Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu!
Jiraiya's suddenly lengthened white hair surged forward, binding Kotoe in layer upon layer of constriction.
With a swift glance, Jiraiya turned his attention to Orochimaru and unleashed an earth-style technique.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld.
Orochimaru's expression flickered briefly in surprise as a swamp materialized beneath him, causing his feet to sink deeply.
Following up his earth-style technique, Jiraiya conjured a chakra sphere in his right palm, it was the Rasengan, and charged toward Orochimaru. At the same time, his elongated hair tightened, crushing Kotoha's figure into several pieces.
Yet, instead of Kotoe's body, what fell apart were chunks of wood, it was a substitution.
Ignoring the false target, Jiraiya surged forward, closing the gap between himself and Orochimaru. Leaping into the air to avoid the swamp, he aimed the spiraling Rasengan directly at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru, unable to move due to the swamp, raised his head. His eerie snake-like eyes reflected Jiraiya's oncoming assault, but his expression remained eerily calm. From his left sleeve, several serpents slithered out, lunging toward Jiraiya.
With deft precision, Jiraiya's hair extended once again, firing sharp needles that pierced through the attacking snakes midair.
"Orochimaru!"
The Rasengan in Jiraiya's palm shone with a bright glow as it neared Orochimaru. However, just as the attack was about to land, Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"What?!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock as several green vines silently emerged from the ground, coiling tightly around his legs and torso. These poisonous vines immobilized him midair, leaving the Rasengan inches from Orochimaru.
The vines were Kotoe's doing. Though the vines only managed to restrain Jiraiya's lower body, it was enough. Poisonous barbs pierced into his legs, slowing his movements.
Seeing Jiraiya trapped, Orochimaru smirked coldly and unsheathed his Kusanagi Sword, aiming its tip directly at Jiraiya's forehead.
In a desperate counter, Jiraiya redirected the Rasengan toward the incoming sword.
Boom!
The collision of the Kusanagi Sword and Rasengan triggered a violent explosion. Smoke and debris filled the air as both combatants were thrown backward.
Orochimaru landed first, sliding back several meters as blood seeped from a small wound on his hand.
Jiraiya landed a moment later, his right arm hanging unnaturally by his side as it was dislocated from the impact.
Pop.
Without hesitation, Jiraiya reset his dislocated arm with a grimace. Reaching into his pouch, he retrieved a vial of antidote, a preparation from Tsunade specifically for Kotoha's poisons.
Breaking the vial's seal with a flick of his thumb, he downed the liquid and tossed the empty container aside. Feeling the antidote taking effect, Jiraiya exhaled deeply, briefly glancing toward Tsunade's battle with Ye Zi. Seeing Tsunade maintaining the upper hand, he returned his focus to Orochimaru and Kotoha.
"She's tougher than I expected," Jiraiya muttered under his breath, his gaze shifting between Orochimaru and Kotoe. Despite the antidote nullifying her poison, Kotoe's relentless attacks and timing made her a formidable opponent.
Meanwhile, Kotoe, noticing Jiraiya's reliance on an antidote, frowned. Her poisonous vines had failed to incapacitate him.
Jiraiya darted another glance toward Tsunade's battle, relieved to see her holding her own against Ye Zi. However, Kotoe noticed Ye Zi's struggle and her own concern deepened.
Deciding to act, Kotoe launched ten poisoned senbon at Jiraiya while making her way toward Ye Zi's battlefield.
Now's my chance!
Jiraiya's sharp eyes detected her intentions. Ignoring the incoming senbon, he opened his mouth and sprayed a viscous, oily liquid at her.
Toad Oil Bullet!
The attack caught Kotoe mid-step, drenching her in the sticky substance and halting her movements. She tumbled to the ground, her limbs unable to move freely due to the thick layer of oil covering her.
Jiraiya refrained from following up with a fire-release jutsu, though it would have been the most logical move. Instead, he unleashed a barrage of sharp hair needles at Kotoe.
Igniting the oil with fire-style would have engulfed Kotoe in flames, but Jiraiya considered her ability to use Wood Release. If she could be captured alive, her body would hold immense research value, so he held back.
Kotoe managed to form a curved wooden barrier in time to block the hair needles. She breathed a sigh of relief but remained trapped by the toad oil, her movements severely restricted.
"Damn it," Kotoe growled, trying to use a weak water-style jutsu to wash off the oil. However, her limited proficiency in water-style hindered her efforts.
While Kotoe struggled, Orochimaru seized the opportunity to act. From beneath Jiraiya, a dozen serpents burst forth from the ground, coiling tightly around him.
Constriction!
Orochimaru's eyes turned cold as the snakes coiling around Jiraiya abruptly tightened their grip.
In an instant, the snakes were sliced into several pieces, their severed bodies flying outward. It was Jiraiya's hardened hair that had come to his aid.
Seeing his technique countered, Orochimaru remained composed and hurled a kunai at Jiraiya, quickly forming hand seals.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!
The kunai flying through the air multiplied, splitting into two, then four, and soon dozens of kunai rained down on Jiraiya.
At the same time, Orochimaru charged forward with the Kusanagi Sword in hand.
Clang! Clang!
Jiraiya whipped his iron-hard hair around, sweeping away the kunai before they could hit. He then stepped forward, catching two falling kunai from midair with both hands and rushing toward Orochimaru.
The two figures closed the gap between them, their eyes locking momentarily, each reflecting the other's determined and unyielding expression.
"So now we're evenly matched, huh…"
Clang!
The kunai clashed against the Kusanagi Sword, sparks flying from the impact.
Suddenly, both Orochimaru and Jiraiya began to swing their weapons with ferocious speed. A relentless barrage of sparks erupted as their blades collided repeatedly in a dazzling display of skill.
Amid the exchange of blows, their faces remained resolute. Cold detachment, unwavering determination, and lethal intent flashed in their eyes.
"It seems there's no way I can defeat Orochimaru without entering Sage Mode," Jiraiya thought grimly as the relentless rhythm of their duel continued. He had already made up his mind. However, unlike Minato, he could not enter Sage Mode independently; he required the assistance of Fukasaku and Shima.
Activating Sage Mode required invoking a "Blood Summoning Contract" to summon Fukasaku and Shima to his body, merging the three into one. Unlike ordinary summoning jutsu, this process required time to complete, time he would have to buy by distracting Orochimaru.
But with no allies present, he realized he would have to summon help. The best choice was Gamaken, a toad adept at defense and less taxing on his chakra compared to summoning Gamabunta.
The plan formed in his mind. Exploiting a brief opening, Jiraiya forced Orochimaru back, using the moment to slam his hand against the ground. Black summoning seals rippled outward.
Boom!
In a cloud of white smoke, the massive figure of Gamaken appeared, towering before Jiraiya.
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Currently on Chapter 443 - Relocation and News