Jiraiya moved at incredible speed. Before engaging Kakuzu, his initial target had already been decided—Hidan. Even clashing with Kakuzu briefly was merely to deceive the enemy.
Fast as lightning—leaving nothing but a white-red blur when he moved—Jiraiya was exactly that kind of ninja.
His hair pinned Kakuzu down for a moment as Jiraiya's body shot straight toward Hidan.
In his right hand, another Rasengan appeared, larger than the previous ones, brighter and purer in appearance.
This was Jiraiya's improved variation of the [Rasengan]. To increase its destructive power, he had increased the chakra input.
Of course, this enhancement remained experimental. Although more powerful than the standard technique, it still hadn't met Jiraiya's expectations.
The extra chakra consumed could have still caused damage if used for other ninjutsu techniques.
Hidan raised his chest proudly, gripping tightly the black stick-sword in his right hand, eyes focused. His Blood Scythe (his signature three-bladed scythe) had been left behind earlier and wasn't within reach yet.
He planned to exchange his injury for just a drop of Jiraiya's blood. Just a tiny bit would allow him to flip the battle, ensuring this mighty ninja would perish on the spot!
But reality and expectation were often light-years apart. Before Hidan could even begin his action, Jiraiya already stood directly before him.
Boom! Jiraiya slammed his right palm forward, aiming precisely where he'd struck before—right into Hidan's chest.
Squelch! Flesh twisted violently—a horrifying wound spiraled open across Hidan's torso, and immediately afterward, his body shot backward from the impact force.
"Heh..."
With eyes filled with ruthless malice, although severely injured, Hidan still managed to cast an eerie grin toward Jiraiya.
What Jiraiya did to him now—he would return it a hundredfold soon enough. He'd make him die slowly, agonizingly, and forever become a new immortal disciple in the embrace of Jashin!
Before Jiraiya could continue pursuing Hidan, Kakuzu had already shaken off the bindings of Jiraiya's jutsu and rushed forward to attack again.
First came a sweeping kick—an arc formed as Kakuzu's right leg transformed into a black shadow, engulfing Jiraiya's face and splitting the surrounding air with a whistling sound.
Abandoning pursuit of Hidan, Jiraiya sidestepped slightly, watching Kakuzu's movement with a sharp breath. His arms tightened, muscles tensed, blue veins surfacing over his skin.
Smack! Kakuzu's leg smashed against Jiraiya's crossed forearms. Both let out cold grunts simultaneously.
Using the force, Jiraiya stepped back several paces while Kakuzu stayed rooted to the spot—but his right leg quivered unnaturally for a moment.
Didn't expect his taijutsu to be so formidable... Kakuzu silently mused while raising his evaluation of Jiraiya yet again.
This was their first clash, but certainly wouldn't be the last—at least that's what Kakuzu believed.
Feet planted firmly, Jiraiya locked eyes with Kakuzu while casting a glance sideways to where Hidan had just taken another direct hit from his [Rasengan].
Looking at Hidan, although his face showed pain and distress, he actually seemed unaffected.
On his chest, where he had taken two consecutive hits from Rasengan, his clothes were completely shredded. The black cloak bearing red clouds was now in tatters like a beggar's robe. His pectoral muscles twisted together grotesquely, with thin streams of blood trickling down from there.
"This is really troublesome..." Jiraiya said while watching Hidan's behavior, showing signs of frustration.
"This Hidan's abnormal physical state differs greatly from Orochimaru's Soft Physique Modification.
Orochimaru's Soft Physique Modification allows the body to partially evade external attacks, thus reducing damage. But this member of Akatsuki... it seems he doesn't avoid injuries per se. Rather, he uses some more unique method to prevent fatal wounds?"
Jiraiya frowned, genuinely feeling this situation was quite tricky!
This showed just how important intelligence was in battle. Fortunately for Jiraiya, the enemy hadn't obtained information about him either. Both sides remained in the phase of testing each other out.
"Then should I use that move...? Time for a quick resolution!"
Watching Hidan approach again toward him, Jiraiya slowly brought both hands together. Chakra within his body began surging, responding to the call of hand seals.
"Getting serious now... Looks like it..."
Kakuzu's emerald eyes fixed on Jiraiya who now looked very focused. Inside his sleeves, his fists tightened.
"You take a defensive role next. I'll lead the attack. Watch for an opening to obtain his blood!"
"If we can truly kill Jiraiya, regardless of bounty money, at least we could establish a foundation for Organization's future plans! After all, Nine-Tails belongs to Konoha Village."
Though Kakuzu couldn't be 100% certain about defeating Jiraiya, he decided to try anyway since retreating now would cost dearly. He might as well go all-out to test Jiraiya's strength.
Thinking thus, Kakuzu prepared to release his Earth Grudge Fear restraint. Instantly his body swelled up, the cloak slowly bursting open to reveal black mesh lining underneath.
At limb joints where black threads had previously been tightly stitched together, loosening occurred. Swollen bulges appeared inside his body, wandering around various parts, gradually "flowing" out through gaps between limbs.
"That's..." While still gathering his ninjutsu, Jiraiya saw the enemy's transformation. His expression changed, eyes becoming deeper.
"Totally inhuman..." Observing the enemy's change, Jiraiya muttered inwardly.
The first opponent shrugged off injuries like they were nothing, staying lively even after multiple deadly hits; now this second one, who seemed normal at first, was transforming too.
Despite all his experience, the two ninjas he faced today still gave Jiraiya quite a shock... and fear.
Puchi! Kakuzu's body spat out several clumps of black threads, each carrying a mask.
"This could get problematic..." Seeing Kakuzu's display, Jiraiya also picked up the pace with his hand seals.
[Summoning Jutsu]
With both hands pressed onto the ground, two puffs of white smoke abruptly rose from Jiraiya's shoulders.
Two frogs appeared on Jiraiya's shoulders—one with white eyebrows and mustache, the other with a purple head and lips.
These were none other than Mount Myoboku's Great Toad Elders: Fukasaku and Shima! They ranked just below the Great Toad Sage at Mount Myoboku and were considered the equal of Ryuchi Cave's Three Hebihime.
Shima had barely regained her senses from the sudden summoning. Still dazed, she clutched a cooking spatula and wore a white apron.
"Hmm… Little Jiraiya! I was still cooking for the kids. What's so urgent?"
Shima looked somewhat unwilling as she tapped Jiraiya lightly on the head with the spatula.
Jiraiya didn't mind—he was long accustomed to Shima's gruff but kind-hearted nature. He casually greeted them, "Elder Fukasaku! Elder Shima! I've run into some trouble and really need your help!"
"If Little Jiraiya summoned us, then something must be wrong indeed. Mom, get serious!"
Fukasaku wore a small cape. Although his beard was completely white, he looked energetic and spirited.
His gaze fixed on Kakuzu's bizarre form and the arrogant Hidan standing beside him.
"Got it, Dad! You never cook, so you wouldn't know how hard I work every single day," Shima replied with a bitter face, peeking over Jiraiya's head toward Fukasaku, her words full of the resentful tone of an overworked housewife.
"Jiraiya, what are we dealing with here?" Fukasaku ignored Shima's comment and turned directly to question Jiraiya.
At the exact moment Jiraiya summoned the two sages, Kakuzu had already fully separated several Mask Beasts from within his body.
Four Mask Beasts of different sizes now surrounded him, each wearing a uniquely colored mask marked with distinct patterns.
The number of hearts Kakuzu possessed—which Saitama had reduced several years ago—had now returned to its full number.
"The one with the silver crew cut probably possesses some damage-immunity ability. No matter how severe the injury, it won't affect his movements. I haven't figured out how far this power goes. As for the other opponent, I'm not exactly sure yet, but both his ninjutsu and taijutsu skills appear extremely formidable…"
Jiraiya frowned slightly while assessing these core members of the Akatsuki organization more carefully than before.
Both enemies presented a serious challenge—making him wonder just how strong their leader might be, and what other strange powers they could wield.
"Hmm…" The two Toad Sages nodded solemnly, finally taking the situation seriously. Shima threw away her spatula, while Fukasaku folded both arms across his chest.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>