Chapter 8

It has been a few days since Naruto and the rest of team 7 have gone out on a mission to find Orochimaru.

Ryu who was not on assistant duty was heading out to find Jiraya so he could have a spar with him. It was very easy finding Jiraya as all Ryu had to do was go to the women public baths.

Ryu arrived behind Jiraya who was peeping while hanging over the fence. This made Ryu wonder how Tsunade has not built taller walls to stop this man from peeping.

Seeing that Jiraya had not noticed him. Ryu silently moved closer as he formed a 'Tiger' sign with his hands.

{THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH}

"AHHH!!!"

Jiraya was lunched several meters into the air landed directly into the women bath which was filled with bathing women.

"KYAAHH!!!"

Ryu stood outside hearing the screams of women and the sound of Jiraya being beaten. Ryu had always wanted to try out it but never had a chance till today.

Ryu patiently waited as a beaten up Jiraya escape from the hands of the angry women.

"Yo!"

Ryu greeted Jiraya who glared at him.

"What the hell was that for?" Jiraya was fuming "How dare you interrupt my research and attack me with that Jutsu"

"No reason, but the way you were at that time you were just asking for it"

"You!!!"

"Don't be angry" Ryu laugh "I just came to invite you for a spar"

"A spar?"

"Yeah I want to see how my {SAGE MODE} compares to others and you are the only person who knows it."

Jiraya was quite as he thought about Ryu's request. He had no problem sparing with Ryu but he was not confident he could match him in a fight.

Ryu was able to guess what Jiraya was thinking about.

"Don't worry, I don't plan on using my sword" Ryu said

It might look like arrogance for Ryu to say that he wouldn't need his sword to fight one of the Sannins, but it wasn't.

The current Ryu at this time is the strongest ninja in the shinobi world. Since there was no reason for him to refuse Jiraya agreed.

"Let go then" Ryu happily grabs Jiraya and teleports away.

When they appeared again they on top of a remote island.

"Where is this?"

"This is my private training spot" Ryu said with a smile on his face "Only me, Shisui, Guy and now you know about this place"

 "Wow!!"

Jiraya was surprised seeing the island. The island was around 10km long and 7km wide it was mostly rocky and had a large number of craters around it.

These were created by the damages done during Ryu's training, but that was not what surprised Jiraya. It was the seals that were used to create the barrier that covers the whole island.

"You did all this?"

Jiraya turn to ask him in shock.

"As expected of you Prevy sage" Ryu had a satisfied face hearing Jiraiya's question "Yes all this seals were made by me"

As the other people who came to the island were not sealing technique users, they weren't able to tell the complexity of the seal that Ryu had made.

But this wasn't the same for Jiraya. He too was a sealing master so he was able to understand what Ryu had done.

"So what do you think? I call it the {THOUSAND SEALING BARRIER}"

"What a fitting name" Jiraya marveled "I never thought that will ever see a barrier made of over a thousand different sealing technique"

It was a made of several different type of attacking seals, defensive seals, binding seals and other types of seals working currently together to form a barrier.

"How long did it take you to make this?"

"Almost six years" Ryu said "at its current level it can take several {TAILED BEAST BOMB} and it will be okay.

Jiraya marveled at how talented Ryu was. He started to wonder if Ryu was the 'Child of Prophesy'.

"Enough talk let's do this" Ryu said to Jiraya.

Ryu brought him out of his thought.

"Alright let me get ready"

Jiraya then weaved hand signs to summon Shima and Fukasaku.

"Oh Jiraya – boy, why I have you summoned both of us?"

"Is there an enemy to fight?"

"Long time no see Fukasaku-sama and Shima-sama" Ryu greet both of the elder frogs.

"Oh Ryu-boy you are here?"

Jiraya explains to them that he and Ryu were going to spar using {SAGE MODE}

"So the reason why I call you guys here"

"Ohh!! So it is like that!"

"I'm looking forward to it"

 "It has really been forever since we have fought seriously"

"I hope I can meet your expectations" Ryu said to the two frogs

"Come let see how you are without {SAGE MODE}" Jiraya said

"Okay"

Ryu forms a hand sign "Release"

Several seal mark glowed on Ryu's body as he removed the weight seal and chakra disruption seal.

"Now that is better" 

Ryu immediately lunges at Jiraya while throwing a full powered punch. Jiraya followed with one of his own.

Boom!!

The force created by both attacks made a large crater on the ground they were standing. Their strength was almost on pair.

But if one was experienced enough they would notice that Jiraya was use a lot more effort to hold on while Ryu wasn't breaking a sweat.

Both of them quickly backed away then went at each other again. They both went on the offensive using only their Taijustu.  

"What absurd strength!" Fukasaku commented

"To think this is without {SAGE MODE}" Shima said "it seems that this is going to be an interesting battle"

"Haha! how long has it been since he went all out"

Shima and Fukasaku couldn't wait to join the fight as they felt that Ryu was a worthy opponent.

While they were talking Ryu and Jiraya a had exchanged several moves. Ryu was finally able to realizes how sly Jiraya was.

When it comes to strength and combat skills Ryu is in the lead but Jiraya is able make up the gap with experience.

Jiraya was able to read all of Ryu's attacks before they are made and come up with an efficient counter to it. This was something that one could only learn with time.

Ryu had no choice but to use his {SHARINGAN} to try to get an upper hand. After that the battle starts to tilt back to his favor.

A few moments later, both of them move away from each other.

"Are you really human?" Jiraya said as he tried to regulate his breathing. "How can you not have a sweat after that?"

Ryu who was standing away was breathing steadily not at all tolled by the fight was shocked at Jiraiya's word.

"What are you talking about? that was just warmup"

If anything this was nothing compared to what he does when sparing with Might Guy. Luckily Jiraya was able to keep up with him.

"'Warmup' he says" Jiraya looks at Ryu in disbelieve.

This wasn't just a matter of Taijustu. Ryu's physique, strength and endurance were something he had never seen before. If there was anyone he could compare Jiraya would say that Hashirama Senju was the only one he could think of.  

"Here I come" Ryu said as he rushes at him again.

His words brought Jiraya out of his thoughts. Seeing Ryu closing in on him he forms a sign.

{HAIR NEEDLE SENBON}

Hair grew longer and attack Ryu. This force Ryu to stop his advance as he does a backflip cause the attack to miss him.

Before he could rest the hair grew several spikes and shot at him.

"Shit"

Ryu had no choice but to teleport away.

Appearing a distance away from Jiraya, Ryu stop to catch his breathe.

'now this is an interesting battle'

Although he constantly fights with Guy, their fight was very straightforward as most of Guy's attack are simple Taijustu and he mostly responds back with Taijustu or Kenjutsu.  

That is not to say the fights were easy.

When fighting with Guy, Ryu always has to be on his toes because a single lapse in judgment will cause him a world of pain when hit with any of Guy's attack.

But now he could be more flexible when fighting Jiraya.

{FIRE SYTLE: GREAT FIREBALL TECHIQUE}

Jiraya blows out a large ball of fire at Ryu. Seeing the attack coming at him then smiled.

If there was anything that Ryu was least afraid of it will be fire. Thanks to his {SUN BREATHING} and {ZANPAKTO} Ryu affinity with fire was the highest.

Ryu forms a hand sign while mounding chakra.

{FIRE SYTLE: GREAT FIREBALL TECHIQUE}

A similar attack was used by Ryu but his own was twice the size of Jiraya. When the two attack met Ryu's {FIREBALL} swallowed up Jiraiya's and continued towards Jiraya.

"Shit"

Jiraya jumps away dodging the attack. But before he could catch his breath he is met with several shurikens coated with lightning and flames.

{NEDDLE JIZO}

Jiraiya's hair wrapped around his body protecting his from the shurikens. Suddenly Jiraiya's face changed.

Ryu who is currently holding a {GAINT RASENGAN}. He had been waiting for a chance like this where Jiraya couldn't move.

Boom!!!

Jiraya was sent crashing into several tree causing devastation as he went. Ryu lands on the ground as he admires his work.

"You're going to lose if you don't fight back"

Ryu says out loud.

Jiraya then stands up from the rubble with very minor injuries.

"Sigh!! I can feel my age catching up to me"

Jiraya looks at Ryu with shock in his heart. Although he had heard from Tsunade but Ryu was on a totally different level from anyone that he has faced.

'I can't take this lightly'

Both of them go at it again this time with Jiraya going all out.

{WATER REALEASE: EXPLODING WATER COLLIDING WAVE}

 The ground around Ryu suddenly spills out all large amount of water trying to drown him but he doesn't stop.

Using his chakra on his feet Ryu was easily navigates on top of it not slowing him down at all. This was thanks to the level 7 chakra training that Ryu has be doing.

When the water stop pouring a large lake was formed around them.

Ryu rushes toward Jiraya planning to get closer. But Jiraya doesn't let him.

{WATER RELEASE: WATER DRAGON BULLET}

Several {WATER DRAGONS} formed using the water around them as they all charged at Ryu.

Ryu dodged multiple {WATER DRAGONS} attack before quickly weaving hand signs.

{SCORCH REALEASE: EVAPOURATION FLAMES}

Ryu breathes out a massive yellowish-orange colored flame which evaporated the entire water that was formed by Jiraiya's jutsu.

This is the only {KEKAI GENKAI} that Ryu is able to do. Using the mix of his {FIRE REALEASE} and {WIND REALEASE} to from {SCORCH REALEASE}.

This was originally used by Pakura of Sunagakure. Ryu was lucky to find some the {SCORCH REALEASE} techniques kept in the library when he went for his visits.

A large cloud of steam was formed around the area. Ryu uses his {SHARINGAN} to scan the surrounding when suddenly he feels danger.

Reacting quickly, Ryu crosses his hand in front of he him intercepting a punch from Jiraya. This forces Ryu to fly back.

'damn it… my hands feel numb' Ryu says to himself as look up to Jiraya.

"don't you think it is a little unfair to ambush me while using {SAGE MODE}?" Ryu asked

Jiraya who had already entered {SAGE MODE} with Shima and Fukasaku were on his shoulders grins at Ryu.

"what do you mean unfair? for a person like you nothing is too much"

Jiraya really meant what he said. Ryu was unlike normal ninjas who had to specify on what they want to do. He is an all-rounder making him have little to no weaknesses.

Ryu shakes his hand to get the numbness away "since we're using {SAGE MODE} it is time I use mine!"

The seal on the back of his left arm starts to glow as a flame like tattoo form around his body reaching up to his left side of his forehead. The tattoo looks like the demon slayer mark used by Yuriichi

The temperature around Ryu rose up even Jiraya who was a distance away could feel it.

"why did I agree to fight him again?" Jiraya was in doubt about his reason to fight Ryu.

Just from looking at Ryu he could tell that had already mastered the {SAGE MODE}. But seeing that Ryu was already holding back by not using his sword Jiraya decided he couldn't back out.  

'This mustn't go on'

{SUMMONING: TOAD MOUTH BIND}

"fuck!!!"

Ryu cursed as he watched the frogs close it mouth at him planning to swallow him. He quickly teleports away using his {FLYING THUNDER TECHNIQUE}.

 Just as Ryu appeared in the distance met with Jiraya who was holding a {GAINT RASENGAN}.

"Let's see how you like it"  

Seeing this, a smile appeared on Ryu face. He proceeds to raise his hand to grab the {GAINT RASENGAN}.

What?" Jiraya was shocked to see Ryu trying to grab his {GAINT RASENGAN}

'has he gone crazy'

Although Ryu had a very strong physique it was impossible to come out unhurt after taking a {GAINT RASENGAN} head on.

But what he was expecting didn't happen as Ryu held on to the {RASENGAN} without taking any damage. Furthermore, Jiraya notice that he was losing control of the {RASENGAN} in his hand.

Slowly the {RASENGAN} starts turning yellowish at a visible speed.

'Impossible!! He is taking control of my attack'

What Ryu was doing now was something deemed undoable. It is already a known fact that one cannot control another's jutsu when formed. So what Ryu was doing is very shocking.   

He had first made his chakra match that of Jiraya allowing him to come in contact with the {RASENGAN} without incurring any harm.

After doing that he then starts to infuse his own chakra taking over the attack completely. What Ryu was doing was incredibly risky as a small slipup would cause the attack to explode on him.

Before Jiraya could fully react, Ryu has already taking over the {RASENGAN} and attacked him with it.

BOOM!!!

Again Jiraya was sent flying into the tree.

"How was that?"

This time Jiraya was covered in burn marks and bruises.

"What a monster this Ryu boy is!!"

And this is him holding back"

{SAGE ART: FLAME BULLET GATTLING}

Ryu points his fingers at Jiraya ad shoots several compressed flames at him

Jiraya moves at blurring speed as he dodges the attack. both of the met and engaged in an intense fight.

Everywhere they clashed, left a large damage to the island.

Jiraya goes in for a kick but it is paired by Ryu who knocks him back. Jiraya quickly bounce up into the air as several shuriken pass under him

{SAGE ART: GOEMON}

 Jiraya spits out a large volume of oil which is then ignited by Shima using her {FIRE REALEASE}. Fukasaku then pushes the attack forward using wind style.

A super-heated oil covers a wide area above Ryu in an attempt to surround him.

"Fuck {SUSANOO}!!"

A golden upper half of the {SUSANOO} appeared protecting him from the attack.

Ryu might have a high resistance to fire but it will be stupid for him to take on the {GOEMON} head on. It can burn with a temperature of several thousand degrees.

Ryu quickly weaved hand signs.

{EARTH STYLE: EARTH PILLAR}

A large pillar of earth pushes Ryu up together with his {SUSANOO} into higher grounds putting him away from the moving oil.

Jiraya suddenly appears above Ryu hold a {RASENGAN} again but this time it was flaming

{SAGE ART: FIRE RELEASE: ULTRA-BIG BALL FLAME RASENGAN}

The attack slams directly on top of Ryu's {SUSANOO}. Much to Ryu's surprise the Susanoo was actually cracking under the force of Jiraiya's {Rasengan}.

BOOM!!

Ryu appear a distance away to where he had put his special kunai. He looks at the large area which had been carved into a large crater in shock.

'To think that a half body {SUSANOO} was destroyed from that attack'

Normally a Rasengan shouldn't be able to destroy a {SUSANOO} even of it was just the skeletal form.

'it seems that I can't really underestimate a Sannin Ryu thought 'but I can't let him be the only one having fun'

{SCORCH REALEASE: RASEN SHURIKEN}

 The hell is that?" Jiraya was shocked again.

He had thought that he would be able to show off that he was able to combine with his nature. But here was Ryu not only combining it with a {KEKAI GENKAI}, was also using shape transformation to make it in a shape of a Fuma Shuriken.

"Brace your self Prevy Sage"

Ryu then proceeds to throw the {RASENSHURIKEN} at Jiraya at a blinding speed. Jiraya was able to react to it thanks to his enhanced sense and dodge it at the last moment.

The attack misses him then proceeds to travel till it collides with a small mountain.

BOOM!!!

It explodes creating a vortex of scorching winds which destroy the whole mountain leaving a large crater in its place.

Jiraya mouth was open in shock seeing the destruction it caused.

"You what where you going to do if that had hit me?"

"Haha there is no way you were going to get hit by that"

Ryu laughs at Jiraya. Honestly the only reason Ryu was so confident that it wasn't going to hit was that he wasn't aiming at him.

Seeing how carefree Ryu was about the situation Jiraya could only sigh.

"Alright let stop here." Jiraya says "I'm not your match for a monster like you"

"Oh what a shame" Ryu said

He his mark faded away as stops using {SAGE MODE}.

Looking at the mark on the back of his hand Ryu said "now I have to refill the sage chakra"

Ryu's {SAGE MARK} as he calls it was not complete yet. The current one was made from copy the design of Orochimaru's sage mark.

But unlike the original Ryu didn't have jugo's cells which could absorb natural chakra automatically. So using Tsunade's {HUNDRED HEALING SEALS} he was able to make a way to store Sage chakra but he had to do it by himself.

Even with the drawbacks of the seals it was more effective that the normal methods. Like Jiraya who had to use the help of Shima and Fukasaku to maintain his {SAGE MODE}.

And like Naruto he can use his {shadow clones} to help him store the chakra.

"I have to say that you are very exceptional" Fukasaku said jumping down from Jiraiya's shoulder. "it is very hard to believe that you were able to achieve {SAGE MODE} by yourself."

"That is right" Shima nodded "the only person who that achieved this was the 'First Hokage' Hashirama Senju"

"Is that so?" Ryu blushed a bit from there praises.

"You have changed" Jiraya suddenly said

"I have?" Ryu was surprised hear that.

"Yes" Jiraya answers "before I left with Naruto, I always felt that you were acting"

"Acting??" Ryu was even more confused.

"If it was before you would had never use that technique that you used"

Jiraya was talk about the time that Ryu used {THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH}.

"Now you look a lot more comfortable with yourself"

Ryu thought about what Jiraya just said. He felt he was right.

He was feeling more free that when he initially came to this world. In the past because he was together with Itachi he felt that if he acts like him that it would be a good way to fit into this world.

But maybe because now he had enough strength that he can depend on he didn't feel the need to be like anybody else.

It could be also because he was able to accept this world as his reality.

Ryu lets out a smile "you may be right"

"So now that we are done let's go back I have more research to do"

Haha" Ryu laughed out loud "You never change Prevy sage"

Ryu teleport them back to the village.

When they got back Jiraya went back to his 'research' while Ryu branched by to eat at 'Ichiraku ramen'.

As Ryu was in the middle of his 13th bowl he picked up the chakra's of team 7.

Oh it seems that they are back"

Ryu decide to eat 5 more bowls before heading to the Hokage's office where team 7 were giving their report.