thefictionvixens Page 129
Page 129
"Well?!"
"Is the depth a bit insufficient?"
Jiraiya himself was somewhat surprised, but his hand seals changed rapidly.
Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!
As flames surged forth like a dragon, the three-headed serpent, scorched by the flames, turned into a wisp of white smoke and vanished from the spot.
The scorching firelight shone on Kakashi, Shisui, and the others' faces. Watching Jiraiya unleash his terrifyingly powerful fire jutsu, the two looked at Jiraiya's back with even more longing.
...........
Chapter 140 Kaguya's Orphan and the Impure World Reincarnation! (Please Subscribe)
The three-headed serpent that had given Shisui, Kakashi, and the others a headache was reduced to a wisp of white smoke and vanished from the spot by Jiraiya's Fire Release technique. The powerful ninjutsu gave Shisui, Kakashi, and the others a deeper understanding of Jiraiya's formidable strength.
Even though he came from the Uchiha clan, which was skilled in fire-style techniques, Shisui had never seen a fire-style ninjutsu of this scale and power before. Jiraiya's understanding of fire-style techniques surpassed that of many Uchiha.
Having repelled the giant serpent, Jiraiya seemed to sense the slightly admiring gazes of Shisui and Kakashi. He smiled proudly and then addressed the group behind him:
"Hey, how could a gatekeeper of this caliber possibly stop Lord Jiraiya!"
As he spoke, Jiraiya's smile faded, and he continued:
"However, with such a commotion, Orochimaru must have already noticed."
"Be careful."
In fact, Jiraiya didn't even need to remind them. Everyone present was an elite of Konoha. Even Guy, who had the weakest sense of danger, was already on high alert.
Just as the group was about to break into the underground palace from the front, the stone door of the palace suddenly opened slowly, and several figures quickly flashed out from the palace and arrived on this vast grassland.
A strong wind swept by.
A familiar figure appeared in front of the swamp dozens of meters away.
Orochimaru stood sideways in front of the swamp, looking at the somewhat dried surface of the swamp, which had been scorched by Jiraiya's Fire Release, his eyes flashing with divine light.
The three-headed serpent was a "guard" he had set up to protect the laboratory, but when he sensed something was wrong and rushed over, the guard had already disappeared. Judging from the battlefield traces, the one who defeated his guard must have been Jiraiya's technique.
Beside Orochimaru were two young men. One of them had a refined appearance, with short white hair and round-framed glasses. He was currently scrutinizing Jiraiya and the others with a wary look in his eyes.
The other person was handsome and a little younger. He also had white hair and wore a loose kimono. His gaze toward Jiraiya and the others held a faint killing intent.
"Orochimaru!"
Upon seeing Orochimaru again, Jiraiya's tone was filled with excitement and nostalgia. However, he quickly composed himself and subconsciously glanced at Shinichi Hyuga behind him. Seeing that Shinichi made no move, Jiraiya slowly turned around and looked at the two young men who were standing next to Orochimaru.
These two young men were unfamiliar to Jiraiya; they hadn't been present during his last battle with Orochimaru.
Just as Jiraiya was carefully observing Orochimaru's two subordinates, Orochimaru finally turned around. His gaze seemed to casually sweep over Shisui, Kakashi, and the others, lingering on Shinichi for a moment before landing on Jiraiya.
"Furfur..."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a slight chuckle, then his eyes sharpened as he questioned Jiraiya:
"Jiraiya, do you really think I won't kill you?"
"Why did you even come here!"
Orochimaru could clearly feel the bond between himself and Jiraiya. The first time he saw Jiraiya, Orochimaru felt not disgust, but joy.
However, Orochimaru was also very clear about what he was pursuing and what he wanted. He also knew very well that he and Jiraiya were not on the same path at all. Although they were once comrades-in-arms who fought side by side and were closely connected, they were destined to be lonely on the road to immortality.
Rather than trying to sever ties with Jiraiya later, it's better to do so now.
Orochimaru didn't want his relationship to affect Jiraiya. He knew Jiraiya was a free-spirited and independent person, and Orochimaru didn't want his relationship to influence Jiraiya's personality.
It was precisely because Orochimaru was also concerned about Jiraiya that he became even more determined and resolute at this moment.
Sometimes, the emotions between people are just that complicated and awkward.
"Why are you here?"
"Why would you ask such a question? I came here, of course, to take you back!"
"Don't think you can just walk away after doing something like that in Konoha."
"You're a rogue ninja wanted by Konoha!"
Jiraiya, feigning reluctance, responded to Orochimaru's questioning with a smile. However, as he spoke, Jiraiya's gaze focused intently on Orochimaru's attire: the striking black robe and the red auspicious cloud pattern embroidered on it.
This attire immediately reminded Jiraiya of Shinichi's description of that so-called mysterious organization. After a brief moment of thought, Jiraiya asked, seemingly casually:
"Orochimaru, I wanted to ask you that the last time I saw you."
"After becoming a rogue ninja, has your aesthetic style changed as well?"
"Wearing such flashy clothes, it's so unlike you! You wouldn't...have joined some kind of criminal organization, would you?!"
Jiraiya made a pointed remark, and although Shinichi remained silent, Jiraiya took the initiative to inquire on Shinichi's behalf.
"Such keen insight, Jiraiya!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing Jiraiya's words. His thoughts raced, and his gaze swept over Shisui, Shinichi, and the others. He immediately understood.
Jiraiya's probing was rather direct, and with Orochimaru's intelligence, how could he not have guessed it?
However, for some reason, Orochimaru didn't want to lie to Jiraiya.
"The organization I joined is called 'Akatsuki'."
"Hehe, compared to Konoha, Akatsuki makes me feel a greater sense of belonging."
"Compared to you, Jiraiya, the members of Akatsuki are more like like-minded partners!"
While saying this, Orochimaru didn't forget to subtly criticize Jiraiya and Konoha. Orochimaru was undoubtedly being hypocritical, but in a way, his words weren't entirely wrong.
The members of Akatsuki are all rogue ninja. Although each of them pursues different things, they are all extremely self-centered. It is precisely because they put their personal pursuits above everything else that they are Akatsuki.
Orochimaru and them are actually the same kind of people.
"Yeah..."
"Then I really have to congratulate you on finding a true partner."
"Are those two next to you members of the Akatsuki?"
Jiraiya's gaze was gloomy; he had also gleaned some information from Orochimaru's words.
Anyone who can be recognized by Orochimaru... putting everything else aside, must be extremely powerful. That Akatsuki organization might be even stronger than he had imagined.
Jiraiya's probing did not end there; his gaze then turned to the two young men beside Orochimaru.
Orochimaru knew perfectly well that Jiraiya was trying to extract information from him, but he seemed oblivious. Seeing that Jiraiya was interested in his subordinates, Orochimaru cheerfully began to introduce them:
"Those two are my lovely subordinates, not members of Akatsuki."
"This child is named Kabuto. He has exceptional medical ninjutsu skills and is my best assistant."
“And this child is named Kimimaro, and he is my right-hand man.”
Orochimaru's praise made Kimimaro, who admired him, excited. For him, Orochimaru's approval was the greatest reward.
Sensing Kimimaro's excitement, Orochimaru gently patted Kimimaro's shoulder and said with a smile:
"Kimimaro, greet them properly."
Orochimaru was confident in Kaguya Kimimaro's strength. He felt he had already revealed a lot of information to Jiraiya, and at this moment he had no intention of continuing to talk to him.
Honestly, as a member of Akatsuki, Orochimaru knew exactly how powerful the organization was, and therefore he didn't want Jiraiya to get too involved. Letting Jiraiya know the organization's strength and issuing a subtle warning was enough.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
Kaguya Kimimaro bowed his head in response, then lightly leaped to block Jiraiya and the others. With his hands outstretched, two bone spikes rapidly grew from his palms, transforming into two bone swords, which Kimimaro firmly grasped in his hands.
With a single, quick movement, the young Kimimaro was already in front of Jiraiya, raising his hand and thrusting his bone sword straight at Jiraiya's face.
"Oh, come on~"
Kimimaro was incredibly fast, but against Jiraiya, such a thrust was ultimately no match.
Jiraiya looked surprised, but his movements were quick and natural. He slightly turned his body, easily dodging the enemy's attack, while letting out a soft murmur, as if mocking.
Having missed his target, Kimimaro swiftly changed his attack, switching from a thrust to a sweep.
Jiraiya lightly touched the ground with his feet, quickly creating distance between himself and Kimimaro with a single backward leap. However, at that moment, the bone sword in Kimimaro's left hand rapidly extended into a bone whip, which, with a powerful swing, flew directly towards Jiraiya as he leaped backward.
Jiraiya, who was in mid-air, had nowhere to dodge. Only then did he realize that the two bone swords that his opponent had used were not originally hidden in his sleeves and only used during the battle.
That weapon was actually made by that brat named Kimimaro himself; it's a bloodline limit!
Just as Jiraiya was about to be struck by Kimimaro's bone whip, a green figure flashed out from the side. Might Guy entered the fray and kicked the bone whip, forcibly changing its direction.
At the same time, Kakashi Hatake also joined the battle, wielding a short sword to block Kimimaro's bone sword in his right hand.
The two, working in perfect harmony, stood on either side of Jiraiya, blocking Kimimaro's attack.
Upon landing, Jiraiya quickly flipped over and landed beside Shinichi. Seeing Kakashi and Guy coming to the rescue, Jiraiya blushed slightly and said awkwardly:
"I didn't expect that child to have a bloodline limit. I was careless."
"Shinichi, will there be any problem having Kakashi and Guy deal with that guy together?"
The number of users of bloodline limits in the ninja world is very small, and Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku is considered one of the stronger bloodline limits, otherwise Orochimaru would not have valued him.