Tsunade, I am the Hokage!

---

The carriage moved forward slowly.

Jiraiya's face showed a trace of caution.

When he reached the edge of the bridge, he quickly formed hand signs and stomped his foot.

In an instant, the soil near the puddle by the bridge transformed into a mud swamp.

Then—

"Swoosh!"

A sound echoed.

From the puddle, a man holding a blade leapt out. Upon seeing the person in front of him, his expression instantly changed to one of terror.

The next moment, his body turned into a splash of water.

Jiraiya quickly pursued, his hair transforming into threads of rope that tightly bound the opponent.

However—

The opponent's body immediately dissolved into a stream of water.

Water Clone Technique?

Jiraiya frowned slightly and spat special toad oil from his mouth, spraying it onto the water.

But—

Just as he was about to perform another jutsu, the opponent had already fled a considerable distance.

Meanwhile—

Three figures charged toward the carriage.

From their position, they couldn't recognize Jiraiya's face. Instead of retreating, they launched a decisive attack on the carriage.

A barrage of kunai and shuriken flew toward them, some with explosive tags attached.

Additionally, some attacks were directed toward Kakashi.

The assault was fierce!

"Kyohiko," Jiraiya called out.

"Yes!"

Without waiting for further instructions, Kyohiko instantly moved to the carriage.

In the next moment, walls of water rose six or seven meters away, swirling gently and capturing all the incoming kunai and shuriken.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall.

Boom!

A series of explosions sounded as the water walls collapsed.

That was fast!

The three Kirigakure ninjas were shocked.

But—

They didn't retreat. One charged at Kyohiko, while the other two, wielding blades and chains, rushed toward Kakashi.

However—

As soon as they changed direction, they saw a little girl standing protectively in front of Kakashi and the Iron-Arm Toad. Her hands moved swiftly to form hand signs, and her figure suddenly vanished.

In the next moment, the two attackers found themselves bound by trees and unable to move.

"It's genjutsu!"

Kisame's peripheral vision caught his two companions frozen in place. He immediately realized that the girl had used genjutsu to temporarily hold them.

Just as he was about to help them, a sudden gust of wind came from behind.

His body tensed, and he quickly began forming hand signs. But midway through, the wind grew louder and closer.

Too fast!

There wasn't enough time!

Kisame turned around, only to see Kyohiko already in front of him.

He crossed his arms to block the incoming punch, but—

The force of the punch surged through his arms like a raging wave.

How is this possible?

Kisame's small eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, he was sent flying by the punch, crashing straight into a tree.

Bang!

The loud impact startled a flock of water birds into flight.

At the same time, the "Kyohiko" who had been defending earlier dissolved into a puff of smoke.

The Shadow Clone was dispelled.

Originally, Kyohiko intended to pursue Kisame, but his peripheral vision caught Kurenai holding the two attackers with her genjutsu. Instead of taking risks, she stood protectively by the slightly chaotic carriage.

"Don't panic! Surround the carriage and protect Mr. Matsuyama!"

She shouted loudly.

Behind her, Matsuyama's samurai guarded the carriage, their blades drawn.

Against ninjas, samurai weren't very effective, but they were better than nothing.

Seeing this, Matsuyama Ichiro's heartbeat calmed slightly, though his eyes were filled with anger.

These people must have been hired by Gato!

He had suspected that Gato might not be an honest businessman, but he hadn't expected such audacity. Hiring people to assassinate him on the road—this was the work of gangsters!

Thankfully, his nephew had recommended Jiraiya's team.

With Jiraiya personally leading the mission, his safety should be assured.

From within the carriage, Matsuyama Ichiro peeked through a crack and saw Kyohiko send a man flying several meters with a single punch.

Even a child is this strong?

---

So powerful!

This guy's strength doesn't match his appearance at all!

Kisame spat out a mouthful of blood, struggling to rise from the water.

At first glance, he thought Kyohiko was just a ninja skilled in Water Release. In that area, Kisame considered himself unrivaled by Konoha ninjas.

But—

It turned out Kyohiko's ninjutsu was secondary. His terrifying speed and monstrous strength were his true weapons.

Coughing blood, Kisame lay on the ground, unable to move.

Such terrifying power!

He could only stare at the distant battle.

The tide had turned!

Though his two companions escaped the genjutsu, one was quickly knocked unconscious by Kyohiko's punch.

The other tried to run.

Unfortunately—

He didn't face Kyohiko but instead the more fearsome white-haired ninja.

Jiraiya.

For a moment, Kisame's mind went blank.

Why is he personally leading this mission?!

Memories of Hozuki Mangetsu's instructions resurfaced:

"This time, a merchant from the Land of Fire will pass through. The four of you go and eliminate them. That's your task."

Eliminate them? Me?

Kisame now felt terrified and hopeless.

No wonder Hozuki Mangetsu fled at the first sign of trouble. Who would dare face Jiraiya?

Even if Fuguki Suikazan were here, he'd likely choose to flee.

Kisame tried to escape into the water but suddenly heard strange rumbling from below.

What's that sound?

Within the river, torrents of mud surged forward.

Earth Release: Earth Flow River.

Jiraiya formed hand signs, and waves of mud engulfed Kisame.

Amid the chaos, Kisame couldn't perform any Earth Release techniques. By the time he was swept far downstream and tried to stand, Kyohiko was already upon him again.

Kisame rolled on the ground, trying to evade Kyohiko's assault.

But Kyohiko swiftly formed hand signs, maintaining the last one.

What jutsu is this? Water Dragon Bullet?

Kisame read the hand signs, predicting the next move.

However—

Kyohiko's body turned into a wooden log, his real self emerging from the water.

From behind him, a wave of white hair surged forward, enveloping Kisame.

No jutsu!

The hand signs were just a distraction.

Kisame regretted it, attempting to flee, but it was too late.

Jiraiya's hair wrapped tightly around him and pulled him in.

"Swoosh!"

Kisame was dragged in front of Jiraiya, unable to escape.

Jiraiya crouched down.

"Kirigakure ninja, why are you attacking us?"

Kisame remained silent.

As a ninja, he couldn't reveal his mission. Doing so would subject him to severe punishment upon returning to his village.

Regret filled his heart.

When Hozuki Mangetsu fled, Kisame should have done the same. He shouldn't have assisted his foolish companions in their futile attack.

But who could have predicted such a disaster? Facing Jiraiya was beyond comprehension.

Kisame glanced at Kyohiko.

The boy's speed and strength were extraordinary. Yet, he looked so young, possibly even younger than Kisame had initially thought.

A genius from Konoha?

He turned his gaze toward his companions.

One was unconscious, while the other was being treated by that girl. Their bodies had been retrieved by a large toad.

Kisame felt a deep sadness.

Konoha's ways were so different from Kirigakure's.

Even the legendary Sannin would personally lead missions, and wounded comrades were carefully protected.

Such things never happened in his village.

If the situation were reversed, he might have killed his teammates to cover his tracks and then fled.

But who would have thought that this simple mission would lead to facing someone like Jiraiya?

-------

If you like, you can read more chapters on patreon

pat reon.com/yuuwand