Naruto: Starting with Infinite Chakra-Chapter 214: Clash of Armies

"If you're this confident, then come with us."

Jiraiya nodded in agreement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's concerns weren't unfounded. If the Nine-Tails broke free from its seal, it would undoubtedly cause a massive problem for them. However, seeing Uzumaki Mito's unwavering confidence eased Jiraiya's worries. After all, having another powerful ally on their side meant lowering the chances of failure.

"Are you sure this won't be a problem?" Sarutobi still sounded doubtful.

"I can still fight. Once this battle is over, that's when my body won't be able to handle sealing the Nine-Tails any longer," Mito replied coolly.

"But we still haven't found a new vessel! If your body can't handle it after the war, what happens to the Nine-Tails then?" Sarutobi's voice rose in urgency.

"You don't need to worry about that, Lord Hokage. When I die, the Nine-Tails will be sealed inside Jiraiya-sama," Mito answered.

Sarutobi turned to Jiraiya, frowning. "You already have Shukaku sealed inside you. Can you really handle the Nine-Tails on top of that?"

Since Jiraiya could use Magnet Release, Sarutobi had assumed he had sealed Shukaku into himself using the techniques taught to him by Mito. But now, hearing that Mito planned to seal the Nine-Tails into Jiraiya as well, Sarutobi couldn't help but feel alarmed.

"My body can handle it. Even if I sealed all the Tailed Beasts within me, I'd still be fine. You don't need to worry," Jiraiya replied simply.

Unlike a normal Jinchūriki, he didn't have to suppress the Tailed Beasts. Instead, he directly absorbed their power into himself. There was no risk of a beast going berserk inside him.

"This battle marks the beginning of our village's rise to power. We will win—failure is not an option!"

Jiraiya raised his voice as he led Konoha's forces out of the village.

...

"To think the Hokage himself would come out with such a grand welcome... I must say, I'm truly honored."

The Kazekage greeted Jiraiya with a smile as they met on the battlefield, though his eyes remained wary. He was clearly on edge.

It didn't make sense for Konoha's forces to leave their village just to meet him halfway. After all, Sunagakure was at a disadvantage in this war. Konoha could have simply stayed put and waited for him to come to them.

The only reason they would come out like this... was if they intended to make a move.

"Kazekage-dono, I invited you to Konoha for negotiations. And yet, you've arrived with Iwagakure's forces. What exactly are you planning?" Jiraiya asked, his tone sharp.

"Jiraiya-sama, don't misunderstand. We just happened to run into the Kazekage along the way. We didn't come here together."

It was an Iwagakure shinobi who spoke—none other than Rōshi. He grinned.

"Jiraiya-sama, you killed Hanzo of the Salamander and shook the entire shinobi world. I came here just to see you for myself."

Jiraiya ignored him and turned back to the Kazekage.

"Let's get to the point—how do you plan to trade for Shukaku?"

"If it were up to me, I'd start by naming a price. But this isn't my decision to make. You need to propose terms that will satisfy us first," the Kazekage replied, still smiling. He had already sensed that Jiraiya had no intention of letting them into Konoha.

Jiraiya didn't hesitate. "Then I'll be direct. If you want Shukaku back, hand over all the land that borders the Land of Fire."

The Kazekage's smile disappeared instantly.

"You're not planning to return Shukaku at all, are you?" he said coldly. "Konoha is already powerful, and now you want to claim another Tailed Beast? We may agree to this, but the other Great Nations won't stand for it."

He had expected Konoha to make things difficult, but this demand made it clear—they had no intention of negotiating in good faith.

"Jiraiya, Konoha's strength is undeniable, but this is too much," Rōshi cut in. "The division of Tailed Beasts was decided long ago by our predecessors. The agreement is already in place. Are you really planning to tear up that treaty?"

"This is between Konoha and Sunagakure. Iwagakure has no business here," Jiraiya shot back. "Leave the Land of Fire now, or you'll be considered invaders."

Rōshi's eyes narrowed. "Are you really going to push this to the breaking point?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened. "It was your people who crossed the line first. You sent your Jinchūriki to assassinate me. It's time we settled that debt."

The moment he finished speaking, killing intent surged from Jiraiya as he formed a Rasengan in his palm. Without warning, he vanished from sight, reappearing behind five of Iwagakure's elite jōnin.

He struck.

A piercing scream echoed through the battlefield. The Rasengan tore through one of the Iwa jōnin, shredding his body apart in an instant.

It took only a moment—Jiraiya had already taken out an elite enemy shinobi.

"Jiraiya! I'll tear you apart!" Rōshi roared in fury.

Before the battle had even begun, their carefully laid-out strategy had already started to fall apart.

Their original plan was clear:

Jiraiya would face Rōshi. Sarutobi would take on the Kazekage. Uzumaki Mito would focus on eliminating Iwagakure's elite jōnin. The remaining Konoha shinobi would handle the rest.

"Then let's see who tears who apart first."

Jiraiya smirked as he conjured a massive Rasengan and charged straight at Rōshi.

Rōshi wasn't an ordinary opponent. As the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, he possessed the powerful Lava Release Kekkei Genkai. His strength easily rivaled that of a Kage, and on top of that, he had achieved perfect synchronization with his Tailed Beast.

In other words—he was a serious threat.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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