"You don't have to make me look too complicated," Saigoji Youmu said with a faint smile.
Tsunade glanced at him, then shook her head. "Looking at you, you don't seem like a difficult person."
She pushed unnecessary thoughts aside and motioned for him to follow. "Come on, I'll introduce you to my companions."
Saigoji Youmu nodded. The negotiations were done—there was no need to waste any more time.
An Abandoned Village Near the Valley
Tsunade led Saigoji Youmu through the rain-drenched ruins of a forgotten village. There, Orochimaru and Jiraiya waited for her return.
"Orochimaru, Jiraiya," she called out as they approached.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed as he observed Saigoji Youmu with keen interest. "So, this is the Youmu-kun you mentioned?"
His curiosity was apparent. Just as in the original timeline, Orochimaru was deeply fascinated by the unknown, constantly pursuing the secrets of forbidden techniques.
"Orochimaru, I'd advise you not to fixate on him," Tsunade warned.
Orochimaru chuckled but said nothing.
Jiraiya, standing nearby, crossed his arms and smirked. "Tsunade, are you seriously saying this guy might be stronger than you?"
Tsunade glanced at Saigoji Youmu, then back at Jiraiya. "Maybe. Maybe not. Why don't you find out for yourself?"
Jiraiya's grin widened. "Oh?" He stepped forward. "Hey, kid. Want to have a friendly match?"
"Of course," Saigoji Youmu responded without hesitation. "Right here?"
Jiraiya's eyebrows lifted in surprise. He hadn't expected such a quick agreement.
"This village has been abandoned for years because of the war," he said. "No one's going to complain if we cause a little destruction."
Tsunade and Orochimaru exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting mutual amusement. Without a word, both leaped onto a nearby rooftop to watch the unfolding battle.
"Youmu," Konan whispered, tugging at his sleeve.
Saigoji Youmu patted her shoulder lightly. "Go stand with Tsunade."
Konan nodded and trotted toward Tsunade's position. Just as she reached the house—
A wide platform of ice suddenly rose beneath her feet.
It lifted her effortlessly to Tsunade's level, freezing raindrops in the air as it solidified.
"Ah!" Konan gasped at the unexpected movement but quickly steadied herself. Her experiences in war had forged her resilience. The initial shock faded almost instantly.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, however, weren't as composed.
Their eyes locked onto the ice platform, their expressions shifting.
"That level of chakra control…" Orochimaru muttered.
Jiraiya clenched his fists. Saigoji Youmu had been standing nearly fifty meters away, yet he had formed an ice construct with absolute precision. Such control over long-distance ninjutsu was rare.
"I'll have to take this seriously."
Jiraiya cracked his knuckles, his usual playful demeanor replaced with focus. He couldn't afford to hold back, not with Tsunade watching.
Saigoji Youmu turned to face him. "Shall we begin?"
Jiraiya smirked. "No holding back, then."
He stomped lightly on the ground— and dashed forward.
Even as he moved, his hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals.
Swish Swish Swish!
The jutsu was complete in barely a second.
Jiraiya inhaled deeply.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
With a roar, a fireball shot from his mouth, fueled by chakra-infused oil. The flames surged toward Saigoji Youmu, undeterred by the rain.
The battle had begun.