After leaving, Ryun headed toward Orochimaru's research lab, wanting to see how far Orochimaru's research had progressed.
Just as he was about to knock, the door opened by itself, and out walked Orochimaru.
Ryun and Orochimaru were both startled for a moment, then Orochimaru smiled. "Hokage-sama, the diamond ring you commissioned me to make is finished, including the other platinum ring carved with a dragon."
As he spoke, Orochimaru took out a box and gently opened it. Two platinum rings lay inside.
Ryun was surprised. Orochimaru had actually finished both rings in half the time, and they were exactly to the dimensions of the blueprint he provided.
Leaving aside his own platinum ring, how was the diamond for Tsunade's platinum diamond ring so easy to obtain?
Orochimaru noticed Ryun's confusion and smiled slightly. "Ryun, although diamond is very hard, it is far inferior to chakra metal."
"Chakra metal infused with wind nature, or a sacred tool, can easily cut through anything. Some time ago, I happened to acquire a sacred tool."
As he spoke, Orochimaru summoned his sacred tool. Ryun looked at it and thought, isn't this Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword from later on?
He remembered that Orochimaru wouldn't obtain this sword until much later, and it would later be used by Sasuke for a long time.
But then it occurred to him that if he himself could time travel, it probably wasn't that big of a deal for Orochimaru to get the Kusanagi Sword early.
Ryun took the diamond ring, activated his Sharingan to examine it, and finally nodded with a smile. "Go apply for funding. I'll approve the request."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. He pulled the request form out of his pocket. Ryun's smile froze. He was just about to say he didn't have a pen, but then Orochimaru handed him one.
Ryun was somewhat bewildered. Could Orochimaru predict his actions?
However, having just made a fortune from the other Kage, this 100 million ryo wasn't much. After Orochimaru took the request form Ryun had written, he immediately headed to the village's finance department.
Money was far too important for research! Ryun put the ring set and the box away and headed into the village.
On the way, he unexpectedly ran into Jiraiya, who seemed to be waiting for him.
Ryun perked up and walked toward Jiraiya with a smile. Jiraiya's eyes lit up, burning with fighting spirit. "Hokage-sama."
"Yes, Jiraiya. What are you doing here?" Ryun asked, somewhat puzzled.
Jiraiya first smiled, then fell silent, forcing a smile onto his face. "Hokage-sama, my strength has improved, and I wish to test myself against you."
Ryun raised an eyebrow. "Alright, of course."
Jiraiya nodded. "Then, please come with me to the training ground, Hokage-sama."
Ryun nodded. He understood Jiraiya's current state of mind, so he didn't refuse and followed him to his training ground.
Ryun looked around. It was indeed very secluded, with no one around. A good place for a fight.
Jiraiya, who was ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around. His expression was complex, filled with admiration, envy, and fervor.
He bowed. "Please grant me your guidance, Hokage-sama!"
Ryun nodded. This time, he did not plan to use Susano'o or the Sharingan, but instead intended to fight Jiraiya fairly and squarely.
Jiraiya's eyes focused. He quickly flashed in front of Ryun and launched a kick. Ryun saw the opportunity and dodged with a backward step.
Jiraiya followed up, clenching his right fist and punching toward Ryun's left cheek. The blow was powerful and swift as the wind.
Ryun raised his left arm to block. A thud sounded, and a shockwave erupted. Immediately after, Ryun landed a hook with his right fist into Jiraiya's abdomen.
Jiraiya's eyebrows twitched, and he bent over from the blow, but adjusted his stance in an instant. He then lifted his leg to kick Ryun's head. Ryun simultaneously raised his leg to block, deflecting the force downward.
Their legs intertwined, and both landed at the same time. Jiraiya couldn't help but be stunned.
Ryun's taijutsu was actually this powerful. An expert's move reveals their skill.
Looking at Ryun's black pupils, Jiraiya understood that he wasn't using the Sharingan, but was purely relying on combat skills and experience to fight him.
Perhaps Ryun had seen through his actions today, which was why he wasn't using the Sharingan or Sage Mode to battle him.
In that case, let's fight to our heart's content!
Ryun laughed. "Let me experience the skills of Jiraiya, who calls himself a gallant man!"
He then unbuttoned his robe, letting half of it hang down. He swung the left sleeve, which made intimate contact with Jiraiya's right cheek.
Jiraiya's head was knocked aside. The sleeve made a slap sound against his face. Jiraiya came to his senses and grabbed for Ryun's arms with both hands.
Ryun narrowed his eyes, retracting his arms. Jiraiya caught two empty sleeves. Ryun's hands simultaneously emerged from his robe, clenched into fists, and struck Jiraiya's chest.
Thump! Thump! Two sounds echoed. Jiraiya was struck and pushed back, releasing his grip on Ryun's robe.
Ryun retracted his arms back into the sleeves of his robe, then formed his hands into palms, spreading them like a great eagle!
Jiraiya steadied himself, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "What kind of taijutsu is this?"
"Kasaya Subduing Demon Technique!" Ryun smiled.
"Kasaya? Like a monk's kasaya? But you're wearing a robe..." Jiraiya took a deep breath.
Ryun said confidently, "It's the same."
Then Ryun leaped forward through the air, his left hand thrusting toward Jiraiya's head. Jiraiya dodged to the side.
Ryun's right hand shot out again. Jiraiya dodged once more, his left hand ready to grab Ryun's arm. But though Jiraiya was fast, Ryun was faster!
Ryun retracted his right hand. Jiraiya once again grabbed the right sleeve of the robe. Ryun threw two punches with his right fist, sending Jiraiya flying.
Then he retracted his right hand into the sleeve, spun 360 degrees in the air, and landed before Jiraiya. "Still want to fight?"
Jiraiya was dazed. He was about to say no when suddenly, Ryun's entire body tensed up, and he jumped directly into the air.
He activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Though he didn't see anything, his intuition told him there had been danger just now.
The system suddenly spoke up. "Ding. Host, please activate the Soul Perception Technique!"
Ryun nodded and activated the Soul Perception Technique. Suddenly, his vision became a god's-eye view. He could see everything clearly within ten kilometers around him, every rustle of grass.
Including that white humanoid soul—Dan Kato.
Jiraiya didn't know why Ryun had suddenly jumped up, but he clearly saw the fallen leaves in front of him split in two, yet there was no visible attack.
His face turned pale. Only one person in Konoha had this ability: Dan Kato!
He suddenly remembered that it was Dan Kato who had instigated him to fight Ryun to resolve his inner turmoil.
If Ryun died here, without a doubt, he, Jiraiya, would become the scapegoat, the criminal who assassinated the Hokage.
Then Tsunade, his teacher, and the villagers would hate him. The Senju and Uchiha of Konoha might split again because of him! Thinking of this, Jiraiya gritted his teeth. Damn it!
Dan Kato was stunned. Ryun had actually dodged his killing move? He looked up at Ryun and discovered that Ryun was looking directly at his soul!
He frowned, unwilling to believe such an absurd thing could happen! Then he launched another attack toward Ryun.
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