Just as Jiraiya was still in the middle of his battle.
On Gekko Chizan's side, he was fully focused on condensing the scale powder.
By now, the pit was already filled with scale powder, all of it paralytic powder.
His own body, meanwhile, was covered with a thin layer of red chakra, used to isolate the scale powder.
This was a protective measure prepared for him by Chomei.
"Phew, I'm exhausted."
"This should be enough."
"Next... I'll just scatter this scale powder into the sky."
Just imagining the entire forest covered in this powder — any Iwagakure ninja who stepped into it would immediately be affected.
At best, they'd experience full-body paralysis; at worst, they'd collapse on the spot.
"Alright, this should do it. Now I'll use Wind Release to blow all the scale powder into the air."
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
As soon as Gekko Chizan finished forming the hand seals, fierce wind began to surge.
At that moment, Jiraiya, having dealt with his enemies, arrived above the large pit, and his voice suddenly rang out from above.
"Chizan, you still not done? We've been exposed!"
"Huh? What is this?"
"I... I... this..."
As the wind howled, the scale powder began to rise with the gusts.
Jiraiya, standing close to the pit, took the full brunt and was instantly engulfed in the powder.
A strong paralysis sensation struck immediately, even his tongue went numb.
He couldn't even finish a sentence.
"Damn! Argh, Jiraiya-sama, why did you come over here?!"
"I told you, I'm working with poison!"
The moment Gekko Chizan heard Jiraiya's voice, he inwardly cursed.
He wasn't worried about Jiraiya being paralyzed — what he feared was that Jiraiya might realize this wasn't poison at all. If he drew the wrong conclusion... things would be hard to explain.
"Ah, forget it!"
"Minato, get Jiraiya-sama out of here, fast!"
Minato didn't dare hesitate. In a flash, he appeared at Jiraiya's side. The moment he touched him, his arm went numb.
But he gritted his teeth and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting the two of them several kilometers away.
Feeling the presence of Jiraiya and Minato vanish, Gekko Chizan gave a sly grin.
"Now that that's done — Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Rise!"
With no more interruptions, Gekko Chizan went all-out, once again unleashing a powerful Wind Release technique, blowing all the scale powder from the pit into the sky.
In an instant, the entire forest was blanketed in the fine dust.
"Chomei, how long will this scale powder last?"
"Around one to two days, but the effects will weaken over time."
"That short?"
"Come on, this scale powder was meant to be used directly! You just blew it into the air and diluted it several times over. What kind of effect were you expecting?"
Gekko Chizan nodded. One to two days would be enough.
After all, as long as it caused some chaos and delayed the enemy's movements, that was fine.
If Iwagakure started pulling back its forces, their next move would probably be to target Kumogakure.
Tch, not his problem.
"By the way, Chomei, can this scale powder be removed?"
"You saw it yourself — Jiraiya got a faceful. He's probably numb all over now."
Chomei chuckled lewdly.
"Of course it can be removed. Ever since you were stuck in the hospital bed, I've been working on a specific detox solution for this scale powder. And finally — success."
"The original scale powder couldn't be removed, only left to dissipate. But the new version has a cure."
"As long as you use chakra to replicate the same pattern used to condense the scale powder inside their bodies, you can form new powder that will absorb the paralytic one. But — once the two powders merge, they create an irreversible effect: diarrhea. Hehehe."
"Judging by that white-haired guy's state, removing all the powder from his system will require a lot of scale powder. He's gonna be on the toilet at least four or five times."
Gekko Chizan's face immediately darkened.
Damn this Chomei, he's completely addicted to this stuff — what kind of detox method is that???
Sigh, but what could he do? This was the only solution.
Watching the scale powder rise into the sky, Gekko Chizan activated Flying Thunder God and vanished from the scene.
He was far more cautious than Namikaze Minato. Along his path, he had left many markings for emergency teleportation routes.
After a few rounds of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he had already caught up to Minato.
As for Jiraiya? Sorry — he was completely paralyzed. His current state? Hard to describe.
"Minato, are you guys okay?"
The moment Gekko Chizan asked, he regretted it.
Because Jiraiya was sitting there with his mouth wide open, drool dripping down — not because he saw something inappropriate, but because the paralysis had left his jaw slack and tongue numb. His consciousness was clear, but his entire body couldn't move.
Minato's right hand, meanwhile, looked unnaturally stiff. Gekko Chizan understood at a glance — he had been paralyzed too.
"What should I even say about you guys..."
"I told you I was spreading poison. And you still came close."
"The moment I blew the powder into the sky, the first one to get hit was Jiraiya-sama, wasn't it?"
"Whatever. Once we get back to camp, I'll help you fix it."
After all, this scale powder was a masterpiece by Gekko Chizan and Chomei. They could solve it, though the method...
"Chizan... what kind of poison did you make..."
"Jiraiya-sensei is totally immobile. The moment I touched him, my right hand went numb too."
Minato looked horrified. He had been through battlefields — but he'd never encountered something this potent.
"This is a paralysis poison I developed myself. I already said — don't come near before I'm done."
"But no — you two had to be bold."
"It's fine. Once we're back at base, I've got a way to fix you."
As he spoke, Gekko Chizan lifted Jiraiya upright — and with a heave, slung him over his shoulder.
Minato was dumbfounded.
Jiraiya: I... I can't believe this!!! Put me down! At least drag me! Why carry me like this?!
"Chizan, this really isn't appropriate..."
All he got in return was a glare from Gekko Chizan.
"This is an emergency. Carrying is faster."
"I'll take Jiraiya-sama. You go on your own."
With that, the two of them dashed off toward the camp with Jiraiya in tow.
Only the heavens knew how badly Gekko Chizan wanted to just teleport back with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But with Jiraiya over his shoulder and Minato beside him...
He didn't dare use the technique too freely. After all, they had just seen him pull off that massive setup — if he casually threw in a bunch more Flying Thunder God jumps... yeah, that wouldn't sit right.
Eventually, before nightfall, the three of them returned to the camp.
The guarding ninja were shocked the moment they saw Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sama, what happened to you?!"
Carrying Jiraiya on his shoulder, Gekko Chizan shot the man a cold glance and replied flatly:
"Find me an empty tent. Jiraiya-sama's been poisoned — I need to detox him immediately."
"No need to call a medical ninja. I'll handle it."
With that, Gekko Chizan marched straight toward the camp center with Jiraiya on his shoulder.
Only the heavens knew how badly Jiraiya wished he could use Transformation Jutsu to become someone else.
Too humiliating!
As more and more eyes turned toward Gekko Chizan and Jiraiya...
The voice Gekko Chizan had been waiting for finally rang out!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo