The powerful repulsive force not only instantly defeated the approaching Kaguya Kimimaro but also carved a deep crater into the ground.
After the surroundings completely settled, Tendo Pain slowly descended from the sky and landed on solid earth.
Thunk!
Tendo Pain casually threw out a black receiver, stabbing it directly into Kimimaro's body before he could recover, rendering him unable to resist.
In the distance, Orochimaru had just risen from the ground.
The previous repulsive force had been so violent that the four Sound ninja were affected before they could carry him to safety.
"No hand seals required, but the power is tremendous, and the speed is incredible."
Jiraiya observed the battle ahead calmly, attempting to gather intelligence and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Tendo Pain's abilities.
If he engaged in direct combat without any intelligence support, his chances of defeating Tendo Pain would be extremely slim.
Swish! Swish!
Konan, who had been standing quietly, suddenly sprang into action and rushed toward Jiraiya and Orochimaru's positions.
Whoosh, whoosh...
Countless shuriken formed from folded paper densely covered the entire sky, raining down toward Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Orochimaru stood motionless as the four Sound ninja positioned themselves before him, continuously releasing jutsu to deflect the paper shuriken.
However, the number of paper projectiles was overwhelming—even with all four Sound ninja working together, they couldn't block every weapon.
But it didn't matter. They were all Edo Tensei entities, and since ninjutsu couldn't deflect them all, they would simply use their bodies as shields.
Bang, bang, bang...
The paper shuriken fell like rain, piercing the bodies of the four Sound ninja successively, transforming them into pincushions.
"Well done."
Orochimaru was quite satisfied. Edo Tensei bodies weren't afraid of death, making them perfect for this type of defensive work.
Hmm?
Something's wrong!
Orochimaru's expression suddenly changed, as if he had noticed something crucial. He leaped up and fled from the Sound ninja's protection.
The four Sound ninja, confused by Orochimaru's violent reaction, were about to move when they suddenly discovered that the paper shuriken piercing their bodies had begun spreading and covering their forms.
"Hey, what's happening?"
"Orochimaru-sama?"
"Damn it, why can't I move?"
The four Sound ninja struggled desperately, but they found more and more paper spreading across their bodies, with the binding force growing rapidly stronger.
In the blink of an eye, the paper had completely enveloped all four Sound ninja members, forming mummy-like shapes.
Thud...
After several muffled impacts, the four Sound ninja collapsed to the ground without making another sound.
At this moment, mysterious sealing formulas appeared on the paper covering their bodies.
It turned out that Konan's paper projectiles had been embedded with sealing formulas from the beginning—as long as they struck an enemy, that opponent could be quickly sealed.
Unfortunately, neither Orochimaru nor Jiraiya had been hit by the paper shuriken.
Orochimaru had the Sound Four's assistance in blocking them, while Jiraiya released powerful Fire Release techniques, burning all the incoming paper projectiles.
"Konan, it seems you've not only become more beautiful but also far more powerful."
Jiraiya looked up at Konan flying through the air with spread wings, speaking with admiration before his expression darkened. "But I never taught you to attack your own teacher!"
"Jiraiya-sensei..."
Konan's cold voice echoed as she looked down at Jiraiya and replied, "This is the path we have chosen. For the sake of peace, everything can be sacrificed!"
"Is that so?"
Jiraiya's eyes turned cold. "It seems I need to teach you a lesson. How dare you distort your teacher's words like this?"
He had taught Yahiko and the others about the path to peace, but it had been nothing like this.
Although Jiraiya didn't know what had happened to his three students, he was certain they had taken the wrong path.
In that case, as their teacher, he should correct their mistakes.
This was a teacher's responsibility!
Jiraiya quickly pressed his palms together as the long silver hair behind him suddenly expanded and grew, sweeping toward Konan's position like massive ropes.
"Ninja Art: Hair Needle Senbon!"
Konan dodged Jiraiya's attacks while beginning to release numerous paper shuriken embedded with explosive tags toward her teacher.
Boom, boom, boom...
Flames and smoke continued rising, enveloping Jiraiya completely.
Whoosh—
When the smoke and flames dissipated, Jiraiya's figure was revealed, wrapped in layers of tough silver hair. The explosive tags hadn't caused him any harm.
"I've got you!"
Konan, flying through the air, hadn't noticed that her ankles were bound by Jiraiya's long hair.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"
Seeing the restrained Konan, Jiraiya didn't hesitate, directly spitting an extremely hot flame toward his former student.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Countless papers flew toward the burning Fire Release technique like moths to flame. Though they seemed no match for the fire, Konan's paper somehow extinguished the jutsu entirely.
"Can't even ignite them? What incredible paper!"
Jiraiya's expression grew serious as he muttered to himself. He hadn't expected his Fire Release techniques to be unable to suppress or ignite Konan's paper.
The changes were too dramatic.
Jiraiya sighed deeply. His students had become so powerful—logically, he should be happy. But students who had strayed from the right path would never bring hope of peace to the ninja world, no matter how strong they became.
Having made his decision, Jiraiya prepared to get serious.
His eyes swept toward Orochimaru in the distance, only to see that he had already charged toward Tendo Pain, only to be knocked back by his former student once again.
It seemed he couldn't count on Orochimaru for assistance.
Jiraiya tugged on his long hair, attempting to snap Konan's bound ankles, but before he could apply full strength, numerous spears and projectiles formed from paper attacked him with overwhelming force.
This is troublesome!
While dodging rapidly, he released Fire Release techniques to engulf the paper.
Jiraiya evaded all attacks with swift movement. His long silver hair suddenly applied tremendous force, and the powerful restraint instantly transformed into a strangling grip. Jiraiya directly severed Konan's right leg with his hair.
Poof!
Before Jiraiya could react, Konan transformed into a wooden log.
Substitution Technique!
Konan had somehow used the Substitution Technique without his notice, allowing it to take his attack in her place.
With Jiraiya's attack missing its mark, Konan began counterattacking more violently, with papers forming projectiles and bombarding her former teacher.
"Konan is flying through the air with such agile movements."
Jiraiya continued deflecting the incoming projectiles while contemplating how to restrain Konan again.
But having already suffered one defeat, Konan would be difficult to catch and restrain with Jiraiya's hair techniques again.
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