"Yeah. Ninjutsu absorption... it might even absorb chakra itself. If that's the case, we can't let him get too close. This one's a real pain to deal with."
Among the Six Paths of Pain, the one that posed the greatest threat to Kiyosuke was the Preta Path.
If it got close, it could absorb his chakra, turning him into nothing more than a helpless lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
That would force him onto the defensive.
And he hated being on the defensive.
"Then taijutsu it is. But I can't afford too much direct contact. What about the other one?"
"He's here!"
The Asura Path spread its arms wide, its body shifting into a mechanized form. A volley of missiles erupted from its limbs, hurtling straight toward them.
"What the hell is that?!"
The shinobi had never seen anything like it before, but Jiraiya only needed to know one thing—it was dangerous.
Kiyosuke waved his hand, and a wall of fire burst into existence overhead. A split second later, the deafening roar of explosions shook the battlefield.
Boom!
"Looks like this one's body was modified. He can launch strange ninja tools from it," Kiyosuke said to Jiraiya.
"Good. Just hold out a little longer—we're almost there."
Jiraiya's summoning was reaching its most critical moment. Just a bit more time, and he could call forth the two Great Toad Sages of Mount Myōboku.
"Leave this part to me."
Kiyosuke loosened his body, the restraints falling away as he said, "It's about time I stretched myself a bit. Any longer like this, and my body's going to rust."
His joints cracked like firecrackers as chakra surged higher, becoming even more overwhelming. Even Pain had to acknowledge it.
"This chakra... Asakawa Kiyosuke, your strength is enough to stand against a god."
"Tch. Big words. But are you qualified to be my opponent, Nagato?"
With a snort, Kiyosuke vanished from sight.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind the Asura Path.
So fast!
Even with shared vision, Pain was startled by Kiyosuke's speed. The Asura Path reacted instantly, a serrated blade shooting from its back to skewer him.
But the strike did nothing.
Kiyosuke's counterpunch smashed through its mechanical skull, scattering fragments and gears across the ground.
The Preta Path lunged at him, hands outstretched, trying to grab hold and drain him dry of chakra, leaving him paralyzed.
But reality was cruel.
Kiyosuke had been on guard against this one from the very start. He kicked aside the Asura Path's broken body and immediately widened the distance from the Preta Path.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Another split-dog lunged forward, clashing with Gamaken in a fierce brawl.
The Animal Path drew a black rod from its sleeve and thrust it straight at Kiyosuke.
Clang!
From the jaws of his summoned serpent, the Kusanagi Sword shot out, intercepting the rod.
"That was close..."
Kiyosuke patted his chest. If that black rod had pierced him just now, it would've been trouble.
"You fear the black rods," the Animal Path said flatly.
"Do I?"
"You do," it replied firmly. "The black rods disrupt chakra flow. For someone like you, they're deadly poison."
If the rods interfered with his chakra, Kiyosuke wouldn't be able to maintain his elementalized state. His body would revert to flesh, and without flowing chakra, his power would collapse.
A shinobi without chakra was no different from an ordinary man.
"Tch. So you noticed?" Kiyosuke clicked his tongue, clearly irritated.
All he'd done was block once with the Kusanagi, yet they'd already figured it out.
"In that case..."
The Preta Path also manifested a black rod in its hand.
"Two against one. You cannot win. A battle between a mortal and a god has only one possible outcome."
"You put too much faith in yourself."
Kiyosuke wasn't the least bit shaken. Just then, a thunderous crash sounded—Gamaken and Jiraiya were hurled into a wall by the split-dog.
But in that instant, he sensed two new presences beside Jiraiya, both brimming with immense senjutsu chakra.
And Jiraiya's own chakra... had shifted.
It had become senjutsu chakra.
"Kid, why do you always summon us in such ridiculous places? No wonder Gamabunta's always so mad at you."
The voice was that of an elderly woman who liked to nag. A deeper, older man's voice followed.
"Don't be so harsh, dear. I'm sure little Jiraiya has his reasons, right?"
"Stop covering for him, old man!"
"Hahaha! But Jiraiya, don't you hate turning your body into this form? Didn't you say no woman would ever like it?"
"Can't be helped this time, Boss. Summoning you both was the only way to face the Rinnegan."
"The Eyes of the Six Paths?"
"So it really exists... I always thought it was just a legend."
From the shadows, three pairs of eyes gleamed. Jiraiya stepped forward, his form completely changed. On his shoulders sat two small, robed toads, each with a human-sized head.
"But it's about time you learned to use Sage Mode on your own, don't you think, Jiraiya?" said Fukasaku, one of the Great Toad Sages.
"I'm still a long way off compared to the two of you."
Warts popped out across Jiraiya's nose. Red facial markings framed his eyes, his pupils turned into horizontal slits, his limbs became more toad-like, and sharp fangs jutted from his mouth.
His Sage transformation was imperfect—flawed.
But that didn't make him any less dangerous.
Kiyosuke walked up to him, sizing him up.
"So this is Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku. From the look of it, Jiraiya-sama, your transformation isn't perfect. Still... greetings to the two of you. I'm Asakawa Kiyosuke of Konoha."
"Nice to meet you, young Kiyosuke. Looks like you're fighting alongside Jiraiya here," Fukasaku said with a warm chuckle.
"From a human point of view, you're quite the handsome young man!" Shima croaked. "Cuter than this brat ever was in his prime, ga-ga-ga!"
"I'm still handsome!" Jiraiya protested. Damn it, back in the day, I was one of the most eligible bachelors in Konoha—so close to winning Tsunade's heart!
"Yeah, yeah, sure you were."
"So that's the Rinnegan? Looks just like the legends." Fukasaku peered at the enemy. Then his eyes narrowed.
"Wait... two pairs of Rinnegan?"
Since when were Rinnegan sold wholesale?
"No. Those are just puppets. The true wielder of the Rinnegan is pulling the strings from the shadows. And that man... was once my disciple," Jiraiya said grimly.
"What? You never told us about this! Could it be...?" Fukasaku's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes."
Both Fukasaku and Shima fell silent. No wonder Jiraiya had taken him in as a student. With the Rinnegan, he was destined to bring change to the shinobi world—whether for better or worse.
Now, it was clear.
It was worse.
"The Child of Prophecy... to stand against you, Jiraiya... it seems he's strayed down the path of darkness."
Shima extended her long tongue. At the tip, another mouth opened, filled with jagged fangs, alien and terrifying.
----------------
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (536 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)