Seeing the devastation left in the distance, Jiraiya swallowed hard again.
Then he jumped to his feet and roared at Arata:
"WHAT THE HELL!? Are you trying to KILL me, brat?!"
If he hadn't dodged in time, that slash would have cut him clean in half.
Arata, who had been admiring his own handiwork, couldn't help laughing at Jiraiya's reaction.
"You're the great Jiraiya, aren't you? Don't tell me a little move like that is too much for you?"
Seeing Arata still teasing him—and with his own chakra nearly depleted—Jiraiya immediately lost the desire to continue fighting.
"Nope! I'm done! You've gone full monster! That's gotta be Kage-level power already, isn't it?!"
Arata figured he'd already tested enough of his abilities and had no intention of dragging the fight out.
By his estimate, Jiraiya was already very close to Kage-level—just one final step short. Yet even so, he couldn't force Arata to use even half of his stamina.
Arata's power really had skyrocketed lately.
Compared to Jiraiya, Orochimaru's performance earlier looked weaker—but Arata understood why. His Armament Haki directly countered Orochimaru's soft-body modification.
If not for that, Orochimaru's toughness and his Living Corpse Substitution would've let him neutralize most attacks and launch counters whenever he pleased.
In terms of ninjutsu proficiency, Orochimaru still surpassed Jiraiya by a good margin.
And Jiraiya knew Arata too well—he'd been wary of his speed from beginning to end. Orochimaru had been careless. If they fought again, Arata wouldn't necessarily win as quickly.
With the fight over, the two sat back down and started talking about recent events in the village.
When they got to the part about Arata defeating Zoshirō—an actual Kage-level powerhouse—Jiraiya couldn't help sighing.
"Life really is unpredictable… Who would've thought that a former tokubetsu jōnin would awaken a kekkei genkai one day—and even kill a feared Kage-level shinobi?"
Zoshirō was someone even Jiraiya looked up to—definitely a top-class Kage-level opponent.
Even though Jiraiya was shocked by Arata's transformation, he didn't pry. He knew Arata would speak when he wanted to. And Jiraiya disdained poking into someone's personal secrets.
Arata appreciated that. But soon, he brought up something important—he planned to compete for the Hokage position, and he would be opposing the Third.
There was no hiding this from Jiraiya. He was one of Konoha's future top forces, and still the Third's prized student.
If Arata didn't mention it, things would only be awkward later.
Hearing that Arata planned to go against his teacher, Jiraiya didn't immediately reprimand him. He knew Arata wasn't someone who acted without cause—and he cared nothing for power for its own sake.
"Can you tell me why you want to become Hokage? Sensei's done a decent job. And Konoha seems pretty strong right now."
Arata knew it would take time for Jiraiya to see Sarutobi Hiruzen's true nature, but he still tried to explain:
"You think Konoha looks strong… but the darkness hidden beneath is sickening."
Arata laid bare the things he'd learned from Uzumaki Mito, and all the dirty deeds he personally knew the Third had done.
Everything he said could be verified—there was no possibility of lies. And when Arata mentioned that Shizune was assigned to the Intelligence/Spy Division, Jiraiya's expression hardened.
He might be a pervert, but he had never objectified women. It was precisely why he'd never married—he knew becoming a husband would ruin someone else's life.
"Is… is what you said about Shizune true? Sensei really did that?"
Arata nodded solemnly.
"She already has the Spy Division's seal carved onto her body. I haven't removed it yet. Want to see it yourself?"
Hearing this, Jiraiya finally accepted it—his heart wavering as doubt toward his teacher took root. But to turn against his sensei immediately… he still couldn't.
Arata didn't push harder.
"You don't need to decide now. Go look. See for yourself. When the time comes—then choose where you stand."
He didn't need Jiraiya's immediate loyalty. Just planting doubt was enough. That alone ensured Jiraiya wouldn't act on the Third's side later.
Seeing Arata's consideration, Jiraiya smiled faintly. Yes—he hadn't judged the wrong person. Arata truly was his best brother.
Then Arata suddenly grinned wickedly.
"I heard a new bathhouse opened in Konoha. Women only."
Jiraiya's eyes instantly turned into hearts.
"WHERE?! TAKE ME NOW!!"
---
Later that night, atop the roof of the new bathhouse, Arata and Jiraiya were "appreciating the view."
Jiraiya was practically clawing at the tiles, itching to leap down.
Arata, living with Tsunade these days, wasn't as thirsty. He mostly came along for… academic, observational criticism.
Just then, Arata sensed a familiar chakra approaching.
Jiraiya also froze mid-pervert-expression.
Both turned around at the same time—and saw Orochimaru, still wrapped in bandages.
Orochimaru frowned at them.
"You two haven't changed. Still the same pathetic hobbies…"
Arata and Jiraiya both snapped:
"You know NOTHING!"
Arata regained his composure, jumped down from the roof, and looked at Orochimaru.
"What? Didn't that beating teach you a lesson? You here to get knocked around again?"
Jiraiya's interest spiked. He also jumped down.
"Oh? You mean you got whooped by Arata? Orochimaru, is that true?"
Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya completely. Facing Arata's provocation, he didn't dare respond. Until he understood Arata's strange black-arm ability, he wouldn't fight him again.
But he turned toward Jiraiya with disdain.
"I can't beat Arata… but you? You're easy."
Jiraiya bristled instantly and was about to challenge him, but Arata stopped him.
"All right, enough. I already know why you're here. Lead the way."
Orochimaru wouldn't show up at night unless he wanted to discuss one thing—Arata's new abilities. No point wasting time.
Besides, if Orochimaru and Jiraiya fought, those two might battle until sunrise and still not settle anything.
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