"This is television, man. If you want to watch it, watch it. Otherwise, go home and stay there. Don't interrupt my research, okay? I'm very busy."
Eisei spoke impatiently as he pushed the masked visitor—none other than Uchiha Madara—into the entertainment room and flicked on the TV.
---
The Uchiha on the Screen
Madara's eyes narrowed beneath his mask the moment the images appeared. Handsome men and graceful women laughed and chatted in front of the camera, all of them unmistakably wearing the Uchiha clan's distinctive gunbai crests.
These are Uchiha clan members…?
For a heartbeat, the ancient warrior forgot to breathe. The sight of his once-fractured clan gathered so publicly and joyfully jarred him to his core.
What exactly happened to the Uchiha in the years I was gone? And what has become of the world itself?
His aged face tightened with a complex mix of pride, confusion, and disbelief.
---
Author's Note
Happy New Year in advance, everyone! Slowly but surely, the story continues.
---
Scene Change – Training Grounds Near Orochimaru's Home
In a wide clearing just outside Orochimaru's secluded house, three legendary figures stood together. Jiraiya's white hair gleamed in the sunlight as he gestured dramatically, full of excitement.
"This training was brutal," he announced, puffing out his chest. "Thanks to my incredible charisma, the great frogs of Mount Myōboku finally agreed to help me with combined ninjutsu training. That, my friends, is the true power of Jiraiya the Gallant!"
He struck a heroic pose—one he clearly thought looked impressive, though it required real effort to maintain.
Despite the Summoning Contract with Mount Myōboku, Jiraiya knew well that a contract meant little if the summoned creatures didn't respect you. The frogs were proud beings; a contract alone wouldn't win their cooperation.
---
Banter Among Sannin
Tsunade rested a hand on her hip and another casually on Orochimaru's pale shoulder. "Combined ninjutsu, huh? Sounds useful. How's your Sage Mode training coming along?"
Jiraiya scratched his head, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Sage Mode can wait. Harmonizing with the frogs for combined attacks is more important right now."
He frowned slightly. Sage Mode still unsettled him. The transformation made him resemble a frog more than a human—wide eyes, altered nose, and odd markings. Hardly the dashing figure he hoped to show off to the "beautiful older sisters" he fancied impressing.
---
Orochimaru Issues a Challenge
Orochimaru's golden eyes glittered. "Jiraiya, care for a little combat training? I'd like to see the results of this so-called combined training."
"Hah! I'm not the same as before," Jiraiya boasted, rubbing the bridge of his nose with confidence. "You sure you want to challenge me?"
"If your strength matches your confidence, that would be refreshing," Orochimaru replied dryly. He stepped forward and formed the confrontation hand seal. "Use your Summoning Technique if you like—but don't destroy my home. If you do, you'll rebuild it."
The warning was clear: summoning a giant toad like Gamabunta would be a terrible idea here.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it," Jiraiya said, forming the hand seal himself. He briefly considered summoning Gamabunta anyway, imagining the toad's towering presence—but Orochimaru's single sentence killed the plan.
---
The Battle Begins
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Orochimaru's arm flicked forward. One spinning shuriken multiplied into countless whirling copies, filling the air.
"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya's long silver hair stiffened, wrapping around his body like armor to block the storm of blades.
"Wild Lion Mane Technique!"
His hair shot outward in whiplike tendrils, attempting to entangle Orochimaru.
"Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall!"
Orochimaru's hands blurred through seals, wrapping the flying shuriken in cutting wind chakra. The weapons curved midair, arcing back like hawks.
Jiraiya's eyes widened. No wires—how is he controlling them?
He swung his hair like a massive whip, knocking many aside, but several sliced through silver strands.
"Wind chakra… bound to the shuriken's motion?" Jiraiya muttered, recognizing the technique.
From the sidelines, Tsunade smirked. "That's a Wind Release jutsu Orochimaru developed himself. It lets him steer weapons freely."
---
Escalation
"Wind Release: Night Wind!"
A hurricane rose around Orochimaru, scattering Jiraiya's hair.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Using the swirling winds as cover, Orochimaru split into clones.
"Ibuki Eisei!" he hissed, sending the miniature tornado forward.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"
A clone leapt high, forming seals so fast it left afterimages, then exhaled a roaring column of flame. The fire merged with the hurricane, forming a blazing tornado that scorched the field.
Tsunade reacted instantly. "Water Release Barrier: Four-Sided Formation Wall!"
She and three shadow clones raised four water walls that rotated together, shielding the area from the inferno. Even she was impressed: Orochimaru's compound jutsu is incredible… and this is just training!
---
Hiruzen Observes
Back in the Hokage's office, a bored Hiruzen Sarutobi used his crystal ball's Telescope Technique. The scene of Jiraiya and Orochimaru locked in furious battle brought a rare smile to his face. So, they're sparring again. Interesting.
---
Jiraiya Counters
The fiery cyclone carved black scars into the earth.
"Earth Release: Underground Swamp!"
A muddy bog appeared beneath Orochimaru's feet, forcing him to leap into the air. Wind chakra surrounded his body, slowing his fall.
Got you now! Jiraiya thought, biting his thumb for the next move. "Summoning Technique!"
A puff of smoke exploded beside him.
"Little Jiraiya~!" croaked a bright green frog with fiery red lips and a red ribbon on her back.
"G-Gamari?!" Jiraiya stammered. He'd meant to call Gamabunta, but somehow summoned the affectionate Gamari instead.
Gamari grinned. "House Demolition Technique, right? Got it!"
She leapt toward Orochimaru, intent on pinning him.
---
Orochimaru's Counterthrow
Orochimaru didn't flinch. Flooding his arms with Yang Release Chakra, he enhanced his muscles until they bulged grotesquely. With startling strength, he caught Gamari's front leg and heaved—flinging the enormous frog straight toward Jiraiya.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Jiraiya flailed as Gamari hurtled toward him. Thankfully, she vanished back to Mount Myōboku at the last instant, sparing them both.
---
The Decisive Finish
"Earth Release: Underground Headhunter Technique!"
The ground beneath Jiraiya cracked, and pale hands shot upward.
"Wait—no! AHHHH!"
Too late. He was yanked underground until only his head protruded above the dirt.
Tsunade grinned, remembering their bell-test years earlier. "Jiraiya, you lost again!"
"This isn't fair," he grumbled, cheeks red. "I'm not good with Shadow Clones…"
"In that battle, Orochimaru didn't even use the Flying Thunder God Technique," Tsunade teased, poking Jiraiya's forehead. "If he had, you'd have lost even faster."
Jiraiya snapped his teeth playfully at her finger. Orochimaru simply brushed dust from his robes.
"I don't use Flying Thunder God in sparring," Orochimaru explained calmly. "I'm still refining it. Using a technique I can't yet control would cause unnecessary problems."
He tapped the ground, releasing the jutsu so the earth pushed Jiraiya back to the surface.
---
Secrets of Strength
"By the way, how did you throw Gamari like that?" Jiraiya asked, wide-eyed.
"A method of using Yang Release Chakra," Orochimaru said. He raised his arm; pale skin flushed as muscles swelled impressively before receding. "The Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique inspired me. By channeling Yang Release, I can temporarily stimulate cells and amplify strength. It's not as refined as the Akimichi technique, but I can increase my power severalfold for short bursts."
Jiraiya glanced nervously at Tsunade. "If she used that on top of her natural strength… wouldn't one punch shatter mountains?"
Orochimaru's eyes glinted. "Tsunade's immense power already comes from precise chakra control and explosive release. With added Yang Release, dismantling something as strong as an incomplete Susanoo… shouldn't be a problem."
Tsunade only smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
Jiraiya let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
---
And so, despite his new training and boundless confidence, Jiraiya once again found himself outmatched—this time buried up to his neck, with his two teammates standing triumphant above him.
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