Chapter 187: The Sannin Battle
Tsunade's face was ashen. She stood frozen in front of Kabuto, trembling all over, her face a mask of pure terror.
"Blood… blood…" Tsunade was on the verge of collapse, having completely lost her will to fight.
"Get out of the way, Tsunade!" Not far away, Jiraiya, who was about to fight Orochimaru, saw everything that had happened. At that moment, Kabuto was preparing to deliver the final blow to the now-helpless Tsunade.
Orochimaru laughed. "Jiraiya, you still have the energy to care about others? You should focus all your energy on the battle between us."
"Don't worry, Kabuto won't kill Tsunade. After all, keeping her alive is still useful. Perhaps she can still heal my hands."
"Go back, Orochimaru," Jiraiya said. "With your hands crippled, you're no match for me. If you give up your resistance now and come back to Konoha with me to atone, Tsunade and I can still save your life."
"Hmph! Do you think I can't use ninjutsu without my hands? You're so naive, Jiraiya!" As he spoke, Orochimaru's neck stretched to an impossible length, his fanged mouth open wide as he lunged for Jiraiya's neck.
"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo!" With the protection of his hardened, spiky hair, Jiraiya not only blocked Orochimaru's attack but also reached out and grabbed his elongated neck.
"You can't escape this time, Orochimaru."
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!" A boiling fireball erupted from Jiraiya's mouth, rushing toward Orochimaru's body at incredible speed. With his neck caught in Jiraiya's firm grasp, Orochimaru was completely immobile. Like a stationary target, his body was quickly engulfed by the fireball.
"Aaargh!" Orochimaru's screams echoed through the sea of fire.
"Lord Orochimaru!" Eager to protect his master, Kabuto immediately rushed into the flames and pulled out the badly burned Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, are you alright?"
"Tsunade has completely lost her ability to fight now. You rest here. I will take care of Jiraiya!"
On the other side, Jiraiya took advantage of the opening to quickly go to Tsunade's side. "Tsunade, bear with it for a moment. I'll be quick!" Jiraiya puffed out his cheeks and spat a mouthful of oil foam all over Tsunade's body. Soon, under the cleansing foam, the blood on her body disappeared completely.
"How do you feel now?" Jiraiya asked with concern.
Tsunade gasped, still shaken, but managed to stand up. "I feel… much better."
"Good," Jiraiya said, relieved. "Don't engage in close combat anymore. Use your summoning and assist me."
"Right!" With that, they both bit their thumbs and slapped their hands on the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"Not good!" Seeing their actions, Orochimaru said anxiously, "Kabuto, hurry!"
Kabuto quickly smeared his fingers with Orochimaru's blood and shouted, "Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof, poof, poof!
Three massive clouds of white smoke erupted on the battlefield as Manda, Gamabunta, and Katsuyu were summoned by the three Sannin.
"What's going on, Jiraiya? Why are you calling for me so soon?"
"Hm?"
"Isn't that Manda? So… Orochimaru is here too? Hmph. It's been a long time since I've seen that face."
Jiraiya stood atop Gamabunta's head. "Give me a hand, Bunta! I'm going to take care of Orochimaru here and now!"
Gamabunta exhaled a puff of smoke. "It's this again. I've heard you say that at least eight hundred times."
"I'm serious this time," Jiraiya said awkwardly.
"Hmph. I certainly hope so."