"This brat... is he immortal?"
Seeing Kosei, who was pierced through the chest by the water arrow, stand up from the ground without any injuries, Jiraiya's heart skipped a beat. Kosei's vicious eyes, as sharp as real blades, looked directly at him, making Jiraiya's expression become more serious.
The blood hole in Kosei's chest had completely closed. Only a tear in the clothes and the bloodstain on it remained, confirming the fact that Kosei was pierced through the chest.
"Hey, what's going on with this kid? Jiraiya-chan, what are you fighting with?"
Surviving being pierced through the chest, it didn't resemble a normal human being in any way.
Wearing a black cloak on Jiraiya's left shoulder, Sage Shima muttered with difficulty. Having been pierced through the chest by an attack with senjutsu, his heart shattered. Yet, he survived and healed automatically.. It was a bizarre occurrence that even the Sage, who had survived for eight hundred years, found unbelievable.
In her eight hundred years, she had seen enemies who could recover with severed limbs, but this was the first time witnessing survival after being pierced through the chest and having a severed heart. Even as a Sage, being pierced through the heart meant certain death. How could mortal life forms possess abilities beyond Safes?
"Sorry, Ma, I don't know much about this. I guess this brat is an experimental body created with forbidden jutsu." Jiraiya's eyes darkened.
This scene brought back painful memories. His best friend, Orochimaru, had transformed his body, intoxicated by forbidden jutsu. For the so-called immortality, Orochimaru had turned into something different and ruthlessly experimenting and attackimg ninjas from the same village.
Kosei's anomaly, in Jiraiya's opinion, was likely a murder tool transformed by Shiraishi using forbidden jutsu.
Using such a young child as a human experiment intensified Jiraiya's killing intent towards Shiraishi. Allowing such an evil ninja to go unchecked would only bring more disasters to the ninja world.
"I'm really getting old. I really didn't want to come out. Besides, we, as Sages, are not suitable to participate in your human ninja war. Jiraiya-boy, you were a bit reckless this time."
On Jiraiya's right shoulder, Sage Fukasaku wearing a gray cloak complained. He was complaining about being dragged into the quagmire of human ninja war, as Sages, they usually studied sage arts in the depths of Mount Myoboku, honing their abilities. They were not particularly keen on ninja conflicts among great powers.
However, if it involved the Child of Prophecy, that was another matter. For Mount Myoboku, the Child of Prophecy was a savior capable of saving the world—an existence to be taken seriously.
"I don't think so. My reason for relying on your power this time was because I have confirmed the identity of the 'Child of Destruction,' so I had to make such a bold move." Jiraiya stated plainly.
"Child of Destruction?"
Elder Fukasaku and Elder Shima, on Jiraiya's shoulders, were both startled. They followed Jiraiya's gaze and locked eyes on Shiraishi. But.. no matter how they looked at him, he didn't quite resemble the "Child of Destruction" mentioned by the Great Toad Sage, and... they couldn't even feel any pressure from him.
"If this is the case, you should be more careful." Elder Fukasaku said as he inspected Shiraishi closely. Although he doubted Jiraiya's judgment, but since they were already summoned, they couldn't leave without doing anything, they could only try their best to help him win.
'Child of Destruction? Very interesting.' Hearing Jiraiya's conversation with the two toads, Shiraishi muttered inwardly. Although the new information was somewhat mysterious, and he didn't know how Mount Myoboku judged the authenticity of the prophecy, generally speaking, it was very valuable information.
Suddenly, Shadow dancer retreated to his side, her body spotless, seemingly able to effortlessly engage in battle with Masaki, displaying no signs of weariness.
Looking at the konoha ninjas regaining momentum, it felt as if with Jiraiya officially joining the battle group had infused them with infinite confidence and fighting spirit. The expression on their faces differed from before.
This was the allure of the Sannin.
After all, having experienced two ninja world wars and contributing immensely to Konoha, Shiraishi expected such a unified force.
However, the next steps might be a bit more troublesome.
Shiraishi glanced at Sarutobi Takashi's position from the corner of his eyes, more precisely, at Takashi's long spear he held which originally belonged to Kosei.
Kosei diverted his vicious gaze from Jiraiya, fixating on the spear in Takashi's hand as if it held great importance to him.
Under Kosei's intense stare, Takashi trembled, gripping the spear even tighter.
Suddenly, with the sound of breaking wind, Kosei disappeared, resembling a wild four-legged beast, sprinting wildly on the sand, heading straight for Sarutobi Takashi.
In a flash, Jiraiya moved fast, attempting to intercept Kosei.
Whoosh!
The sharp sound of air being pierced echoed in his ears. Jiraiya's face changed, his body halted, and he descended towards the sand. A shadow blade swept dangerously across his head, cutting through the air.
Shadow Dancer suddenly appeared in front of Jiraiya. Her pale, bloodless palms reached towards Jiraiya's body. Having observed the preceding battle, he understood the Shadow dancer's intentions. Being touched by her palm meant a certain part of the body, or even the entire body, would be 'killed.'
Even in his current Sage Mode, Jiraiya wouldn't dare to let Shadow Dancer's palm make contact lightly; the consequences could be disastrous.
"Be careful, Jiraiya-chan, this girl is using Sage Mode!"
Jiraiya, who dodged by jumping sideways, leaped into the air. Elder Shima on his shoulders spoke suddenly, with a heavy expression.
Elder Fukasaku also sensed something, looking at Shadow Dancer in disbelief. They hadn't noticed initially, but upon the other party's approach to Jiraiya, they realized something was amiss.
Shadow Dancer was using Senjutsu Chakra!
It was only because the opponent's senjutsu chakra was too stable, and the aura of Sage Mode was completely restrained, it was only at the moment of attack did they catch the abnormality on her.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, thinking of the girl in Miko attire who had previously attacked Suna's supply building from the air. She was also a ninja who could use Sage Mode.
"It's not just Sage Mode; I can feel that there are other elements mixed in, somewhat like Yin-Yang release." Elder Fukasaku pondered, his expression turning serious.
While Yin release and Yang release related ninjutsi were not uncommon in the ninja world, Yin-Yang release was different—it was an ability related to life itself. Once the jutsu was linked to life, it suggested a mysterious and powerful nature. Yin-Yang release could handle both creation and destruction.
"You' sure you're not mistaken, Pa?" Elder Shima said shocked.
Yin-Yang release? Wasn't something like that already lost? Even if it were passed down, learning Yin-Yang release in the human world wouldn't be so simple. The more powerful the jutsu, the riskier it is to use.
"It shouldn't be wrong. I've fought against similar aura before. Compared to the basic Yin-Yang release, the girl's has likely evolved into the concept of a kekkei genkai, making it more dangerous than the general ones." Elder Fukasaku replied.
"Does Yin-Yang release grant immortality?"
Jiraiya stared intently. In this way, regardless of the difference in hard power, anyone touched by those pale hands would meet a grim fate. The young woman was of the type that became stronger when pushed to her limits. He considered this solemnly.
"Watch out behind!"
Without the reminder from Elder Shima, Jiraiya had slso sensed it with his own chakra. He turned around and threw a punch.
The sneak attack was unsuccessful; dodging Jiraiya's fist, Shiraishi retreated lightly with a smile on his face.
"It seems Mt. Myoboku's Sage Mode also has it merits. I really want to dissect you on an experimental table and analyze the difference between your sage mode and my sage mode. How about it? Do you want to be my experimental subject? I will treat you well."
"Stop joking! Life isn't something the likes of you can play with at will!" Jiraiya retorted coldly, killing intent rising.
"Oh? Looks like I touched a nerve there. Did i remind you of something or someone unpleasant...like Orochimaru... perhaps." Shiraishi smirked.
"Shut up!" Jiraiya yelled, rapidly weaving hand seals as his cheeks swelled violently.
"Fire Release - Big Flame Bullet!"
A colossal, blazing hot fireball roared from the front. Unlike a standard fire release jutsu, this fireball was infused with senjutsu chakra. Although its size didn't increase significantly, its destructive power was several times stronger than a normal flame bullet.
A scroll fell from Shiraishi's sleeve, and he tossed it out without hesitation.
Water waves erupted from the scroll, swiftly consumed by the fireball. Seizing the opportunity of the airstrike, Shiraishi dodged to a safe position, evading the attack of the massive flame bomb.
Behind him, Jiraiya's chakra emanated.
Water flowed out from Shiraishi's back, forming a huge water ball which swallowed the bodies of Jiraiya and the two Sages. Shadow dancer also arrived, splitting numerous shadow blades with both hands. Slicing through the air, the blades headed towards the water prison.
Elder Fukasaku's cheeks swelled, and a considerable amount of senjutsu chakra gathered in his mouth.
Chick!
The sharp and lengthy water blade effortlessly cut the water prison and sand below in half. It even shot at the barrier of the purple barrier, causing the barrier to vibrate.
Jiraiya took the opportunity to jump away, letting the shadow blade slice through the air.
Seeing that the entire sandy land was cut in half by the toad's water blade, Shiraishi narrowed his eyes.
"Is this the power of the Myobokuzan's Sage Mode? It seems so interesting..."
This terrifying cutting power goes beyond ordinary water blade ninjutsu. But considering the two Sages, who were already 800 years old, it was normal to have such strength.
...
"This brat... is he a mad beast?"
Takashi looked at Kosei with ferocious eyes in surprise. Biting himself, Kosei appeared completely different from the innocent look before; now he resembled a mad beast in a state of bloodthirsty fury.
Since ninjutsu and genjutsu were ineffective against him, attacks with large chakra should likely to be ignored by him. Therefore, only weapons and taijutsu could be used to attack Kosei; otherwise, there was no chance of winning. However, considering Kosei's peculiar immortality, could he truly be defeated with pure weapons and taijutsu? Calculating like this felt like falling into a strange, endless loop.
Yet, Sarutobi Takashi also understood why Kosei was attacking him ferociously, it was to retrieve the spear in his hand. Although he didn't know why Kosei wanted to take back the gun, Takashi wouldn't allow him to succeed.
Beside Takashi, Masaki and two Konoha nins shared the same sentiment.
Masaki no longer used the Chakra scalpel to attack, as it belonged to the category of ninjutsu. It was futile against Kosei, merely wasting Chakra. Summoning a standard sword from the scroll, she performed a fierce and swift attack to intercept Kosei.
The other two Konoha jōnin also took out their kunai to engage Kosei in close quarters.
Pfft! Pfft!
Blood flowers bloomed as Kosei he completely gave up defense, letting the attacks land on him.
Observing Kosei's desperate style, ignoring the wounds covering his body, increased the pressure on them.
With the passage of time, their physical strength and chakra would be somewhat exhausted. On the other hand, Kosei, in the protracted battle, showed no signs of decline in strength or speed.
Such an abnormal physique, combined with the ability of ineffective ninjutsu and genjutsu, along with the immortal body, was a nightmare for the attacking ninjas.
When the three were exhausted, Kosei broke through the defense of the trio. He leaped up, slamming his head into the face of one of the ninja, concentrating all his strength.
Crack!
The sound of hard objects colliding was quite tragic. The sound of the Konoha ninja's skull cracking could be heard, and as the ninja flew upside down, bloodstains floated in the air and onto the dust.
Bloodstains also appeared on Kosei's forehead, but they weren't his own. They were the bloodstains left by the ninja when he hit his forehead.
The Konoha ninja, knocked into the air, struggled twice on the sand and then stopped moving.
The formation was broken, and Masaki and another Konoha ninja inwardly yelled. As expected, after Kosei knocked the ninja flying with his head, it was equivalent to tearing open an attack to the rear. Ignoring Masaki and the Konoha ninja, he turned into an afterimage on the sand and rushed towards Takashi.
Takashi appeared calm, his injuries treated by Masaki, and he was barely able to fight. He pushed forward the spear in his hand, stabbing and running towards the boy.
Kosei hopped lightly and landed on top of the spear. He grasped the red tip of the spear, ready to take it back.
Takashi smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth.
"Fire Release - Great Flame Explosion!"
The spear flashed with explosive light. Compared with the flames produced by the explosion, the shockwave generated by the explosion was the real destructive force behind the fire release ninjustsu.
Kosei could ignore the flame explosion containing Chakra, but he couldn't ignore the shockwave generated by the explosion. The shockwave was an incidental secondary attack and lacked the chakra characteristics of a "jutsu."
Kosei mid-air was directly shocked and flew away by a huge force. He was holding the bandage on the spear in his hand. The moment he flew away, the bandage on the spear was torn off, pulled into a straight line in the air.
Because of the bandage, after stretching into a straight line, Kosei's body was directly frozen in the air, enduring the huge impact of the explosion. Then, Kosei pulled the bandage, descending downwards.
Pfft!
A sword pierced through Kosei's chest.
Masaki stabbed the moment Kosei was about to hit the ground, piercing his body from behind.
Pfft!
Another sound. Kosei stood blankly on the dust.
The bandaged spear showed its original appearance. The blood-red body and tip of the spear seemed to be a spear made of blood. Takashi held the spear in his hand and pierced through Kosei's chest.
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Kosei let out a baby-like crying sound. Although it resembled a baby's cry, it gave a sense of eerie howling of ghosts and wolves, which was extremely stern.
Takashi and Masaki pulled out the blood spear and sword piercing Kosei's body, looking at Kosei's abnormal situation with some doubts.
Kosei clutched the wound pierced by the spear, where the blood couldn't stop flowing. The wound pierced by the blade had recovered, but the wound pierced by the spear was still bleeding, and the wound seemed to continue to spread, preventing Kosei's body from recovering.
Afterward, Kosei became ruthless, completely losing his mind, he rushed towards Takashi. Takashi stepped back, holding up the spear, he swung it violently.
The tip of the spear cut Kosei's chest, leaving another wound. It seemed that some kind of deadly poison was hidden in the spear, destroying Kosei's body structure and making his immortal body useless.
Seeing this, Takashi was delighted. He immediately thought of something, opened his mouth and spat out.
"Fire Release - Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
The fire dragon spewed out, and Kosei rushing up, was directly hit by the fire dragon, he flew out, rolling on the sand, with burn marks all over his body, looking quite miserable.
Takashi took a deep breath, finally understanding why Kosei was so obsessed with this spear.
For him, this spear was like a nemesis. It not only restrained his immortal body but also disrupted the balance of his "system."
Although Takashi didn't know why he used a spear which could restrain him as a weapon, it was surprising to find that Kosei had such a weakness.
Seeing this scene, the eyes of Masaki and the Konoha nin also brightened. After paying such a heavy sacrifice, they finally saw hope of victory.
Hands formed seals, the Konoha nin opened his mouth, and a bolt of lightning shot out, turning into a rope of light with lightning, wrapping around Kosei's body and binding him.
Kosei, severely injured by the spear, was also rapidly losing physical ability. The spear pierced through again, and Kosei, bound by the light rope, was powerless to dodge, watching his body being pierced. Coughing up blood, his body fell straight down.
The body of the spear pointed directly at the sky.
Takashi approached, pulling out the spear from Kosei's body, held it tightly in his hand, lowering his head to meet Kosei's gaze.
Kosei's life force became weaker, he raised his palm, and tremblingly stretching out to the spear in Takashi's hand, trying to use all his strength to get the spear back.
"...give...give...give me...no.. him...wake.. up..."
The weakness in Kosei's eyes was obvious. The ferocity and bloodthirstiness were gone, replaced by pitiful pleading. It was as if Kosei was begging Takashi to return what belonged to him.
Takashi just stared at Kosei coldly and ignored him, but he also breathed a sigh of relief. His weakness wasn't a ruse. In other words, this undead monster could finally meet his end. He didn't know why the kid was so eager for this spear, but how could he return this mysterious and precious ninja tool that could kill undead monsters?
This was now Konoha's trophy. He needed to bring this thing back to Konoha, analyze the mystery of the, and engrave the brand of Konoha.
Seeing the refusal in Takashi's gaze, Kosei continued to show pitiful pleading in his eyes. When he opened his mouth, he found that he was too weak to make a sound.
Soon, the hand fell weakly from mid-air, and the breath of life disappeared from Kosei's body.
"Dead?"
Masaki came over and asked, glancing at Kosei's body with lingering fear. This was the first time she had fought against an enemy with this weird ability. If he were smarter and more rational, they would have died.
"If not dead, then we would all be dead. It seems our luck isn't bad."
Takashi Sarutobi joked, his face turning pale. He coughed, and the wound burst open, emitting a hissing and sucking sound.
Only then did Takashi feel relieved. He supported his body with the spear in his hand, and simply asked Masaki not to treat his wound, looking towards Jiraiya.
"Don't worry, Masaki."
"But, your body..."
"You don't have much chakra left. Use it sparingly. As the Son of the Hokage, I'm not so weak. Next, there's only one here left to deal with."
Takashi Sarutobi took a deep breath, addressing Masaki and the Konoha nin. He approached Jiraiya, ready to assist in the battle.
When the three of them had just turned around and hadn't taken a few steps, suddenly there was a strange noise behind them, and a breath that froze their bodies was also produced, making their bodies stiff in place.
The three of them turned around, and what they saw was Kosei, who should have died, slowly standing up from the blood-smeared sand. His neck was in a strange twisted state, and he stared at the three with numb eyes.
The lifeless gray and white eyes sent shivers through the three.
Boom!
The body exploded without warning. The blood rained down falling on them. The three were stunned, not knowing what happened.
In the ground where the red child burst open, a certain existence slowly stretched its curled-up limbs, slowly opened its eyes, awakening from a deep slumber.