The commotion caused by Jiraiya sending Orochimaru flying drew Kotoe's attention. She was still struggling to remove the toad oil from her body and thus couldn't assist Orochimaru. Unexpectedly, the previously stalemated situation turned around in an instant. Orochimaru was hit by Jiraiya's Giant Rasengan, and his current condition was unclear.
As Jiraiya turned his attention to her and charged, Kotoe's expression changed. She had been using Water Release to wash off some of the toad oil, managing to clean off a bit, but her movements were still impaired.
Even if her mobility were fully restored, she wouldn't be able to confront Jiraiya head-on.
"He's so fast!"
Kotoe tried to use Wood Release to block Jiraiya, but he zigzagged with lightning-fast movements, quickly closing the distance. With no other option, she went all in.
Wood Release: Bramble Technique!
On Jiraiya's path forward, thorny brambles sprang up one after another. Yet, Jiraiya didn't even glance at them, skillfully dodging with speed that seemed a step ahead, his momentum undeterred.
Though a continuous stream of brambles emerged, they could not hinder Jiraiya's advance. It wasn't that the brambles were too slow but that his speed and evasive choices were flawless.
Seeing the wild, dancing brambles unable to stop Jiraiya, Kotoe's heart skipped a beat. She abruptly increased her chakra output, causing the brambles to expand into a web, covering the entire area and enveloping Jiraiya.
"Impressive, Big Sis, but this won't stop me," Jiraiya praised internally at the sight. However, this wasn't enough to halt his advance.
"Just charge straight through," Fukasaku, understanding Jiraiya's intent, spoke calmly. After forming seals, he spat out toad oil toward the bramble web, while Shima unleashed flames that combined with the oil. This fusion created an even more intense fire, instantly burning a massive hole through the web of brambles filled with life force.
It happened in an instant, not as a gradual effect.
At the same time, Jiraiya's palm was already gathering a Rasengan.
"What?!" Kotoe was shocked to see the bramble web burned through in an instant. Before she could react, Jiraiya had burst through the opening, appearing right in front of her.
"Done."
Jiraiya pressed the Rasengan in his palm against Kotoe's abdomen. With a sound like an exploding balloon, Kotoe spat out blood, groaning as she was sent flying.
Jiraiya chose not to kill her, knowing a living captive was more valuable. Instead, he used the Rasengan to inflict severe damage.
Enhanced by Sage Mode chakra, the Rasengan's power was amplified several times over, enough to render Kotoe unable to fight.
After entering Sage Mode, Jiraiya had quickly subdued both Orochimaru and Kotoe, demonstrating the terrifying power of Sage Mode.
Jiraiya glanced at Kotoe, who lay not far away. She had been severely injured by the Rasengan and was in a state of semi-consciousness.
"One down, but Orochimaru might still have some fight left in him," he thought, turning toward Tsunade's direction. His face suddenly darkened.
At that moment, Tsunade was trapped by Ye Zi's Wood Release, and Ye Zi's spirit form was closing in on the back of her head.
Seeing this, Jiraiya erupted with a surge of power, shattering the ground beneath him as his figure vanished in an instant.
Using Sage Mode chakra, he executed a Body Flicker Technique that was faster and farther than usual.
On the other side, Ye Zi coldly watched Tsunade, her face filled with unwillingness and anger, as his spirit form approached mercilessly.
Just then, Jiraiya arrived in time. A massive Rasengan had already formed in his palm, radiating a shocking amount of chakra. This energy was enough to alert Ye Zi to Jiraiya's approach.
Sensing the danger, Ye Zi abandoned his attack on Tsunade. Pushing off the ground with his heel, he transformed into a stream of lightning, retreating.
The Giant Rasengan struck empty space, triggering a violent explosion and filling the area with dust and debris, engulfing Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Ye Zi quickly recalled his spirit form back to his body. Though he could use his sensing abilities to guide the spirit into the smoke and launch another attack, a fleeting glance during his retreat revealed the changes in Jiraiya's form and the oppressive chakra emanating from him. This prompted Ye Zi to abandon the idea cautiously.
"He can condense such an immense amount of chakra into such a stable form. If I get hit by that, even with Hashirama cells for regeneration, I'd be finished in an instant," Ye Zi thought as he distanced himself from the smoke.
Jiraiya had gone to support Tsunade. What about Orochimaru and Kotoe?
This thought crossed Ye Zi's mind as he glanced toward Kotoe. Seeing her lying on the ground in an unknown condition, his heart began to race uncontrollably. The possibilities that came to mind caused a pang of pain.
Ignoring the situation within the smoke, Ye Zi's body surged with lightning energy as he dashed to Kotoe's side. The lightning subsided as he approached her.
Sensing that Kotoe still had a pulse, his anxious heart finally calmed down.
"She's okay..."
At some point, he had begun to care more and more about Kotoe.
Keeping an eye on Jiraiya's position, Ye Zi supported the semi-conscious Kotoe by her shoulders. His gaze swept over her abdomen, where a large depression marked her injury. His eyes filled with barely contained fury.
"Where's Orochimaru?" Ye Zi muttered, scanning the surroundings. Soon, he spotted Orochimaru 600 meters ahead, battered and severely injured.
When Jiraiya's Giant Rasengan had struck Orochimaru, he had used his unique substitution technique. However, in his haste, he hadn't fully avoided the damage, though it was far better than taking the full brunt of such a powerful Rasengan.
If Orochimaru had taken that hit head-on, he wouldn't even be able to stand right now.
After spotting Orochimaru, Ye Zi carried Kotoe over to him.
Looking at Orochimaru's battered state, Ye Zi had nothing to say. He gently placed Kotoe down beside him and then said, "Take care of her."
The implication was clear, Orochimaru was to stay on the sidelines and watch over Kotoe.
Covered in dust and with blood around his lips, Orochimaru responded calmly after hearing Ye Zi's words, "Jiraiya has mastered Sage Mode."
As he spoke, his brows furrowed slightly, a reaction to the pain from his injuries.
Using the Snake Shedding Substitution Technique had consumed a significant amount of chakra, and his injuries were far from light. If Ye Zi was confident in handling the situation alone, Orochimaru had no intention of continuing the fight.
"Sage Mode? I see..." Ye Zi was momentarily startled, then stood up and looked in Jiraiya's direction, his expression turning cold.
Even against Sage Mode, he resolved to cut it down with the blade in his hand.
While Ye Zi was checking on Kotoe and Orochimaru, Jiraiya had successfully rescued Tsunade.
The rescued Tsunade was now wearing Jiraiya's vest to cover her exposed body.
"Thanks," she said, looking up at Jiraiya. He quickly turned his back to her, as if reluctant to let her see him in his current state.
How to put it? The incomplete Sage Mode had indeed made him look rather grotesque.
Tsunade, however, didn't seem to care. She looked straight ahead at Ye Zi with a frosty expression.
Seeing that Tsunade appeared unconcerned, Jiraiya exhaled a small sigh of relief and turned his attention to Ye Zi as well.
"Can Orochimaru still stand? Regardless, the advantage is on our side now," Jiraiya thought to himself.
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Currently on Chapter 445 - A Goal to Surpass Him