246-250

Chapter 246

Infused with a large amount of chakra, the white hair became as hard as steel needles. It wrapped around Kimimaro, stabbing at his skin relentlessly, as if trying to pierce him through.

“As expected of Pervy Sage!”

Naruto cheered in delight, seeing Jiraiya take the upper hand so quickly.

However, Naruto knew full well that relying on a single move to defeat Kimimaro would be wishful thinking.

“What a peculiar jutsu.”

Kimimaro commented softly, activating the power of the Byakugan’s “Mirror Force” to replicate the techniques used against him.

Once complete, chakra surged within his body, and his pressure points erupted with sharp Wind Release chakra.

*Shatter!*

The wind blades shredded Jiraiya’s hardened hair into fragments, freeing Kimimaro with ease.

“To unleash Wind Release chakra on such a scale through the pressure points—this surpasses even Hiashi Hyuga’s abilities.”

While releasing chakra from the body’s pressure points wasn’t exclusive to the Hyuga clan, few in the ninja world could match their mastery.

Kimimaro’s control, however, was extraordinary, leaving Jiraiya puzzled.

“This touches upon the Bloodline Limit of the Byakugan. It’s not just about the eyes—it involves the entire body. Could it be that Kimimaro awakened the power of the Byakugan on his own?”

“Jiraiya-senpai, it’s my turn now.”

Kimimaro brandished a bone sword, increasing the intensity of his attacks.

Jiraiya, knowing better than to be careless, met him head-on.

*Taijutsu Clash!*

Kimimaro’s swordsmanship was exceptional, and while Jiraiya’s taijutsu was commendable, it wasn’t his specialty. As the battle wore on, Jiraiya began to fall behind.

Taijutsu was clearly Kimimaro’s domain.

Jiraiya, a ninja more skilled in ninjutsu than physical combat, couldn’t maintain the upper hand for long.

The fierce exchange left Naruto and Sakura, watching from the sidelines, utterly dazzled.

“So strong,” Naruto muttered, clenching his left fist. Despite his intense training, he realized just how far he was from reaching their level.

“When will I gain such strength? If I had this power, I could definitely pull Sasuke out of the darkness!”

Naruto steeled his resolve as Jiraiya blocked a powerful kick from Kimimaro, only to be sent flying several meters.

“What monstrous strength! It rivals Tsunade’s, but this isn’t brute force—it’s a new taijutsu technique built from strength.”

The brief clash confirmed Kimimaro’s overwhelming power. Jiraiya realized he couldn’t win without revealing his trump card.

Kimimaro’s unique blend of the Byakugan, Shikotsumyaku, and mastery of taijutsu presented an incredible challenge. Moreover, with three more Akatsuki members in the vicinity, Jiraiya decided on a swift end.

Biting his thumb, Jiraiya formed hand seals.

*“Summoning Jutsu!”*

Two puffs of smoke heralded the arrival of Gamaken and Gamahiro, two large toads who immediately assumed a defensive stance.

Then, Jiraiya painted red markings on his face, clasping his hands together to begin gathering Sage Chakra.

Kimimaro raised a brow. “He’s entering Sage Mode already? Interesting.”

As Jiraiya prepared his transformation, Gamaken and Gamahiro moved to intercept Kimimaro, cutting off his attack routes. Their teamwork formed an impenetrable defense.

Naruto, watching Jiraiya’s strange stance and facial markings, couldn’t help but wonder, “What’s he doing? Why does his face look like that?”

“It must be some kind of ultimate move,” Sakura guessed.

“Ultimate move?” Naruto muttered, choosing to trust Jiraiya’s judgment in battle.

Meanwhile, Kimimaro responded in kind. Biting his finger, he performed his own summoning jutsu.

*Bang!*

Out stepped a gleaming golden beast—the Golden Sword Lion.

“You can entertain those toads for a while.”

With that, the Golden Sword Lion charged, engaging both Gamaken and Gamahiro in a fierce battle. While the lion held the upper hand in sheer power, the toads excelled in defense, holding their ground.

Jiraiya observed calmly. “I didn’t expect you to have such a formidable summon.”

“Ninja must always keep hidden cards. Once your secrets are fully exposed, death is close at hand—unless you’re as strong as the First Hokage,” Kimimaro replied.

“I see Orochimaru taught you well,” Jiraiya said, probing for information.

“Orochimaru-sensei has taught me much, and for that, I’m grateful,” Kimimaro replied.

“And Tsunade? What does she mean to you?”

Kimimaro’s expression softened. “Tsunade-senpai saved my life. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today.”

His gratitude toward Tsunade was genuine, underscored by bonds of mentorship, friendship, and something deeper. She was one of the few people Kimimaro could never bring himself to harm.

“Then why oppose Konoha? Why join the Akatsuki?” Jiraiya pressed.

“Tsunade-senpai is one thing; Konoha is another. As for the Akatsuki, they possess what I need,” Kimimaro replied bluntly.

“Enough talk, Jiraiya-senpai. Your chakra is ready, isn’t it?”

Realizing his stalling tactics were no secret, Jiraiya smiled wryly. The battle was about to reach its climax.

In Jiraiya’s view, Kimimaro’s decision not to stop him was either because he truly harbored no ill intent or because he was supremely confident in his own strength.

Judging by Kimimaro’s earlier actions, it was likely a combination of both.

“Heh, you’ve waited long enough. Sage Mode, activate!”

With a low shout, Jiraiya unleashed a terrifying aura.

*Sage Mode activated!*

Two small toads appeared on Jiraiya’s shoulders, seemingly merging with him. His appearance underwent a striking transformation.

His nose enlarged and became covered in warts. Red markings spread across his face, seamlessly connecting with the blood-drawn lines from earlier. A white beard sprouted from his chin, his eyes turned into toad-like slits, and his limbs swelled, resembling the limbs of a toad.

*Mount Myoboku’s Sage Mode!*

Jiraiya’s presence surged dramatically, drawing everyone’s attention.

“This level of power…”

Kakuzu, shocked, distanced himself from Kakashi to focus on Jiraiya.

“One of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, has such strength? Orochimaru doesn’t even come close. No wonder even the leader is wary of Konoha—it’s because of this man!”

Kakuzu, who had lived for a long time and encountered many powerful figures, could count on one hand those who rivaled Jiraiya. Among them were the First Hokage and Pain. Of course, the First Hokage stood far above Pain and Jiraiya.

“Kimimaro’s strength is unfathomable. I wonder how he’ll fare against Jiraiya in this state,” Kakuzu thought to himself, curious about the outcome.

Kakashi, also captivated by Sage Mode’s overwhelming aura, muttered, “I never expected Kimimaro to push Lord Jiraiya into using Sage Mode. Now that he has, victory is almost guaranteed.”

As the Fourth Hokage’s student, Kakashi had witnessed the fearsome power of Sage Mode. Its formidable boost remained etched in his memory.

Once Sage Mode was unleashed, the user surpassed the realm of ordinary shinobi.

“If Lord Jiraiya is giving it his all, I can’t afford to waste time either.”

Having fought Kakuzu for some time, Kakashi had deciphered much of his opponent’s abilities. It was time for the hunt to begin.

*Kakashi launched his counterattack!*

Meanwhile, Yamato had already trapped Hidan with his Wood Release.

“Damn it! Let me go! You’ll regret this—the Jashin will have his revenge!”

Hidan cursed loudly, but Yamato remained unfazed.

“Annoying pest.”

With a cold snort, Yamato transformed his right hand into a wooden blade and struck Hidan’s neck, decapitating him.

Hidan’s head rolled on the ground, yet his voice persisted.

“Argh! Do you have any idea how much that hurts, you bastard? I’ll sacrifice you to Lord Jashin!”

“This…” Yamato was stunned.

An immortal? He had seen many strange things but never someone who could survive decapitation.

Yamato quickly formed seals and placed Hidan’s head in a wooden box.

“Damn it! You think my head is some trinket to shove in a box?” Hidan kept shouting, but Yamato ignored him.

After dealing with Hidan, Yamato turned his attention to Jiraiya and Kimimaro’s battle.

“This is truly an incredible fight. I wonder who will come out on top.”

Everyone was drawn to the clash between Jiraiya and Kimimaro, waiting for the final result. The level of this battle was beyond their ability to intervene.

*Back to the fight, the true confrontation had just begun.*

“Jiraiya-boy, didn’t you say this form was ugly and that you didn’t want to use it? Yet, here you are, pulling it out to deal with a kid,” Fukasaku teased.

“Sigh, I had no choice. The young shinobi these days are ridiculously strong. Without the two of you helping, I wouldn’t stand a chance,” Jiraiya admitted reluctantly.

“To put you in such a bind? Who is this kid?” Shima wondered aloud.

Jiraiya, their pupil, was someone whose strength they knew intimately. Even in his normal state, he was nearly unmatched. Yet, this seemingly ordinary boy was holding his own.

“Is that… the Byakugan? A member of the Hyuga clan?” Fukasaku asked, noticing Kimimaro’s eyes.

“No, he’s not from the Hyuga clan. He’s the last of the Kaguya clan. Somehow, he can also awaken the Byakugan,” Jiraiya explained.

“A Kaguya awakening the Byakugan? Could the legend be true?” Fukasaku gasped.

“What legend?”

“I once heard from the Great Toad Sage that the Sage of Six Paths left behind several bloodlines: the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki clans. The Sage also had a brother who left behind two bloodlines: the Hyuga and Kaguya clans. If this is true, it’s no wonder their abilities overlap.”

“This… There’s so much about the ninja world that we don’t know,” Jiraiya said, deeply shocked.

“Jiraiya-boy, why are you fighting a Kaguya?” Shima inquired.

“He’s joined the Akatsuki, and they’re after the Tailed Beasts. They’ll eventually target Naruto and Konoha. I had no choice.”

“I see. It seems this battle is unavoidable.”

Understanding the stakes, Fukasaku and Shima prepared to fight.

*“Sage Art: Goemon!”*

Fukasaku unleashed a Wind Release technique, Jiraiya sprayed toad oil, and Shima followed with a Fire Release, creating a massive inferno.

The roaring flames surged toward Kimimaro, threatening to engulf him.

Kimimaro, unfazed, gazed at the oncoming fire with his Byakugan reflecting its glow. It was his first time seeing such a powerful Fire Release.

“Is Jiraiya’s Fire Release really this strong? Unbelievable,” Naruto muttered in awe, while Sakura gaped, speechless.

The usually lecherous Jiraiya revealed a terrifying side that few had witnessed.

Just as Kimimaro was about to be consumed, a pale dragon emerged.

*“Azure Dragon Slash!”*

The blade of Kimimaro’s sword emitted a dragon-shaped aura that tore through the flames.

A dragon’s roar echoed, shaking the battlefield. Naruto and Sakura instinctively covered their ears.

The blazing inferno split in two as the dragon surged through.

Kimimaro, standing atop the dragon’s head, stared down at Jiraiya and the two toad sages.

“Amplify the flames!” Fukasaku ordered. The trio intensified their attack, forcing the fire to converge again.

The dragon was engulfed, and its roar faded. However, a chilling, maniacal laugh broke through.

“Ha! Finally, a worthy opponent. Now, let’s see what I can really do!”

The flames hadn’t harmed Kimimaro. As the dragon emerged once more, his face was now half-covered by a mask.

*Kimimaro’s Sage-Hollow Mode, Stage One, activated!*

His presence became even more menacing. The bone sword in his hand turned pitch black.

“This aura… It’s monstrous,” Fukasaku muttered.

“It’s similar to Ryuchi Cave’s Sage Mode,” Shima observed.

“For someone so young to master Sage Mode to this degree… he’s a monster!” Fukasaku marveled. Facing Kimimaro, he felt genuine unease for the first time.

“No wonder he wasn’t worried about me buying time earlier,” Jiraiya whispered.

Kimimaro had clearly anticipated Sage Mode.

*Universal Pull!*

Kimimaro extended his left hand, unleashing a powerful gravitational force that pulled the sea of flames toward him. It appeared as if the dragon itself was devouring the fire.

*“Detonate!”*

Leaping from the dragon’s head, Kimimaro detonated the flames and dragon simultaneously.

*Boom!*

The resulting explosion sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Naruto and Sakura were blown away, crying out in pain. Even Jiraiya struggled to steady himself.

“This guy… Is he insane?”

Chapter 247

Kimimaro's method of neutralizing the inferno created by Goemon far exceeded Jiraiya's expectations.

The technique was so risky that a single miscalculation could result in Kimimaro being caught in the explosion himself.

This kind of high-risk, high-reward combat, akin to dancing on a razor’s edge, was something Jiraiya had never encountered before.

Desperation could push anyone to their limits, but this wasn’t a situation that called for such measures. Yet Kimimaro was already displaying signs of fighting with reckless abandon, which left Jiraiya deeply unsettled.

And then there was that half-face mask. Once Kimimaro donned it, his power surged dramatically, as though he had become a different person entirely.

“Little Jiraiya, it’s now clear that this boy’s Sage Power comes from Ryuchi Cave. The Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku emphasizes physical training, whereas Ryuchi Cave’s focuses more on spiritual strength. This distinction creates subtle differences in their training,” Fukasaku analyzed.

“In Mount Myoboku’s Sage Mode, the body undergoes a frog-like transformation. The smaller the transformation, the more perfected the Sage Mode.

In contrast, Ryuchi Cave’s Sage Mode triggers changes through spiritual energy, often leading to mental instability and altered behavior.

If one can fully control this transformation, they achieve a perfect Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode.

The boy’s descent into apparent madness stems from this process. However, since he’s limited these changes to a heightened battle instinct, his Sage Mode is already highly refined.”

Fukasaku's explanation brought sudden clarity to Jiraiya.

No wonder Kimimaro's combat style had turned so ferocious.

“In this state, his power increases dramatically. Defeating him won’t be easy. Prepare for a tough battle, little Jiraiya,” Fukasaku warned.

“To think I’d get another chance to face Ryuchi Cave’s Sage Mode… it reminds me of my younger days,” Shima added, a nostalgic gleam in her eyes.

As one ages, memories often flood the mind.

Jiraiya, eyes locked on the airborne Kimimaro, wore a grave expression.

He had believed that unleashing his own Sage Mode would guarantee victory. But now, it was clear the opponent had hidden depths.

This battle would be anything but simple.

“Bakudō #30: Triple Beak Piercer!”

Kimimaro extended his left hand, golden beams forming into three sharp energy lances targeting Jiraiya, Fukasaku, and Shima simultaneously.

Jiraiya didn’t dare ignore this and charged directly toward Kimimaro. Meanwhile, Fukasaku formed hand signs and unleashed three powerful water slashes from his mouth.

Water Slash!

The blue streams collided with the golden beams, neutralizing each other in a shower of sparks and mist.

A perfect stalemate.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya’s right hand gathered a tremendous amount of chakra.

“Sage Art: Giant Rasengan!”

The massive Rasengan, nearly five meters in diameter, roared toward Kimimaro.

Beneath his mask, Kimimaro's lips curled into a smirk. In an instant, his figure vanished.

Shunpo!

His already blinding speed, amplified by his Sage Mode, became nearly incomprehensible.

Even Jiraiya, in Sage Mode, struggled to track him. Just as the Rasengan was about to connect, Kimimaro disappeared, reappearing beside Jiraiya.

“What?!”

Jiraiya, Fukasaku, and Shima were all caught off guard by the sudden move.

“Tongue Binding Jutsu!”

Shima, the more seasoned fighter, reacted instantly, launching her long tongue like a rope to entangle Kimimaro.

But Kimimaro was prepared.

“Crimson Flare Eightfold Strike!”

Blazing flames erupted from his jet-black bone sword.

An eight-strike sword technique!

Kimimaro’s rapid slashes, infused with flame, left deep gashes on Shima’s tongue, forcing it to retract.

“Ah, that stings!” Shima cried out, her speech slurred by the injury.

Kimimaro didn’t let up, directing his assault toward Jiraiya.

However, Shima’s interference gave Jiraiya enough time to react.

The Giant Rasengan in his right hand dissipated, and his left hand flared with chakra.

“Giant Rasengan!”

Jiraiya unleashed another Rasengan, directly meeting Kimimaro’s sword head-on.

Boom!

The clash was explosive. The Rasengan, nearly as powerful as a Tailed Beast Bomb, overwhelmed the black bone sword, despite its resilience.

Kimimaro shifted to a defensive stance, his sword absorbing as much of the Rasengan’s force as possible.

Crack!

A sharp sound signaled the bone sword snapping in half.

Kimimaro’s pupils shrank as the Rasengan’s residual force slammed into him.

Boom!

The attack struck the ground, carving out a massive crater.

Jiraiya landed cautiously, scanning the settling dust.

“Is it over?” he muttered.

“No, his aura hasn’t weakened in the slightest,” Fukasaku replied, his sharp senses never losing track of Kimimaro.

Indeed, as the dust cleared, Kimimaro emerged, unscathed save for a dust-covered cloak and a broken sword.

His black-and-red robe remained mostly intact, a testament to his formidable defense.

“His Shikotsumyaku makes his body nearly invincible. If that were me, I’d at least have some serious injuries,” Jiraiya admitted, awed by Kimimaro’s resilience.

Bloodline limits truly were a gift.

Kimimaro examined his broken sword, shaking his head slightly.

“A casually formed bone sword isn’t durable enough. I’ll need to forge a specialized one later. The Sword of Clow’s sharpness comes at the cost of durability.”

After muttering to himself, Kimimaro tossed the pitch-black bone sword in his hand to the ground. The blade sank into the earth, leaving only the hilt visible.

*"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"*

Jiraiya didn’t pause for long. After forming a series of hand signs, he turned the large crater created by his Rasengan into a deep swamp.

Kimimaro was instantly swallowed by the mire. Jiraiya seized the opportunity to strike.

*"Using a swamp to restrict my movement?"*

Kimimaro quickly deduced Jiraiya’s plan.

Kimimaro's astonishing speed earlier had clearly made Jiraiya wary. Without slowing him down, the battle would become increasingly challenging.

But Jiraiya knew that relying solely on the swamp wouldn’t be enough to completely suppress Kimimaro. So, he opted for close combat.

As the creator of the Swamp of the Underworld, Jiraiya was adept at maneuvering within it, while its effects limited Kimimaro’s chakra-enhanced mobility. In close quarters, Jiraiya felt the swamp and his Sage Mode enhancements might level the playing field.

And for a while, they did.

Thanks to the swamp and Sage Mode, Jiraiya managed to match Kimimaro in taijutsu—a feat that would normally be impossible.

*"Little Jiraiya, that boy’s Sage Mode is indeed refined, but its amplification isn't as potent as yours. This is our chance!"*

Fukasaku’s voice rang out in Jiraiya’s mind.

With a quick roundhouse kick, Jiraiya struck Kimimaro square in the stomach, sending him flying several meters before the swamp began to reclaim him.

*"I’ve noticed that too. Normally, my taijutsu wouldn’t hold up against his, but this is giving me the edge. Still, it won’t be enough to win outright."*

*"We’ll help pin him down. You wait for the perfect opening,"* Shima suggested.

*"Understood."*

Kimimaro rose slowly from the swamp, his pale white eyes glinting with a hint of madness.

Before Jiraiya could launch another attack, the two toads struck first.

*"Tongue Slash!"*

Fukasaku and Shima extended their tongues like twin blades, aiming for Kimimaro as Jiraiya crouched, seemingly preparing something.

Kimimaro sneered. His hands blurred as they moved.

*"Too slow."*

Kimimaro caught both tongues in mid-air, gripping them tightly.

*"Not good!"*

The two sages immediately sensed danger.

*"Hado #4: Byakurai!"*

A bolt of white lightning crackled to life in Kimimaro’s hands, surging down the tongues toward their owners.

*"Gah!"*

The toad sages let out cries of pain as the lightning struck.

But at the same time, Jiraiya made his move.

*"Sage Art: Needle Jizo!"*

Jiraiya’s hair extended and hardened, transforming into thousands of gleaming white needles that rained down upon Kimimaro.

Kimimaro released the tongues and activated his Byakugan to its fullest extent.

*"Mirror Replication… Insight."*

As the deadly rain of needles closed in, Kimimaro spun rapidly.

*"Rotation!"*

A swirling dome of blue chakra erupted around Kimimaro, deflecting every needle with ease.

Meanwhile, Fukasaku and Shima, though singed, recovered quickly.

*"Rotation, a Hyuga technique! He’s actually mastered it?"*

Jiraiya’s expression darkened as he observed Kimimaro's technique.

Kimimaro didn’t stop there. Using the force of his spin, he propelled himself out of the swamp, landing gracefully on solid ground.

Leaping into the air, he extended his hand, gathering chakra as he chanted softly:

*"Scattered bones of the beast! Spires, red crystals, wheels of steel! Movement as wind, stillness as the void! Roar of the lances, shake the heavens! Hado #63: Raikoho!"*

A brilliant golden lightning blast coalesced in Kimimaro’s palm before shooting toward Jiraiya. The sheer speed and destructive energy left little room to evade.

*"Not good!"*

Jiraiya recognized the threat instantly. The destructive power of this technique rivaled a Tailed Beast Bomb.

With no time to dodge, Jiraiya activated his strongest defensive technique.

*"Sage Art: Needle Jizo!"*

This time, his hair formed an enormous, impenetrable shield, reinforced by Sage Chakra.

*Boom!*

The golden lightning struck, blasting the hair shield and leaving it scorched and fragmented. Jiraiya barely managed to hold his ground.

*"This boy’s taijutsu and ninjutsu are both terrifyingly strong. To defeat him, we’ll have to use genjutsu."*

Shima suggested a plan.

Jiraiya nodded. *"I’ll leave it to you two."*

The two toads exchanged a glance and began their preparations.

Jiraiya’s shield dissipated, leaving him visibly fatigued. Meanwhile, the toads brought their hands together, emitting a strange and resonant croaking.

*"Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant!"*

The powerful sound-based genjutsu enveloped Kimimaro.

For a moment, he hesitated. Then, he found himself within a massive bubble surrounded by four armored toads aiming their weapons at him.

*"It worked!"*

Jiraiya allowed himself a small smile.

But before they could celebrate, something shifted.

Kimimaro’s face twisted into a grin.

*"Sage Void Mode, Second Stage!"*

A full bone mask extended over Kimimaro’s face, and the golden patterns on his forehead unfurled. His Byakugan glowed with a mysterious golden light.

*"You thought that would stop me?"*

Chapter 248

The water prison is boiling!

It seemed as though it wasn’t a person trapped in the water prison, but a blazing flame.

Crack!  

With a crisp sound, a fissure appeared in the water prison, which had been formed with the power of illusions.

At the same time, the right palms of the four giant toads outside the water prison began to crack as well.

Outside the illusion, Jiraiya and the two Great Toad Sages, who had just relaxed, immediately tensed up again.

"What’s going on?"

From Kimimaro’s previously silent body, a sudden black glow erupted.

The golden swirling pattern on his forehead emitted a brilliant golden light.

In an instant, the golden pattern seemed like an eye about to open.

“What powerful ocular power!”

Jiraiya was shocked.

“This ocular power doesn’t seem to come from the Byakugan. This power…”

Fukasaku Sage frowned deeply as an invisible pressure settled over them, including the two toads.

“This is bad! Move quickly!”

Shima Sage exclaimed in alarm.

At that very moment, white bones began to emerge from Kimimaro's body, spreading outward from him.

Seeing this, Jiraiya quickly dodged. His toad-like legs burst forth with astonishing speed, taking him over a hundred meters away in mere moments.

Boom!  

White bones spread out in all directions, forming what looked like a forest of bones.

*Dance of the Early Fern!*

And this was only the beginning of Sage Mode Level Two.

Kimimaro slowly opened his pale white eyes, fixing his gaze directly on Jiraiya.

For a moment, an overwhelming pressure washed over them.

“What immense pressure. Is this the Byakugan's power?”

Jiraiya felt as though a thousand-pound weight bore down on him from that gaze, making even his Sage body struggle.

He had seen the Byakugan before, but never had it emanated such oppressive power.

Yet, this wasn’t what unnerved him the most.

The swirling pattern on Kimimaro’s forehead, resembling a third eye, gave him an even worse feeling.

“The illusion has been broken,” Fukasaku Sage immediately identified the issue.

Kimimaro wasn’t just radiating a powerful aura but also immense mental energy.

Within the seal of his Sage Void Mark, he had hidden a reserve of mental energy, allowing him to break free from any illusion at will.

This technique sounded simple, but in reality, there wasn’t anyone else in the shinobi world who could accomplish it besides Kimimaro.

“He broke it? This…”

For a moment, Jiraiya didn’t know how to react.

The *Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant* was arguably the pinnacle of genjutsu he had encountered.

Even Itachi’s Tsukuyomi paled in comparison to its terrifying power.

Yet here, within mere moments, Kimimaro had shattered its hold.

Just how strong was this young man?

And what secrets was he hiding?

Before Jiraiya could think further, Kimimaro appeared in front of him.

“Jiraiya-sensei, your techniques are quite impressive.”

A white bony mask now fully covered Kimimaro’s face, with eerie black patterns slithering across it.

As Jiraiya met Kimimaro’s gaze, time seemed to freeze completely.

“Genjutsu!”

The next moment, Jiraiya and the two Great Toad Sages found themselves trapped in an illusory space.

Gone was the previous bone forest, replaced instead by an endless desert.

“What an incredible ocular technique, ensnaring all three of us simultaneously,” Jiraiya said gravely.

“No, it doesn’t feel like an ocular technique. It seems more like a sound-based genjutsu. My wife and I didn’t even make eye contact with that boy; it can’t be ocular-based,” Fukasaku Sage countered.

Sound-based genjutsu?

Kimimaro could do that too?

Jiraiya felt increasingly unable to see through the depths of this young man’s abilities.

“As expected of the Great Toad Sages of Mount Myoboku. You’ve immediately seen through the essence of this technique. Yes, this is indeed a sound-based genjutsu.”

Kimimaro’s figure slowly emerged before Jiraiya and the two sages.

Indeed, Kimimaro was skilled in sound-based genjutsu.

*He had been practicing the Illusory Sound Lock technique he learned from Douyou, aiming to push it to deeper levels.*

Having witnessed the terrifying power of Hama's Singing, he fully understood the potential of sound-based illusions. If he could master the Illusory Sound Lock to its peak, it would become a formidable weapon. The result of Kimimaro's research and development was the current technique: *Mind Sound Lock*.

By uttering a single illusory word, he could produce effects comparable to playing an illusory melody on a flute. However, this was merely one of the activation conditions.

To perform the Mind Sound Lock, one also needed the illusory power of the Byakugan and the cooperation of the Illusionary Clow Cards. Additionally, the strength of Sage Mode’s second stage, harnessing the power of a sage, was required for successful execution.

The more powerful the technique, the more intricate its requirements.

It was precisely because Kimimaro developed this technique that he could embed mental energy capable of breaking all illusions within the Sage Void Seal.

“It seems I underestimated you,” Jiraiya sighed. At this point, it was clear he had lost. All three of them were caught in an illusion, leaving no chance for a comeback. Kimimaro had all the time he needed to finish them.

“Jiraiya-senpai, you and Tsunade-senpai are allies, not my enemies. Your enemies won't be me, nor perhaps the current Akatsuki organization.”

Jiraiya’s eyes showed a hint of confusion as he asked softly, “What is it that you’re trying to do?”

“I’m merely someone seeking immortality.”

“Immortality? You really are a disciple of Orochimaru. A vain and elusive dream that will never come true. In the process, you’ll only lose more.”

Jiraiya’s eyes filled with anger, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.

“No. If it’s just about seeking immortality, Lord Orochimaru has already succeeded.”

“What?”

Jiraiya was shocked. Orochimaru succeeded? How could that be? Could immortality truly exist?

“Jiraiya-senpai, as for Lord Orochimaru, you’ll have the chance to discuss it with him in the future. For now, we’re here to talk about the future of this ninja world.”

Looking at Kimimaro, who wore a bizarre mask, Jiraiya gradually calmed down. He realized that Kimimaro was using this illusory space to convey something important.

“What is it you want to achieve?” This was the second time Jiraiya posed the question.

“I wish to pave a path of peace for Tsunade-senpai—a path that can change the ninja world and give her peace of mind.”

“Peace in the ninja world cannot be achieved through slaughter.”

“Jiraiya-senpai, to hear such naïve words from a battle-hardened veteran like you is truly surprising. Perhaps you’ve forgotten how much blood stains your hands. Blood from the Mist, the Stone, the Sand, the Cloud, from smaller villages, and even from within Konoha itself!”

Jiraiya fell silent.

His hands were far from clean. No ninja who had lived through the war-torn eras could claim purity.

Chapter 249

Jiraiya took a deep breath and said slowly, “Precisely because my hands are stained with blood, I understand that killing is not the way to achieve peace. Only when an era of mutual understanding arrives will true peace descend.”

Hearing this, Kimimaro sneered coldly.

“Jiraiya-sensei, your idea is a fantasy, not a realizable ideal. Mutual understanding? How easy do you think that is? Hatred, once born, is nearly impossible to erase.”

Jiraiya was momentarily speechless.

Of course, he knew this truth.

“Precisely because it’s difficult, we must persist. Otherwise, wouldn’t we just allow this world to be swallowed by darkness? The path to your version of peace will only bring more killing.”

“No, only necessary killing. Hatred won’t disappear, but it can be redirected. If there exists one being that can absorb all the world’s hatred, at least peace could come to most places.”

Jiraiya seemed to ponder this.

“The being you speak of—is it the Akatsuki?”

“Correct. The Akatsuki, which aims to gather all nine Tailed Beasts, will become the epicenter of hatred. And with the power of the nine Tailed Beasts, the Akatsuki will be so strong that even the Five Great Shinobi Villages combined couldn’t stand against it. In that way, peace will inevitably arrive.”

“Ridiculous! Leaving the world’s fate in the hands of a few individuals is far too dangerous!”

Jiraiya was naturally opposed.

“Jiraiya-sensei, isn’t the world’s fate already in the hands of a few individuals?”

Kimimaro sneered.

“This…”

Jiraiya was again at a loss for words.

After all, the current peace of the world was also in the hands of a few—namely, the Five Kage.

“Jiraiya-sensei, do you think the decaying shinobi village system can truly safeguard the world, or would carving out a new path offer more hope?

Don’t forget, when the First Hokage created the village system, it was for peace. But within mere decades of its establishment, three great shinobi wars broke out, with casualties no less severe than those of the Warring States Period.

The evidence shows that his decision was flawed. At the very least, it wasn’t entirely correct.”

Kimimaro’s words left Jiraiya speechless.

Indeed, after the formation of the shinobi villages, the peace of the ninja world had been intermittent.

It had been less than twenty years since the last shinobi war.

Yet in recent years, the signs of another great conflict were becoming increasingly apparent.

The Land of Lightning’s military strength continued to grow, and few believed it harbored no ambitions.

Iwagakure’s forces were dwindling, and they even had to rely on mercenary ninja.

For reasons unknown, Kirigakure had suffered heavy losses in recent years.

Sunagakure, Konoha’s ally, had long been at the bottom of the rankings.

As for Konoha itself, it was far from its peak of twenty years ago.

In this context, it seemed unlikely that the increasingly powerful Kumogakure would pass up such an opportunity.

Even without the Akatsuki, the peace of the ninja world wouldn’t last long.

Jiraiya fell into silence as Kimimaro continued, “The tides of history shift: unification follows division, and division follows unification. After a century of division, perhaps it’s time for unification. The Akatsuki is merely a stepping stone, not the final outcome.”

“Unification follows division, division follows unification…”

Jiraiya muttered to himself, finding these words increasingly reasonable.

“Jiraiya-sensei, I can tell you something about the Akatsuki—something very important to you.”

“What is it?”

“The leader of the Akatsuki is known by the codename Pain, but his real name is Nagato.”

“Nagato!”

Jiraiya was stunned.

That name—he knew it all too well.

He had always thought that the "Child of Prophecy" mentioned in the Great Toad Sage's words referred to Nagato, the boy with the Rinnegan.

That child also shared ideals that he admired.

But shortly after returning to Konoha, Jiraiya received news of the deaths of Nagato and his two companions.

So, Jiraiya always thought Nagato was just a tragic figure.

Who would have guessed that Nagato was not only alive but had also founded the terrifying Akatsuki organization?

"The child with the Rinnegan?"

After a long silence, Fukasaku finally spoke.

Jiraiya nodded and said, "Yes, him. I always thought he was dead. I never imagined he was not only alive but has been actively moving in the shinobi world."

"He's your disciple too, so could it be that he is…"

Fukasaku left his words unfinished, but Jiraiya understood what he meant.

The Child of Prophecy!

Jiraiya had dedicated his entire life to chasing after those four words.

At this moment, it seemed Jiraiya had made a choice. He spoke softly, "Kimimaro, I don't know what you and Nagato are planning or what your goals are. But judging by your actions now, it seems you're trying to persuade me to cooperate.

If that's the case, you'll have to agree to one condition before I even consider it."

"I agree."

Kimimaro's straightforward response took Jiraiya by surprise.

"You haven't even heard what my condition is, and you agree?"

"I already know what you want. One month from now, come to the Hidden Rain Village. I'll arrange for you to meet Nagato."

Kimimaro's words struck directly at Jiraiya's intentions, making him even more wary.

"Tsunade underestimated you. Your danger doesn't lie in your strength alone. Following someone like Orochimaru, it's no wonder you didn't learn anything good."

Jiraiya quipped.

Kimimaro smiled faintly and said, "I'll be sure to pass those words along to Lord Orochimaru if I get the chance. That will be all for today. See you in a month at the Hidden Rain Village."

With that, Kimimaro's figure vanished.

"Little Jiraiya, how much of that boy's words can you trust?" Fukasaku asked.

"I can't say for sure. But he had the power to kill us, and yet he didn't act. Based on that, I'd say he's credible for now. If Nagato is truly the leader of Akatsuki, then I have no choice but to visit the Hidden Rain Village."

Determination burned in Jiraiya's eyes.

"Among my disciples, only Naruto and Nagato remain. Which of them is the Child of Prophecy? Will the shinobi world face rebirth or destruction? Perhaps, this will be the deciding choice."

"Little Jiraiya, this is too dangerous," Fukasaku said with deep concern.

Having watched Jiraiya grow up, his feelings for him ran deep.

"Master Fukasaku, this is the purpose of my life. No matter how dangerous it may be, I must take this step."

Outside the illusionary space, Kimimaro had already retreated calmly, the bone mask on his face silently falling away.

"Everything is arranged. It's about time to leave. I wonder how Kakuzu and Hidan are doing."

Kimimaro murmured to himself, activating his Byakugan to survey the battlefield.

"As expected, Hidan's abilities became useless as soon as they were exposed. He even let someone turn his head into a gift box. Kakuzu, on the other hand, is still evenly matched with Kakashi."

Shaking his head slightly, Kimimaro tapped the ground with his toe and vanished from Jiraiya's side.

Chapter 250

"What a commotion! I wonder how Lord Jiraiya's fight with Kimimaro is going."

Yamato, having defeated Hidan, heard the distant explosions and couldn’t help but feel concerned.

As the strongest warrior in Konoha, Jiraiya inspired great confidence in Yamato. Yet, he had also witnessed Kimimaro's terrifying strength firsthand. Yamato couldn’t determine who had the upper hand between them.

"Never mind. That fight is out of my league. For now, I should destroy this guy's body and then go help Kakashi-senpai," Yamato muttered to himself as he turned toward Hidan's lifeless body.

Hidan's head had already been securely wrapped up, while his motionless body lay flat on the ground.

For safety, Yamato decided to dispose of the body completely.

Since he didn’t know Fire Release, he opted to use explosive tags for the job.

As a former member of the ANBU, Yamato was very familiar with this process.

He pulled out two explosive tags and threw them onto Hidan's body.

If Hidan could see this, he would surely start screaming again.

The explosive tags began to sizzle, and Yamato, holding the wooden box with Hidan's head, turned and walked away.

A true man never looks back at an explosion.

*Boom!* A massive blast echoed through the forest.

"Hey! What the hell did you just do?!"

From inside the wooden box, Hidan sensed something was wrong and shouted frantically.

"Nothing much. I just blew your body into pieces," Yamato replied flatly.

"You bastard! How dare you do this to me? Lord Jashin will curse you!"

Hidan raged helplessly, but with only his head intact, there was little he could do.

Just then, a powerful suction force came from behind. The wooden box in Yamato's hands was pulled away!

"What?!"

Yamato turned abruptly, shocked.

Not far behind him stood Kimimaro, clad in a black cloak with red clouds, catching the wooden box with one hand.

Beside Kimimaro lay Hidan’s body—intact.

Not destroyed?

No, it hadn’t been hit.

Before the tags could explode, Kimimaro had shot his finger bones, knocking them into a distant tree.

"Kimimaro!"

Seeing this, Yamato's expression became grim.

Why was Kimimaro here?

Wasn’t he supposed to be fighting Jiraiya?

Did Jiraiya lose?

The thought made Yamato's heart sink.

"You defeated Hidan, but his life doesn’t belong to you. Yamato, your Wood Release is exceptional, but unfortunately, you still can’t wield its full potential. For you, it’s too much," Kimimaro said calmly.

With a slight exertion of his right hand, he shattered the wooden box, freeing Hidan's head.

"Kimimaro!"

Seeing Kimimaro and his body, Hidan was overjoyed.

Thank goodness—he hadn’t lost completely.

"We’re leaving," Kimimaro said, cradling Hidan’s head in one arm and his body in the other. With a light step, he vanished into the forest.

Yamato’s tense nerves finally eased, leaving him drenched in cold sweat.

"Such overwhelming presence. In such a short time, he’s grown even stronger? If he’s here, does that mean Lord Jiraiya lost?"

The thought alarmed Yamato.

Luckily, his worries were short-lived, as Jiraiya soon appeared before him.

"Yamato, are you alright?"

"I’m fine, but Kimimaro rescued Hidan."

"As long as you’re safe. That guy’s strength is unfathomable—it’s impossible to capture him," Jiraiya sighed.

"Even with Sage Mode, you couldn’t defeat him?"

Yamato was astonished.

Jiraiya nodded solemnly.

"The power he wields surpasses that of ordinary shinobi. His future... I can’t even begin to imagine it."

Jiraiya’s high praise left Yamato in awe of Kimimaro.

Elsewhere, Kimimaro was heading toward Kakuzu and Kakashi’s battlefield.

"Kimimaro, can you sew my head back on before we go? It’s really uncomfortable like this," Hidan complained.

"No rush. We’ll meet up with Kakuzu-senpai first."

"What’s the rush with him? He’s not in any danger. Just fix me up first!"

"Not so sure about that. Kakashi Hatake isn’t an ordinary opponent. And as for reattaching your head—it can wait. Take this opportunity to reflect. Once you understand pain, you’ll know how to train properly. Right now, you’re the weakest in the Akatsuki."

Kimimaro’s words stung.

"Hey, that’s going too far!"

Hidan protested indignantly. How was he the weakest?

"Isn’t it true? Everyone in the organization knows your limits. Who could you actually kill? No one’s going to let you get their blood."

Hidan was momentarily speechless.

He had to admit—Kimimaro had a point.

Pain, Itachi, Kimimaro, Kisame, Kakuzu—there was no contest against them.

Sasori was a puppet and didn’t bleed.

Deidara fought from a distance and could blow Hidan to bits before he got close.

Obito’s Kamui was untouchable, a defense few in the ninja world could breach.

Even Suigetsu’s Hydrification Technique rendered Hidan’s ritual useless.

At best, Hidan might stand a chance against Zetsu, but Zetsu was a mastermind. Hidan’s intellect couldn’t compete.

Unaware of these details, Hidan considered everyone’s strength and realized he truly couldn’t defeat anyone in the organization.

Awkward.

Fortunately, they arrived at Kakuzu’s location just in time.

Kakashi had already destroyed two of Kakuzu’s hearts, but he was visibly tired.

"Dammit! I’ll use your heart to replace what I’ve lost!" Kakuzu roared, flanked by two mask-like entities preparing another attack.

Suddenly, Kimimaro appeared beside him.

"Kakuzu-senpai, it’s time to leave. Konoha reinforcements will be here any moment—at least twenty of them."

Kimimaro wasn’t bluffing. After so much time, Konoha’s teams were converging on the location.

In less than a minute, they’d be surrounded.

If they didn’t leave now, escape would be impossible.

"Konoha sent that many?" Kakuzu exclaimed.

"This incident caused too much of a stir. The head monk of the Fire Temple isn’t just anyone."

"Hmph," Kakuzu grumbled but reabsorbed his masks.

"Haha, Kakuzu-senpai, you look terrible! Lost two hearts, huh?"

Seeing Kakuzu’s sorry state, Hidan felt a bit better.

"You’re one to talk. Your head got lopped off," Kakuzu retorted.

Hidan immediately stopped laughing.

The two bickered, while Kimimaro couldn’t help but chuckle at their dynamic.

Kimimaro glanced at Kakashi. "Kakashi, we’ll have our fun next time."