Chapter 80 – Out of Danger
"One of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya—instead of guarding the border, what are you doing here in the Land of Hot Water?"
Seeing Jiraiya and the Konoha reinforcements, the Fourth Raikage's expression darkened slightly.
After the fierce battle, even he had suffered noticeable depletion. Facing Guy in the Seventh Gate, he had been forced to remain fully focused.
"Fourth Raikage, with the scale of the commotion Kumogakure caused this time, how could we not notice?
While the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind. With Orochimaru at the border, that's more than enough.
I originally thought you were plotting something earth-shattering—yet it turns out you mobilized all this just to target four juniors of Konoha?
After today, I imagine their names will soon resound throughout the shinobi world."
Standing firmly before Ryuya and the others, Jiraiya showed no trace of retreat despite the killing intent radiating from the Raikage. His tone remained calm.
When not acting foolish, one of the Sannin carried an undeniably commanding presence.
"Hmph! Good—you've arrived just in time. I'll wipe you all out today!"
Lightning Release chakra surged again around the Raikage, murderous intent thick in his voice.
"Boss, now isn't the time to fight them head-on."
Before he could make his move, C stepped forward to advise him.
"…What?"
The Raikage's gaze turned sharp.
"Boss, everyone here has suffered injuries and heavy chakra loss. The Konoha reinforcements include several top-tier shinobi. A direct clash won't favor us."
Under that glare, C quickly explained.
The Raikage's eyes swept across the battlefield.
Just as C said, Kumogakure had taken heavy losses in the siege against ANBU Squad Eleven. Even Darui and Samui bore injuries.
In contrast, the newly arrived Konoha shinobi—Jiraiya, Hizashi Hyūga, Shikaku Nara, and others—were in peak condition. Though fewer in number, a real fight would likely cost Kumogakure even more.
Moreover, their primary objective had been to eliminate ANBU Squad Eleven.
Under the current circumstances, that goal was clearly unattainable.
If the objective could not be achieved, there was no need to fight Jiraiya to the bitter end.
Still, after mobilizing so massively only to fail, how could the Raikage feel reconciled?
For a moment, both sides remained locked in tense stalemate.
Jiraiya, watching the Raikage's shifting expression, remained fully alert.
Glancing over the devastated valley, even he felt astonishment at the destruction caused by ANBU Squad Eleven.
"Boss, since Jiraiya and the others are here, our defensive line has likely already been breached by Konoha," Darui said quietly as he and Samui approached.
"…Withdraw!"
The Raikage's pupils contracted slightly. Though unwilling, he decisively led the Kumogakure forces away.
As for the remaining supplies in the valley—they had already been destroyed in the fighting. There was nothing worth taking.
"We're leaving too!"
Watching the Cloud shinobi retreat, Jiraiya made no attempt to pursue. With a wave of his hand, he ordered several ninja to support the heavily injured members of ANBU Squad Eleven, and the unit swiftly departed.
"Haha! You four really made Kumogakure pay dearly this time. Looks like the old man's teachings over the years weren't wasted. After today, the name of ANBU Squad Eleven will truly echo across the shinobi world."
As they moved quickly, Jiraiya laughed while speaking to Ryuya and the others.
According to ANBU intelligence, the four had withstood Kumogakure's encirclement for at least half an hour.
Do not underestimate that half hour.
It had been under the personal command of the Fourth Raikage, with Kumogakure's elites—including the Two-Tails Jinchūriki—joining the assault.
Aside from Killer B and a few stationed elsewhere, nearly the entirety of Kumogakure's top forces had mobilized.
Yet even with such overwhelming strength and the element of surprise, they had failed to swiftly eliminate Kakashi's squad.
Such performance filled Jiraiya with pride.
Four talents of this caliber emerging at once—how could someone who deeply cared for Konoha not be pleased?
Ryuya, however, secretly curled his lip.
Today's events would remain etched in his heart.
More than fame, he cared about one thing—
Who had issued that nearly suicidal mission in the first place?
Among the reinforcements, the older generation Ino–Shika–Chō trio looked at the four with evident satisfaction.
"Heh! Kid, well done!"
Akimichi Ryōta clapped Ryuya heavily on the shoulder—nearly knocking him over despite his injuries.
Nearby, Hizashi Hyūga's gaze lingered on Shisui and Ryuya, his expression complicated.
Compared to them, the younger generation of the Hyūga Clan paled significantly.
Hearing Jiraiya and Ryōta's praise, Kakashi gave a bitter smile.
The difficulty of this battle had far exceeded their expectations. During the fight, he had truly believed they would not leave alive.
If such peril was the price of fame—they would rather not have it.
Among the four, Guy and Shisui had already fallen unconscious due to their injuries. Kakashi himself could only move forward weakly with support.
"Lord Jiraiya… how did you happen to arrive here?" Kakashi asked softly.
Ryuya turned his gaze toward Jiraiya as well.
The question weighed on him too.
If the mission had truly been issued knowing it was almost certain death—why dispatch such a large force to rescue them?
"…Heh. It was Orochimaru. After analyzing intelligence intercepted by ANBU, he sensed something was off. He deduced it was a trap targeting you. After discussing it with me, he had me split off forces to reinforce you."
Jiraiya hesitated briefly before answering.
Him?
Ryuya felt a flicker of surprise.
Kakashi's expression also turned strange.
When ANBU Squad Eleven first arrived at the front lines, Orochimaru had given them a pointed warning. Their relationship had seemed… delicate.
Yet at the critical moment, it was Orochimaru who had saved them.
After a brief silence, Kakashi spoke on behalf of the team.
"Lord Jiraiya… thank you. And thank you to all our seniors."
ANBU Squad Eleven had escaped death.