chapter 96 part 3
Even the seasoned Jiraiya was somewhat overwhelmed, let alone the three fourteen-to-fifteen-year-old youngsters like Minato, who were utterly dumbfounded on the spot.
Facing two Jinchuriki at once? Throughout the history of the Shinobi World, this had never happened since the First Great War! And the crucial point was that those responsible for holding back these two Jinchuriki weren't an army, but a standard four-man squad!
"This is a huge problem now. To think the few of us would receive 'attention' from you two."
Jiraiya stood in front of his three subordinates. "But you'd best not be arrogant enough to think you can kill us easily. We might just be able to turn the tables and kill you two…"
Han coldly replied, "You seem to be telling a very bad joke. Unfortunately, I completely fail to grasp the humor in your last words."
"Stop talking nonsense! They're stalling for time, waiting for reinforcements. Kill them immediately! Be wary of that blond kid; he's a Space-Time Ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village!"
"I know. I saw him from afar during the Great Ninja War."
Red Tailed Beast Chakra immediately surged from Roshi and Han, and they simultaneously entered Tailed Beast cloak mode, greatly boosting their attack, defense, and speed.
Han said, "Blond kid, your speed better actually be faster than mine, the 'Steam Ninja.' Be even 0.01 seconds slower, and you'll die a terrible death."
The Four-Tails' ability was Lava Release; its Jutsu largely manifested as Lava. The Five-Tails, conversely, possessed Boil Release, capable of generating incredibly vast amounts of high-temperature steam.
Han, whose speed was already significantly boosted by entering Tailed Beast Transformation, could further enhance his speed by generating steam.
"These two bastards, not leaving a single opening, going all out from the start," Jiraiya muttered, a bitter taste in his mouth.
He hesitated whether to summon Gamabunta the Wart Toad, but felt doing so would likely get Gamabunta killed.
Did he have to enter Sage Mode again? But the thought of summoning those two Toad Sages only made Jiraiya more anxious. He really didn't want to converse too much with them; any conversation would inevitably bring up Nagato. If they made demands of him regarding Nagato, how could he refuse?
Using the power of Mount Myoboku yet refusing its commands? "If I must die, then I'll die here in battle. I've already made too many mistakes; I shouldn't continue doing so. I need to buy Nagato as much opportunity for free development as possible."
Jiraiya made up his mind, glancing at Minato Namikaze behind him. With Minato's abilities, escaping wouldn't be difficult…
"Sensei… are you…" Minato's senses were sharp.
"Someone has to stay and stop them," Jiraiya said, forcing a confident smile. "Toad Sages won't lose to Jinchuriki!"
Swish! Two figures lunged towards Jiraiya's squad, moving incredibly fast—so fast that only Jiraiya and Minato could react in time!
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizō!"
Jiraiya extended his hair, forming a massive spiked shield. Immediately after, his Hand Kaedegns changed rapidly, a dizzying blur: "Ninja Art: Needle Senbon!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Countless strands of hair transformed into hard, white needles, stabbing at the two Jinchuriki one after another.
"I was just waiting for you to charge in! Even with your Tailed Beast cloaks, you won't be able to nullify the penetrative power of my Needle Senbon!" Jiraiya gritted his teeth inwardly.
Normally, however, it would be best to enter Sage Mode before activating Needle Senbon. That way, the hair would be harder and sharper, launched more frequently and in greater numbers, creating an endless barrage, like an automatic turret capable of wide-range attacks.
But now there was no time for that. Kaedence Jiraiya had resolved to use Sage Mode as little as possible to buy Nagato precious time free from outside interference, he had already prepared himself for sacrifice.
"Hmph, this kind of Jutsu…"
Roshi's body sizzled as he spat out multiple Lava Spheres that clashed with the numerous needles. While insufficient to destroy all the needles, he hid behind the moving trajectory of the Lava Spheres, ensuring his safety.
Lava Release clearly had a certain counter-effect against the Ninja Art: Needle Jizō line of Ninjutsu.
Boom! Boom!
Occasionally, Lava Spheres were pierced and shattered by Needle Senbon, but even when reduced to many tiny fragments, under the effect of inertia, many burning pieces still fell onto Jiraiya's hair.
What's more, two Lava Spheres completely destroyed Needle Senbon along their path and smashed largely intact into the Ninja Art: Needle Jizō shield. Amidst rumbling sounds, they blasted distinct dents into the giant shield, and high-temperature flames rapidly spread.
Han, however, did not directly attack. An ear-splitting noise suddenly erupted from his body, and large amounts of steam jetted out. His figure vanished from the front instantly. By the time Jiraiya and the others reacted, Han had already flashed behind the four of them.
"Too slow, your hair."
Han leaped, kicking out fiercely, but it was Minato he attacked first: "Boil Release: Jet Foot!"
A larger surge of steam erupted from Han's body. Under high-speed propulsion, the destructive power of this kick increased exponentially, far exceeding the strength an ordinary Ninja could achieve by fighting desperately!
The Five-Tails, among the nine Tailed Beasts, originally possessed the highest Taijutsu proficiency, and also greatly favored Taijutsu attacks in battle.
Han, as the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, mastered the Five-Tails' Boil Release and thus had no choice but to learn the Five-Tails' preferred combat style, to maximize his strength.
That terrifying kick was about to turn Minato into a bloody mess, not to mention the horrifying scorching effect of the spreading high-temperature steam.
Minato stood motionless. In that fleeting moment, he seemed to have completely failed to keep up with Han's rhythm. Just as Han was about to kick his head in, his figure abruptly vanished, simultaneously transferring Jiraiya and his other two teammates.
"He missed. The Flying Raijin Jutsu really is convenient. That blond kid's neural reflex speed and Jutsu activation speed exceeded my expectations."
Han was a little surprised, but only a little.