The Wood Dragon was rooted to the earth, attacking through extension… But when combined with Blaze Release to form Majestic Destroyer Flame, the directional flow of the black flames granted the dragon freedom of movement!
WHOOSH…!!!
Its method of attack was simple and brutal: crush the opponent with its black flame-cloaked body!!!
Jiraiya dodged with ease.
"Even with improved mobility, a form that massive just isn't suited for dealing with small, agile targets, Sasuke. I'm afraid you miscalculated this time!"
Sasuke smiled without a word. Flame ignited in five clusters on the fingers of his right hand. He pressed his palm to the ground.
― Uchiha Flame Formation!
BOOM…!!!
A dark crimson flame barrier erupted, sealing the ground within its bounds!
Jiraiya: "This barrier… I don't know its origins, but just the color tells me its strength surpasses the Four Red Yang Formation. To restrict our movement…"
CRUNCH…!!!
The Wood Dragon slithered, attacking again…!!
"At this speed, it doesn't matter how many times you try…!!!"
Jiraiya evaded with leisurely steps, but then, his expression changed.
"The path the dragon travels… it leaves behind the black flames!?"
Sasuke's voice was low. "You're correct. Majestic Destroyer Flame is indeed better suited for massive targets. Once entangled, it can absorb or suppress chakra while burning the enemy with black fire. But any technique is about application. A roundabout method is fine… as long as it works."
BOOM! BOOM!
As the Wood Dragon moved, the black flames rapidly spread across the enclosed barrier!!
Jiraiya finally grasped the severity.
"I see. Even if we avoid the dragon's direct assault, the flames spreading with its movement will steadily shrink our space…"
Fukasaku: "Then let's try cutting the dragon down!!!"
― Sage Art: Water Slash!
SWISH! A powerful Sage-powered water slash shot from the elder toad's mouth. But the moment it cut through the dragon's body, the adhering black flames melted it away!
Shima: "No good?! Breaking the barrier or attacking the caster… neither is easier than dealing with that dragon!!"
Dodging and weaving, Jiraiya watched the black flames spread further with the dragon's every pass.
"And there's the most terrifying part," he muttered. "The ocular power in his right eye that controls the flames… he can weaponize the spread-out fire for attack or defense at will. Continuing like this… we truly have no counter."
Shima sounded indignant. "Giving up already, Jiraiya-boy? We haven't tried the Sealing Jutsu: Flame Sealing…"
Jiraiya shook his head with a wry smile. "The way the flames bind to that dragon isn't merely physical. My guess is, even if we sealed the outer layer, new black fire would just keep being released…"
Fukasaku sighed, genuinely impressed. "By blending Blaze Release, he turned a seemingly rigid wooden dragon into an infinite mobile incendiary device. The shinobi world… truly never lacks for extraordinary talents…"
Backed against the barrier's edge, knowing the match was over, Jiraiya stopped.
BOOM. The Majestic Destroyer Flame halted. The black fire extinguished. The golden light in the dragon's eyes dimmed, and its body slowly sank back into the earth.
Within the sea of fading flames, a path opened.
Sasuke strode forward until he stood before Jiraiya.
Jiraiya asked, "Sasuke. The fight's over. Can you tell me your purpose now?"
Sasuke's eyes grew contemplative.
In his previous life, he and Jiraiya had been strangers. Yet the man before him was one of the few he respected from the heart. As Naruto's teacher, the one who gave Naruto something more precious than jutsu—a ninja way.
In an era of monsters, Jiraiya's power might not have been the most dazzling. But his indelible contributions to the shinobi world were undeniable.
If the Will of Fire truly existed, Jiraiya was its rightful bearer.
Even without these five battles, Sasuke would have sought him out.
He would stop Jiraiya from going to Amegakure. Then, he would entrust him with everything about the future.
What Jiraiya chose to do after learning the truth… that was not Sasuke's to interfere with.
Because of this series of battles, Sasuke stood before Jiraiya sooner than planned.
But the words stuck in his throat, a persistent sense of wrongness clinging to them.
He lowered his gaze. His fist tightened slightly.
This… shouldn't come from me.
There seemed to be a bond between Orochimaru and Jiraiya… similar to the one between him and Naruto.
The bonds of the previous generation… should be settled by them.
Just as he had witnessed the final chapter between Madara and Hashirama… this time, let them resolve it themselves. That… is likely what Orochimaru wishes as well.
Sasuke raised his eyes. "Jiraiya. There is someone… more suited to speak with you than I am."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "You mean…"
"It's me, you know~ Jiraiya-san."
SWOOSH! A spiraling vortex of Futodama swirled!
Orochimaru, Kabuto, Karin, and… Itachi arrived.
Jiraiya had expected Orochimaru to show. The one who truly shocked him was… the person who, by all logic, should absolutely not be here—'Uchiha Itachi'!
Jiraiya: "Uchiha Itachi, you…"
Itachi: "Lord Jiraiya. It has been a long time."
Jiraiya let out a slow breath. "It seems… I've truly fallen out of step with this world."
He had always believed Sasuke's ultimate goal was to take revenge on his brother Itachi for the brutal massacre of their clan.
And that Orochimaru's ultimate goal was to take revenge on Konoha for taking his parents.
But the cold, hard reality before him completely overturned that understanding.
After a brief, unavoidable moment of disorientation, Jiraiya spoke gravely. "Elder Sages… Please return first."
Shima: "Hey now, these guys are all…"
Fukasaku placed a webbed hand on Jiraiya's shoulder. "Let the boy handle this." He leaned closer, voice dropping. "Actually… the Great Toad Sage fell into a deep slumber again… half a year ago."
Jiraiya was startled. "What? The Great Toad Sage he…"
Fukasaku's gaze was significant. "You know what it means, Jiraiya-boy. Every time the Great Honorable Sage sleeps so deeply… it's for a new prophecy!"
Jiraiya's mind raced. The Great Toad Sage entering a prophecy-slumber again… right around the time Sasuke left Konoha. Can that be coincidence? Could it be… the Child of Prophecy this time…
His eyes locked onto Sasuke again.
The bearing, the speech, the demeanor, the battle-worn maturity… none of it belonged to a boy Sasuke's age.
I once told Kakashi… power can be gained quickly, but presence takes years to cultivate.
Back then, I assumed Sasuke's body had already been taken by Orochimaru.
But now… the real answer seems to be staring me in the face.
Jiraiya clenched his right fist tightly.
― 'Uchiha Sasuke… due to some reason, has broken through the shackles of time and space… and has returned from the future … hasn't he?'
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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