best to remain calm.

"All right, all right. Back to business."

Tsunade also realized that she was being a little too intimate and let go, though she was still smiling.

"You contributed the most this time. What reward do you want? Just name it!"

"There's no need for a reward. Doing my part for the village is only right," Ye Chuan said calmly. "But..."

Just then, a knock came at the office door, and Shizune poked her head in. "Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya is back."

Barely had she finished speaking when the white-haired Jiraiya strode in casually.

"Hey, Tsunade! I'm back! I hear the kid you sent out took down two members of Akatsuki? Not bad!"

His gaze settled on Ye Chuan, carrying a hint of scrutiny and approval.

"Lord Jiraiya."

Ye Chuan nodded in greeting, but something stirred in his mind.

He's back...then, sure enough, he's going to...

Sure enough, after exchanging a few pleasantries with Tsunade and listening to her recount Ye Chuan's accomplishments with a hint of boasting, Jiraiya's expression turned serious.

"Tsunade, I've made some new discoveries and formed some theories about Akatsuki's leader," Jiraiya said gravely. "I have to go to Amegakure myself and uncover the truth about Pain."

"No! It's too dangerous!" Tsunade objected immediately.

"It's precisely because it's dangerous that I have to go!" Jiraiya was adamant.

Just as the two reached an impasse, Ye Chuan suddenly spoke. "Lord Jiraiya, there's no need to go."

"Hmm?" Jiraiya and Tsunade both turned to him.

"I already have some information about Pain," Ye Chuan said calmly.

"What?!" Both were shocked.

Looking at the two legendary Sannin, Ye Chuan said slowly:

"Akatsuki's founders, as well as its current core, are connected to the three disciples you took in at Amegakure."

"!!!"

The thunderclap of a revelation instantly left both Jiraiya and Tsunade utterly stunned.

Jiraiya, in particular, wore an expression of disbelief and sorrow.

"Nagato...Konan...Yahiko..."

"No! All the more reason for me to go! I have to see for myself! I have to ask them!"

"There must be some mistake! Or...I might still have a chance to bring them back!"

Seeing Jiraiya like this, Ye Chuan knew that this Pervy Sage, who could sacrifice everything for his convictions, could never be talked out of it.

That was simply the kind of man he was.

"In that case..."

Ye Chuan took a deep breath and made a bold decision.

"Lord Jiraiya, I'd like to have a match with you."

"A match?" Jiraiya froze.

"That's right."

Ye Chuan's gaze sharpened.

"If you win, I won't stop you from going to Amegakure anymore. But if you lose..."

He paused, then spoke each word distinctly.

"You must stay in Konoha."

For one thing, he needed to find a way to keep Jiraiya here. Jiraiya's death would be far too great a loss to Konoha's future fighting strength, especially when it came to facing Obito and Madara.

For another, Ye Chuan also wanted to use this opportunity to test his current strength and truly gauge how much of a gap remained between him and fighters on the level of the Sannin.

"Hahahaha! Interesting! What an interesting kid!"

Jiraiya froze at first, then burst into laughter, his eyes full of admiration.

"All right! Just what I'd expect from a kid who could take down Kakuzu! I accept your challenge!"

"Let's see just how strong you, Konoha's new generation, really are!"

"Tsunade, be our witness!" Jiraiya turned to Tsunade.

Looking at the two men before her, Tsunade sighed helplessly and nodded.

"Fine. But don't take it too far!"

She knew very well that once these two started fighting, it would be no small matter.

Outside Konoha, at a secluded, open training ground.

Tsunade stood at a distance, serving as referee and witness.

Ye Chuan and Jiraiya stood facing each other.

Ye Chuan slowly drew the Wado Ichimonji, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Lord Jiraiya, a word of warning before we begin."

His tone was calm, but his gaze was exceptionally serious.

"My way of fighting is different from that of ordinary shinobi."

"Once I strike, it's a killing move. It's hard for me to hold back, so please...give it everything you have."

If...I really do slip up and kill Jiraiya...

Then all I can do is apologize. Hopefully, Jiraiya's soul can become nourishment to make me stronger.

"Heh, bring it on! I won't go easy on you just because you're a kid!"

The atmosphere in the empty training ground grew unbearably tense.

Tsunade retreated into the distance, watching the two men about to clash with a complicated expression.

One was her longtime companion, and the other was her disciple.

"Then...here I come!"

Jiraiya broke the silence first. His somewhat flippant air vanished, replaced by a weighty, powerful presence!

He stamped down hard and shot toward Ye Chuan like a cannonball.

"Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"

As he closed in at high speed, Jiraiya rapidly formed hand seals and spat out a stream of toad oil, immediately following it with searing flames!

Oil and fire combined, instantly forming a sea of terrifyingly hot flames that swept toward Ye Chuan!

He opened with a powerful, wide-ranging Fire Release technique! Clearly, Jiraiya had never intended to hold back from the outset!

Facing a sea of flames hot enough to melt steel, Ye Chuan's gaze remained calm.

His Observation Haki had already clearly picked up the flames' range, and even Jiraiya's next move hidden behind them!

[Soru]!

The instant the sea of flames was about to engulf him, his figure vanished! Like a phantom, he slipped past the flames' frontal assault!

Immediately afterward, he activated [Geppo]!

He stepped repeatedly through the air, instantly gaining height before diving down from above toward Jiraiya, who had just finished unleashing his ninjutsu!

The Wado Ichimonji in his hand, coated in Armament Haki, slashed down at Jiraiya's head with a shrill whistle that tore through the air!