"I don't want to fight you, Lord Hokage, but for the sake of the village's future and true peace in the shinobi world, I have no other choice."
Jiraiya fixed his gaze on Hiruzen Sarutobi as he spoke.
"Jiraiya, are you really going to turn against your own teacher?" Koharu Utatane asked anxiously. Seeing Jiraiya and Hiruzen truly about to fight made her uneasy.
Jiraiya had grown immensely strong, and Hiruzen was no less formidable. When two tigers clash, one is bound to be wounded. Both of them were pillars of the village, and she dreaded the consequences of this internal conflict.
"I don't wish to be anyone's enemy," Jiraiya replied. "I only want to make the village stronger. If someone stands in the way of that goal, then they are my enemy—regardless of who they are."
"Then allow me to test your strength," Jiraiya added before disappearing in a blur, using the Body Flicker Technique to leave the Hokage's office, heading toward the outskirts of the village.
He had no intention of letting the battle take place within the village. If others witnessed it, it would only cause unnecessary panic—something he wanted to avoid.
"Jiraiya... you've truly grown," Hiruzen murmured as he immediately gave chase.
Jiraiya's speed forced Hiruzen to go all out just to keep up. As for Koharu and the others, they refused to miss the battle but lacked the strength to keep pace. Soon, they were left far behind.
...
Deep within a dense forest far from the village, Jiraiya and Hiruzen finally stopped.
"If you lose, Lord Hokage, step down from your position," Jiraiya declared.
Hiruzen gave a small smile, but his eyes were grave.
"I won't let you lead the village into ruin. That is why I will not lose."
"And if you do lose? What then?" Jiraiya pressed. He needed to hear the answer. If Hiruzen refused to step down even after being defeated, then Jiraiya would have no choice but to go all out—even to the death.
Jiraiya knew Hiruzen was strong, but he was confident in his victory. On his journey back to the village, he had absorbed Shukaku's power into himself. Now, he had fully mastered it.
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before answering, "If I lose, it would mean I am no longer fit to lead. In that case, I will step down."
Jiraiya nodded solemnly. "If I lose, then from now on, I will obey every decision made by the village without question."
...
By the time Koharu and several clan leaders arrived, they kept their distance, choosing to observe from afar.
"Do you think Lord Hokage will lose?" one of the clan heads asked.
"Jiraiya is his student. While his strength has grown rapidly, defeating Lord Hokage won't be easy," one elder said.
"I disagree," another countered. "Jiraiya may have risen quickly, but he killed Hanzo the Salamander and sealed Shukaku. Those are feats even Lord Hokage couldn't achieve."
"Sealing Shukaku is one thing, but defeating Hanzo? That was due to his poison. If Lord Hokage had the antidote, Hanzo wouldn't have stood a chance."
The watching shinobi split into two sides—one believing Jiraiya could win, the other doubting it.
...
"Make your move," Hiruzen said calmly.
Jiraiya didn't hesitate. Bringing his hands together, he instantly entered Sage Mode.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with surprise. "Just like the First Hokage... You can enter Sage Mode instantly."
Though he had heard of Jiraiya's ability, seeing it in person was something else entirely.
"Sage Art: Giant Flame Bomb!"
A massive fireball roared toward Hiruzen.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Summoning a large Fūma Shuriken, Hiruzen hurled it forward. The weapon multiplied into hundreds, slicing through the fireball and continuing toward Jiraiya.
The shuriken spun fiercely, generating powerful gales as they flew.
"Sage Art: Giant Rasengan!"
Jiraiya thrust his right hand forward, forming an enormous Rasengan and smashing through the incoming projectiles.
"What jutsu is that?!"
The watching shinobi were stunned.
"He didn't even need hand signs!"
"That jutsu isn't recorded in the village archives. It must be something Jiraiya developed himself."
"His talent is incredible—to create something like that!"
...
"Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"
Hiruzen retaliated, transforming the ground into a rushing river of mud, sweeping toward Jiraiya.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
From the flowing mud, several dragon heads emerged, launching hardened earth bullets at Jiraiya.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
Hiruzen followed up with a second jutsu, launching scorching flames to merge with the earth bullets, intensifying the attack.
Known as the Professor, Hiruzen's mastery of jutsu was unparalleled. His seamless combination of different elements was proof of that.
In an instant, he unleashed a barrage of techniques at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya, unfazed, shook his head.
"If that's all you've got, you're only wasting time."
With a swift motion, he unsheathed the Lightning Flame Blade. One effortless swing sent a massive wave of energy surging forward, slicing through every jutsu in its path.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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