Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 341 Jiraiya: Watch me use my summoning technique to teach you a lesson!

That night.

Perhaps because it's been quite lively lately, even though the moonlight has filled the sky, Konoha Village is still very vibrant, especially near the commercial street, where people come and go in an endless stream.

However, on the edge of this village, near the former residence of the Uzumaki clan, it was quiet.

This place is quite remote, with no tourist attractions or businesses, so it's normal that there aren't many people here.

At this moment, a figure was standing in front of the former residence of the Whirlpool Clan.

The door bolt, secured with an iron lock, was easily broken by the figure's gentle squeeze, and then the figure pushed the door open and entered.

"Your Excellency, such behavior is unbecoming of your status." A voice came from the shadows of the street, and then Jiraiya gradually emerged, the moonlight shining brightly on his flowing silver hair.

Immediately afterwards, Kakashi emerged from another shadow, and as he took a step, he revealed his left eye, which had been covered by a black mask, and inside was the Sharingan with three tomoe.

Having already entered the former residence of the Vortex Clan, Bane didn't turn around. Instead, he calmly said, "You two have been following me all afternoon. Why are you only coming out to greet me now?"

Kakashi said softly, "Konoha is currently in an open state. Although you seem a bit strange, we shouldn't do anything impolite before you show any hostility, should we?"

"That makes sense." Bane nodded, then turned to look at the two people outside the door, and said, "The famous Sannin and Konoha's number one technician?"

After a slight pause, Bane smiled and looked at Kakashi, saying, "That Sharingan suits you very well."

Kakashi paused for a moment, not quite understanding what Bane meant.

Jiraiya, however, had no intention of engaging in idle chatter with Bane, and asked in a deep voice, "What is your purpose in coming to the former residence of the Uzumaki clan under the cover of night?"

"Take back something that doesn't belong to them," Bane said softly.

"Putting aside the fact that there's nothing special in the former residence of the Uzumaki clan, even if there were, it wouldn't be your place to 'take' it, would it? The Uzumaki clan has a close relationship with Konoha. Whatever you want to take, we can't turn a blind eye. Please come out through this door." Jiraiya looked into Bane's eyes, his tone carrying a hint of pressure.

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept your suggestion," Bane said, shaking his head.

Then, he completely ignored Jiraiya and Kakashi, turned around and looked in a certain direction in the former residence of the vortex. He could vaguely sense a trace of the Grim Reaper's aura.

In a small house not far from this courtyard, that should be the Namendo of the Uzumaki clan, right?

Having determined the direction, Bane took a step forward on his own. As his foot landed, the Sharingan tomoe in Kakashi's eyes spun, and his figure instantly disappeared from the spot.

Body Flicker Technique!

Almost in the blink of an eye, Kakashi appeared behind Bane, holding a kunai in his hand, intending to press it against Bane's throat from behind to stop him.

But the moment Kakashi appeared behind Bane and raised his hand, Bane had already grabbed his wrist.

"Too slow," Bane said softly, then with a slight flick of his wrist, he pulled Kakashi up and slammed him onto the grass beside him.

Perhaps out of consideration for the fact that this was the former residence of the Uzumaki clan, Jiraiya refrained from using any highly destructive ninjutsu. Instead, he formed a hand seal in front of him and uttered a low shout: "Ninjutsu: Lion's Mane Technique!"

His long, flowing silver-white hair behind him suddenly became sharp, turning into a raging torrent that swept towards Bane.

At the same time, Kakashi crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Upon closer inspection, all that remained was a wooden stake. Clearly, he had used the Substitution Jutsu just before he hit the ground.

Then, several streaks of black lightning flashed across the moonlight, and Jiraiya's expression turned to one of surprise and disbelief, his eyes filled with shock.

His chaotic lion's mane technique, even when he was going all out, was actually blocked by an invisible force.

It was as if the air had turned into a surging wave, preventing the hair from getting closer.

"Didn't I already say it was too slow?" On the tree trunk in the courtyard, before Kakashi's Sharingan could detect any trace of the other party, Bane had already inexplicably appeared behind him, placing a hand on Kakashi's shoulder.

As an elite Jonin of Konoha, Kakashi was shocked, but he did not turn around. Instead, he immediately lunged forward to try and create distance between himself and Bane. However, just as he was about to exert force with his feet, his throat tightened, and he was lifted up by the neck.

"Kakashi!" Jiraiya didn't have time to say anything more. He also used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Bane and swept out with a kick.

However, before he could even hit Bane, Kakashi was used as a punching bag and slammed directly into Jiraiya. The surging force was too much for either of them to resist, and with a bang, the two figures were simultaneously slammed onto the lawn.

This was only because Bane held back; otherwise, that blow would probably have been enough to kill Kakashi and Jiraiya.

Before the two could even get up from their disheveled state, a heavy aura instantly enveloped them. Kakashi was a veteran of many battles, having participated in the brutal Ninja World War when he was young, but Conqueror's Haki was a power that could bring down even seasoned warriors.

Both Kakashi and Jiraiya were experiencing this kind of mental shock, like a tsunami, for the first time, and were clearly caught off guard.

In an instant, as if their heads had been struck by a heavy hammer, Kakashi and Jiraiya's next moves all came to a halt. The substantial mental pressure combined with Conqueror's Haki compacted the relatively loose and soft grass, rendering the two unable to make any movements for a moment.

All of this momentum was firmly locked on the grass of the former residence of the whirlpool, without even affecting the tree from before.

"Who exactly are you?" Jiraiya asked with difficulty, his arms braced on the ground as if trying to withstand the oppressive aura.

Jiraiya had been a dominant force in the ninja world for many years. Although he didn't usually show off, he was quite confident in his abilities.

But he never expected that one day he would be pinned to the ground, unable to move, by someone else's casually released aura. The difference between them was like a chasm, leaving him somewhat desperate.

How could someone be so strong?!

"For the sake of Mount Myōboku, I'll spare your lives this time." Bane said casually, walking slowly between Jiraiya and Kakashi, who were lying on the ground.

Just as Bane was about to step into the Uzumaki clan's Namen Hall, Jiraiya broke free from the oppressive aura. At that moment, he no longer cared about any other considerations. He raised his right thumb to his lips, bit down, and as blood gushed out, he slammed his palm on the ground, shouting, "Summoning Jutsu!"

The white smoke exploded, revealing not the giant Gamabunta, but two small toads that looked very old.

These two toads are the elder toad sages of Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku and Shima.

"Little Jiraiya, it's been a long time since you summoned us like this," Shima said softly.

After saying this, Shima paused, but not hearing Fukasaku's voice, he asked somewhat doubtfully, "Old man, you..."

However, at this moment, she seemed to realize something, and an incredulous look appeared in her eyes. She suddenly looked up at the figure that had already walked into the house not far away.

"I'm sorry, you two," Jiraiya said, panting heavily.

Despite not having expended much physical strength, he was still struggling to calm his rapid breathing, clearly indicating that he hadn't fully recovered from Bane's oppressive aura.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"I have encountered the most formidable enemy I have ever faced in my life," Jiraiya added.

After saying that, Jiraiya turned his head to look at his shoulder with some confusion. Why were these two immortals not saying anything?

"Hey, Jiraiya," Fukasaku seemed to snap out of his daze, swallowing nervously as he asked, "Who was that guy who just came in? Could he be the formidable enemy you were talking about?"

"Of course," Jiraiya replied immediately.

"Idiot, didn't you sense something was wrong with him?!" Fukasaku Senjin yelled in exasperation.

"I have a slight sense that he has a very strong natural energy, but strangely, he doesn't seem to have any chakra," Jiraiya quickly said.

"The Source of Nature!" Fukasaku immediately exclaimed. "That being is a manifestation of natural power itself. Even with the Great Toad Sage, I've never sensed anything like it. Moreover, he carries the scent of Ryuchi Cave. Damn it, you know we toads hate snakes the most."

No sooner had Fukasaku the Hermit finished speaking than Bane, who had just entered the room, came out holding a mask that looked ferocious and like a demon.

"Oh? Little toad, your sense of smell is quite keen." Bane chuckled.

After a slight pause, Bane asked, "Haven't you heard of me? I already had the White Serpent inform Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest about me."

Although the three holy sites do not have a good relationship with each other, they are indeed connected.

The White Snake Sage repeatedly asked Ban to inform Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest of the changes in Ryūchi Cave. In reality, she wanted to show off that Ryūchi Cave had risen to prominence and had a true dragon in charge.

Bane initially wanted to keep a low profile, but then he thought there was nothing wrong with it, so he agreed to the White Snake Sage's request.

Upon hearing Bane's words, Fukasaku seemed to recall something, his expression turning somewhat incredulous. Meanwhile, Shima slowly spoke, "Old man, don't focus so much on the natural energy emanating from him. Haven't you felt it yet? That awe-inspiring aura emanating from his life force."

"Dragon," the immortal said nervously, swallowing hard. "The old white snake of Dragon Cave didn't lie."

Indeed, although the White Snake Sage enthusiastically informed Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myōboku about the Spirit Lord, Shikkotsu Forest was unaware of the situation, while Mount Myōboku completely disregarded it, dismissing it as mere boasting from the old white snake.

Today has truly been an eye-opening experience!

After fully realizing what had happened, Fukasaku and Shima clasped their hands together and said respectfully, "We apologize for disturbing Your Excellency's enjoyment."

Jiraiya? ??

No, I came here to talk to you two, intending to have a fight, but I hadn't even said two words before you surrendered?

What's the deal with the Spirit Lord? I'm a member of Mount Myōboku, right? How come I've never heard of him before?!

At the same time, Bane withdrew his aura, causing Kakashi, who had almost fainted, to breathe a sigh of relief. He was soaked and drenched in sweat, as if he had been pulled out of the water.

"No need for formalities. I have no connection with Mount Myōboku, so you need not be so polite," Bane said calmly, waving his hand.

It was clear that Fukasaku and Shima had more to say, but Bane spoke up directly: "I came here to retrieve an item from the Pure Land. I have obtained it, so I will take my leave now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bane took another step forward, but as soon as his foot touched the ground, his figure had already disappeared from the courtyard.

After a few breaths, Jiraiya confirmed that the other party had completely left, and then he couldn't help but ask, "Two immortals, what exactly happened?"

"You idiot Jiraiya, you almost killed us! That's the spirit of Ryuchi Cave!" Shima said complainingly.

"He's not like us mortals who call ourselves immortals; he's a true dragon!" Fukasaku the Immortal said, his voice filled with lingering fear.

"Huh?" Jiraiya was clearly unable to accept this abrupt statement.

What do you mean? Isn't Ryuchi Cave a snake's territory? There really are dragons there?! How come I've never heard of them before?

(End of this chapter)