Six months later...
This time, the lead took them to an island in the Land of Water. At dusk, they hid in the shadows, observing a cave guarded by a group of about twenty ninjas.
"It's well-guarded," commented Jiraiya, his tone grave. "The weakest among them are at the level of Chûnin. Tsunade, I'm afraid this matter is not as simple as it seems. Oro-"
"Are you sure he's in there?" Tsunade cut him off sharply.
Jiraiya fixed his tired eyes on her, noticing the deep circles under her eyes and her desperate gaze. He slowly nodded.
"Certain. But we must be cautious, or else—"
Tsunade wasn't listening anymore. Without a word, she leaped out of their hiding spot and charged towards the cave.
"Cover my back!" she shouted as she ran.
"She's never been this reckless," grumbled Jiraiya, clenching his teeth. "What the hell is she doing?!"
He quickly joined his hands together to summon some toads. Two small silhouettes appeared on his shoulders.
"Jiraiya-boy, it looks like this is serious this time," said Fukasaku, adjusting his position.
"No time for remarks," retorted Jiraiya, throwing his sandals aside. "Get ready, it's going to get hot."
He entered the Sage Mode, his silhouette taking on amphibian-like features. Jiraiya's skin became covered in a rough texture, his eyes became sharper, and his senses were sharpened to an extreme degree. He felt the nature chakra enveloping him, connecting with the environment. His muscles bulged with new power.
Tsunade, driven by raw anger, struck the first ninja she came across, her fist smashing through his armor. The impact resonated throughout the area, alerting the other guards.
"She's drawing all the attention to herself," Jiraiya muttered, irritated but impressed. "Looks like I have to clean up after her."
The ninjas began to organize themselves to surround Tsunade, but Jiraiya leaped forward.
"Not so fast, you idiots," he shouted. He took on the attackers himself.
Tsunade nodded and made her way towards the entrance of the cave.
"Shikai! I'm coming to get you," she murmured.
Before the ninjas could react, Jiraiya charged at the closest one, his fists wrapped in natural chakra. A direct hit to the first opponent's chest sent him flying like a projectile against a tree, his armor shattering on impact.
The other ninjas scattered immediately, forming a defensive circle around Jiraiya. He gave them no chance. He pivoted with almost bestial fluidity, his legs sweeping two enemies to the ground before landing on one of them with a punch so powerful that the rock beneath the man's body cracked.
A group of three ninjas charged at him with kunais. Jiraiya dodged the first strike with inhuman grace, grabbed the wrist of the second, instantly breaking it, and sent him flying into his own comrade. Then, in a fluid motion, he brought down his chakra-enhanced elbow on the last one, crushing him to the ground.
Sensing an attack from behind, he murmured a quick *"Lion's Mane"*
His hair extended and hardened, projecting it in all directions. The ninjas' screams filled the air as they were torn apart.
Rising to his feet, Jiraiya performed a series of hand seals.
*"Katon - Dragon Fire!"*
An immense fireball in the shape of a dragon erupted from his mouth, roaring towards a compact group of adversaries. The heat was unbearable, and the flames devoured everything in their path, leaving behind a circle of ashes and destruction.
Despite their losses, the remaining ninjas did not yield. They launched coordinated techniques, but Jiraiya had anticipated their movements. He jumped high into the air, spinning before landing in the middle of the group with titanic force. The impact broke the ground, unbalancing his enemies. He immediately followed up with a series of kicks and punches, each strike hitting with the precision and strength of an hermit.
Seeing that they could not face him in close combat, several ninjas unleashed jutsus, combining fire, wind, and earth in a coordinated attack. But Jiraiya, anticipating their moves, cried out:
*"Suiton - Water Cannon!"*
A column of water gushed from his mouth, neutralizing the flames and sending the ninjas flying to the ground like leaves swept away by a storm.
Before they could get back up, he formed hand seals and used *"Senpō - Thousand Hair Needles"*
Hardened hair filaments erupted from his body, dividing into hundreds of needles that rained down on his enemies. Cries of pain echoed as the projectiles pierced through their armor, leaving behind a scene of chaos.
Jiraiya narrowly dodged a sword strike, pivoted, grabbed the arm of the wielder, and broke it with a sharp movement before throwing him into two other opponents. He then jumped back, creating a shadow clone with a Multi-Cloning Jutsu. Together, they struck the enemies with perfect synchronization, combining direct and devastating blows.
Finally, the last ninja standing, trembling with fear, attempted one last attack. Jiraiya formed a Rasengan in his hand, the chakra spinning with terrifying intensity. He charged forward, striking the man in the chest. The ninja was thrown several meters away, crashing heavily, his eyes losing all their shine. But even in his last moments, he smiled. Feeling finally free from the demon that had possessed him.
As silence fell, a distant and faint sound could be heard.
*Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!*
A guttural and desperate scream echoed from within the cave. The sound sent a chill down Jiraiya's spine. He straightened up, slightly panting, his gaze fixed on the dark entrance.
That scream... it was Tsunade.