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Though Jiraiya wasn't a prodigy like Orochimaru who mastered all five elemental natures, he had pushed his own abilities to their absolute limits.
Moreover, Jiraiya possessed a natural talent that Orochimaru lacked—an immense reservoir of chakra.
This was one of the reasons he had been chosen as the Third Hokage's disciple.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!!!"
Ninjutsu wasn't static; the same technique performed by different individuals naturally varied in power.
A triple-layered Earth-Style Wall erupted from the ground, rivaling the strength of Orochimaru's Triple Rashomon and blocking his terrifying mixed-element assault.
But Jiraiya wasn't the type to simply endure attacks. The moment his defense was complete, he began his next technique.
"Earth Release: Yellow Flash Swamp!!!"
What was once dry desert beneath Yamata no Orochi quickly turned damp, transforming into a massive swamp within moments. The colossal serpent became deeply entrenched, unable to move freely.
Jiraiya was no stranger to dealing with tailed beasts.
The first step was always to immobilize these monstrous creatures, preventing them from causing chaos. Even the slightest ripple of their power could result in significant casualties among allies. This experience was now being applied to Orochimaru.
From afar, Uchiha Itachi watched with admiration for Jiraiya's tactics and capabilities.
"As expected of Lord Jiraiya—to create such an expansive swamp in this arid desert is truly remarkable."
But the next moment, Itachi's expression shifted.
Yamata no Orochi unleashed its full might, its eight heads spewing flames that rapidly dried up the swamp, allowing it to break free. The surface wounds on its body were healing at an alarming rate.
"This level of Yang Release… Troublesome!!"
Jiraiya, who had intended to press on, now shared Itachi's assessment. Not only were Orochimaru's attacks already formidable, but his Yamata no Orochi Technique also possessed hyper-regeneration, comparable to the advanced medical ninjutsu "Yin Healing Wound Destruction," an A-rank technique used by elite medics.
"Hiss—!!! ×8"
Now free from its predicament, Yamata no Orochi lunged directly at Jiraiya. Since long-range attacks could be blocked by defensive techniques like the Earth-Style Wall, it opted to overwhelm him with brute physical force.
Facing the charging Yamata no Orochi, Jiraiya remained undaunted. He first used the Shadow Clone Technique to summon two clones, then three massive Big Ball Rasengans were unleashed against the serpent.
Though Yamata no Orochi possessed hyper-regeneration, it still didn't want to be struck head-on by such devastating attacks. It countered with a barrage of mixed-element techniques, triggering a violent explosion.
From afar, Itachi couldn't help but worry. After all, shinobi were inherently fragile—could Jiraiya really withstand such close-quarters combat?
But Itachi realized he couldn't intervene either. Should he use another ocular technique?
However, he quickly dismissed the thought.
Amaterasu—it was a technique even he knew wouldn't kill. Though its flames were said to burn until their target was consumed, their temperature wasn't particularly high. Aside from irritating Yamata no Orochi, it might even harm Jiraiya. Clearly, this technique wasn't suitable for the current situation.
As for Tsukuyomi, Itachi desperately wanted to use this devastating skill, but it was too late. Tsukuyomi required direct eye contact with the target, making it impossible to use now.
Unfortunately, during the earlier battle with Sasori, the puppet master had transformed himself into a puppet, rendering his eyes useless ornaments. His perception relied more on sensory techniques, so Tsukuyomi was out of the question.
As for Orochimaru, though he wasn't aware of Itachi's abilities, his lack of intelligence about Itachi had prompted him to unleash his ultimate form immediately upon Itachi's entry into the fight, denying him any opportunity to act. After all, snakes didn't rely solely on their deceptive eyes—they also used their tongues.
This was the unique thermal vision of snakes, Orochimaru's non-doujutsu "doujutsu."
"What to do…" Rarely, the First Genius of the Uchiha found himself deep in thought.
As the smoke from the explosion cleared, there was no sign of Jiraiya.
It turned out that the three figures wielding the Big Ball Rasengan had all been Jiraiya's shadow clones. The real Jiraiya was now hidden somewhere unknown.
Anyone familiar with Naruto knew that the Shadow Clone Technique was a game-breaking jutsu. Even the Byakugan couldn't distinguish the real body from the clones—only rich combat experience could identify the original.
After all, this technique had been specifically developed by Tobirama Senju, the Forbidden Technique Master, to counter the Uchiha clan.
Inside Yamata no Orochi, Orochimaru's eyes widened in astonishment.
"All shadow clones? When did this happen?"
Suddenly, Orochimaru sensed an unusual chakra signature and spun around abruptly.
"This chakra is!?"
Behind a sand dune, Jiraiya finally revealed his true form.
But his appearance now left both onlookers tense.
Two small toads stood perched on Jiraiya's shoulders.
Bright red eyeshadow covered a third of Jiraiya's face, his nose had grown disproportionately large, and his skin was dotted with small bumps. Most strikingly, his pupils had transformed into horizontal slits resembling those of a toad—a specialized wide-field vision adaptation evolved to better spot prey.
Yamata no Orochi didn't immediately attack. Instead, it opened its mouth, revealing Orochimaru's body. With a complex gaze, he spoke.
"Jiraiya, is this your Sage Mode from Mount Myōboku?"
"In a way, yes.
But my aptitude is limited—I haven't fully mastered Sage Mode yet and still require the assistance of the two Great Sages.
This is your final warning, Orochimaru. Return to the village and face your punishment, or I may accidentally kill you."
Jiraiya's tone was grave. Though his killing intent wasn't as potent as Orochimaru's, Itachi could sense the hardened resolve of a battle-tested warrior from afar.
However, Itachi's thoughts weren't focused on this. Instead, his eyes carefully scrutinized Jiraiya.
After all, both Jiraiya and Orochimaru were disciples of that detestable Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Anyone connected to that hypocritical scum who had targeted the Uchiha clan and endangered Konoha warranted caution in Itachi's eyes.
Should he seize the opportunity to eliminate them both?
No, he decided. Let the Hokage make the final judgment. With such overwhelming power, even these two couldn't cause much trouble.
"Jiraiya-kun, hurry up and finish this. The air here is far too dry—it's unbearable. My skin feels like it's about to crack."
Shima, the toad sage covered in purple bumps, impatiently urged him on.
"I understand. Honorable Sages, please prepare wind and oil—I'll use that technique to end this quickly." Jiraiya said solemnly.
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