Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 148: Jiraiya

This brat almost pierced a hole in the stomach of the toad in Mount Myōboku's Rock Inn?!

Jiraiya now had a renewed understanding of the power behind the water-style jutsu he had just witnessed and gained a clearer picture of Tonari's capabilities.

Not to mention, the water-style jutsu alone, when used unexpectedly, could easily eliminate a Kage-level ninja.

"Uh... Haha—well, Jiraiya-sama, I think we should stop now. Look around; the entire area is in ruins. This kind of destruction isn't exactly friendly to Konoha's overall environment," Tonari said with an awkward laugh, trying to de-escalate the situation.

But he had already noticed the seriousness etched on Jiraiya's face.

This was bad news.

In the entire world of shinobi, few could claim to rival Jiraiya. Born a civilian, he had no bloodline limits, no extraordinary heritage, and no innate powers. Yet, by mastering conventional ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, he ascended to the upper echelons of the shinobi world.

Add to that his training in Mount Myōboku's senjutsu, and Jiraiya was a fearsome force. Even against Pain, wielding the Rinnegan, Jiraiya managed to destroy multiple bodies before succumbing, and that too with his opponents knowing all his techniques.

Facing such a legend now, Tonari was sweating bullets.

At that moment, several figures wearing white masks and clad in special combat gear appeared on the nearby treetops.

The ANBU had finally arrived, drawn by the commotion.

Tonari's face lit up as he frantically waved toward them.

These ANBU agents were familiar faces. Seeing them here gave him a glimmer of hope for survival.

Jiraiya, however, turned his gaze toward the ANBU members for a moment before looking away, as if their presence didn't matter at all. His focus remained firmly fixed on Tonari, his chakra still swirling menacingly.

Tonari froze.

One of the ANBU members, seeing the tension, prepared to act. However, their leader immediately stopped him.

"Captain?"

The ANBU leader didn't even turn his head, only replying in a low voice, "Do you even know who he is? That's Jiraiya-sama, one of the Sannin, on par with Orochimaru and Tsunade. He hasn't been in the village for three years. Now that he's back, we can't risk offending him."

"The Jiraiya-sama? One of the Sannin?!"

The ANBU member who had been eager to intervene instantly felt grateful for the intervention.

Among the Sannin, Tsunade was the most reckless, and even if the ANBU didn't step in, the Third Hokage himself wouldn't mind. Orochimaru, on the other hand, was so cold and aloof that even the ANBU avoided him.

Jiraiya, however, held a unique status. He was a force of nature they couldn't afford to confront casually.

"Let's notify the Third Hokage. Retreat!"

The ANBU leader's command was clear. In a flash, the group vanished into the trees.

Tonari stared in disbelief as his supposed saviors disappeared.

Seriously? You're just going to leave me like this?

It's only Jiraiya! Are you that scared? Don't tell me you've never seen a Sannin before!

"Stop looking, kid," Jiraiya said with a sinister smile. "Even if you shout until your throat is raw, no one's coming to save you."

His knuckles cracked ominously as he stepped forward.

"Jiraiya-sama... Jiraiya-sensei... Jiraiya-sensei! We can talk this out, can't we?" Tonari stammered, stepping back cautiously.

Jiraiya's grin widened, but his eyes were filled with menace. "Oh, we'll talk, all right. Let's have a nice... long... chat!"

Before Tonari could react, Jiraiya vanished.

"Left? No—right!"

Bang!

Tonari barely managed to block Jiraiya's punch by crossing his arms. The impact sent him skidding backward.

"You're not running anywhere!"

"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"

Jiraiya's long white hair extended rapidly, forming lion-shaped appendages that ensnared Tonari.

Though it was just hair, it felt as unyielding as iron chains. The more Tonari struggled, the tighter the grip became.

Seeing Jiraiya's fist closing in on his face, Tonari shouted in desperation, "Don't hit my face!"

He closed his eyes, bracing for the worst.

Thud!

The sound of an impact echoed, but Tonari didn't feel any pain. Hesitantly, he opened one eye to see a pale hand intercepting Jiraiya's punch.

"D-Da... D-Da—"

Tonari's voice trembled with relief as he stammered, "Orochimaru-sensei!"

There stood Orochimaru, his signature white robe and purple rope belt unmistakable. His slit-like golden eyes glinted coldly.

Jiraiya, too, stopped. "Orochimaru! Took you long enough. I thought you'd let me rough him up a bit first."

"Not my student," Orochimaru hissed. "You have no right."

Effortlessly deflecting Jiraiya's punch, Orochimaru sent him flipping backward with a casual flick of his arm.

Freed from Jiraiya's grip, Tonari took a moment to regain his composure before indignantly shouting, "He bullied me, Orochimaru-sensei! Didn't hold back at all, even claimed to be my senior!"

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed at the term "senior." "Missing for three years... Let's see if your strength has dulled in that time."

"Gladly!" Jiraiya grinned, readying himself.

Boom!

The clash of their chakra created a shockwave that rattled the surrounding area.

Tonari quickly retreated to a safe distance. "Go, Orochimaru-sensei!"

While the battle raged, a deep cough interrupted them.

A short, robed figure stepped into the clearing, unmistakably wearing the Hokage's ceremonial garb.

It was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself.

"Enough!" he barked, but neither combatant seemed to care.

Frowning, Hiruzen intervened, grabbing Jiraiya's fist with one hand and deflecting Orochimaru's attack with the other.

Both students froze, recognizing their teacher's power.

"I'll deal with you both later," Hiruzen growled, motioning for them to follow him.

Thirty Minutes Later – Hokage's Office

Jiraiya sat with a bruised face, Orochimaru looked unbothered, and Tonari sat as quietly as possible. Beside them were two others: Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.

Hiruzen scowled at Jiraiya. "While you've been gallivanting, do you know the pressure Konoha has faced? Orochimaru and Tsunade have been shouldering the load, and now Tsunade's left. You return and immediately cause chaos!"

Jiraiya flinched, guilt evident.

"Since you enjoy teaching so much, Minato and Kushina will be under your tutelage for the next year," Hiruzen declared. "After that, you're free to do as you wish."

"What?! Another year of teaching?" Jiraiya protested, but Hiruzen ignored him.

Turning to Orochimaru, Hiruzen added, "Your student is impressive, but let's see who trains their students better."

Jiraiya's competitive streak ignited. "Fine! Let's see whose students come out on top!"

"Idiot," Orochimaru muttered, ignoring him entirely.

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