Chapter 49. Try it

Uchiha Clan Compound

As Jiraiya approached, the doors to the Uchiha clan compound swung open, revealing Natsuki standing at the entrance with a friendly smile.

"Hey, Jiraiya-sama, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you for quite a while," Natsuki greeted with a seemingly innocent demeanor.

Jiraiya felt a chill down his spine.

Had Natsuki intentionally provoked him by making him wait? Suspicion lingered in Jiraiya's narrowed eyes as he confronted Natsuki.

"Uchiha Natsuki, did you anticipate my arrival?" Jiraiya questioned with a guarded tone.

Natsuki nonchalantly nodded, "I just didn't want you to miss our appointment, so I arranged for some flyers to grab your attention."

Realization dawned on Jiraiya, causing him to reconsider underestimating Natsuki. With a deep voice, Jiraiya pressed further, "Why are you singling me out?"

Natsuki dismissed it with a wave, "Oh, don't be too sensitive. Everything on those flyers is true."

Frustration built up in Jiraiya, ready to retort, but Natsuki's expression suddenly turned cold.

"Can't handle it? Compared to the hardships the Uchiha endured, this is merely a fraction," Natsuki declared sternly. He shifted the focus to a more critical matter.

"During the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack, where were you on your mission? The Uchiha clan evacuated the villagers, yet they were still met with disdain. Why did you return unscathed? Is it merely because of your affiliation with the Third Hokage?" 

Jiraiya let out a sigh, finding himself caught between laughter and frustration. "Are you holding a grudge over this? Is your brain okay?"

Natsuki rolled his eyes in response. "You're reading too much into it. I simply want to make it clear that the Uchiha clan has distanced itself from Konoha Village. We're tired of being criticized whether we do things right or wrong. We've relinquished all ties with Konoha, and we're not interested in the Hokage position. Please, don't test us again."

Jiraiya, taken aback by Natsuki's straightforwardness, scratched his head. "Couldn't you have just said no? No need to be so dramatic."

Natsuki shrugged. "I didn't set a trap. You got caught because you decided to peek. Can't blame me for that."

Jiraiya, face shifting between blue and white, snorted heavily. He decided to fulfill the Third Hokage's mission. "I've heard that the Uchiha's Susanoo is incredibly powerful. Care for a comparison?"

He didn't decline or refuse. "I've also heard of the legendary Sage Toad wandering the battlefield. Let's exchange skills."

"Head to our training ground."

As Natsuki and Jiraiya arrived at the training ground, Natsuki had anticipated a showdown.

The Uchiha clan area was devoid of activity. With no one around, Natsuki and Jiraiya faced off, both forming hand seals.

A seal of opposition took shape at Natsuki's fingertips. Jiraiya, noticing the change in expression, mirrored the action, forming his own seal of opposition.

Natsuki initiated the attack by forming hand seals, conjuring a massive fireball aimed at Jiraiya.

Following suit, Jiraiya melded his hands together, performing the Ninja Technique: Needle Jizo.

His white hair extended, curling up to shield against the oncoming flames.

Switching hand seals, Jiraiya transitioned to the Wild Lion's Mane Technique, causing his flowing white hair to sweep forward.

Natsuki casually retrieved a kunai to block, but the clash produced a metallic sound, and Jiraiya swiftly kicked the kunai away.

Undeterred, Natsuki retaliated by throwing another kunai, only to be deftly kicked away by Jiraiya.

Moving forward, Natsuki collided with Jiraiya in a powerful clash, attempting a heavy kick that Jiraiya skillfully blocked with his arms.

Seizing the opening, Jiraiya pushed Natsuki back, who, in mid-air, retaliated by hurling shurikens.

Whizzing through the air, the shurikens collided with each other, obstructing Jiraiya's possible evasive paths.

Noticing the Uchiha-style throwing technique, Jiraiya prepared for the upcoming assault.

With a swift hand gesture, Jiraiya invoked the Psychic Art, summoning the purple Toad onto the battlefield.

Deploying a shield from his back, the toad shielded both Jiraiya and himself.

Natsuki continued his offensive by throwing shurikens, weaving hand seals, and unleashing the "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!" technique.

The shurikens, now ablaze, scattered in the air like impatiens flowers, directed towards Toad.

Toad leaped and moved like a phantom, barely managing to block the burning shurikens.

Seizing the moment, Jiraiya leaped forward, holding a blue chakra light ball in his hand.

"Rasengan!" Jiraiya exclaimed.

Natsuki shrank and crashed into Jiraiya's chest, but the attack was blocked by the protective shield of white hair.

Seizing the opportunity, Natsuki directed a kunai straight at Jiraiya's jaw, intending to capitalize on the Rasengan attack to embed the shuriken into his jaw.

In response, Jiraiya lowered his body and swiftly kicked Natsuki, sending him flying away.

The steel fork in Toad's hand bore numerous cuts from the potent shurikens, and the shield on the toad's back exhibited multiple wounds.

The toad vanished with a bang, leaving behind a space void.

As Natsuki was kicked away, Jiraiya opened his mouth and unleashed the Fire Release: Flame Bullet technique.

The intense flames struck Natsuki directly, resulting in a resounding impact.

Bang!

Amidst a crow's call, Natsuki transformed into countless crows, blending into the flock and disappearing from view.

The multitude of crows swiftly approached Jiraiya, prompting him to form hand seals.

Psychic Art!

A green toad emerged from the smoke, wielding two swords and slashing through the incoming crows.

One by one, the crows disintegrated into smoke and vanished.

Natsuki reappeared from the dissipating smoke, immediately executing the Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique.

Poof...violent flames spurted from his mouth. Upon landing, he sensed weakness in his feet.

Opposite him, Jiraiya was sprayed with dragon fire and transformed into a ball of soil.

However, the real Jiraiya emerged from behind.

Natsuki's eyes shifted into the mangekyo sharingan, summoning Susanoo. A resounding boom echoed as the first-level Susano materialized.

He broke free from him, crawling out of it. Simultaneously, a stream of oil sprayed onto Susanoo's body.

"Fire Escape: Big Flame Bullet," Natsuki declared, igniting the oil on Susanoo.

In response, Natsuki swiftly dispelled Susanoo, and his figure emerged from the gap.

Retreating instantly, he made a gesture.

"Admit defeat," he declared.

Natsuki appeared a bit tired, exhibiting signs of significant chakra depletion. Jiraiya also dismissed the Rasengan in his hand, wearing a slightly dissatisfied expression.

"Can't your Susanoo become bigger?" Jiraiya asked.

Seating himself on the ground in a somewhat disgraced manner, Natsuki responded, "I don't have that much chakra."

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, considering the recent succession of techniques. The crow clone and dragon fire techniques, among others, had consumed a substantial amount of chakra.

In addition to chakra, Susanoo also tapped into eye power, and Natsuki was likely left with limited reserves.

Not using sage mode, Jiraiya suspected Natsuki might have more tricks up his sleeve if he didn't hold back. Susanoo, demanding significant chakra, had its limitations.

Jiraiya contemplated the situation and approached Natsuki, who stood up and gestured for reconciliation.

Matching his gesture, Jiraiya reciprocated the seal with Natsuki.

Lying on the ground in a relaxed manner, he addressed Jiraiya, "If you can change your habit of peeping into women's baths, maybe we can still be friends."

He rested on the ground, observing Jiraiya, who appeared to be still very lustful, lazy, unfocused, and lacking a sense of responsibility.

Natsuki considered Jiraiya's demeanor, reflecting on their exchange.

Jiraiya's attacks were potent, often forcing him into ninjutsu-based combat, which lacked the precision of Uchiha techniques.

In comparing this confrontation with the previous battles against Shisui and others in the dream, Natsuki acknowledged the differences.

While Jiraiya didn't utilize sage mode or summon his toads during this match, Natsuki recognized the need for heightened techniques in a life-and-death scenario.

In such situations, he would likely activate the advanced form of Susanoo, even without awakening the pupil technique.

Acknowledging the chakra limitations for advanced jutsu, particularly Susanoo, Natsuki contemplated strategic approaches for future battles.

Jiraiya sensed Natsuki's genuine fighting style and emotions, realizing he wasn't a typical careerist.

Despite the clash, Jiraiya didn't harbor any particular disdain for him.

After the battle, Jiraiya sat cross-legged on the ground and posed a question to him, asking, "What do you think of Konoha Village?"

He shook his head and replied, "It's none of my business. Whether Konoha is good or bad has nothing to do with me. Don't ask me questions like this."

Expressing the Uchiha's focus on business development and improving the lives of their people, he stood up, signaling his departure.

He walked toward the clan, stating, "I have something else to do, so I won't send you off."

Observing Natsuki's departure, Jiraiya frowned, pondering the thoughts running through his mind.