Sage Art: Needle Jizo.
Jiraiya's thick white hair grew wildly, then transformed into a dense forest of sharp needles, tightly encasing his entire body.
Compared to the ordinary Needle Jizo, this Sage Art offered significantly greater defense.
But...
As one strike landed, Super Strength erupted violently. Instantly, the ground beneath Jiraiya's feet sank, followed by the earth heaving like ocean waves, and an enormous geyser of mud erupted in an instant.
The surrounding people quickly retreated to a safe distance.
After a moment, the mud geyser, which had shot into the sky, rained down, like a massive mud shower.
In the rain, Tsunade, who had landed, turned her head, looking around for Jiraiya's figure.
Seeing this, Miki thought that Tsunade lacked means of enemy detection. The Nine-Tailed's malicious perception was useful, but it was still a long way off.
As she thought, Miki reminded her, "Earth Release."
Hearing this, Tsunade nodded, wary of her surroundings and the ground beneath her.
Jiraiya, however, did not foolishly use Earth Release to attack near Tsunade's feet. Instead, he pulled back a great distance, retreating to a safe range before emerging from underground.
That last hit connected, and Jiraiya, feeling as if all the bones in his body were about to shatter, spat out blood and stubbornly formed hand signs.
Sage Art: Swamp of the Underworld.
Compared to Shinobi who specialized in strengthening their strengths, Jiraiya was more traditional.
That is to say, he was well-rounded. Unlike Tsunade's extreme specialization, Jiraiya had no obvious weaknesses in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, or Genjutsu.
Therefore, he was powerful.
The churning swamp spread out, engulfing a vast area of the nearby forest, transforming it into a boundless marsh.
The surrounding people jumped onto tall trees to avoid being submerged by the swamp.
And Tsunade followed suit.
She jumped onto a large tree.
This terrain was meant to restrict Tsunade's movement and the Play of her Super Strength.
Jiraiya's Taijutsu was not as good as Tsunade's, so using Ninjutsu was a perfectly normal tactic.
So, how would Tsunade solve her own shortcomings?
Miki looked at Tsunade.
But Jiraiya didn't intend to give Tsunade a chance to think.
Logically, the swampy terrain also restricted Jiraiya's movements.
But Jiraiya could use Earth Release.
Moreover, toads themselves are animals that live in swamps.
Jiraiya's four-limbed stance was the trick to moving in the swamp.
And against Tsunade, who couldn't use Earth Release, the tactic was already very clear.
So...
"Little Jiraiya, use Oil Release, and Dad, use Wind Release," Shima said, beginning to form hand signs.
Hearing this, Jiraiya stood up in the swamp, forming hand signs and aiming them in Tsunade's direction.
Sage Art: Goemon.
Wind Release, Fire Release, and Oil Release. Fire empowered by wind, wind fueling the fire, oil like surging waves, all around a fiery red, smoke and flames soaring to the sky.
Overwhelming flames spread across the oil waves, sweeping violently in all directions.
The scale was incredibly astonishing.
Looking at the terrifying sea of fire rushing towards her, Tsunade remained unmoved.
Such flames were nothing more than a sauna for the Nine-Tailed.
Bubbles began to swell on her Tailed Beast Cloak, and more Chakra was drawn out by Tsunade.
The sea of fire engulfed Tsunade.
The waves crashed down, heavily striking the ground, then scattering, carrying away burning broken wood.
The scale and power of the Ninjutsu had both greatly increased.
But this level alone couldn't faze Tsunade.
A fireball burst out from the pervasive sea of fire, sprinting across the parched, cracked swamp.
What an unexpected mistake.
Everyone looked at Jiraiya, whose expression had changed.
"What an idiot!" Orochimaru snorted coldly.
Tsunade, dragging her spiked club, sprinted forward at high speed.
Her tactics and objective were very clear.
If one hit wasn't enough, she'd land a second, until one side was completely down.
Such a reckless fighting style.
Hitomi was truly naive, while Tsunade was fearless.
Though simple, her fighting style was effective.
Seeing that the Fire Release had little destructive power, Jiraiya was truly frustrated. His techniques lacked powerful physical damage-dealing Ninjutsu.
He should have had the Rasengan, but he didn't have it yet.
He could call out Gamabunta, the Toad Boss, but Gamabunta's brute strength might not be stronger than Tsunade's.
In close combat, it would simply be a beating.
Whether it was him or the toad.
"Dad! Water Release!"
Jiraiya was frustrated, but the two Sages weren't. Having fought countless battles, they had seen all kinds of Shinobi.
Shima's voice trembled.
She had truly never seen a monster like Tsunade!
This was their first battle against a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and no one had experience.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"