"Fire Release: Flame Bomb!"
Unlike the previous two times, Jiraiya did not wait for Nagato to make a move before responding; instead, he directly formed hand seals to gather Chakra and used Ninjutsu for an attack.
Different from ordinary Fire Release, Flame Bomb first converts Chakra into oil held in the mouth.
Then, as the oil is spat out, it undergoes Fire Attribute Chakra Nature Changes, igniting the expelled oil to form a high-temperature fireball.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Nagato created two shadow clones, and the original body walked at the forefront, opening the Rinnegan absorption shield.
The high-temperature flames hadn't yet reached Nagato; as soon as they touched the shield erected in front of him, they were instantly absorbed, as if they had never existed.
"The intelligence suggests that this ability can eliminate Ninjutsu. It's completely unclear what method this is; it should relate to the Rinnegan," Jiraiya assessed inwardly.
If anyone else used such a mysterious technique, Jiraiya might suspect a Secret Technique, but Nagato possesses the Rinnegan.
This strong and mysterious ability fits perfectly with Jiraiya's imagination of the Rinnegan.
"Lighting Release: Pseudo-Darkness!"
One of Nagato's shadow clones formed hand seals and spat out a sharp Thunder Spear at Jiraiya.
Whoosh!
Jiraiya had been keeping a close eye on Nagato's shadow clones and dodged in an instant.
"Heavenly Attraction!"
Using excellent perception and the Rinnegan, Nagato successfully captured Jiraiya's figure after dodging, and extended his hand to unleash a powerful gravitational pull at him.
Meanwhile, the other shadow clone Nagato had just created completed hand seals, preparing to attack Jiraiya who was about to be pulled in.
Unexpectedly, Nagato did not succeed in pulling Jiraiya over.
Jiraiya transformed his hair into long, hard strands that rooted deeply into the ground, resisting Nagato's gravitational force.
"Water Release: Water Spear!"
Seeing this, the shadow clone immediately shot three Water Spears at Jiraiya.
As Heavenly Attraction ended, Jiraiya's long hair swiftly withdrew from the ground, enveloping his body and blocking the incoming Water Spears.
"Ninpo: Needle Jizo!"
Whizz whizz whizz!!
Under Jiraiya's control, his hard hair, like steel needles, swiftly shot towards Nagato and the two shadow clones.
Due to the speed, there was no time to dodge, so Nagato activated the Rinnegan ability again.
"Almighty Push!"
A powerful repulsive force burst forth, and all those hair-like steel needles were deflected.
"No wonder such fame can arise from a single competition," Jiraiya thought to himself in shock.
Nagato's various abilities are nearly insurmountable for ordinary ninjas.
The Preta Path's attacks that cannot be absorbed by the Almighty Push can be deflected, and Heavenly Attraction can forcibly create openings in opponents.
Coupled with the other powerful Ninjutsu Nagato mastered, he truly is a balance of offense and defense.
"Let's pause the battle. Nagato, I may not be able to offer any opinions for now," Jiraiya called to halt the battle.
Nagato's strength is formidable; continuing the fight might lead to uncontrollable outcomes.
This time Jiraiya came to the Land of Rain primarily to visit the three, not to beat them up.
Jiraiya is confident in defeating Nagato, but there's no need to do so.
There is no point in defeating one's disciple, and if Nagato grows to the point where Jiraiya cannot win even when going all out, Jiraiya would feel proud.
Nagato nodded and canceled the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you didn't expect that, did you? The current Nagato is so strong you can't easily defeat him," Yahiko joked in a boastful tone.
He mainly feared Jiraiya might feel awkward, so he tried to lighten the mood with a joke, given the long absence.
However, Yahiko misunderstood this time. Nagato is considered by Jiraiya to be the ninja most likely to be the prophesied child, believed to possibly share the same destiny as the Six Paths Sage. Nagato's excellence further proves Jiraiya's prediction correct.
Moreover, Jiraiya himself belongs to a type of person who is difficult to feel embarrassed.
"This shows my previous teachings were not in vain," Jiraiya laughed heartily.
Then the group began their cultivation, while Jiraiya observed from the side.
After watching Nagato train for an hour, Jiraiya finally discovered Nagato's shortcoming.
Of course, this weak point is relative; Nagato's Taijutsu is considered quite good compared to peers, but compared to his Ninjutsu and Rinnegan abilities, it seems insufficient.
Therefore, Jiraiya began to instruct Nagato in Taijutsu.
In terms of overall capability, Jiraiya can be considered a hexagonal warrior.
He excels in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Secret Techniques, Immortal Techniques, all except for Genjutsu.
However, due to this deficiency, Jiraiya has diligently practiced the ability to release Genjutsu.
Thus, even though he cannot use Genjutsu against enemies, their Genjutsu also has no effect on him.
During dinner, Jiraiya asked:
"Is Sosuke usually busy? If he isn't, I'd like to meet him."
Although Yahiko and the others spoke highly of Sosuke, Jiraiya believes hearing is unreliable and seeing is believing. Without seeing Sosuke and interacting with him, Jiraiya doubts.
Because Yahiko and Nagato showed extreme admiration for Sosuke.
In such a state, Jiraiya estimated that even if Sosuke sold them out, Yahiko would still cheerfully help Sosuke count the money.
For the disciples' safety and future, even if time is limited, he still needs to see what kind of person Sosuke truly is.
"As for Sosuke-sensei, I think he's been pretty good lately; if you want to see him, we can go ask," Yahiko thought for a moment and replied.