Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Chapter 1039 Communication and Escape

"Jiraiya-sama!"

As soon as Uchiha Shisui appeared, he bowed slightly to Jiraiya.

Jiraiya nodded in return.

Clearly, although one of the Legendary Sannin had been away from the village for a long time, he still knew something about Uchiha Shisui, the genius who became famous at a young age.

However, he quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at Qingming again, saying, "Can you tell me who you are? Judging from how you fought those people just now, you don't seem to have any grudge against Konoha. Can you tell me your purpose?"

Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Qingming was somewhat surprised.

The reason was simple: the other party's attitude was not as tough as he had expected.

However, thinking about it, it makes sense. Although Jiraiya often doesn't appear to be very smart, he gives off a sense of profound wisdom despite his seemingly foolish nature.

Once they've decided on something, they'll persevere no matter how difficult the process may be.

And his intuition was frighteningly accurate.

Therefore, coupled with his rich combat experience, it is quite normal for him to see some clues and thus deduce some of his background.

In fact, not only Jiraiya, but also Uchiha Shisui probably noticed something and had some guesses about his identity.

Otherwise, the other side would never have been watching from the sidelines.

Given the current relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village, revealing his identity in public would likely create immediate rift between them.

Therefore, coupled with the Sharingan reflected in the pupils when the Nine-Tails went out of control, the entire Uchiha clan would probably be unable to clear their name even if they jumped into the Yellow River.

Of course, this was also thanks to his decisive action. He suppressed the Nine-Tails just as it went out of control, before anyone else could react, leaving them no chance to intervene.

Otherwise, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind. Qingming shifted his gaze from Uchiha Shisui and looked back at Jiraiya.

Then, he replied with a smile, "Haha~, Jiraiya-sama's observation is indeed very sharp. I really have no grudge against Konoha."

As for the purpose, you've all seen it, it's naturally the Nine-Tails.

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya's expression remained unchanged. He continued, "You suppressed the Nine-Tails' power just now using Wood Release, right? But where did you learn your Sage Mode?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips, and his gaze towards Qingming became even more fiery.

At the same time, Uchiha Shisui's eyes also flickered slightly.

Clearly, they had also noticed the strangeness of Qingming's power, but they hadn't connected it to immortal techniques.

Well.
Orochimaru may simply not have made the connection, while Uchiha Shisui was unaware of the specific manifestations of this power.

After all, besides Orochimaru, who was his former teammate, only a few enemies had seen Jiraiya use 'Sage Mode', so it's normal that Uchiha Shisui didn't know.

Ignoring their reactions, Qingming, upon hearing Jiraiya's question, couldn't help but think to himself, "So I was found out after all."

In fact, after confirming that the person hiding in the shadows was Jiraiya, he could roughly guess that it was unlikely that he could hide the fact that he possessed a half-finished 'Sage Mode' from the other party.

After all, for Jiraiya, who also mastered 'Sage Mode', Sage Chakra and natural energy were too easy to distinguish.

However, there's no need for any explanation.

Qingming glanced discreetly at the group of Konoha ninjas who were about to arrive in the distance, and said, "Of course, he's self-taught."

After saying that, he suddenly stretched his arms forward.

The next moment, his two arms transformed into a dozen emerald green vines, which, like venomous snakes, coiled around the three people in front of him with lightning speed.

However, the strength of these three was far beyond that of ordinary Jonin. They reacted almost the instant Qingming made his move. Among them, Uchiha Shisui drew his short sword from his back with a clang, and a surge of wind-style chakra flowed onto the blade, causing it to glow with streaks of blue light.

A sharp aura emanated from the blade, and he moved like a nimble dancer, wielding his short sword and weaving among the vines, cutting them into pieces.

And what about Orochimaru?
Simultaneously, he unleashed a B-rank ninjutsu—Hidden Shadow Snake Hand—sending several venomous snakes from his arm to coil around the attacking vines.

As for Jiraiya...
His method was simple and direct. He quickly raised his hands to form hand seals, then took a deep breath and exhaled sharply, unleashing the ninjutsu—Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!
Suddenly, a fire dragon appeared, coiling and rushing towards the attacking vines.

One against three, and Qingming's released vines had no ninjutsu bonus.

Therefore, even when powered by Sage Chakra, it was still slightly inferior.

Fortunately, his goal was not to defeat the three, but to escape from this vortex.

So, taking advantage of the moment when the three were blocking the vine attack, he gathered chakra, strengthened the muscles in his legs, and then used the 'Body Flicker Technique' to run towards the outskirts of the village at an extremely fast speed.

Upon seeing this, Jiraiya immediately stopped his ninjutsu and prepared to give chase.

Although he had no intention of killing Qingming because of Qingming's actions, the Nine-Tails, as the village's property and a strategic weapon, could not be taken away by outsiders under any circumstances.

However, as soon as he made a move, he sensed danger.

咻咻 咻 ~
Several venomous snakes lunged at him from the side.

Jiraiya dodged backward, avoiding the attack.

His face darkened, and he turned to look at Orochimaru, saying in a deep voice, "Why? Orochimaru, aren't you afraid of being caught by the village?"

"Hohohoho~"

Orochimaru let out another strange laugh, then said nonchalantly, "Then let's wait until you catch me!"

As he spoke, he stretched his arm forward again, summoning more than a dozen venomous snakes that attacked Jiraiya.

Seeing this, Uchiha Shisui immediately distanced himself from Orochimaru and then said to Jiraiya, "I'll go after them."

Then, he went straight after Qingming in the direction he had left.

His speed was slightly faster than Qingming's.

Seeing this, Jiraiya breathed a slight sigh of relief and then focused all his attention on Orochimaru.

And what about Orochimaru?
He did not stop Uchiha Shisui from leaving.

Not only that, but a strange glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Uchiha Shisui, as if he were expecting something.

However, no one knows exactly what they are expecting.

Just like why he helped Qingming stop Jiraiya, nobody knows.

Even Qingming himself didn't know.

He originally thought that all three of them would pursue him, and he was even prepared to risk revealing some of his secrets by using the 'Flying Thunder God Technique' to escape.

But he didn't expect that only Uchiha Shisui would come after him.

"However, this is also good. Perhaps I can take this opportunity to complete the unfinished plan."

With this thought in mind, Qingming raised his hand to form a hand seal and unleashed the 'Wood Clone Technique'.

The next moment, he split off two wooden clones, and then, with the cover of a large tree, each chose a direction and ran forward, just like his main body.

Seeing that Qingming split into three, Uchiha Shisui, who was chasing after him, did not hesitate at all. He immediately used the 'Shadow Clone Technique' to create two shadow clones, which chased after Qingming and his clones.

(End of this chapter)