The arena erupted a moment later, cheers and applause echoing after the last match. Jiraiya leaned forward, elbows on his knees, watching Tsunade, who was immobilised by Orochimaru's paralysis poison.
'Now that's tough.' Jiraiya thought, knowing that Tsunade was livid at her loss. 'I'm not saying she deserves it, but like...'
The girl gritted her teeth in anger, even as the poison took effect. Orochimaru, more battered than Tsunade, stood aside, watching her closely in case she attacked from behind.
A med-nin moved fast, flickering next to the Senju princess, while Anbu escorted Orochimaru back to the stands.
"Nice work, Orochimaru," Hiruzen softly murmurs, hand resting briefly on his student's shoulder. Orochimaru curtly nodded, breathing heavy. The battle definitely took a toll on him, and the ensuing break time was crucial to recovery.
Jiraiya didn't miss the silly smile the kid had, which looked adorable. This reminded him of a kid being praised by his father.
Inwardly, the Hokage had an evil grin, ear to ear in delight. 'Danzo, how foolish of you to bet on Tsunade. Tsk, tsk... It's just as I expected.' Hiruzen, being stressed out by the Hokage position, could only vent his frustration by smoking and other forms of entertainment.
Beating Danzo? It was one of those pleasurable experiences. While the Hokage's thoughts were starting to wander a little bit too much, his students were silently judging him.
At this point in time, Danzo hasn't made root yet and was still a member of the Anbu. Acting as the main squad captain of the Hokage's secret guards. Up in the roof, a certain anbu member was clenching his fist in rage.
"Good stuff, Orochimaru." Jiraiya congratulated, holding out his fist. Orochimaru rolled his eyes at the gesture, but couldn't retort as he gave a fist bump with a small curve of his lips. Before, he used to hesitate getting closer to his teammates, thinking they would slow down his progress. But now? He didn't even think twice. "How did you even get that ninjutsu anyway?"
Orochimaru, hearing this, started to think with a hand to his chin. "I didn't have much money to buy a lot of ninjutsu. So I just went through all of the techniques I could afford. You would be surprised at how many there are."
The genius spent countless nights budgeting and trying to get the most out of the money he had saved up during his missions. With his obsession with quantity over quality early on, he showed in the last fight why he deserves his title.
Jiraiya, upon hearing this, nodded, clearly showing interest. There was so much potential for such a ninjutsu, like what his teammate just used. If pushed to a greater extent with more chakra, he wouldn't doubt a move like [Solar Flare] could be made.
While the two were stuck in their thoughts, the proctor's voice rolled across the arena, announcing the next match. Jiraiya leaned back, gaze drifting toward the field as attendants reset the terrain using earth release ninjutsu.
"The next battle is between Yami Sarutobi versus Naoki Hyuga!"
This battle didn't take long.
Despite the range advantage, it was easily closed out. The Sarutobi kid attempted to hit and run, but didn't expect the Hyuga's speed. He immediately controlled the pace by closing the distance, parrying some kunai heading his way.
The Sarutobi, seeing the charge, tried to create some distance but was quickly caught up to, and after non-lethal hits to the body...
"What are we doing, man..."
"The Hyugas are crazy strong!"
"Fight back, Sarutobi!"
Audience members watched with mixed feelings at the fastest battle yet. Even Hiruzen, who saw this, was scratching his forehead, wincing at what had just occurred.
"Oh hell no," Jiraiya mutters, sinking into his seat. It was almost embarrassing the way the kid lost. His only display was throwing shuriken at the start of the match, then getting speed blitz. In front of the home crowd as well, which was even worse.
Well, no one would remember it anyway. Jiraiya made a mental note to summon his toad of choice as soon as possible against a shinobi like him.
'I would have flickered away, then use ranged attacks... But if he still got past me, any one of my two summons can act as my get out of jail card. That Hyuga would definitely outlast me if I kept on running away due to our age difference with chakra reserves and all.' Jiraiya contemplated, rubbing his chin.
As much as anyone could make fun of the kid. Being in his position was a whole other ball game. The Hyuga Clan specialised in non-lethal take-downs for a reason, which doesn't mean they can't be lethal.
Hinata's future kidnapper could attest to that point, being one hit by Hiashi in a rage.
The next battle was shortly announced. At this point, the audience was booing due to the lacklustre battle, still spoiled by the first two, which had given them all sorts of entertainment.
"The next battle is between Katsumi Uchiha versus Hiro Uchiha!"
Now this got Jiraiya's attention.
Hiro's single tomoe Sharingan came out early, just like in the preliminaries. Watching the fight from a higher perspective, their movements almost felt identical, with Katsumi being pushed back just a bit. Jiraiya, frowning at the sight, was wondering why the match felt so awkward.
'I'd assume Hiro could easily win with the Sharingan?' From a spectator's view, Katsumi was just a little slower, just a little weaker. But it was on purpose. Both Uchihas were battling as if it were a dance.
After a back and forth of taijutsu, both Uchiha took a few steps back and started to weave hand signs.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger
Both cocked their heads back while a flash of fire started to escape their mouth. The speed at which the fire was released made Orochimaru and Jiraiya widen their eyes in interest.
*Roar!*
Slowly but surely, the momentum started to shift after the ninjutsu met in the middle. With Hiro's pushing back and overpowering his opponents. The raging flames gushed forward and barely engulfed her leg.
Right after this, Hiro took advantage of the injured leg and soon whittled her stamina down. Soon after, holding a kunai to her throat.
"Katsumi Uchiha is unable to continue. The Winner is Hiro Uchiha!"
The loud cheers started to come back, and multiple Uchiha clan members in the stands stood up. With all of them clapping loudly in support of how far one of their own had made it.
"Good job, Hiro!"
"Just one more battle!"
"Katsumi, you did amazing too!"
...
"The next match is between Jiraiya... and Orochimaru!" The proctor announces.
'Oh shit.' Jiraiya thought, slowly turning to his side. Orochimaru, at the same time, stared back at how awkward the situation was.
All of this planning and training was finally gonna be put to use. Whether it's an easy of hard match, only the results will speak. Orochimaru watched as Jiraiya pulled out a scroll and, soon after, took out a helmet.
'...' Orochimaru, seeing this, was full of concern. Not because he thought the Helmet would do anything, but rather thinking his friend might have a screw loose. 'Has sensei beaten his head a little too much?'
Not too long after, Hiruzen put his hand on both of their shoulder and [Body Flicker] down into the stadium. The crowd's hype started to ramp up again with one of the final climaxes of the tournament. A treat for everybody as their Hokage's students are about to clash for a second time today.
...
There was still a lot of confusion from everyone watching, as Jiraiya was wearing a helmet that covered his face. Hiruzen, who flickered both his students down, was embarrassed. Pinching his nose at the sight.
"Begin!" The proctor shouts.
As the battle started, Jiraiya made a Tiger seal while Orochimaru brought out a multitude of Shuriken from his pouch and threw several towards Jiraiya. The white-haired shinobi flickered away and appeared tens of meters back, with the shuriken still on target.
Taking his time, Jiraiya bites his finger to draw some blood. Smearing it on his hand, both fighters started to weave hand seals in swift succession.
Ox → Dog → Dragon → Rat → Dog → Boar → Snake → Tiger
[Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique]
Orochimaru finished his hand seals first due to Jiraiya's setup, making the first few initial shuriken multiply to a dangerous amount. Most people in the stands watched in awe, witnessing the rain of around a hundred shuriken.
Jiraiya had his heart drop a little at the sight. It was like watching that part of the movie where the archers rained their arrows down.
Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram
[Summoning Technique]
'Thank fucking god.' Slamming his hand down to the floor, a poof of smoke several meters occurred just before the torrent of metal hit him.
*Clank* *Clank*
"I'm sorry for my ungraceful appearance, Jiraiya." Gamaken's confident voice and actions were really day and night compared to his words. Without fail, he sized up the small kid in front of him, holding up his shield closer, sasumata on his shoulder, ready to strike. Orochimaru, in turn, started to sweat a little more at the sight.
"Holy shit, it's a massive frog!"
"It's bigger than Lord Third's."
'How does he have another summon?' Orochimaru thought with a frown. Remembering how Jiraiya, prior to the exams, told him that he wasn't a full summoner. His first summon back in the forest was a personal contract. The slithery genius wasn't fazed and made some distance before weaving some hand seals.
[Transparent Escape Technique]
Orochimaru disappeared from sight.
Boar → Ox
[Earth Style: Earthquake Slam]
"Gamaken, protect me for a little bit. We will attack soon." Jiraiya orders, while the invisible Orochimaru slammed his hand on the ground. Taking out a scroll, Jiraiya unsealed two gauntlets and started to put them on. With this, he was now fully protected against any random poisoned senbon sent his way.
While it was possible to aim for his eyes, the chances were much lower. The ground under them started to crack and move. Jiraiya nearly lost his balance, but was able to keep still. Gamaken's size was ultimately not affected by the technique.
Orochimaru wasn't idle as this happened.
Dragon → Tiger → Hare
[Wild Water Wave]
A torrent of water left his mouth, which looked a bit ridiculous from an outsiders stand point. It started to mix and mush with the earth beneath Gamaken, creating a large amount of mud around the middle of the battlefield.
This was his original plan for Gamabunta, which didn't really need to change for Gamaken. To Orochimaru's annoyance, the mud didn't slow the summon down as he hoped. So he pulled out his plan B, a fuck ton of explosive tags to throw at the legs.
Jiraiya on top of Gamabunta, started to sense Orochimaru's location. After signalling to his summon, Gamaken, with a little struggle, leapt forward and out of the mud. The poor toad was harassed with a barrage of kunai stuck with explosive tags, but in the end was able to escape despite the explosion deepening the mud. Using his shield to tank most of the damage.
'Damnit.' Orochimaru thought, frustrated. He had to change the situation if he wanted any chance of winning this battle. 'I need to get in close.' Despite knowing it was Jiraiya's specialty, this was a better alternative to a 2v1.
"Gamaken, he's behind us, to the right. It's time to go on the offensive!"
Gamaken, heaving his sasumata, leapt up into the air and came crashing down weapon-first into the ground.
*CRACK!*
Orochimaru, who was still invisible, had a glint in his eyes and took the opportunity to climb the weapon. Flickering close, he was met with a sudden explosion, removing his invisibility and was sent flying towards the ground.
"Ugh-" He groaned in pain. Keeping calm, he heaved deep breaths, turning his head and spotting Jiraiya.
Jiraiya, watching Orochimaru recover, hopped off Gamabunta with a clank of his armour. Flickered forward without any seals. The slithery shinobi, knowing where his opponent was coming from, positioned his body to hide his hands.
Making a heal seal.
Before a punch could land, he disappeared a few meters away in a hurry. Gamaken swiftly located Orochimaru and swung again. Learning his lesson, this time Orochimaru took a kunai with a hanging explosive tag and threw it at the weapon.
Rat
*Boom!*
A large smoke cloud blocked Gamaken's vision. Jiraiya, taking advantage of the opening, started to close in again. Orochimaru, spotting the white-haired Genin in the corner of his eye, weaved some more hand seals.
Tiger → Boar → Ox → Dog → Snake
[Body Replacement Technique]
A white smoke appeared, with a log replacing his original position. But unknown to his opponent, he was still behind the log. Orochimaru knew that Jiraiya had learned about his explosive log back in the forest, and wanted to take advantage of it.
"Oh sht-" Jiraiya murmurs, eye wide. Flickering a few meters away without fail, the log was kicked with chakra-enhanced strength from Orochimaru. Sending the log straight into Jiraiya, who couldn't react.
*BOOM*
The crowd stood silent at the display, clenching the railings of the towers. Hiruzen himself cracked the foundation of the building under the tension of the battle. Every single person was staring in awe.
For the first time in this match, Jiraiya was the one on defence. The white-haired kid was sent a few meters away, landing on his back. 'Fuck that hurt, especially with the armour.'
Orochimaru soon sprinted forward to prevent Gamaken from attacking him. Forcing the toad to stop in his tracks. Watching his opponent stand up with some difficulty, Orochimaru knew this was the final stretch of the match; he didn't have much chakra left.
'I can't lose like this!' He thought with excitement.
Getting up to Jiraiya, he swiftly raised his left hand, flashing a bright light. Blinding Jiraiya for a split second, Orochimaru swung with his full power, thrusting a kunai towards his neck where there was less armour. He knew it was a useless struggle; he knew there wasn't much he could have done, but he couldn't see any other option.
Jiraiya's instincts flared up from his training, and he was now in the zone, despite closing his eyes. Used Orochimaru's prior posture to guess his attack location. Orochimaru, seeing Jiraiya's empty stare, felt his skin crawl.
Swatting his attacking hand into the air, and using his open hand to strike the head. Orochimaru couldn't dodge and was hit with the full brunt of the metal gauntlet. His pupils rolled over into his skull, fainting from the attack.
Everybody watching held their breath, watching his body slowly fall as if time slowed down.
*Thud*
"The winner of the semi-finals is Jiraiya!" The crowd, hearing the proctor's final verdict, roared out in complete awe of the battle they had just witnessed. THIS was what they wanted to see. Even the clan heads of the Uchiha, Hyuga and Mito Uzumaki stood up and cheered at the display of power from mere seven-year-olds.
"I'm sorry for letting you get hit, Jiraiya. This ungraceful toad will now leave. Congratulations on the victory." Gamaken says in the end with a short, graceful bow. Jiraiya, hearing this, chuckled and gave a curt nod. Chest heaving up and down, his chakra reserves were severely low, making his movements sluggish.
Hearing the cheers and screams, it was quite exhilarating to win. Anybody in this situation wouldn't dislike the waves of people shouting your name as if you were an athlete in the Olympics.
'Gamaken, you're my favourite summon. Don't tell Gamabunta that, though...'
Before Jiraiya got escorted back, he popped a Soldier Pill to replenish his chakra as soon as possible. Soldier pills replenish chakra pretty fast, but the downside was for the next three days. Jiraiya would be pretty out of it and would need to recover.
Considering the situation, it was a sacrifice he was ready to make.
---
[A/N: My ability to write has probably degraded a bit. We will see later on if I want to heavily edit some chapters. Not to say my writing was any special, but I do want to believe the way I set up the fights are sort of alright.
I do want to say, originally they weren't meant to be in the Chunin exams in canon from my perspective because they were being held back by Jiraiya. Because of the new Jiraiya they were put in much earlier, forcing Orochimaru to use more niche techniques in battle. If he just had a few more years he could of easily had way more options and handedly outsmart any Genin and win the exams.
Not struggling like he did with Tsunade last chapter.
This would be the butterfly effect of Jiraiya. Forcing a genius to adapt and use everything in his arsenal to win. Pushing him to his limits.
Also do we know when the Uzumaki Clan die? It's before the second war or during it right? I keep forgetting...
And of course, hand over the power stones to encourage me!!!]