章節 251: Chapter 252 : Kato's test!
"Oh? This is..."
Even though Jiraiya's "little white face" spoke in a low voice, Dan Kato undeniably heard it. His brows furrowed imperceptibly, but he quickly returned to his normal self, maintaining his flawless sunny smile.
"Oh? This is..."
Kato Dan gazed at Jiraiya with a smile, as if he had just noticed him at that moment.
"Oh, it's you--"
"Humph!"
Jiraiya crossed his arms and raised his chin proudly. Just as he was about to mention that he had passed the Chunin Exam without taking it, completing it on his own after they were promoted to Chunin, Kato suddenly said:
"It turns out to be Jiraiya, who skipped the Chunin Exam and managed to become a Chunin on his own after our promotion. I haven't had the chance to congratulate you yet. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Humph! What do you know!"
Jiraiya's expression froze, and then anger filled his face.
Wasn't he insinuating that he only passed the exam through connections and questioning his strength?
What did he know? Jiraiya successfully passed the level under Jonin's men, even if it was with Gamabunta's strength.
"Hey! Do you want to fight, pal?"
Jirai also glanced at "Orochimaru," saw that the other party remained expressionless and indifferent, and then looked at Hatake Sakumo leaning against the tree.
"Hatake Sakumo, are you siding with him?"
Hatake Sakumo closed his dead fish eyes, completely ignoring Jiraiya's uproar. However, he looked at "Orochimaru" and furrowed his brow slightly.
"Weird, why don't I feel much pressure from him? This sensation is so... peaceful."
Though Hatake Sakumo is a ninja, he leans more towards being a swordsman. All his abilities are designed to complement his white teeth in battle, very much like Anbu's swift sword.
In essence, Hatake Sakumo is like a new samurai who can use chakra, but his potential far exceeds that.
"Damn!"
Seeing Sakumo lost in thought, not resembling a bird at all, Jiraiya became even more irritated.
"This is really troublesome."
The Wood clone sighed quietly. Trouble always seems to find its way.
If opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared, then trouble has a knack for finding the unprepared!
Since the real Orochimaru hasn't returned, the Wood Clone had no intention of uttering a word.
Dan Kato is clearly here to assess and test the Sannin or understand their current strength.
As Danzo is a competitor to Sarutobi Hiruzen, their disciples will be future rivals.
The most formidable opponents are those who know little about them. Orochimaru joined Anbu, and Jiraiya often practices on Mount Myoboku. Tsunade is heavily guarded. Dan Kato is unaware of their current strengths.
"Given Hatake Sakumo's presence, it's likely that Danzo ordered this," Wood Clone speculated lightly. Perhaps provoking Jiraiya could be the key to breaking through Kato's defenses.
However, Kato's intentions when he encounters Tsunade remain unclear. Originally, Dan Kato and Tsunade were close lovers, but now it seems their relationship is far from pure. With Danzo involved, it appears nothing is straightforward.
"Hey, Kato Dan, what's going on? I don't want to deal with in-law drama. Set some boundaries," Jiraiya exclaimed, raising his fist, observing the silent and insincere Kato.
Jiraiya, noticing the tension, positioned himself in front of Tsunade, obstructing her view of Kato. "Hey, Jiraiya!"
Tsunade gestured to Jiraiya, shaking her head slightly, but she didn't seem angered. "Haha, I apologize."
Tsunade blocked Kato's path with a less genuine smile than before.
"Hehe, we've all been apart for a few years, and I thought it'd be nice to catch up."
Despite Kato Dan's seemingly friendly smile, there was hidden anger beneath the surface, especially considering Danzo's involvement.
"Oops, it seems the Sannin's camaraderie is quite strong. Well, they did experience life and death together. Unexpectedly, Tsunade seems repulsed by chance. My mistake. But Orochimaru is too silent—no response at all?"
Kato pondered Danzo's instructions and clenched his teeth.
"Jiraiya, it's been years since we all graduated, and you haven't seen the Chunin exam. I'm genuinely curious about your strength. We're the same age, and lately, I've been itching for a challenge. How about a friendly spar?"
Kato Dan suggested with a smile, keeping a watchful eye on 'Orochimaru' from the corner of his eye.
"Okay! Let's do it!" Jiraiya responded eagerly, seemingly eager to showcase his abilities.
Tsunade, displeased, surveyed the surroundings. The other ninjas in the camp were mostly preoccupied with their own tasks. A few glanced at them but quickly averted their gaze.
"Humph!" Tsunade snorted, unaware that Kato Dan and the others were here to stir trouble. She then turned her attention to Sakumo, a year older than them.
"You don't need to worry about me," Hatake Sakumo replied casually, turning his head away.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Kato Dan looked at Tsunade and offered a forced smile. However, 'Orochimaru,' still indifferent, only deepened Kato's frustration.
"If you won't speak up, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Be cautious!"
Jiraiya found himself at a disadvantage in the camp, lacking the ability to use ninjutsu. Undeterred, he launched a direct physical assault on Kato, employing peculiar moves that hinted at his training with the Frog group in Mount Myoboku.
Having diligently trained his body over the years, Jiraiya possessed excellent physical resilience, although he wasn't proficient in Taijutsu. The Frog Kata resembling Tai Chi, had a graceful form but lacked substantial attack power.
In the spirit of mutual learning, Jiraiya refrained from launching desperate attacks. Kato Dan, displaying impressive speed, avoided direct confrontation by evading and retreating, gradually distancing himself from Jiraiya.
"Hey, Dan Kato, isn't this supposed to be a friendly exchange? Why are you only dodging?" Jiraiya expressed his dissatisfaction.
"Hehe, let's see" Kato Dan maintained a genial demeanor. Observing that they were now far from the others, a cold gleam flashed in his narrowed eyes.
Quietly forming seals, he unleashed a cold spiritual force that silently assaulted Jiraiya's mind.
"Oops!"
"Stop, Kato!"
Jiraiya, having fought alongside Takeshi many times, was familiar with Takeshi's abilities, including spiritual power detection and various illusions. He detected the fluctuations before him—Dan Kato was using ninjutsu to conceal himself?
This devious move!
Without hesitation, Kato's mental power infiltrated Jiraiya's consciousness, causing intense pain in the depths of his soul, prompting a cry from Jiraiya.
"Damn!"
Though not adept at illusions, Jiraiya recalled Takeshi's advice to use hard body refinement to fortify his will and enhance mental resistance. Simultaneously, Jiraiya bit the tip of his tongue, dispelling distracting thoughts and assuming a defensive stance.
The face of Wood Cloner froze, recognizing that Kato Dan's attack wasn't an illusion but a ninjutsu involving spiritual assault. This form of attack directly targeted the opponent's spiritual will, akin to the principles of his Emotion Stimulation Illusion.
Puzzled by how Kato mastered such a specialized method, Jiraiya was further astounded that Kato dared to use it against him.
"Stop!"
Just as Wood clone prepared to intervene, an imposing figure appeared between Kato Dan and Jiraiya. Hatake Sakumo, with dead-fish eyes but exuding an aura of arrogance, halted Kato.
"Dan Kato, that's enough."
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