Chapter 373: Fate, Part Seven
In the shadows, Ye Wen watched the unfolding battle with mild amusement.
The title "sage" seemed an overreach. Though Ye Wen held no grudge against animals training to become "sages," to refer to a halfway level as true "sagehood" seemed exaggerated and conceited to him. Still, considering that this world originated in Japanese culture, it was no surprise. The island nation often borrowed and modified cultural concepts, sometimes resulting in unorthodox or even sinister interpretations.
While Ye Wen was momentarily lost in thought, Jiraiya began charging his most powerful technique.
"Sage Art: Goemon!"
In terms of sheer scale and destructive force, this attack was indeed formidable. But to Ye Wen, it seemed like an enhanced version of the Toad Oil Flame Bullet, with more natural energy and a Wind Release boost rather than a fundamentally new technique.
As the oil fueled flames roared toward him, Orochimaru responded without hesitation.
"Summoning Jutsu: Triple Rashomon!"
The enormous red gates rose, their surreal appearance faintly reminiscent of grazing sheep on a green hill. But Ye Wen quickly dismissed the odd comparison. Orochimaru was indeed the most accomplished of Sarutobi's disciples. Not even Jiraiya had mastered the Rashomon technique, a trademark of true Konoha power.
But with Jiraiya in Sage Mode, each of his attacks was amplified exponentially. In an instant, Jiraiya's flame attack shattered two of the Rashomon gates and surged toward Orochimaru's position.
As the final gate fell, Orochimaru was nowhere to be seen.
Jiraiya's enhanced senses kicked in; he could still sense Orochimaru in the vicinity, lurking beneath the battlefield.
"Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon!"
Jiraiya's long, unruly hair stiffened and shot out like thousands of needles, piercing the ground with the force of a thousand small crossbows. The attack churned up the earth, revealing the eight headed serpent hiding just below.
Why would Orochimaru go to ground like that? Jiraiya wondered. His instincts told him Orochimaru was up to something.
Within moments, the eight headed serpent's injuries started to heal, but not as rapidly as before. The creature's movements grew sluggish.
Suddenly, Jiraiya's expression shifted from a frown to a look of alarm. Orochimaru was stalling…
"Sage Art: Ultra Big Ball Rasengan!"
Acting on a hunch, Jiraiya unleashed his attack, unwilling to give Orochimaru even a moment more. The enormous Rasengan, charged with natural energy, tore into the eight headed serpent, pulverizing it completely.
But something felt wrong. The serpent dissipated like a hollow shell, revealing itself to be little more than a distraction.
Jiraiya began to scan his surroundings. Out of nowhere, a stream of black sand shot toward him.
Jiraiya narrowly dodged, noticing the magnetic pull of the iron sand. Iron Sand? But only Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, has that ability…
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed in realization. The black sand wasn't Rasa's Gold Dust; it was the Iron Sand once wielded by the legendary Third Kazekage, who had been turned into a puppet by Sasori. But hadn't Sasori been defeated by Itachi?
"Didn't expect to see me here, did you?" a voice grumbled, dripping with annoyance. "Another damned summoning by that cursed Orochimaru. I curse Tobirama Senju for creating this vile jutsu. May he suffer the same fate someday!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. Standing before him was none other than the Third Kazekage, restored through Orochimaru's Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation.
"The forbidden jutsu, developed by the Second Hokage…" Jiraiya muttered. "Orochimaru's repertoire gets darker by the day."
From a distance, Rasa and Chiyo observed in shock.
Again with the Third Kazekage? Can't they leave him alone?
Jiraiya quickly refocused. Confident in his current Sage Mode, he felt certain he could handle the Third Kazekage. But why would Orochimaru summon a lesser opponent if he wasn't planning something even worse?
The realization hit Jiraiya like a jolt of electricity: Orochimaru was stalling to escape.
As the possibility sank in, Jiraiya cursed himself. Perhaps Orochimaru was simply retreating, understanding that he was outmatched.
Without another thought, Jiraiya clasped his hands together, summoning every ounce of his enhanced sensory powers to locate Orochimaru before he slipped away.
"You're not escaping me this time, Orochimaru!"
(To Be Continued)