"Jiraiya, you really thought catching me would be that easy? You're seriously underestimating me," Ryūjin called out, his voice brimming with confidence. He gave no hint of being cornered; his abilities far surpassed anything Jiraiya had expected.
"Chidori Current!"
With a low cry, Lightning Release chakra surged across Ryūjin's body. Simultaneously, a network of crackling electricity spread outward, forming a net that encompassed both Jiraiya and his hair.
If Jiraiya continued holding Ryūjin, he would have been struck by the Chidori Current himself. Reluctantly, he released his hair and flickered away with the Body Flicker Technique, narrowly avoiding the deadly lightning. Another fraction of a second and the attack would have hit him.
"Lightning Release Ninjutsu without hand seals..."
Jiraiya's expression darkened. Ryūjin's strength far exceeded his expectations. The sheer variety, cunning, and power of his techniques were unlike anything Jiraiya had ever faced.
"Kamui!"
Ryūjin twisted his body and unleashed a Long-range Kamui toward him.
"Danger!"
Jiraiya sensed mortal peril and instinctively flickered away. This time, he wasn't fast enough. The Kamui sliced across his shoulder, leaving a bloody gash.
"Not bad, Jiraiya. You dodged again. How many more times do you think you can?" Ryūjin folded his arms, a smirk playing across his face.
Jiraiya's face went pale. That attack was impossible to block; the slightest mistake would cause injury, and there was no real defense. After two narrow escapes, he had no confidence for a third. He had to admit, reluctantly, that he alone could not defeat this mysterious opponent.
Whoosh!
With that realization, Jiraiya quickly formed hand seals and struck the ground. A circle of Sealing Formula spread outward.
Bang!
Through the smoke, a massive figure appeared. A toad, pipe in mouth, short sword at its side—Gamabunta, the loyal ally of Konoha. He had contracts spanning three generations, from Jiraiya to Minato Namikaze to the future Naruto.
"Those eyes… an Uchiha? Jiraiya, what is happening?" Gamabunta asked, bewildered.
"I'm not entirely sure," Jiraiya replied, standing atop Gamabunta's head. "This enemy appeared out of nowhere. Watch his eyes—they're dangerous. He can even use Minato's Flying Thunder God, and—"
"Quit the chatter!"
Gamabunta grumbled and lunged at Ryūjin with the force of a mountain falling. Despite his size, his speed was limited. Ryūjin dodged easily with Body Flicker, not even needing Flying Thunder God.
During the dodge, he subtly marked Gamabunta with a Flying Thunder God Technique Seal.
"Next, I'll put this toad in his place," Ryūjin thought. Ordinary methods wouldn't work on a creature of this size. He needed to show his true power.
Time to test Susanoo. Since awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Ryūjin had yet to experience its full potential.
"Brat, all you do is run?" Gamabunta bellowed, missing several lunges.
"Heh, if I stop running, it'll be your turn to flee." Ryūjin's Mangekyō Sharingan spun as a vast blue energy condensed around him. In an instant, a towering blue armored giant materialized before Gamabunta and Jiraiya.
The Susanoo, clad in crystalline armor and wielding a tachi, dwarfed Gamabunta's seventeen-meter frame.
"Susanoo? Jiraiya, why didn't you tell me this Uchiha could summon Susanoo?" Gamabunta exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.
Boom!
Before Jiraiya could respond, Ryūjin's Susanoo delivered a powerful kick, sending Gamabunta flying like a ragdoll. He tumbled across the ground helplessly.
"Jiraiya, I'm heading back. If you can't handle him, hide in Mount Myōboku. Don't push it," Gamabunta groaned before vanishing in a cloud of smoke, retreating to Mount Myōboku.
Half of Ryūjin's plan was complete. Now all that remained was to use Kotoamatsukami to rewrite Jiraiya's memory, then check in at Mount Myōboku without concern. Against someone of Jiraiya's caliber, Susanoo was overkill; Ryūjin dismissed the giant.
"Sir, with your strength, if you wanted me dead, I'd already be dead, right?" Jiraiya said, assessing the situation.
Ryūjin raised an eyebrow. "If you realize that, why not surrender gracefully?"
"Haha, no can do. I am one of the Legendary Sannin—I have my pride!" Jiraiya refused flatly.
Without further words, Ryūjin charged, kunai in hand. Jiraiya met him head-on, their weapons colliding mid-air.
Clang!
Sparks flew with the ringing of steel.
Jiraiya followed with a sweeping kick. To his shock, the simple move sent Ryūjin crashing to the ground. Yet the fallen Ryūjin immediately transformed into a log, effortlessly bypassing the attack.
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