At this moment, the Great Toad Sage standing on Jiraiya's shoulder was slightly stunned, sweat forming at his temples as he looked at the calm young man in front of him who was leisurely eating a popsicle.
"You're Kaguya Rorin?" the Deva Path of Pain asked.
Judging from the opponent's instant appearance just now and the bone shield in his hand, Pain made this assumption.
Rorin turned slightly, looking at the five Paths of Pain, quietly sucking on his popsicle without answering the Deva Path's question.
The Asura Path stepped forward, its wrist separating from its arm as it launched rockets toward Rorin and the others.
Seeing this, Jiraiya tried to pull Rorin away to dodge, but with his severe injuries, he was powerless.
Rorin casually raised his right hand, and the bone shield appeared again, blocking in front of them.
Boom!
After the explosion, the Deva Path looked at the bone shield—completely undamaged—and muttered, "Its defense is actually this terrifying!"
"Let's fight," Rorin murmured. He could have taken Jiraiya and left immediately, but since he was already here…
Rorin turned his head toward Jiraiya. "Oi, pervy old man, wait a second."
Before Jiraiya could react, Rorin had already rushed toward the Naraka Path.
"You're first!"
Rorin instantly appeared beside the Naraka Path. This time, coming to rescue Jiraiya, he had removed all the weights from his body—fighting completely unburdened.
Shikotsumyaku · Dance of the Brambles!
Crack!
Bone spikes erupted from Rorin's entire body, piercing through the Naraka Path and shattering it.
This sudden change made the Deva Path narrow its eyes slightly.
"A coincidence? Or…"
After unexpectedly eliminating the Naraka Path, Rorin didn't immediately continue attacking. Instead, he carefully observed the positions of the remaining four Paths.
On the other side, Jiraiya was momentarily stunned after witnessing Rorin's strength, then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Looks like I underestimated this kid…
The remaining four Paths fixed their gaze on Rorin.
"You realize you've angered… a god," the Deva Path said coldly.
He raised his right hand and tilted his head slightly upward.
Universal Pull!
Rorin felt an invisible force tugging at him, his body starting to lose control as he was pulled toward the Deva Path.
Rorin smiled faintly and used Flying Thunder God to return to Jiraiya's side.
"A god? Not that impressive."
As his words fell, Rorin quietly released his chakra limiter.
Eight Gates · Gate of View, open!
Blue Bird!
His figure vanished instantly and reappeared beside the Human Path. Blue lightning pierced through it, killing it instantly.
At this point, Rorin had already eliminated the Naraka Path and the Human Path. Locking onto the Asura Path, he charged again.
But the Deva Path would not let him succeed again. The Asura Path and the Preta Path quickly moved to his side.
The Deva Path raised his right hand once more.
Almighty Push!
Rorin was blasted back mid-charge, frowning slightly.
Looks like this is as far as it goes. Jiraiya's condition isn't good, and he didn't want to reveal too much of his own abilities to Pain.
Using Flying Thunder God, Rorin returned to Jiraiya's side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
The two of them, along with the toad, vanished together.
Watching them leave, Pain frowned deeply. Since this was their base, he couldn't use Chibaku Tensei in battle.
Moreover, with Rorin and Jiraiya having destroyed three Paths—especially the crucial Naraka Path—he would need to recreate them.
As for Rorin possessing Flying Thunder God, Pain walked slowly, pausing slightly.
Their information had very likely already been exposed.
Failing to kill Jiraiya left him somewhat troubled.
...
In a forest within the Land of Fire, Rorin, Jiraiya, and the Great Toad Sage appeared.
Rorin helped Jiraiya sit beneath a tree. Leaning against the trunk, Jiraiya looked up at the sky.
He hadn't expected to actually make it out alive.
The Great Toad Sage jumped down from Jiraiya's shoulder, holding a bone, and looked at Rorin.
"You're little Rorin, right?"
Rorin scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Maybe… probably."
The Great Toad Sage nodded, then placed the bone onto Jiraiya's leg with a smile.
"Thanks for saving little Jiraiya. I'll be heading off now. Next time, I'll bring you home for dinner!"
Jiraiya's face darkened slightly, but he nodded awkwardly.
Poof!
A puff of smoke appeared, and the Great Toad Sage disappeared.
Rorin walked over to Jiraiya. "Oi, pervy old man, let me treat your injuries."
As soon as he finished speaking, Rorin placed both hands on Jiraiya and activated a forbidden technique.
One's Own Life Reincarnation!
Last time, it was mainly used in a sterile environment to prepare for Uchiha Itachi's eye transplant. This time, no such conditions were needed.
About two minutes later, sweat formed on Rorin's forehead. Although Jiraiya wasn't as severely injured as Uchiha Itachi had been, it still cost him about a tenth of his life force.
Jiraiya's complexion gradually regained color, and he realized he could speak again. Rorin had not only healed his injuries but also restored his ruined throat.
This made Jiraiya even more amazed by the young man in front of him.
Not only was his combat power astonishing, but his healing abilities were equally miraculous.
Now fully recovered, Jiraiya smiled and expressed his thanks.
"This time, it's all thanks to you."
Rorin wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking slightly weak.
"Don't mention it. Honestly, it was just coincidence. I originally just wanted to share a popsicle with you… things just happened."
Jiraiya only smiled, saying nothing more, but he noticed Rorin's face had turned paler.
"Did healing me just now cause that?" Jiraiya asked.
Rorin shook his head slowly. "It's fine. I just need to replenish my energy."
Jiraiya felt a bit guilty and was about to leave him alone to rest when he saw something that left him stunned.
Rorin pulled out a space-time scroll from his backpack and summoned the food he had sealed inside earlier.
Ten bowls of Ichiraku ramen.
Rorin picked up one bowl and started eating, then glanced at Jiraiya.
"Want a bowl?"
He paused his chopsticks, holding one bowl out to Jiraiya.
Grrr…
Jiraiya froze for a second before his stomach growled at the worst possible time. Slightly embarrassed, he took the ramen, snapped the chopsticks apart with his hands and teeth, and began eating.
He really hadn't expected Rorin's way of "replenishing energy" to be eating.
...
Half an hour later, Rorin rubbed his slightly bulging belly, glanced at Jiraiya, and said with a grin:
"Hey, pervy old man, how about raising a ninja hawk in the future?"
Jiraiya looked at him in confusion. "Why?"
Rorin raised his head and replied calmly,
"No reason. I just think your image fits having one."
Jiraiya couldn't quite understand what Rorin meant, but gradually, he got used to the nicknames Rorin gave him.
After resting for a while, Rorin took Jiraiya and used Flying Thunder God to return to the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village.
A gentle breeze brushed through Jiraiya's hair as he gazed at the village gates, as if seeing the people he wanted to meet.
A smile formed on his lips.
"I'm back."
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