Mei Terumī took a step forward:
"I've already figured out the weakness of your intangibility. You can't maintain it for long, and you can't attack while intangible."
She took another step.
"Tell me, where can you run this time?"
Nobunaga didn't move.
He was thinking.
Flying Thunder God. If he knew the Flying Thunder God, he could leave right now.
But he didn't.
Tsukuyomi?
After using it, he would be exhausted, and the time Mei Terumī would take to break free would only be shorter than last time.
By then, he wouldn't even be able to stand steadily and would be at their mercy.
Intangibility?
It could hide him for a while, but not for long.
Moreover, Ao was there; his sensory abilities could lock onto his position. Even if he used intangibility, he wouldn't get far.
Three against one, he didn't even have the right to struggle.
"I'll go back to the Hidden Mist with you," Nobunaga said.
Mei Terumī was stunned for a moment.
Then she smiled.
That smile was very sweet, so sweet it made one's skin crawl.
"You think I'll still believe you?"
"This time it's for real," Nobunaga said. "Once the business in Konoha is over, I'll go back with you."
"Business in Konoha?" Mei Terumī raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about the Ichibi over there? Or that Orochimaru?"
She took another step forward.
"Nobunaga, do you know how long I've waited for this opportunity? Konoha is in chaos and can't look after itself. If I take you away now, no one can stop me."
Her hand rested on the hilt of her blade.
"This time, I won't let you run again."
Nobunaga's hand also rested on the hilt of his blade.
But he knew it was useless.
The gap was too large.
Just then—
"Yo, it's quite lively here."
A voice came from the side.
Everyone turned their heads.
At the entrance of the alley stood a man with long white hair.
A red haori, wooden clogs, and the "Oil" character on his forehead protector reflected in the sunlight.
Jiraiya.
He had his hands in his pockets, with that careless smile on his face.
But his eyes narrowed slightly when he clearly saw Mei and the people behind her.
"What is the Mizukage doing..." He walked over slowly. "Where are you taking Konoha's young sprout?"
Mei Terumī narrowed her eyes.
"One of the Sannin, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya chuckled.
"That would be me."
He came to a stop beside Nobunaga.
Mei Terumī looked at him, then behind him.
No one. He was alone.
She smiled.
"Jiraiya, you want to stop me alone?"
Jiraiya scratched his head.
"One person is a bit few... but I can't just watch you take away our village's Ninja, right?"
Mei Terumī didn't speak.
Her hand rested on the hilt of her blade.
Zabuza's hand also rested on the executioners blade. Ao's eyes narrowed further, and Chakra surged within his body.
Three against one.
Even if Jiraiya was one of the Sannin, three against one, he had no guarantee of victory.
Nobunaga knew this.
Jiraiya knew it too.
But he still stood there, blocking for Nobunaga.
"Kid," Jiraiya turned his head and lowered his voice, "the trouble you've caused isn't small."
Nobunaga didn't speak.
He looked at Mei Terumī. He looked at the fire in those emerald eyes.
He suddenly spoke.
"Mei."
Mei Terumī's eyebrow twitched.
This name. It had been too long since she heard it.
"After this matter is over," Nobunaga said, "I will go to the Hidden Mist Village."
Mei Terumī looked at him and said nothing.
"This time it's for real."
Nobunaga continued, "No running. No hiding. I'll go personally. I'll kneel before you. I'll explain everything from those years, one by one."
In Mei Terumī's eyes, something flickered.
Just for a moment.
"And then," Nobunaga said, "you can deal with me however you like."
Mei Terumī was silent for three seconds.
She looked at him.
Looked at his calm eyes.
Just like that night.
Just like every time he stood before her in those years.
"You think I'll still believe you?"
Her voice was cold.
"Who are you kidding!"
She waved her hand.
"Do it!"
Zabuza moved.
The executioners blade slashed down, carrying a piercing whistle through the air.
Jiraiya raised his hand, and his white hair surged out like snakes, coiling around the blade.
Ao moved at the same time. His hands formed seals, and Water Release attacked from the side.
Mei Terumī drew her blade and went straight for Jiraiya.
Three against one.
In an instant, it turned into a life-and-death struggle.
Jiraiya's white hair blocked Zabuza's blade; he shifted his body to dodge Ao's Water Release while simultaneously kicking toward Mei Terumī's wrist.
Mei Terumī twisted her wrist, the blade's edge slicing toward his leg.
Jiraiya retracted his leg and took a step back.
Zabuza's blade slashed down again.
Ao's Water Release attacked from another direction.
Jiraiya grit his teeth.
Three against one was too much of a strain.
He found a moment to glance back.
"Kid, you go—"
It was empty behind him.
No one.
Nobunaga was gone.
Jiraiya was stunned for a moment.
Then he saw a figure sprinting at the end of the alley.
Running very fast.
Without looking back.
"Pervy Sage, you hold them off for me first!"
That voice came from afar, getting further and further away.
Jiraiya: "..."
He turned his head and looked at the three people in front of him.
Mei Terumī also looked at that retreating back.
In her eyes, that fire burned even more intensely.
But she didn't chase.
Because Jiraiya was still standing in front of her.
"Jiraiya..." Zabuza's voice squeezed out from between his teeth.
Jiraiya gave a bitter smile.
"That kid..."
He settled into a stance.
"Fine, since I promised, I'll hold you off for a while."
Mei Terumī looked at him.
"You're shielding him? Do you even know who he is?"
Jiraiya thought for a moment.
"I don't know," he said, "but he's my student."
Mei Terumī narrowed her eyes.
"Student?"
"Yeah," Jiraiya nodded, "a student in literary creation."
Mei Terumī fell silent.
Then she smiled.
That smile was very cold.
"Fine," she said, "then I won't be polite."
She raised her hand.
Chakra condensed in her palm.
Boiling Release: Skilled Mist Technique—
Jiraiya's expression changed.
He recognized that technique.
"Hey, hey, going this far—"
Mist began to spread.
In the alley, the battle broke out again.
Jiraiya fought for a few exchanges and then hurriedly retreated.
"No more fighting, no more fighting!" He waved his hands. "I'm not getting involved anymore. Go ahead and chase him. There are plenty of other young sprouts in Konoha anyway."
Mei Terumī's blade stopped in mid-air, and she was stunned for a moment.
"What did you say?"
"I said go and chase him." Jiraiya took a few steps back, still with that careless smile on his face:
"That kid runs faster than a rabbit. Is it worth me risking my life for him?"
He turned and walked in another direction.
After a few steps, he stopped.
Without turning around.
"By the way, Mizukage."
"Hm?"
Jiraiya said, "If that kid really goes with you, remember to make him finish his manuscript. I'm still waiting to read Chapter Three of 'small story after the rain'."
He continued walking forward.
Soon, he disappeared at the end of the alley.
Mei Terumī stood where she was, looking in that direction.
"Mizukage-sama?" Ao asked tentatively. "Shall we chase?"
Mei Terumī withdrew her gaze.
"Chase."
She turned and chased in the direction Nobunaga had left.
Zabuza and Ao followed.