"Shikaku!"
Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza trembled uncontrollably. Both were half-kneeling beside Nara Shikaku, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
"His heart… completely shredded."
Jiraiya's face was deeply grim.
That bastard showed no mercy. The moment Shikaku's heart was pierced, the rotating blade shredded it entirely.
Even Tsunade wouldn't be able to save him now.
Just a moment ago, they were joking about having caught a worthy prey.
But in the blink of an eye, Shikaku was gone—separated from them by the gates of life and death.
Jiraiya's expression was uglier than anyone's. His eyes burned with killing intent and rage, even stronger than those of Inoichi and Chōza.
Shikaku was no ordinary Jonin.
His importance to Konoha was immense.
As the current head of the Nara clan, Shikaku represented the pinnacle of their secret techniques. His combat strength far surpassed a typical elite Jonin.
Moreover, Shikaku was the brains behind the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, the captain of Konoha's Jonin squad, and the chief strategist on the front lines. His exceptional intelligence and vast knowledge had led Konoha to victory in numerous battles.
The swift resolution of the Sand and Iwa fronts was largely thanks to him.
But now…
"That bastard…"
Cold eyes fixed on Yoru, who stood in front of Hozuki Mangetsu.
Shikaku's death was a heavier blow to Konoha than even the loss of White Fang years ago.
"Lord Yoru, your eye…"
Mangetsu's gaze lingered briefly on the bandaged right eye before he forced a bitter smile.
"Lord Yoru, you should have retreated immediately to inform the Konoha Jonin squad and Jiraiya of our arrival."
"I'm badly injured. Your Shunshin no Jutsu is fast, but it's impossible to evade so many powerful enemies and escape with me."
"Please, retreat now, Lord Yoru…"
"When did the genius boy of the Hozuki clan get so sentimental?"
Yoru cracked a grin and pulled Mangetsu to his feet.
"I'll hold them back. You retreat first."
"This…"
Mangetsu hesitated. Hold them back?
Though Shikaku, the point-controller, was dead, three top-tier Konoha Jonin and the legendary Sannin Jiraiya still stood before them. Yoru was powerful, but to stand as a wall against them?
Yet Yoru had spoken. Mangetsu said nothing further.
Clenching his teeth, forcing down the agonizing pain from his shattered right arm, Mangetsu lifted his left hand and placed it over the broken limb.
In the blink of an eye, his left hand turned into a pool of water, merging with his right arm.
After only a few breaths, the nearly pulverized right arm trembled and slowly began to regenerate.
This was the Hydration Healing Technique, a secret art of the Hozuki clan!
"None of you are leaving today!"
Before Mangetsu could continue healing, a voice full of murderous intent rang out.
Whoosh!
With the sound of slicing wind, Yoru felt the air explode before him as chakra surged.
Jiraiya's fist slammed fiercely into Yoru's face.
Yoru immediately raised his kunai to block, but instead of defending, he jabbed viciously at Jiraiya's neck — a desperate, all-in attack.
But Jiraiya was no ordinary opponent.
He easily dodged the kunai strike, countering with a chakra-imbued palm strike to Yoru's abdomen.
At the last moment, Yoru vanished with a Body Flicker Technique.
Jiraiya's strike landed on empty air, his palm smashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.
Boom!
The chakra explosion gouged a massive crater.
Yoru frowned. Such a hit would've been fatal for someone with his physique.
His eyes flicked sideways.
Mangetsu was using the Hydration Healing Technique to patch himself up and prepare to withdraw.
But the Konoha Jonin weren't fools. The moment Mangetsu tried to escape, they readied to pursue.
"Hidan no Jutsu: Danran!"
A violent gust swept away the swarming insects.
Yoru flashed forward, vanishing from Jiraiya's side and appearing in front of the massive Akimichi Chōza.
His kunai slashed with deadly precision.
Shing!
Blood sprayed from Chōza's side, forcing the Akimichi clan head to halt.
[A-rank target detected: Akimichi Chōza; side quest triggered.]
[A-rank target detected: Aburame Shibi; side quest triggered.]
[S-rank target detected: Jiraiya; side quest triggered.]
[Quest (1): Successfully subdue Jiraiya; reward 80,000 points.]
[Quest (2): Successfully defeat Jiraiya; reward 50,000 points.]
[Quest (3): Successfully kill Jiraiya; reward 200,000 points.]
"I told you…"
Ignoring the persistent system prompts, Yoru flicked the blood off his kunai.
"I will hold you back!"
The battlefield suddenly fell silent.
Even Jiraiya and the Konoha forces' gazes all locked onto Yoru.
"That speed just now…"
Jiraiya's eyes were more serious than ever.
He stared intently at Yoru and, in that instant, sensed a faint shadow of his disciple's signature technique.
Flying Thunder God?
No — not quite Flying Thunder God. It was a strengthened version of a specialized Shunshin no Jutsu, similar to that of the Uchiha clan's prodigy.
Jiraiya quickly made his assessment.
Still, mastering Shunshin no Jutsu at this level, coupled with such ruthless kenjutsu and unique secret techniques, made this guy a serious threat.
But…
Since when did Kirigakure have a person like this?
Could he be some secret weapon trained to win this war?
Jiraiya's thoughts raced as he scrutinized Yoru.
But inside, Yoru was equally frustrated.
Damn it! I was supposed to be the distraction for the Konoha forces, so the Seven Ninja Swordsmen could carry out the decapitation and kill Jiraiya.
Why the hell is Jiraiya here?!
Did that fat bastard Suigetsu collect the intel properly?
As these thoughts clashed, the two exchanged a look and launched into action.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The deep impact of their strikes echoed nonstop.
Jiraiya's attacks were heavy and powerful, each blow layered with chakra, sometimes unleashing Rasengan.
Yoru fought back with his taijutsu.
But after a few exchanges, his arms tingled with numbness.
Not because his technique was lacking — Yoru's taijutsu was top-tier, even in a blood-soaked fog.
But the difference in physical conditioning was overwhelming.
Yoru was only fourteen and not fully developed, while Jiraiya was in his prime.
Within a few rounds, Yoru was losing ground.
Whoosh!
Another Rasengan shot towards him.
The air shimmered with chakra, creating streaks of light and an ensuing sonic boom.
Yoru's pupils narrowed as he prepared to dodge.
"Don't think about dodging!"
"Jutsu — Mind Transfer Technique!"
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