"Pass this message to Tsunade for me..."
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru, not caring about the dissatisfaction in his words, still wearing a calm smile. "This time, she finally won her bet."
"I understand."
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
For Orochimaru, a resurrected S-rank rogue ninja, sneaking into Konoha to meet Tsunade was a dangerous task, but he still chose to take the risk.
"Thank you."
Jiraiya's smile became radiant, and he added another request: "By the way, I know you must have heard all the information. Make sure to tell her everything, including the intel on Pain and Kagura..."
"Jiraiya, don't push your luck..."
A sinister smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.
Orochimaru wasn't quite sure if Akihara Kagura's plan was as he had expected, but Akihara Kagura hadn't appeared yet.
Even though Jiraiya had entered Sage Mode and was accompanied by the two sages from Mount Myoboku, their keen senses still hadn't detected Akihara Kagura's presence.
Perhaps...
Akihara Kagura really isn't here?
Orochimaru glanced deeply at Jiraiya.
If they truly perished here together, it wouldn't serve his interests.
Orochimaru believed he had done enough for his old friend Jiraiya. In the face of Nagato and the Tendo Path Pain, Orochimaru didn't think he and Jiraiya could defeat them, nor did he believe he could take Jiraiya away under their pursuit.
The next second.
The Tendo Path Pain suddenly charged at Jiraiya!
A mechanical arm sprouted from Nagato's back, transforming into a glowing laser weapon, which quickly gathered light!
Despite coordinating with his puppet, it felt just like many years ago when he worked with Yahiko, covering Yahiko's attacks!
Konan's figure floated in the air, just like when she fought their teacher many years ago. Sheets of explosive tags transformed into paper airplanes flying towards Jiraiya!
All of this...
It seemed like going back many years...
Yet this scene was markedly different from many years ago...
Last time they fought, they were still teacher and students. The three young members of the Akatsuki fighting Jiraiya were still somewhat inexperienced, and there was not a trace of killing intent; this time, every move was lethal, as if they intended to leave their teacher here permanently!
"Kids..."
A smile played on Jiraiya's lips, and he suddenly dropped to the ground: "If you think you can start this with such crude methods, it's far from enough... Sage Art: Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya's thick hair instantly became hard, transforming into countless long needles that shot rapidly towards the trio!
The Needle Jizo instantly pierced Konan's explosive tags, nailing them to the ground, and the sound of explosions rang out continuously!
This wasn't over...
The dense Needle Jizo was about to penetrate the Tendo Path Pain's body!
"Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!"
Nagato quickly halted his attack, raising his hand to form a summoning hand seal, and a panda descended from the sky, landing in front of the Tendo Path Pain, blocking the Needle Jizo's assault!
The Tendo Path Pain leapt off the panda's back, brandishing the black rod in his hand, and stabbed at Jiraiya, his expression cold and merciless!
"Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan!"
Jiraiya raised his hand to form a giant Rasengan, aiming to take out the Tendo Path Pain first. However, the Tendo Path Pain dodged instantly, revealing Nagato behind him!
"Preta Path!"
Nagato raised his palm, directly absorbing the chakra from the Super Giant Rasengan!
If it were natural energy, absorbing it would cause problems for Nagato's body; however, since it was refined Sage Chakra, it actually invigorated Nagato's spirit!
"Asura Path!"
Another mechanical arm sprouted from Nagato's back, which then split open to reveal a barrage of missiles, firing towards Jiraiya!
"Dodge!"
Jiraiya and Orochimaru jumped to the sides simultaneously!
Boom boom boom!
A series of explosions erupted!
"Universal Pull!"
Nagato raised his palm directly at Orochimaru!
A force of gravity suddenly pulled Orochimaru's body towards him. He had to deal with Orochimaru, who was the most likely to escape, first. Even Shinra Tensei couldn't kill Orochimaru...
"Are you trying to kill me first?"
Orochimaru smiled lightly and suddenly opened his mouth. Taking advantage of the gravitational pull towards Nagato, he spat out a Kusanagi sword!
Nagato frowned slightly. The mechanical arms on his back transformed again, revealing a strange mechanical hand that directly locked onto the Kusanagi sword, dragging Orochimaru towards him!
Two more mechanical arms appeared!
One arm seized Orochimaru's neck, while the other gripped his arm, forcibly capturing him!
"Human Path!"
Nagato raised his hand and pressed it against Orochimaru's chest! The ability of the Human Path, which he had never shown before Jiraiya and Orochimaru, was finally revealed. The Human Path could extract a person's soul!
"No!"
Orochimaru suddenly felt his soul starting to leave his body!
This feeling...
It seemed somewhat familiar?
Orochimaru even remembered why it felt familiar. It was the same sensation he experienced when his teacher, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, used the Death Reaper Seal to capture his soul!
This won't do!
If his body was damaged, there might still be hope for recovery. But if his soul was extracted by Nagato, he would surely be close to death!
"Jiraiya!"
Orochimaru immediately looked towards Jiraiya!
While fighting Tendo Pain, Jiraiya noticed Orochimaru's predicament and could only rely on the Sage Master beside him: "Quickly save Orochimaru. I can't leave here, only Orochimaru can escape!"
"Understood…"
The Sage Master opened his mouth and spat out a gust of wind towards Nagato, rescuing Orochimaru from his grasp. However, he saw Orochimaru start to flee as soon as he landed!
"Little Jiraiya…"
The Sage Master witnessed Nagato's terror firsthand. Seeing him easily capture Orochimaru and almost kill him, he felt that this battle would be extremely brutal. The sage couldn't help but show a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
"Don't slack off, dear…"
Shima, the Sage Master, was busy aiding Jiraiya in battle while interfering with Konan's attacks on the side, overwhelmed by the situation!
"Konan, go after Orochimaru."
Tendo Pain glanced at the distant Orochimaru and coldly ordered.
"Understood!"
Konan's wings spread out, speeding towards the direction Orochimaru fled: "Orochimaru, don't think you can escape…"
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
Jiraiya's palms suddenly closed, and his white hair extended rapidly, binding Konan's body and stopping her pursuit of Orochimaru!
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
In a critical moment, the Sage Master shot out a high-pressure water blade, instantly slicing Konan's body in two, which then turned into pieces of paper floating away!
"Universal Pull!"
Nagato reached out his hand towards the fleeing Orochimaru!
A sudden gravitational force pulled Orochimaru's escaping body back. This was the terror of Nagato; no one could escape from him!
"Sage Art: Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya spat out a ball of flames at Nagato, forcing him to abandon using gravity to recapture Orochimaru. This was all he could do!
"Can you use a genjutsu to stop them?"
Jiraiya quickly urged the two sages: "This is crucial, it concerns the survival of the ninja world. Orochimaru must bring back the information!"
"I understand."
The Sage Master's expression turned serious as he nodded.
"Do we really have to use that technique?"
Shima seemed somewhat reluctant but eventually nodded as well.
"Sage Art: Frog Call!"
The two toads on Jiraiya's shoulders suddenly opened their mouths and emitted a strange melody. This was a unique genjutsu from Mount Myoboku, the Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant, which would trap the opponent in an auditory illusion.
The only problem is...
This genjutsu required some time to take effect.
In a battle, there might not be enough time to accomplish this.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Nagato frowned and raised his hand towards Jiraiya!
"Sage Art: Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Jiraiya hoped he could release a sturdy defensive wall in time!
Under the empowerment of Sage Chakra, this Earth Release technique, already renowned for its defense, became even more terrifying. Two rows of walls instantly appeared in front of Jiraiya!
However, a repulsive force stronger than when used by Tendo Path Pain suddenly expanded, lifting the ground bit by bit!
The walls Jiraiya had just set up were instantly toppled by this repulsive force. Countless fragments hit Jiraiya and the two sages, interrupting their genjutsu and breaking Jiraiya's Sage Mode!
"Cough, cough…"
Jiraiya felt a severe shock in his internal organs!
The two sages were also in bad shape, even spitting out blood!
"We must stop them…"
Jiraiya clasped his hands together, forcing himself to stand up again. He knew he might not have the strength to fight anymore but stubbornly wanted to fulfill his promise: "I must cover Orochimaru, let him escape…"
However...
Jiraiya's chakra was exhausted.
Without the help of the two sages, his chakra was finally depleted.
"Jiraiya-sensei…"
"You should have no strength left to resist now."
Tendo Path Pain could sense that Jiraiya's chakra was exhausted, and his voice became arrogant again: "The hardest thing in this world is for one person to understand another's thoughts. You have always believed that the ninja world could establish a place where everyone understands each other…"
"Nagato, that is the correct path…"
Jiraiya, coughing up blood, stubbornly retorted.
"But…"
"That is the most difficult thing in the world."
"By comparison, using absolute power to force others to submit and accept peace is the right choice for the ninja world. Ordinary people need to accept their fate."
Tendo Path Pain slowly walked up to Jiraiya, raising his hand. A black rod condensed in his hand: "Even if you let Orochimaru escape, it won't change anything. The power of the Sage of Six Paths' eyes and body combined is something no one can resist…"
"Goodbye."
"Jiraiya-sensei."
After speaking, Tendo Path Pain raised the black rod in his hand.
The black rod suddenly thrust towards Jiraiya's body!
Nagato, floating beside Tendo Path Pain, gently closed his eyes, as if not wanting to see the moment of his teacher's death.
Jiraiya closed his eyes peacefully.
In the distance.
Orochimaru, who was fleeing, involuntarily stopped.
Orochimaru glanced at the sky where Konan was pursuing him, and his body instantly turned into countless small white snakes, causing Konan a headache!
However, strangely…
These small white snakes immediately dispersed, all looking in the same direction!
That was the direction of Jiraiya and Tendo Path Pain. Perhaps they sensed that Jiraiya was approaching the end of his life and wanted to witness the moment of their dear friend's passing.
Konan, seeing the group of observing white snakes, frowned lightly. Following their gaze, she looked back and saw Tendo Path Pain raising a black rod, about to pierce Jiraiya's body!
But…
Konan saw something different!
"No!"
Konan's broader vision saw a golden light rushing towards Tendo Path Pain. Her face changed abruptly, and she flew back, shouting a warning: "Pain, be careful!"
The speed of that light was so fast…
Before Konan's voice even came out, the light hit Tendo Path Pain, shattering the strongest Tendo Path puppet!
Bang!
Tendo Path Pain's body rolled to the ground, motionless!
The intruder moved swiftly, raising his hand to grab Nagato's throat. This sudden arrival reversed the battle situation in an instant!
"Shinra Tensei!"
Nagato's emaciated body erupted with a burst of powerful energy, generating a repulsive force around him, hastily trying to repel the intruder!
However…
The person who flew out was Nagato himself!
The intruder's strength was formidable, directly reflecting the repulsive force!
Nagato's body was thrown by the counteracting force, landing in a muddy puddle, looking extremely pathetic!
Nagato ignored his own misery, shakily raising his head to see the intruder clearly, his Rinnegan showing a hint of shock!
"Akihara… Kagura?"
Nagato looked at the intruder in disbelief.
Jiraiya looked at the intruder's back in disbelief.
Everyone present was shocked to see the sudden appearance of Akihara Kagura, except for the group of small white snakes hissing angrily.
"Nagato, you are right."
Akihara Kagura raised his hand, looking down at Nagato in the mud: "Since the combination of the Sage's body and eyes is invincible, why can't we gather the two powers of the Sage of Six Paths into one person?"
~~~
Patreon.com/Bleam
— 70 Advance Chapters!
Get 2 Sponsored Chapters "Every Month" for every person who joins the "Special Jonin•Bleam" Membership!