I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 285 Second Round? More Money Required!

Although the Shadow Clone attack failed to finish off the enemy.

However, after flying backwards for a while, Jiraiya still managed to fall awkwardly to the ground due to gravity.

With the power of [Super Strength] not yet completely dissipated, Jiraiya's body plowed a deep furrow in the ground, stirring up a cloud of gray-yellow dust.

The task completion message that popped up on the panel said "Defeat" instead of "Kill".

There is no need to worry too much about Jiraiya's safety for the time being.

However, out of humanitarian considerations...

Nara Rinka quickly created a shadow creature, which carried him to Jiraiya's location to check on the general situation of the toad sage of Mount Myōboku.

"He's really passed out..."

Looking at Jiraiya, who was still lying in the pit with his eyes tightly closed, Nara Rankei made an intuitive judgment.

He immediately squatted down and used his medical ninjutsu to carefully examine the other person's physical condition.

"Nothing else was damaged, just a few ribs were broken...tsk! So brittle!"

Nara Rinka originally thought that the Shadow Clone Technique wouldn't pose too much of a threat to Jiraiya, and was prepared to provide support at any time.

Unexpectedly, the legendary Sannin were carried away by a single punch from the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

In his memory, Jiraiya's physique shouldn't be that "fragile"...

Nara Rinkazu recounted the battle that the Shadow Clone Technique had just fought.

He did not use any sophisticated tactics or advanced physical skills.

It was truly unexpected that he could take down the three ninjas with a single punch.

"However, to be fair, a bloodline limit like [Swift Release], which seems insignificant when activated, is surprisingly powerful in actual combat! And there's no need to worry about information leaks."

Nara Rinka waited for a moment, and Uchiha Shisui and the others who were watching the battle from the sidelines quickly arrived at the scene.

"Shizune, Nohara-san, please heal Jiraiya-sama."

Nara Rinka looked at the two medical ninjas beside him and gave them orders.

"I've just done a preliminary check-up. He has several broken ribs. Please keep an eye on him."

"Yes, Captain/Sir!"

Shizune and Rin Nohara responded simultaneously and stepped forward to help alleviate Jiraiya's injuries.

It must be said that Jiraiya's physical abilities were indeed formidable.

With the combined efforts of the two medical ninjas, he quickly regained consciousness.

"Thank you, both of you lovely ladies!"

The moment Jiraiya opened his eyes, he saw Shizune and Rin Nohara trying to save him.

After thanking them, Jiraiya stopped his usual flirtatious chatter with the two girls and instead turned his attention to Nara Ranka beside him.

"Lord Nara! I was careless just now and failed to dodge."

Jiraiya lowered his eyebrows, deliberately putting on a pitiful expression.

"However, given how badly I'm injured, perhaps... we should postpone the outcome of this challenge?"

Before falling into a coma, Jiraiya had not yet realized that the one he had been fighting for so long was merely a shadow clone of Nara Rinka.

Even if he knew, Jiraiya wouldn't surrender so easily.

After this battle, Jiraiya could say that he genuinely acknowledged the strength of the Dark Shadow.

The methods his opponent displayed during the battle were far more powerful and sophisticated than he had imagined.

But... Jiraiya really didn't unleash his true power!

Not to mention the secret techniques passed down from Mount Myōboku.

Even the psychic techniques they had planned to use were not put to use.

How could Jiraiya willingly admit defeat?

If it were just an ordinary sparring match, Jiraiya wouldn't have persisted so stubbornly.

However, the outcome of this sparring match is related to a transparent ninjutsu like [Camouflage Concealment]!

Even if Jiraiya were to be beaten to death by [Super Strength], and be knocked to the ground so hard he couldn't be pulled up, he would never let go of the opportunity to obtain [Camouflage].

If they were to admit defeat and back down right now, Jiraiya was genuinely worried that Nara Rinka would completely sever any possibility of trading with [Camouflage].

How can this be allowed?!

"Should we postpone it for now?"

Nara Rinka raised an eyebrow, looking at Jiraiya with some surprise.

"Does Lord Jiraiya mean... we should fight another day?"

If Jiraiya really was thinking of "fighting another day," then Nara would win...

Of course, you'd be more than welcome!

Nara Rinka also knew that Jiraiya had not used his full strength in the battle just now.

According to Nara Rinka's prediction, Jiraiya in his prime, with Sage Mode and the assistance of two great sages, would definitely be at least S-rank!

Despite having just obtained Jiraiya's A-rank [Ninja Scroll].

However, based on previous experience, if Jiraiya's strength increases to S-rank in a short period of time, Nara Rinka can continue to trigger and complete the opponent's S-rank missions.

Since there is an opportunity to obtain a new S-rank [Ninja Scroll], which is also related to the inheritance of the Sage Techniques of Mount Myōboku, Nara Rinka will certainly not let it go easily.

"That's right, Lord Nara!"

Jiraiya nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"I know this request is somewhat presumptuous, but... could you please give me another chance?"

"Doesn't Lord Jiraiya have any other tasks to handle after this?"

Nara Rinka did not immediately agree to Jiraiya's request, but instead changed the subject.

"The wars against foreign powers are not completely over yet."

"Yes, I do have some matters to attend to and resolve."

Jiraiya nodded first, and then explained the details of his upcoming mission.

"After dealing with matters in the Land of Hot Water, I will return to the Land of Fire and take charge of the coastal areas of the Land of Fire to defend against any possible attacks from Kirigakure."

In the previous battle of the Land of Hot Springs, Kirigakure suffered heavy losses in its fighting force.

In particular, the loss of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the Three-Tails Jinchuriki created a breach in the lifeline of Kirigakure, significantly reducing its overall strength.

Even so, Kirigakure did not immediately raise the white flag and surrender.

Recently, while Kirigakure has stopped harassing the Land of Hot Springs, it has been keeping a close eye on the vast coastline of the Land of Fire.

Because Minato Namikaze needed to gain more military merits, Jiraiya was recalled from the front lines of the Land of Rain by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, Jiraiya is not Tsunade, and he suffers from a very severe case of hemophobia.

With the war still raging, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have to be insane to keep a powerful ninja like Jiraiya in the village.

After some discussion and decision-making, Jiraiya was sent by Hiruzen Sarutobi to deal with Kirigakure.

Jiraiya was particularly skilled in Fire Release ninjutsu, but his Water Release ninjutsu was equally impressive, not to mention the large group of toads from Mount Myōboku.

Sending Jiraiya to deal with Kirigakure can be considered a "professional match".

"Since Lord Jiraiya needs to go to the Hidden Mist battlefield to oversee things, then let's not waste too much time in the Land of Hot Springs."

Nara Rinkazu seemed to have no desire for Jiraiya's secret scroll at all, and said in a serious tone.

"It wouldn't be good if we stayed in the Land of Hot Water for too long and affected the situation on the Hidden Mist battlefield."

What's there to worry about in Kirigakure?

Jiraiya is just thick-skinned, not mentally impaired.

As the Third Shinobi World War has progressed to this point, the Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Stone Village, and Hidden Mist Village have all suffered severe losses.

The Sand Village seems to have suffered the least losses, but that's because they weren't wealthy to begin with.

It's obvious to anyone with eyes that the end of the Third Shinobi World War is not far off.

Under these circumstances, the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure would have to be insane to go to such lengths to fight Konoha to the death.

Moreover, Jiraiya was not unaware of the situation at the Hidden Mist battlefield.

Even without his presence, Uchiha Kagami alone could withstand the massive army of Kirigakure.

If we're talking about Jiraiya's abilities against Kirigakure, then it's a perfect match.

So, if Kirigakure dared to approach a Mangekyou Sharingan Uchiha like Uchiha Kagami, who was resurrected through Edo Tensei, it would be like "blocking their own gun barrel."

However, Jiraiya didn't need to discuss these issues with the other children besides Nara Rinka.

"That's true, but I'm injured now, aren't I?"

Jiraiya quickly found a suitable excuse.

"Even if a patient like me went to the Hidden Mist battlefield, I wouldn't be of much help..."

"I've decided to recuperate in the Land of Hot Springs for a while!"

Regarding this issue.

Nara Rinka shrugged and didn't reply.

"Please have Jiraiya-sama communicate with the village."

"That's natural."

Jiraiya nodded, then looked longingly at Nara Rinka.

"Then, Lord Nara, after my injuries have healed, we can have our second sparring match..."

"Lord Jiraiya."

Nara Rinka said slowly and deliberately.

"The frontline is busy, and my time is very precious."

As soon as the words were spoken, Jiraiya, Kakashi Hatake, and Rin Nohara, who were not very familiar with each other, were fine, but the expressions of their three subordinates, Kagami Uchiha, Rei Hyuga, and Shizune, changed slightly.

Captain, the frontline work is very busy, are you the one suffering?

"Yes, yes, that's completely understandable."

Jiraiya didn't notice anything unusual. When he was overseeing the battlefield in the Land of Rain, he was indeed extremely busy, so busy that he didn't even have time to drink and have fun.

"But Lord Nara, I really want to learn your ninjutsu."

"Lord Jiraiya, you have misunderstood me."

Nara Rinka smiled slightly, like a predator baring its fangs.

"What I want to say is that this sparring session was initiated by me, and the bargaining chip was the qualification to learn from [Camouflage].

"Since you proposed this second sparring match, then... we'll have to add more money."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya immediately looked troubled.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with Nara Rinka's words.

If we compare a battle to a gamble...

【Camouflage】is the "bet" in Nara's laurel wrestling.

Jiraiya wasn't the house, so there was no reason for his opponents to bet while he didn't pay anything in return.

What's troubling Jiraiya right now is another problem.

What bargaining chip should he offer?

First update.

The second update will be a little later.

(End of this chapter)