With Jiraiya's addition, Konoha now felt confident facing off against Mist in high-level combat.
However, the numerous bloodline-limit ninja on Mist's side continued causing serious trouble for Konoha. Fortunately, Konoha also had quite a few bloodline-limit ninja of their own.
As the war dragged on and time passed, the year was coming to an end once more.
It was already the end of Konoha Year 46!
Saitama gazed at the sky while sitting beside Jiraiya. The two sat there silently without uttering a single word.
From all their back and forth lately, Saitama and Jiraiya were just about on the edge of becoming friends. Saitama's precociousness combined with his casual attitude in certain areas made Jiraiya feel they got along surprisingly well.
Several days ago, Konoha and Mist had engaged in yet another massive battle.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru completely overwhelmed Yagura in his normal form. They coordinated seamlessly, launching relentless waves of attacks that utterly battered Yagura, finally allowing Orochimaru to avenge his earlier defeat.
Seeing the unfavorable situation, Yagura began losing control—first partially transforming into a tailed-beast form that blocked Jiraiya and Orochimaru's assault, then fully transforming into a tailed beast form that caused indiscriminate damage to many Konoha ninja.
With no other choice, Jiraiya displayed his still-incomplete Sage Mode, working together with Orochimaru once more to suppress Yagura.
Moreover, both Jiraiya and Orochimaru summoned their respective boss summons, surpassing Mist's boss summons in every aspect including size and power.
A few days had passed since that battle. According to Orochimaru's estimation, Yagura had sustained internal injuries. Although both he and Jiraiya had suffered various degrees of wounds themselves, this battle had effectively boosted Konoha ninja's confidence and established an unbeatable example.
"Hey, kid! Are we just gonna sit here doing nothing all day?"
Jiraiya lay on the grass. Though winter had arrived, leaving the vegetation yellowed and lifeless, he didn't care one bit.
He rested his hands behind his head, lounging with legs crossed in a relaxed posture before Saitama.
"Oh come on, you're the one who came chasing after me. I didn't ask you to tag along."
Saitama responded nonchalantly, leaning backward with legs folded, sword resting across his thighs, supporting his body with his arms behind him.
"Tch! Don't know why either, but I kinda dig hangin' around with you, even though you're always spouting crap!"
Shaking his head slightly, Jiraiya turned his gaze toward distant lights.
Saitama knew Jiraiya wasn't really mad, so he stayed quiet.
Several days prior on the battlefield, he'd encountered a Mist bloodline-limit ninja whose techniques proved particularly troublesome—a particularly deadly Ice Release jutsu.
Although Saitama possessed greater speed and stronger attacks, he couldn't kill the enemy. Their Ice Release combined with unique secret arts created illusions that troubled Saitama, who wasn't particularly familiar with genjutsu.
Despite already having a Three Tomoe Sharingan, making most non-ocular genjutsu ineffective against him, the ice user's mirror-image illusion still managed to halt Saitama's advance.
"So... you used Sage Mode during that battle?"
After thinking for a moment, Saitama finally asked Jiraiya. Learning a Sage Art seemed currently the fastest way for him to rapidly enhance his strength.
There were very few individuals in the entire Shinobi World who could master Sage Mode, and they were sitting right before him, so naturally he couldn't resist such an obvious temptation.
Besides, he felt that his relationship with Jiraiya was quite good, and Jiraiya seemed very approachable.
"Oh? You actually recognize it?"
Jiraiya showed some surprise. Previously, no one had been able to call out the technique's name when he used it—except for Orochimaru and Tsunade, both from the Three Sacred Lands. Others simply treated it as Jiraiya's unique and powerful ninjutsu.
Now intrigued, Jiraiya straightened his posture.
"Oh, I remember reading about it in our clan's old records somewhere. Combined with your status as a disciple of Mount Myoboku, it wasn't hard to guess."
Saitama casually fabricated an excuse to brush off Jiraiya. After all, considering how long their clans had existed in ninja history, it wasn't unreasonable for the Uchiha to have such records.
Jiraiya gave a thoughtful nod, looking like he bought the story.
"You want to learn it?"
He raised an eyebrow, wearing a slightly serious expression.
"Think it's doable?"
Observing Jiraiya's reaction, Saitama sensed potential opportunity.
He knew Jiraiya possessed the Mount Myoboku summoning scroll. Generally speaking, as long as Jiraiya agreed, he could sign his name and imprint onto the scroll, thereby earning the qualification to learn Sage Mode.
"Hmm, not impossible. But I need to ask the Two Great Sages first."
Rubbing his chin, Jiraiya thought. He actually really liked Saitama—considering his strength and background, Saitama was way better suited than those past apprentices from Mount Myoboku.
"Then thank you very much, Jiraiya-sama!"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Saitama felt confident about success, and smiled brightly.
"When next I summon the Two Great Sages, I'll ask them about this too. It wouldn't be good to bother them now."
Jiraiya nodded while responding. With his right index finger, he scratched near his nose a couple times before flicking his fingers.
"You developed your Lightning Release entirely by yourself? That's really impressive."
Having witnessed Saitama in battle, Jiraiya remembered his fighting style well.
"More or less, though sometimes I take inspiration from others' techniques."
Saitama rubbed his thigh where his sword rested, narrowing his eyes.
"I've fought against Kumo Village shinobi before. Their combat methods were generally similar to yours, except they focused more on physical training."
Recalling his past battles with Kumo shinobi, Jiraiya reminisced.
Actually, this was indeed true. The Kumo ninja, especially each Raikage generation, were all ultimate masters of Lightning Release.
They'd perfected the integration of Lightning Release with their physical bodies.
Lightning-infused attacks, speed enhancement through lightning chakra, defensive applications—all these techniques were mandatory skills for every Raikage.
Since they didn't have the Sharingan to boost their speed, they took a unique approach—constantly pushing their bodies to the limit to match the demands of both speed and raw power.
Even back in the era of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, each Raikage was the strongest taijutsu practitioner among the Kage-ranked shinobi.
This symbiotic combat style combining Lightning Release and taijutsu, Saitama also mastered proficiently.
Maybe Saitama had combined Lightning Release with swordsmanship. His sword skills were merely decent, but the Lightning Release forcibly elevated their threat to a much higher level.
Naturally, Saitama's current strength couldn't match the Raikage's, yet in terms of applying and understanding Lightning Release, he felt he wasn't that far behind.
"Hey, there you two are?"
Orochimaru slowly approached them. He had just finished drafting all his strategies and stepped out for a moment to clear his mind when he ran into Saitama and Jiraiya chatting together.
Unlike Jiraiya, who had plenty of free time, Orochimaru, as a frontline general, clearly didn't have that luxury.
Orochimaru was an exceptional all-rounder from Konoha—his strategic analysis, tactical drills, and overall vision were on par with Nara Shikaku, known as Konoha's brain trust.
However, with so many other pressing matters on his hands, he naturally couldn't devote full attention to what he personally considered relatively trivial affairs.
"Oh, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya barely lifted a hand in greeting, offering only a casual acknowledgment.
Saitama merely nodded at Orochimaru—his demeanor toward him starkly different from how he treated Jiraiya.
In Saitama's mind, although Orochimaru occasionally showed him some goodwill, he remained firmly listed among dangerous individuals.
Orochimaru remained standing beside Jiraiya and asked, "What're you guys talking about? Aren't either of you preparing for tomorrow's big battle?"
His raspy voice rang through the crisp night air.
With amusement glinting in his eyes, Orochimaru cast his gaze between Saitama and Jiraiya.
The aura around Orochimaru perfectly matched this night. As soon as he stood here, Saitama found himself at a loss for words.
"Well then, you two keep chatting. I'm heading back first!"
Saitama rose, patted off his pants, and hung his sword back at his waist, leaving behind a bewildered Jiraiya still sitting with Orochimaru.
After Saitama vanished into the black night, Orochimaru finally withdrew his gaze and licked his lips.
"Your injuries have already healed?" Jiraiya frowned. Previously, Orochimaru had been hit directly by a Tailed Beast Ball (bijuu-dama) from half-tailed Yagura. At the time, it had taken him half a day to recover. Yet unexpectedly, upon returning to camp, he hadn't even needed Tsunade's healing and now seemed completely restored judging by his aura.
"Hehe, everyone has their little secrets, don't they, Jiraiya," Orochimaru replied ambiguously. That was also the first time he had witnessed Jiraiya's Sage Mode.
Although still far below a tailed beast (bijuu), its power carried hints of human perfection, sending chills down Orochimaru's spine. This deeply intrigued him, as he continuously pursued ultimate truths.
"Tch!" Jiraiya made no effort to probe his partner's intentions—the man with whom he'd grown up since childhood and fought side by side until today. He also stood up, positioning himself next to Orochimaru.
"Let's go. Last time's plan where you took the offensive didn't work well. This time, I'll be the main attacker, and you create opportunities for me. This time, I'll definitely send Yagura home for more rest!"
Jiraiya slung an arm over Orochimaru's shoulder. His white hair danced wildly in the cold evening breeze, a striking contrast to Orochimaru's smooth, jet-black locks.
Crossing his arms, Orochimaru remained silent.
Orochimaru kept many secrets, and Jiraiya had known this for a long time. Yet among comrades, trust was the most crucial bond. He wouldn't ask Orochimaru about it voluntarily because, in his mind, Orochimaru had always been someone whose back he could rely on.
"Can you cast that ninjutsu again so soon after using it last time?"
Orochimaru struck right at the heart of the matter, his golden snake-like eyes staring at Jiraiya.
"Hah! No sweat at all!"
Jiraiya blinked in surprise, then scratched the back of his head.
"Tsk!"
Orochimaru naturally understood what his childhood friend meant. He let out a mocking tsk before turning away.
"Hey! What exactly do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me?!" To Orochimaru's face, Jiraiya remained the same white-haired kid who used to rival him—his temper flared instantly upon hearing Orochimaru's disdainful sound.
Orochimaru didn't even bother responding. He just walked off alone, leaving Jiraiya with a familiar sense of defeat trailing behind him.
Earlier, during their battle with Yagura, Jiraiya had successfully activated [Sage Mode] and finally proved himself to Orochimaru. But now, his defenses had once again been completely seen through.
At the moment, Jiraiya still hadn't fully mastered [Sage Art]. Every time he used [Sage Mode], he needed a long recovery period to deal with its side effects.
Therefore, for Jiraiya at the moment, [Sage Mode] was still an ultimate technique that needed a long recovery time before it could be used again.
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