Chapter 26

Inside Sunagakure's sensory perception division:

The sensory ninja in charge of the enchantment control room shouted in a state of panic:

"Intruder detected! One individual, estimated strength... Kage level!"

As the word "Kage" was spoken, the surrounding Sand Shinobi abruptly rose from their seats.

Meanwhile, a Sand Shinobi who managed the barrier at the village's outer defense called out, "Jiraiya, one of the Konoha Sannin, has breached the barrier! Everyone, prepare for reinforcement!"

"Jiraiya!?"

The faces of the other Sand Shinobi swiftly contorted.

[Konoha's White Fang] and [Konoha Sannin] both gained fame during the Second Ninja World War. All of them held Kage-level power. This fact stirred envy in the hearts of shinobi from other villages. Undoubtedly, Konoha was a cradle of geniuses.

"Is it truly just Jiraiya alone? Could there be anyone else to ambush the Kazekage-sama?"

With fiery red hair reminiscent of the Uzumaki clan's hue but darker, a young Sand Shinobi around the same age as Senju Nawaki hurried to the village entrance. He stood beside another Sand Shinobi and posed the question.

His name was "Rasa," one of the few village ninjas proficient in Magnet Release.

While not on par with another Sand Shinobi who could manipulate black sand, Rasa's mastery was commendable.

"Based on the Intelligence Division's report, no other Konoha Shinobi have been detected. Given the border's vigilance, it's unlikely there are many more. He's probably alone."

"Jiraiya alone dares to trespass on our sands? Even if he is one of the Sannin, it reeks of arrogance."

Rasa clenched his teeth, his resolve firm. To be fair, that in itself was a testament to his prowess.

Sealing a tailed beast within his son's body was a feat few could fathom, let alone attempt repeatedly, ultimately culminating in sending his Assassins and his brother-in-law to eliminate him outright. To test the Control of Gaara and Seal he could do anything.

All of which resulted in Gaara's descent into darkness.

Tatsuya, whose prior knowledge stemmed from being a reader in his previous life, was awed by Rasa's intricate maneuvers.

Tatsuya couldn't resist asking Rasa, Is Gaara really his own son?

...

...

Sunagakure's main gate entrance:

A gargantuan toad, dwarfing even-tailed beasts, swayed its bony ribs and exerted itself to halt the advancing Sand Shinobi.

"What on earth is this? Jiraiya! He always calls me at the worst times!"

Gamabunta grumbled and bellowed.

"I got duped by that schemer Tatsuya. Anyway, please help me buy some time."

Jiraiya wore a wry expression. He hadn't anticipated Tatsuya's plan to be so straightforward and audacious.

Wasn't the idea just to draw the attention of Sand Shinobi and then proceed to assassinate the Second Kazekage?

"Sand Waterfall!"

A cascade of quicksand suddenly cascaded from the sky above.

Jiraiya glanced upward. "Could that be the Magnet Release rumored around here?"

"Bunta!"

Jiraiya cast his gaze downward and bellowed at the toad beneath him, his hands engaging in swift seals.

"Understood, but what a hassle!"

Gamabunta grumbled though the pudgy cheeks on either side of his face inflated rapidly.

"Fire Style—Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"

"Toad Oil Bullet!"

A fusion of ninjutsu and toad oil bullets!

The sudden eruption of intense flames instantly consumed the onslaught of quicksand rain.

Utilizing a sand wall as a protective barrier proved invaluable.

Rasa found himself sprawled on the ground, a touch of embarrassment in his demeanor. Fortunately, his injuries were minor, prompting him to comment with a hint of bitterness, "Dealing with one of the Sannin is undeniably challenging!"

...

...

"Just Jiraiya on his own!"

Sunagakure Administrative Building, Kazekage's Office.

Upon receiving the report from his subordinates, the bald man adorned with dragon tattoos experienced an abrupt shift in countenance.

A surprise attack from Konoha wasn't entirely unexpected.

Previously, Konoha's White Fang had led a small team to covertly infiltrate Sunagakure for an assassination attempt, nearly succeeding.

Thus, the choice of Jiraiya this time wasn't surprising. However, the assertion that only Jiraiya was involved prompted skepticism in Shamon's mind.

"Kazekage-Sama, with most of the village's ninjas engaged in thwarting Jiraiya, what is the next course of action?"

A Sand Shinobi Anbu, kneeling before the Sand Gate, sought guidance.

Shamen contemplated silently, then after roughly half a minute, issued his order:

"Exercise caution and keep me informed of any changes."

"Yes!"

The Sand Shinobi Anbu bowed his head in acknowledgment before employing the Body Flicker Technique to vanish.

Shamon, a man of shadows, wasn't as gullible as Rasa. He didn't truly believe that the intruder was solely Jiraiya. Unless one reached the realm of Super Shadow, a single individual couldn't confront an entire village.

Sand Shinobi had dispatched more than half of their forces to the frontlines, mirroring their adversary. Personal intervention from Shamon wasn't necessary; deploying village ninjas was sufficient to handle Jiraiya.

"Ahem!"

Suddenly, a violent cough seized Shamon's attention, causing him to convulse twice. Unbidden, a trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his lipx.

Yet, this wasn't the sole reason he couldn't engage in battle. His body teetered on the brink of exhaustion.

"Boom!!"

A sudden burst of white light manifested, tearing off the upper portion of the administrative building. Shamon's position in the Kazekage office crumbled like a vehicle transformed into a convertible.

As if slicing through butter, the scene unfolded.

Still reeling from his last injuries, Shamon cast an incredulous gaze skyward, where the radiant sunbathed his surroundings.

Quicker than the sun's rays, a lengthy strand of silver hair rushed into his field of vision.

"Your physical condition doesn't appear optimal, Master Kazekage."

Tatsuya stood at the seamless cut atop the building, brandishing a sunlit blade. "To avenge Hokage Sama's son, your life is forfeit."

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