"You want to possess a body resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation?" Jiraiya took a step back. The thought sent a chill down his spine. Bringing the dead back into this world as if they were still alive was already abhorrent enough, but now Kabuto wanted to seize someone else's body—trapping his own soul within another forever?
Kabuto actually intended to use both forbidden techniques at once. It was nothing short of a sin against nature!
"Whose?" Jiraiya barely wanted to ask the question. "Whose body are you after? Don't tell me you want to become like Orochimaru—neither fully human nor beast-like—and take over his body?"
"That's just too ordinary," Kabuto replied casually while pacing slowly, tapping his head. "Only the strongest vessel is worthy of housing me. Anything less just isn't good enough. I could take any random body if I were willing to settle, but there's no point in doing things halfway. No, I want the absolute best—the greatest ninja in history! I will become the strongest ninja who ever lived!"
Jiraiya stood speechless. Even Fukasaku and Shima, usually full of words, were stunned into silence by Kabuto's declaration. "You've lost it, kid," Jiraiya finally muttered, unsure what else to say. He already knew exactly what Kabuto was after.
There was only one person considered the strongest ninja ever—a contemporary of the First Hokage and rival of the Second Hokage—and that was none other than Madara Uchiha.
Kabuto intended to possess Madara Uchiha's body!
Why not? After all, Living Corpse Reincarnation allowed one to replace another's soul with their own, while the Impure World Reincarnation controlled the souls of the dead.
"Surely you don't think it's impossible?" Kabuto mocked. "Are you going to tell me Madara Uchiha is still alive, so I can't use Impure World Reincarnation to bring him back? Your reaction disappoints me. Aren't you afraid? Once I gain that power, no one will dare look down on me again! Then I'll create my own legend—I'll change this world itself!"
No, he *was* afraid. Terrified, even.
But he couldn't show it. He couldn't let Kabuto sense his fear because he fully understood how serious this was.
If Kabuto succeeded, then no one in this world would have the strength to stop him.
"I know Madara Uchiha is dead," Jiraiya said, forcing calm into his voice. "According to Naruto, that masked guy was just an impostor using Madara's name. We've already talked about this, but thank you for confirming Madara is really gone. We'll be sure to add that to your wanted poster… posthumously."
"Then try and stop me!" Kabuto roared defiantly. "You only have one arm left! You're old! Even at your peak, you couldn't beat me—what makes you think you can now? Are you angry? Scared? Then prove it!" With both hands weaving Hand Seals, he prepared to attack again.
Jiraiya had no choice—he had to put a stop to this.
He knew that someone like Kabuto, if allowed to act freely, would lead to unimaginable consequences.
Over the years, he had gone through countless battles and numerous brushes with death.
The fight at the Root base, the battle where Sasuke defeated Orochimaru, the moment he revealed his identity to Naruto—he had struggled back from the brink of death again and again. All for what purpose?
This time, he absolutely would not fail!
"I hate using this technique," Shima grumbled, then turned to Jiraiya. "Jiraiya, we need a little time to synchronize our voices." They both knew Kabuto had the edge in speed. If they didn't take him down fast, things would get tough.
Jiraiya said nothing, only staring coldly at Kabuto. He knew this was a one-shot opportunity—he had to make it count.
He stomped hard on the ground with both feet, his hair rising straight up like needles, transforming into countless sharp spikes. Then, at an incredible speed, they shot toward Kabuto.
[Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon!]
Although this attack covered a wide area and was executed at incredible speed, Kabuto still dodged it. The distance between them was simply too great, and Sage Mode had significantly enhanced his reaction speed.
"I get it now! This is the difference between us! You haven't fully mastered Sage Mode, so you need your summons to help you gather Natural Energy. But I've overcome this issue. That's exactly why I'm stronger than you!"
"Always talking big," Jiraiya mused silently as he kept pushing Kabuto back, trying to buy more time for Shima and Fukasaku. "That snake bastard Orochimaru really corrupted you. With only one hand, there's no way I can match your jutsu. Plus, you've trained that damn Scalpel technique. Your speed is far beyond mine—I can't even get close to you, let alone land a hit with Taijutsu. My only shot at victory is to go all-in with Genjutsu."
Luckily for him, the final outcome didn't come down to his ninjutsu skills, because if it had, he would've been dead for sure.
Cornered, Kabuto looked at Jiraiya smugly, thinking, *You think increasing the distance will allow you to defeat me? I haven't even used half my power yet!*
You're just an outdated relic, Jiraiya. You've passed your prime; your time has come and gone. The only value you have left in this world is to be reincarnated by me as my asset!
Just then, Kabuto suddenly heard a strange sound—it was intermittent, like the croak of a frog. His pulse quickened slightly as he wondered, *What are they doing now?*
Carefully, he concealed himself and tried to suppress his chakra presence. Both he and Jiraiya were in Sage Mode, filling the area with Natural Energy. It was nearly impossible to conceal chakra here.
*Perfect,* Jiraiya thought. *Shima and Fukasaku have been practicing how to synchronize their voices all along.*
"This place is too dark. It won't be easy for him to find us, unless… he's also learned how to hide his chakra even while in Sage Mode."
Kabuto crawled onto the ceiling. While cautiously inching toward Jiraiya, he flicked his tongue out to sense his surroundings. But what the hell was with all those irritating croaks?
Frankly, he didn't have time to worry about that right now. Upside down on the ceiling, he began forming Hand Seals, determined to reshape the environment into a battlefield tailored to his strengths.
[Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation!]
The ground started shaking violently, as if the entire room had suddenly come alive.
Jiraiya could feel the ground beneath his feet shifting and splitting apart, like something was forcing its way up from below. But he hadn't summoned any Frog's stomach using the Summoning Jutsu, so this couldn't be his technique.
Could it be…? Is he actually capable of animating objects?
Sure enough, the very ground lunged at Jiraiya! Jiraiya was ready, though—he backflipped just in time, narrowly avoiding the strike.
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