"So that's how it is... It seems we walk different paths. Whatever happens, I won't let you take Naruto away. He belongs to Konoha.
But I promise I'll take good care of him from now on."
Jiraiya spoke gravely.
As he looked at Hatake Sakumo, whose presence radiated menace, his expression grew solemn. It seemed he had never fought this long-renowned senior before.
"If I don't take this seriously, I might die here. He doesn't look like he's joking..."
The two stood facing each other. Kakashi quietly took Naruto away and watched from the side.
He could actually participate in this battle, but only barely. He could lend his father a hand, but he even risked being swept aside like a common foot soldier.
In another two or three years, perhaps he would have no fear of Kage-level opponents, but against someone like Jiraiya, who ranked among the strongest at that level, he would need another five or six years.
In the blink of an eye, a brilliant flash of white light swept past.
When the blade's light sank into the ground, the trench extended dozens of meters along the edge of the main road before stopping.
Fine silver patterns lingered on the cut surfaces on either side, as though an extremely thin blade had sliced them repeatedly.
"Then, forgive my rudeness, Sakumo."
Jiraiya's voice was slightly hoarse.
Fighting a former colleague and senior to the death left him weary inside, but the arrow was already on the string. He had no choice but to release it. The Nine-Tails could not be taken from Konoha.
It was all for the village.
He had already begun forming hand seals.
He moved extremely quickly, crossing his hands before his chest, separating them, then slamming them onto the ground.
Black patterns spread, and