Chapter 400: Tactical Retreat
Kakashi, fully detached from his past reservations, was relentless in his attacks, leaving Jiraiya struggling to even counter his blows. Despite Jiraiya's robust build, the strength and sheer intensity of Kakashi's assaults, enhanced by the advanced energy system he now commanded, left Jiraiya barely able to defend himself.
Yet, Jiraiya wouldn't have come alone without a plan in mind.
"Shurado: Mechanical Armor!"
With a burst, Jiraiya's upper clothing tore away, revealing four mechanical arms extending from his back. Now a six armed asura, Jiraiya's increase in arm strength provided just enough advantage to withstand Kakashi's furious assault. Additionally, he employed Frog Kata, a martial technique derived from the sage arts of Mount Myoboku's Toad Clan, though with six arms he resembled more a giant spider than a toad.
Though Jiraiya's strength remained inferior to Kakashi's, his multi armed technique afforded him some resistance. The two clashed in close quarters, each trying to capture the other, as Kakashi had a growing suspicion about the true nature of Jiraiya's newfound Rinnegan abilities.
According to Ye Wen's intel, there had only been two pairs of Rinnegan known throughout the millennia in the Ninja World: one, developed through decades of Yin Yang mastery by Madara, the other belonging to the ancient Six Paths Sage. Reflecting on the ancient information he'd obtained from Kaguya, Kakashi's gaze darkened.
"So, that thousand year old toad couldn't keep quiet after all?"
After all, the Rinnegan of the Six Paths Sage was no simple thing to come by, and it would make sense that the Toad Sage, who was close to the Six Paths, might still possess it.
A deadly resolve glinted in Kakashi's eyes. This unprecedented peace in the world could not be disrupted.
He withdrew, putting distance between himself and Jiraiya. It was time to end this.
"Eight Gates: Granny Lee's Knock!"
Surrounded by intense blue steam, Kakashi activated the Seventh Gate, unleashing power that rivaled that of Might Guy's Eighth Gate in the future.
"One!"
Without a word, Kakashi launched a ferocious kick, too swift for ordinary perception. Although Jiraiya anticipated an attack, the impact sent him flying several kilometers. He was not mortally injured but thoroughly rattled, staring back at the approaching Kakashi in shock.
"What kind of monstrous strength is this? Can taijutsu really create this much destruction?"
Kakashi's gaze remained icy, his only response being another kick.
"Two!"
The power of the Eight Gates lies in unlocking the body's limits, even at the cost of physical damage. Though he hadn't opened the Eighth Gate, Kakashi's attacks were ferocious and relentless, pushing Jiraiya to his breaking point. Frantic to defend himself, Jiraiya unleashed Shinra Tensei, and the two opposing forces clashed with a fury that leveled the surrounding forest, leaving nothing but a desolate crater in its wake.
Kakashi was momentarily astonished. The Shinra Tensei he had seen from Nagato had never been this powerful it was comparable to Nagato's Ultra Shinra Tensei, which required extensive preparation.
"So this is the true power of the Six Paths Rinnegan," he muttered, his suspicions about the origin of Jiraiya's Rinnegan hardening into certainty. But no matter the power of these legendary eyes, Kakashi had seen the Sage of Six Paths himself subdued by Ye Wen; the Sage's strength was undeniable, but not insurmountable.
Kakashi fixed his eyes on Jiraiya, filled with grim resolve. This peace would not be jeopardized.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, realizing the full extent of Kakashi's strength, felt shaken. This battle was playing out very differently than he had anticipated.
Now left with no room for error, Jiraiya took a deep breath, determination hardening in his gaze. To win, he could no longer hold back. He activated the techniques of Hell Path and Human Path. At that very moment, Kakashi closed the distance, initiating a headlong descent toward Jiraiya.
Without words, the two launched simultaneous attacks.
Kakashi recognized that long range attacks were ineffective against Shinra Tensei, forcing him to rely on close combat. After all, even with his remarkable physical resilience, the Eight Gates came with limits. Jiraiya, on the other hand, understood that only his soul manipulating powers could truly harm Kakashi.
With fierce conviction in their eyes, both sides engaged in a frenzied exchange of attacks. Kakashi's blows carried the force to shatter mountains, leaving Jiraiya's relatively fragile frame unable to withstand them. Within moments, Jiraiya's six arms had been reduced to one, his abdomen bearing a gaping wound that pierced clean through.
Desperation twisted Jiraiya's expression as he felt the full weight of his injuries, shocked that his Human Path ability, meant to seize the opponent's soul, could not penetrate Kakashi's resilience. But the intense pain robbed him of further thought.
Kakashi took advantage of Jiraiya's temporary immobilization to close the distance, slashing him with a blade of energy to sever his tendons, preventing movement. To be sure, Kakashi followed up with a complex set of sealing techniques.
"It's over, Jiraiya," he declared icily, ready to take him back for questioning.
Coughing blood, Jiraiya looked up at Kakashi, defeated but resolute. Though grievously injured, his eyes blazed with defiance rather than despair.
Realizing something was amiss, Kakashi activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, rapidly searching for any hidden traps or tricks.
"Kakashi, you may have won this time," Jiraiya muttered as he bit down on something, producing a faint, crisp sound.
Kakashi's eyes widened in alarm as white smoke enveloped Jiraiya's form, obscuring him before he vanished from sight.
"A reverse summoning," Kakashi thought bitterly. He realized too late that he should have used a sealing jutsu to restrict his summoning abilities.
Reappearing at Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya wasted no time. Drawing on the Rinnegan's pre stored chakra, he activated the Hell Path's ability.
The ominous form of the King of Hell rose from the ground, engulfing Jiraiya in its mouth. After a moment, the King of Hell spit him back out, completely healed.
The Great Toad Sages gazed at him expectantly, eager to hear what he had learned.
(End of Chapter)
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