Chapter 34: Stunned ANBU! Jiraiya Loses His Cool!
At that moment, countless eyes, burning with fervor, fixated on him.
The battlefield became eerily quiet, as if time itself had stopped.
Behind their masks, the emotions of the ANBU ninjas were intense. Their hearts pounded wildly.
The light! The miracle of that dazzling flash!
It was an almost unbelievable sight, a scene so miraculous that it made everyone want to scream out in pure amazement!
"Clean up the battlefield," Kazuya's voice was calm as he spoke, "I'll pursue Orochimaru. Once you're done, maintain your positions and stay on guard. No need to follow me."
"Yes, Captain!" the ANBU instinctively responded.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Kazuya's figure disappeared from the spot.
He couldn't miss the conclusion of the destined battle that was about to unfold between Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
After Kazuya left, the field remained dead silent.
The ANBU still stood there, frozen, not moving an inch. It was only after several long moments that someone finally spoke in a trembling voice, "Seventeen rogue ninjas, taken down in a single second? Captain Kazuya... he's... terrifying!"
Nearby, the Hyūga Jōnin was equally shaken, exclaiming, "That was the Flying Thunder God Technique! The legendary jutsu of the Fourth Hokage! I can't believe Captain Kazuya has mastered it too!"
"He's so fast! Even my Byakugan couldn't keep up!"
Upon hearing this, the ANBU members' expressions turned fervent, almost fanatical.
Flying Thunder God!
The Fourth Hokage!!
That was a name that had etched itself into the hearts of countless Konoha ninjas, a figure they revered as a god.
Now, the god-like Flying Thunder God technique had reappeared!
The Flash had returned!
For the ANBU, it was like seeing a glimmer of hope reignited, a light that had long since been extinguished was burning bright once again!
"Captain Kazuya..." Uzuki Yugao's eyes sparkled with admiration, glowing like the surface of water.
So elegant!
Seventeen rogue ninjas—defeated in an instant!
To her, that dazzling white flash in the sky was nothing short of divine.
"Kazuya..."
Even Yūhi Kurenai, mature and composed, found herself unable to hide the flicker of emotions in her eyes—shock, admiration, and even a hint of... infatuation.
Strong, yet humble.
This man was simply irresistible!
Far in the distance, Orochimaru hadn't managed to escape Jiraiya's relentless pursuit. The two quickly became locked in a fierce battle once again.
"Fire Style: Giant Flame Bullet!"
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
"Striking Shadow Snakes!"
"Rasengan!"
"Summoning: White Snake!"
The fight was intense!
With Sage Mode activated, Jiraiya's combat prowess was through the roof. Orochimaru had to push himself to the limit to keep up; otherwise, defeat was imminent.
The truth was, Orochimaru was already on the back foot.
He was incredibly strong, but after fighting two Kage-level opponents in one day, his chakra reserves had taken a significant hit.
On top of that, Jiraiya, now in Sage Mode, was fighting with unmatched ferocity. Orochimaru was starting to show signs of exhaustion and defeat.
Moreover, there was still the ever-dangerous ANBU lurking nearby, waiting for the right moment to strike.
This made Orochimaru anxious, and in response, he fought even more fiercely.
"Summoning: White Snake!"
Orochimaru roared, summoning a massive white snake that lunged at Jiraiya with incredible speed.
Jiraiya moved quickly, but the snake was too fast, wrapping itself around him before he could escape.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya reacted instinctively, his white hair hardening into sharp spikes to protect him from the snake's bite.
BOOM!
Despite his quick thinking, the sheer power of the attack sent Jiraiya flying through the air.
"Cough, cough..." Jiraiya struggled to his feet, coughing up blood. He was injured.
"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya shouted, his face dark with anger, "Are you trying to kill me?!"
He had been holding back, trying to capture Orochimaru alive and bring him back to the village, but now, seeing that his old friend had no hesitation in trying to kill him, Jiraiya felt a surge of deep sorrow.
Orochimaru, however, just chuckled coldly, "Jiraiya, you're as naïve as ever. Human life is short, fleeting, and incredibly fragile."
"Your foolishness will get you killed one day."
"So why not... let me be the one to end it for you?"
"That way, I'll always remember you, and you'll live forever in my memory!"
Jiraiya didn't respond. He simply stared at Orochimaru, as though looking at a madman.
Not far away, Kazuya let out a quiet sigh.
In this moment, Orochimaru's words seemed to foreshadow Jiraiya's fate.
Naivety leading to death at the hands of someone else...
Yes.
If only Jiraiya had been more ruthless, more decisive, and not so soft-hearted, perhaps he wouldn't have fallen at the hands of his student in the future.
But then again, if Jiraiya had become cold and heartless, would he still be the same Jiraiya?
A dragon must eventually return to the sea.
Staying true to oneself, in the end, was the only way to live.
Life is full of uncertainties.
As Kazuya pondered this, beams of golden light began flying toward him once more.
[You have picked up 500 points of Chakra]
[You have picked up 500 points of Chakra]
[You have picked up 200 points of Sage Energy]
[You have picked up 300 points of Sage Energy]
[You have picked up 50 points of Sage Talent]
[You have picked up 100 points of Fire Style: Giant Flame Bullet skill experience]
[You have picked up 100 points of Ninja Art: Needle Jizo skill experience]
Amazing!
This round of golden light drops was of exceptionally high quality.
4,000 points of chakra!
1,500 points of sage energy!
And a good amount of elemental jutsu talent points as well!
This is the kind of reward that only comes from Kage-level battles.
It was an absolute jackpot for Kazuya, and he was more than satisfied!
Sage mode! What a great power to have—useful even when facing off against Six Paths-level opponents.
At this point, both Orochimaru and Jiraiya were showing signs of exhaustion.
Fighting at the Kage level was incredibly draining.
"Orochimaru..."
"Summoning: White Snake Technique!"
Orochimaru gritted his teeth, pushing out more chakra than ever before.
"Don't underestimate me!!"
Jiraiya roared, forming a Rasengan in his right hand.
"Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasengan!!"
He thrust his Rasengan toward the incoming white snake summoned by Orochimaru.
But then, just as his attack was about to land, something unexpected happened.
The Rasengan suddenly dissipated from Jiraiya's hand, and the mysterious markings on his face from Sage Mode vanished in an instant.
"WHAT!?"
Jiraiya's jaw nearly hit the floor in shock.
Seriously!? Of all times!?
Sage Mode had just run out of time!
This was bad!
Very bad!
He was drained and exhausted, and dodging Orochimaru's incoming attack now seemed impossible.
At that critical moment, a flash of white light appeared.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
BOOM!
BOOM!
In an instant, a massive fireball crashed into the white snake, stopping it in its tracks.