"Heh… Jiraiya, how could an idiot like you possibly understand my ideals? If I wish to master the truth of this world, how can I let myself be shackled by this small village called Konoha?"
"Orochimaru! Have you forgotten Tsunade? The old man… and the bond the three of us shared?" Jiraiya's voice trembled slightly. He stood tall, but the sorrow in his eyes betrayed him. The realization that his best friend had now turned into an enemy—Jiraiya found it hard to accept.
A faint glint of moisture flickered in Jiraiya's eyes. The same man who laughed off mortal wounds, who endured years of war without shedding a tear—couldn't hold back his emotions this time.
Orochimaru snorted at the sight. His gaze flickered briefly with something unreadable, but the coldness quickly returned.
"You're still a fool, Jiraiya. You never understood me."
The words cut deep—like kunai piercing the heart. Decades of camaraderie reduced to a single sentence. Bitterness flooded Jiraiya's chest like a storm.
"No matter what you say, I won't let you go again. This time… no matter the cost, I'll bring you back to the village!" Jiraiya roared with conviction.
"Just you?" Orochimaru sneered. But his narrowed eyes and clenched fists betrayed his hidden caution.
Having been teammates for years, Orochimaru understood Jiraiya's strength well. He might scoff outwardly, but he knew: a careless move would cost him dearly.
Geniuses like Orochimaru hated to admit it—but Jiraiya was no pushover. Their current power level was close. The outcome would depend on one thing: who was willing to strike harder.
"Kakashi, take Uzuki Yuugao and retreat. Leave this to me," Jiraiya ordered without turning around.
"But, Lord Jiraiya—"
Kakashi's voice was cut off sharply.
"No more talk. Go!" Jiraiya bellowed.
"…Understood. Please, be careful."
Kakashi bowed his head, then adjusted the unconscious Yuugao on his back and began his retreat.
Orochimaru watched them go but made no move to interfere. He had no intention of killing Kakashi. Whether for Konoha's future or out of lingering respect for Sakumo Hatake, it wasn't worth it.
When Kakashi vanished from view, Jiraiya exhaled deeply. A weight lifted—at least now he could fight without distraction.
Orochimaru chuckled. "You know, Jiraiya… Kakashi really does resemble Sakumo. In both appearance and temperament. It's… nostalgic."
Jiraiya blinked at the sudden remark. It felt strangely sincere.
"Yeah," he said, his voice softer. "He really is a lot like Sakumo."
"Well then…" Orochimaru's eyes sharpened as he slowly drew a kunai. His long tongue slithered out and licked the blade, a twisted grin forming. "The nuisance is gone. Now it's just the two of us. So tell me, Jiraiya… can you really bring yourself to strike me down?"
"I can!" Jiraiya answered with intensity, though the hesitation in his tone did not go unnoticed.
"Heh. You really are a fool…"
Their kunai flew at the same time—clang!
The blades clashed mid-air, sparks flying. And with that, the battle between the two former teammates, now shadowed legends, erupted with fury!
Kakashi moved swiftly through the trees, Uzuki Yuugao still unconscious on his back. But his mind remained on the battlefield behind him.
He pulled down his forehead protector, covering his Sharingan. Finding a nearby cave, he gently laid Yuugao down and created a shadow clone to guard her. Then, despite knowing the outcome might already be decided, he turned back.
The thunderous roars from behind made it clear: the clash between two titans was anything but quiet.
Kakashi sighed. Even with Jiraiya's strength, defeating Orochimaru without Sage Mode was unlikely. The two were near equals—but Orochimaru had no reservations about fighting ruthlessly. That, in the end, made all the difference.
In battles like this, cruelty often tipped the scales.
Drip.
A cold drop slid down Kakashi's cheek. He reached up and felt the moisture.
Rain?
He looked up. Gray clouds blanketed the sky.
Even the heavens weep for their broken bond, he mused bitterly.
He picked up Yuugao again, taking her deeper into the cave. After ensuring the shadow clone would guard her, he departed toward the battlefield.
Though he doubted Orochimaru would harm Jiraiya seriously, he couldn't rest easy until he saw it for himself.
After such an emotional battle, even Orochimaru might hesitate. Bonds could be severed—but remnants of them always lingered.
Kakashi raced through the forest. Trees blurred past him. Soon, he arrived at the clearing.
The battle had ended.
All that remained was a lone, fallen figure—body battered and covered in dust, but without serious wounds.
White hair, matted with debris. A cracked forehead protector. There was no doubt.
It was Jiraiya.
Kakashi stepped forward, crouching by the injured Sannin.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Jiraiya's eyes flicked open. Bloodshot. Exhausted. But he still managed a weak smile, his old grin poking through the fatigue.
"Ah… Kakashi. You're back," he muttered hoarsely. "Guess I didn't scare him off after all."
"Let's go home," Kakashi said quietly. He didn't ask about the result. He didn't need to.
Jiraiya's gaze dimmed. "Kakashi… do you think I failed? I failed to win Tsunade's heart after all these years… failed to stop Orochimaru… All that time, and what do I have to show for it? Maybe he was right. Maybe I am the fool."
Kakashi didn't flinch.
"No, Lord Jiraiya. You are who you are. You've walked your path without regret. To me, you are one of the greatest shinobi of Konoha. That will never change."
Jiraiya's eyes widened a little. He hadn't expected such conviction from the quiet Copy Ninja.
"Heh… never thought the Toad Sage would have a fanboy like you," he chuckled, the familiar laugh finally returning. "Maybe it's not such a loss after all."
Kakashi gave a rare smile. He silently helped Jiraiya up.
"Lord Jiraiya… I believe in your way of the ninja. That faith, that heart—you don't need to doubt it."
"You're right," Jiraiya said, his smile growing stronger. "A shinobi must never doubt himself. That's the path we chose."
And with that, the two men stood side by side once again. The heavy clouds still loomed overhead, but Jiraiya's heart—though battered—was no longer weighed down by despair.
He was still the man of Mount Myōboku.
He was still Jiraiya, the Toad Sage.