Jiraiya took a direct hit from Akio's soap attack, the back of his head slamming into the ground as stars burst across his vision.
Before he could recover, he was struck by a very particular kind of ninjutsu.
"Sealing Technique: Paper Storm!"
"Sealing Technique: Rope!"
Konan first unsealed a torrent of white paper from a summoning scroll, blasting it straight into Jiraiya's face and blinding him. Then, without missing a beat, she unsealed a thick rope, binding him tightly in place.
"So… that's really one of the Legendary Sannin?" Karin muttered under her breath. "He's kind of pathetic."
Akio chuckled and shook his head. Jiraiya wasn't weak—he just wasn't resisting. Against a pretty girl, he'd gladly take a hit or two.
Scroll-based weapon summoning… just like Tenten. Sealing techniques tied to space–time affinity?
Ah...now I remember who she is. Without the metal piercings, she's hard to recognize. And the hair color's different too. Nagato must've dyed it later… or maybe Konan did. Orange does suit her better.
While Akio was lost in thought, Jiraiya puffed out his lower lip and blew the paper off his eyes, locking gazes with the furious Konan.
"I am Jiraiya of Mount Myōboku"
"Get him!"
"Don't let him escape!"
"You filthy pervert!"
Shouts erupted from inside the bathhouse.
Jiraiya panicked. He strained against the rope but couldn't break free. Left with no choice, he slammed his hips into the ground, launching himself upright.
Akio raised an eyebrow and turned to Karin.
"See that? That's the strength of a Legendary Sannin. He just reinforced his chakra… with his backside."
Karin: "...…"
"Don't run!" Konan shouted.
Bound tightly, Jiraiya could only hop forward in awkward leaps, yet Konan still couldn't catch him.
"See?" Akio continued calmly. "That's not because her taijutsu is weak. Even you three wouldn't catch him. And if you did, he could still beat you using just his head and hips."
"Sealing Technique: Shuriken!"
This one was even closer to Tenten's style, dozens of shuriken poured out of the scroll, flying straight toward Jiraiya's lower back.
Jiraiya glanced over his shoulder, grinned, and leapt. His body spun a full three hundred and sixty degrees midair, dodging every blade while letting them slice through the rope binding him. It was a flawless escape
Except for the landing.
Another bar of soap.
"Splash!"
"The Legendary Sannin… slipping on soap twice?" Karin scoffed.
"That just means I'm better," Akio replied casually, shifting the Truth-Seeking Aaronl in his arms to shield his head.
The first time was bad luck. The second time? Someone's definitely out to get me, Jiraiya thought darkly, his gaze drifting toward Akio, a man holding a strange black sphere, standing with three children.
"Sealing Technique: Rope!"
"Grab the white-haired pervert!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. Forget the mystery man, this was bad.
"Body Flicker!"
"Where'd he go?!"
"Over there!"
"After him!"
A horde of middle-aged women stormed after Jiraiya in full pursuit.
Akio twitched slightly. "Has his taste gotten worse… or were the younger girls just too embarrassed to chase him?"
Konan returned, her face flushed with anger. She bowed deeply to Akio.
"My apologies, sir. I've embarrassed the Rain Village. I'll inform Lord Yahiko, we will capture that white-haired creep. Please rest assured, something like this will never happen again."
Akio smiled faintly. If she knew Jiraiya was Yahiko's teacher, her worldview would probably collapse.
"Forget it," Akio said. "I've lost interest. Take us to our lodgings."
"Y-Yes…" Konan muttered, clearly humiliated on behalf of her country, silently cursing Jiraiya the entire way.
The rest of the journey was uneventful. They soon arrived at a residential compound filled with dozens of villas.
"Since when did Yahiko sneak off to the Uzumaki lands?" Akio muttered.
The villas varied in size, clearly ranked by status. But in the ninja world, strength ruled. No one would dare complain.
Seven of the largest villas were reserved for the Six Great Nations and the uniquely positioned Land of Iron.
Akio activated his senses. Chakra signatures were everywhere, Yahiko wasn't taking any chances. Guards every few steps.
Notably absent were Sasori and Kakuzu. Probably for the best, Yahiko wouldn't want monsters like that staying here.
"Hah… came too early," Akio sighed. "Not a single familiar face."
As they entered, three shinobi appeared via Body Flicker. Konan quietly explained Akio's identity. Moments later, they vanished.
"Tight security," Akio remarked with a laugh.
"Which villa would you prefer?" Konan asked.
Akio raised an eyebrow. "The one in the center."
"There… isn't really a 'center,'" she said softly.
"Then I'll take the most central one anyway."
...
Inside the villa, Konan gave them a brief tour before rushing off again, to hunt down the pervert.
"Persistent kid," Akio said, dropping into a chair. "Go pick your rooms. We'll be here for a couple of weeks."
Then he added, loudly, "And you, pervert, come out."
Next door, Jiraiya emerged, running a hand through his messy hair.
"Senior, was throwing soap really necessary?"
"That creep, I couldn't sense him at all!" Karin exclaimed.
"I told you, you're safe," Akio waved her off. "Go pick a room."
Then he turned back to Jiraiya.
"Throwing soap is a lot more entertaining than spying on middle-aged women."
"I was doing research," Jiraiya laughed. "Research."
Akio smirked. "Right. And getting tied up by a girl, perfect material for your next book."
"Oh?" Jiraiya mused.
Akio shot him an annoyed look.
"Tsunade's running a casino near Konoha. Don't tell me you don't know. What, planning to stay single forever?"
Jiraiya scratched his head sheepishly.
"I know. Once this Rain Village summit's over, I'll head back. I've been busy lately…"
Akio gave him a look.
"Not that kind of busy," Jiraiya quickly added. "Yahiko's my student. And he might be the Child of Prophecy the Great Toad Sage spoke of. He's done so much for peace; I can't just stand by."
Akio paused.
"…This mess doesn't involve you too, does it?"
---
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