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Jiraiya had no idea that Hayato had already created the Rasengan years ago inside the Yaun illusion space. Back then it was one of his strongest moves. But as Hayato's strength grew, his fists and kicks had long since surpassed the Rasengan in raw power. Compared to what he could unleash now, the Rasengan was outdated—discarded and forgotten.
Facing Hayato and Jiraiya's joint assault, Hayato's expression didn't change. He stepped forward, caught Jiraiya's wrist in one swift motion, and twisted his body. Using Jiraiya's own momentum, he yanked him straight into Hayato's path.
Hayato's monster-strength punch was already flying forward when her target suddenly turned into Jiraiya. Shocked, she pulled back in a hurry. But she had already poured nearly all her strength into that blow—retracting it so suddenly made the muscles and tendons in her arm burn and throb in protest.
Jiraiya, who had been about to slam a Rasengan into Hayato, suddenly found himself shoved right in front of Hayato. With his wrist locked in Hayato's iron grip, he couldn't break free no matter how hard he struggled. Worse, Hayato spun him around so that the Rasengan in his hand was now aimed straight at Hayato.
The orb of swirling chakra came dangerously close to crashing into her. Jiraiya's eyes went wide—he immediately dispersed it before it hit. Right at that moment, Hayato released his wrist and slammed his shoulder into him. The impact sent Jiraiya flying backward—straight toward Hayato again.
Her face paled. She caught him and quickly braced her feet, skidding back across the ground to avoid Hayato's follow-up strike.
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!" Orochimaru's voice cut through the chaos. His jutsu surged up from the ground, forcing Hayato to retreat instead of pressing his advantage. But the opening was lost.
"Jiraiya, you idiot! Didn't I tell you to stay in the back and just support with ninjutsu? Stop rushing in and messing things up!" Hayato snapped, dropping Jiraiya to the ground like a sack of rice.
"Cough, cough—how was I supposed to know he was this strong?!" Jiraiya wheezed, clutching his chest. Hayato's shoulder check had cracked two of his ribs. His fighting ability was already badly compromised.
"Useless!" Hayato cursed under her breath—though whether she meant Jiraiya or Hayato, even she wasn't sure.
Across from them, Hayato stood calm and steady. His gaze swept over Hayato and Orochimaru, both still battle-ready. As for Jiraiya, he was already out of the fight. That one strike had nearly taken him out; it wasn't Hayato's monstrous punch, but it wasn't far off either.
"I didn't expect this," Orochimaru said, his golden eyes gleaming strangely as he studied Hayato. "In less than ten years, you've gone from a mere genin to someone who could stand among the strongest Kage-level shinobi. Such rapid progress… is it thanks to your bloodline limit?" His voice carried awe, curiosity, even greed.
"Tch. Orochimaru, I've told you before—I hate those eyes of yours. The only mistake I made was not killing you back then. This time, I won't hesitate." Hayato's killing intent flared sharp and cold.
Orochimaru only smirked, the corners of his mouth twisting unnaturally. "Even with all your growth, killing me won't be so easy. You couldn't do it before, and you still can't now. In fact, I find you more fascinating than ever." He was different now, darker since the Second Great Ninja War—already experimenting in the shadows, though not yet bold enough to show it openly.
"Enough talk, Orochimaru!" Hayato barked, her expression hard. "Let's finish this. If we capture him, this war will be over."
She wasn't exaggerating. The so-called Third Great Ninja War wasn't really about ideology at all—it was about greed. The great villages didn't want a sixth village rising to rival them, especially not Amegakure in the Land of Rain, rich in resources and growing in influence. To them, it was something to be carved up.
And Hayato, as the leader of Amegakure, was the key. Capture him, and victory was practically assured.
With a shout, Hayato lunged forward again. Her technique might not match Hayato's, but her raw strength was terrifying enough to keep up with him. She was the only one who could face him head-on.
Orochimaru, the genius, didn't fight recklessly like Jiraiya. While Hayato pressed the attack, he stayed behind, unleashing jutsu after jutsu—some offensive, some supportive. Their coordination was seamless.
Even though Hayato's power eclipsed any one of them individually, against the combined might of Hayato and Orochimaru, he couldn't gain the upper hand.
Jiraiya, after catching his breath, rejoined the fight from the rear. He couldn't move freely anymore, but he could still launch ninjutsu to back them up.
With the Legendary Sannin fighting as one, Hayato's pressure mounted.
The last time the three of them had joined forces, it was against Hanzo of the Salamander, the so-called demigod of the ninja world. Back then, Hanzo had completely dominated them. But now, even with Hayato pushed back step by step, the battle was far from easy for him. His defense grew more desperate, more ragged.
For the first time, the rain's shadow looked cornered.
"....."