"Finally, they're here."
As a group of shinobi from Amegakure stealthily crossed into the waterways of the Land of Fire, Jiraiya rolled up his scroll, a grin spreading across his face.
He had been waiting for this moment. After all this time, an opportunity to earn merit had practically delivered itself to his doorstep.
Though these Amegakure shinobi had concealed their presence well, to Jiraiya's keen senses, they were as obvious as fireflies in the dark.
Spotting his targets, Jiraiya swiftly formed hand seals, channeling a surge of water-natured chakra into the river. Massive water pillars shot into the air before crashing down violently upon the unsuspecting Amegakure shinobi lurking below the surface.
Jiraiya had an affinity for water release, and through his training and experiences, he had acquired numerous Water jutsu. However, compared to his mastery over Fire Release and Lightning Release, his Water Release techniques were weaker, which was why he rarely used them.
But against enemies underwater?
There was no better time for Water Release than now, where its power would be amplified by the surrounding environment.
"Damn it, we've been spotted! Prepare for battle!"
Beneath the surface, the Amegakure leader, Shinden Ichirō, grimaced as he sensed the incoming attack. He quickly formed hand seals, disturbing the water around him to counter the descending assault.
The rest of the Amegakure shinobi reacted immediately, unleashing their own Water Release techniques.
A deafening explosion erupted beneath the water's surface, sending shockwaves through the river like a barrage of cannon fire. The once crystal-clear water turned murky as waves surged violently. Bubbles rose to the surface, and soon, the Amegakure squad emerged from below.
"Brat, I don't know how you managed to detect us, but attacking us alone? Should I call you an idiot, or just plain suicidal?"
Ichiro had initially feared that Konoha had sent an entire squad after them. However, upon surfacing and seeing only one opponent, his wariness faded, replaced by amusement.
Just a lone Konoha shinobi?
And a mere Jonin at that?
Their group consisted of three Jonin and five elite Chunin. Eliminating a single Konoha Jonin would be effortless.
He couldn't understand where Jiraiya got the audacity to challenge them alone.
"Didn't expect merit points to start talking," Jiraiya remarked casually. The enemy force was indeed strong, but there were no elite Jonin among them.
As long as he took his time, cutting them all down would be a simple task.
If he activated Sage Mode, he could eliminate them in an instant.
But for these guys? There was no need to reveal his full power.
"Let's see if you can keep that arrogance up!" Ichiro snapped, his face darkening with anger at Jiraiya's blatant disregard.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Ichiro quickly formed hand seals, shaping a massive water dragon that surged toward Jiraiya with ferocious speed.
The other Amegakure shinobi followed suit, unleashing their own water dragons. In an instant, eight dragons roared forward, converging on Jiraiya from all directions.
Jiraiya's eyes sharpened. Lightning Flame Blade flashed as he unsheathed it, unleashing a blinding arc of lightning-infused energy. With a single sweeping slash, the electrified blade tore through the incoming water dragons, dispersing them into harmless raindrops that fell to the ground.
"Not bad at all..."
Ichiro's pupils contracted in shock. Jiraiya had dismantled their coordinated attack effortlessly. This was no ordinary Jonin.
"All of you, attack at full strength! Don't underestimate him—take him down before we attract more Konoha shinobi!"
Ichiro's tone was grave. They were already too close to Konoha's newly established fortress. The longer they dragged this fight out, the more likely reinforcements would arrive.
They had to finish this quickly.
"Water Release: Water Senbon!"
Ichiro formed another set of hand seals, causing the river beneath him to rise. Water condensed into thousands of senbon-like needles, which shot forth like a torrential downpour, targeting Jiraiya from all angles.
The other Amegakure shinobi followed his lead, synchronizing their attacks.
In an instant, the sky darkened with countless water senbon, forming an inescapable storm that covered the battlefield.
Their teamwork was flawless, seamlessly executing attacks in unison with Ichiro's lead.
Yet Jiraiya made no move to defend.
Instead, gripping the Lightning Flame Blade tightly, he surged forward.
A fiery aura flickered around his body, forming a layer of intense heat. The moment the senbon entered his range, they evaporated into mist before even reaching him.
This technique was a perfect counter to water-based attacks. The sheer intensity of his flames nullified any threat the senbon posed before they could even land.
Despite Water Release's natural advantage over Fire Release, power was the deciding factor. If the fire was strong enough, it could overcome even water.
"Such powerful fire release...!"
Ichiro's expression twisted in disbelief.
But his shock was short-lived.
"Ahh!"
A bloodcurdling scream rang out. In the blink of an eye, Jiraiya had closed the distance, cleaving an elite Chunin clean in half. Blood spilled into the river, staining the waters crimson.
Before the others could react, he had already moved again. A quick flash of steel—and another shinobi's head was sent flying, the body collapsing into the water with a splash.
In mere moments, two elite Chunin had been slain.
"Scatter! Form the Water Formation Wall! Seal this entire area!" Ichiro barked, his voice laced with urgency. Jiraiya's overwhelming speed and power were beyond anything he had anticipated.
Without hesitation, the remaining Amegakure shinobi dispersed in different directions. Each of them formed hand seals, sending torrents of water skyward.
The water flows interwove rapidly, forming a massive, moving net that sealed off the battlefield. The shifting currents within the net carried a lethal slicing force, making it near impossible to escape unscathed.
Trapping their opponent was their last desperate hope.
But would it be enough to stop Jiraiya?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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