A drop of cold sweat trickled down Jiraiya's forehead.
It was true, just as Orochimaru had said: Jiraiya had never once defeated him in a fight. Part of that was because he'd never used his true trump cards. But Orochimaru was skilled in countless ninjutsu and possessed all chakra natures; he certainly had never gone all out against Jiraiya, either.
As friends for many years, Orochimaru was definitely the one who understood Jiraiya best. He had the brains, and he always hid his true strength.
However, thoughts were just thoughts. Facing an old friend like Orochimaru, Jiraiya would certainly not admit defeat. "Hmph! I only let you win before because you were so concerned with your image. You always had to show off in front of the old man, and I didn't want you to lose face..."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru spread his hands and walked toward him, chuckling lightly. "It sounds like I should thank you! To show my gratitude, I'll just leave you here forever!"
As his voice fell, his face suddenly turned sinister. He held a Kusanagi sword in a reverse grip and charged toward Jiraiya.
Then, he flew back even faster than he came.
"Spiral Bullet!"
Naruto Uzumaki retracted his finger, rubbing his throbbing temple. "My mind thought he was a friend, but it turns out he's an enemy!"
Just a moment ago, Naruto's subconscious had tried to trace back memories of Orochimaru, making him feel like a friendly person. Who would have thought that the next moment, Orochimaru would attack Jiraiya? Could his own subconscious be deceptive? Or had Orochimaru used some kind of genjutsu to alter his perception?
Jiraiya had just pulled out a kunai to defend himself. Hearing Naruto's words, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. "Although that guy doesn't look like a good person, he is… my friend."
Even though Orochimaru had defected, as long as he didn't harm Konoha, Jiraiya was still unwilling to abandon their precious friendship. Their relationship was complicated. Friends who could once entrust their lives to each other now had to try and take each other's lives whenever they met.
Naruto scratched his head. "So, was he just trying to say hello, and I hit the wrong person?"
"No..." Jiraiya shook his head, his voice deep. "I'll tell you about him after we get back to Konoha. The Orochimaru of today is an enemy!"
After speaking, the white-haired hero stomped on the ground and rushed toward Orochimaru. He wouldn't waste the opportunity Naruto had created.
Clang, clang, clang!
The sound of kunai and sharp blades clashing rang out.
Orochimaru's slightly hoarse voice came through the noise. "What a nice ninjutsu. Even I couldn't defend against it instantly. Jiraiya, that kid is a pretty good helper!"
"Naruto is stronger than you think!" Jiraiya swung his kunai to force Orochimaru back and quickly formed hand seals. Chakra gathered in his chest. "Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet!"
A ball of fierce flames instantly exploded toward his opponent. The surging, burning fire was blocked by a wall of water.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
After blocking the jutsu, Orochimaru shook his head and sighed. "Jiraiya, your hand seal habits are still the same as always. As soon as you form the first seal, I know what ninjutsu you're going to use..."
"Likewise."
The two clashed again.
Just as Naruto was about to step forward to help, a sharp female voice suddenly cut through the air, tensing his nerves.
"Sakura! Something happened over there!"
Naruto leaped onto a large tree. He could already see a bright light in the direction of the camp. Someone was using Fire Style ninjutsu.
Jiraiya looked at his opponent's unhurried expression, gritted his teeth, and said, "Orochimaru, so your goal was just to hold me back..."
"Jiraiya, you're still as slow as ever," Orochimaru smiled. He tightened his grip on the Kusanagi sword and, taking advantage of Jiraiya's distraction, launched a continuous, fierce attack.
Swish!
The Kusanagi sword sliced into Jiraiya, creating a wound. Orochimaru's swordsmanship was clearly superior.
Ignoring his injury, Jiraiya shouted loudly to Naruto, "Naruto, I'll hold Orochimaru here! You go support Kakashi and the others!"
"Got it!"
Naruto leaped up. Before leaving, his fingertip quickly shot out another Spiral Bullet. "Pervy Sage, hang in there!"
That final Spiral Bullet was his last bit of support, perfectly intercepting Orochimaru's attack and giving Jiraiya a moment to breathe.
Orochimaru looked back at the orange figure disappearing from the tree, then at the gash on his Kusanagi sword. He couldn't help but praise, "What a nice ninjutsu. I'm starting to appreciate that child more and more..."
"What a coincidence." Jiraiya gripped the kunai in his hand tightly, stared at Orochimaru's face, and snorted coldly. "That brat is the disciple I had my eye on first. A ninja of Konoha is not for a rogue like you to covet!"
-----
When Naruto arrived, Sakura had been captured and was being held hostage. Several bodies lay at Sasuke's and Kakashi's feet. They were surrounded by more than a dozen ninjas, and both sides were in a standoff.
A man who looked like the leader drew his sword, held it to Sakura's neck, and said coldly, "Sasuke Uchiha, as long as you take the kunai in your hand and kill Kakashi, I will let you and your companion go."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Sasuke couldn't help but curse. The enemy's words were clearly an insult to his intelligence. Right now, the most important thing was to repel the enemy, but these ninjas had more jutsu than the ones from the last ambush, and they were stronger. They regarded death as nothing and their fallen comrades as trash. These people had no feelings.
The enemy leader sighed, his face full of displeasure. "What a nasty-tempered brat. Can't you learn from your own jonin leader? For the sake of survival, he can kill his own comrades without mercy."
Sasuke spat contemptuously. "Nonsense. You think I'll believe such a low-level provocation?"
"He's right."
Kakashi's head was lowered. He didn't try to defend himself; he admitted it.
Sasuke turned his head in disbelief, looking at his teacher in shock. "Kakashi-sensei, what are you talking about?"
However, Kakashi ignored him and instead stared at the leader. "You talk too much. Do you already think you have victory in your grasp? Then again, a battle has even broken out where Jiraiya is, and he still can't get away. You really came fully prepared, wanting to keep us all here."
"Kakashi, still as sharp as ever..." the enemy leader praised faintly. He glanced at the crying Sakura next to him and frowned. "As a ninja, you can't be afraid of death..."
After speaking, he suddenly swung his sword, slashing at Sakura's neck.
The pink-haired girl shed tears helplessly, able only to watch as the blade fell. "Sasuke... Kakashi-sensei..."
-----
Bonus:
Orochimaru & Jiraiya Banter
Orochimaru: Jiraiya, I know all your fighting habits.
Jiraiya: You know too much...
Orochimaru: I also know your living habits.
Jiraiya: What are you trying to say? I won't give up easily!
Orochimaru: I've now become a woman, in both looks and figure...
Jiraiya: Say no more, Orochimaru. What do you want? We can talk about it.