Beside the village, the two colossal figures battled, the thunderous clashes echoing through the air from time to time.
The ground trembled continuously, as if struck by an earthquake.
The people in the village, seeing this spectacle, fled in panic, seeking refuge in safer places.
Under Gamabunta's deliberate guidance, their battlefield gradually moved away from the village.
"Water Style: Raging Waves!"
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
Water and fire collided, creating a thick, foggy mist.
In this hazy scene, Yahiko and Jiraiya closed the distance, engaging in close-quarters combat.
A short while later, Yahiko, being slightly outmatched, was sent flying by a kick from Jiraiya, tumbling off Gamabunta's back.
Fortunately, Nagato had been watching closely and had the two-headed hellhound save Yahiko in time.
"Oof, I actually lost? It seems we're not the only ones who have improved over the years, Master," Yahiko said, rubbing his chest and catching his breath.
"Of course," Jiraiya said with a smile. "Although your achievements will surely surpass mine in the future, that time is not now. You should listen to me and obediently come back with me."
"Master, have you forgotten there's still someone else?" Yahiko shook his head. "Wait until you've beaten Nagato before you say that."
Nagato floated into the air, landing atop the two-headed hellhound and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Yahiko. "Master, I will be your opponent now."
"Nagato..." Jiraiya's expression turned grave.
'He flew just now. Is that a power of the Rinnegan?'
He knew too little about the Rinnegan to act rashly, so he called out, "Bunta, it's your turn."
"You got it!" Bunta clapped his palms together, puffed out his flat cheeks, and spat a massive water cannonball at Nagato. "Water Style: Water Gun Technique!"
Faced with the incoming mass of water, Nagato simply raised his hand. "Almighty Push!"
A powerful repulsive force burst forth from his palm, instantly pushing the water mass back and drenching Gamabunta instead.
Nagato changed his palm into a grasping motion, turning the repulsive force into an attractive one, and pulled the unprepared Jiraiya directly towards him.
"Universal Pull!"
At the critical moment, Gamabunta opened his mouth and swallowed Jiraiya whole, then bent his legs and leaped hundreds of meters in a single bound, fleeing the scene.
In the blink of an eye, he was nothing but a shadow in the distance.
"He escaped?" Yahiko scratched his head and asked, "Nagato, should we chase him?"
"No, we can't catch up. Besides, Master Jiraiya hasn't found out anything significant yet. Let's go back for now."
"Alright."
After dismissing their summons, Yahiko and Nagato returned to the village and, as expected, found Jigen in the underground base.
"The two of you combined couldn't even take down Jiraiya?"
Jigen sat elegantly in his chair as always, tilting his head to look at Yahiko and Nagato, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You didn't let him go on purpose, did you?"
"No. As one of Konoha's Sannin, Jiraiya is very strong. I would have needed to use all my abilities to capture him, but that would have exposed the secrets of the Rinnegan," Nagato replied calmly.
"Yeah, I tried my best, but he still got away," Yahiko added.
"Fine. It's indeed not worth exposing the Rinnegan's abilities for a trivial character like Jiraiya."
Jigen's smile vanished. "However, the Kara organization has now been exposed to Konoha. We will have to be more secretive in our actions from now on. It is not yet time for us to openly declare war on them. But it won't be long now."
"Yes, sir!"
Jiraiya, having made a decisive retreat, emerged from Gamabunta's mouth and took several deep breaths, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Repulsive and attractive force... are those the powers of the Rinnegan?"
"No, it's probably more than just that," Gamabunta replied. 'I feel like he wasn't even using his full strength.'
"Yes, I think so too," Jiraiya said. "I've already called for Minato. He should have reached Mount Myoboku by now. Go back and tell him to get ready. I'll summon him here."
"Oh, alright."
After Gamabunta left, Jiraiya waited for a few minutes, then performed the Summoning Jutsu again, this time summoning a toad about the size of an ox.
The toad opened its mouth and spat out Minato, who had been hiding inside.
"Minato!"
"Master, did you find the mysterious organization?"
"Yes. Let's talk on the way."
Jiraiya led Minato back the way they came, telling him about Kara along the way.
But when they arrived at the village, it was already deserted and had been set ablaze, the fire burning fiercely.
"They move fast," Jiraiya sighed. "It's rare to get a tail on them like this."
"It's alright, Master," Minato comforted him. "Now that we know of their existence, we'll find them sooner or later."
"I know."
The intelligence gathered by Jiraiya was quickly submitted to the Third Hokage's desk by Minato.
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and said slowly, "A hidden organization called Kara? This is very important intelligence. Judging by their interest in the Tailed Beasts and their possession of the Rinnegan, this Kara organization may be related to the one who tried to steal the Nine-Tails back then."
He had not forgotten that there was still a terrifying individual in the shinobi world who claimed to be from the Otsutsuki clan.
But in all these years, Otsutsuki Zeroshiki had not appeared, which made him increasingly worried.
The fangs hidden in the darkness are always the most terrifying.
Minato wasn't clear on the situation from back then and didn't respond directly. Instead, he said, "Master Jiraiya has gone to continue gathering intelligence. I'm worried they might target him. How about I go with him?"
"Mmm..." The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Although the shinobi world has temporarily entered a period of peace, Konoha cannot be without too many of its strong shinobi. You should stay in the village, Minato."
"You have to trust Jiraiya. He won't get into trouble easily."
"Yes, alright."
"Heh, you don't need to worry too much," the Third Hokage said with a smile. "Kara's target is the Tailed Beasts, not Jiraiya. So Jiraiya is very safe. What we need to worry about is the Nine-Tails jinchuriki in our village."
"You're right," Minato nodded.
"The World's Strongest Shinobi Tournament is getting closer. Many people will be flooding into Konoha then. We need to be fully prepared in advance."
The Third Hokage said gravely, "If the enemy really intends to make a move on the Nine-Tails, they will most likely choose that time."
"Minato, you need to keep a close eye on Nawaki. Don't let him be alone anywhere."
"Yes, I will."
"Nawaki will probably sign up. What about you? Have you decided to participate?"
Minato shook his head. "I think I'll sit this one out."
"No, you must participate. This time, the title of 'World's Strongest' cannot fall to a shinobi from another village. Otherwise, it will be a huge blow to the morale of Konoha's shinobi. Having both you and Nawaki participate is the safest method."
"Yes, sir!"