Chapter 139

The fleeting resentment in Jiraiya's heart slowly subsided as he looked up at the clone of Uzumaki Chito, his expression complicated.

"Yes," Jiraiya admitted quietly, "some things truly are a shame."

"But, Lord Chito," he continued, his tone firm, "you still haven't answered my question. Do you intend to interfere in the war between Konoha and Shin-Konoha?"

The faintly glowing figure of Uzumaki Chito smiled, a hint of amusement playing across his blurred features.

"Don't worry, Jiraiya," he said in a calm voice. "I have no intention of ending this game so soon. You don't need to fear my involvement in your war with Shin-Konoha."

"This situation is merely an accident. You see, when I helped found Konoha, I made a promise to the samurai of the Land of Iron: that I would grant them one request, no matter what it was."

"Just now, one of their samurai invoked that promise to ensure Mifune's safety."

Uzumaki Chito's gaze sharpened as he concluded, "So, as long as you release Mifune, there will be no further issues."

Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh internally. He had no choice in this matter.

Defeating Mifune had been no small task, relying entirely on the advantage of ninjutsu. If it weren't for his techniques, Mifune's extraordinary swordsmanship—elevated to the pinnacle of the kage-level—would have made him nearly unbeatable.

Releasing Mifune now meant potentially facing untold casualties in the future. The samurai leader could easily become a thorn in the side of the Five Great Ninja Villages for years to come.

But—

Jiraiya's gaze drifted back to the imposing figure of Uzumaki Chito. If he dared to refuse, the consequences would be immediate and catastrophic.

Taking a deep breath, Jiraiya raised his hand in a gesture of retreat and spoke respectfully, "Since this is your promise, Lord Chito, I have no choice but to comply. Mifune is free to go."

With that, Jiraiya released the Swamp of the Underworld technique.

The ground beneath Mifune hardened once more, and in a single fluid motion, the samurai broke free.

Mifune turned to the clone, his face alight with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Chito!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion.

Uzumaki Chito waved dismissively, his expression indifferent.

But just as the atmosphere seemed to calm, a sudden streak of white light sliced through the air, hurtling straight toward Mifune.

"Presumptuous!" Uzumaki Chito's eyes narrowed, and his voice thundered with anger.

With a casual wave of his hand, a purple chakra barrier materialized in front of Mifune. The shimmering curtain seemed impenetrable, exuding an aura of absolute defense.

Yet—

Shhhht!

The white streak pierced the barrier, tearing through it with ease. Though briefly delayed, the attack continued its relentless path toward Mifune.

Mifune, reacting in the nick of time, leapt forward and narrowly avoided the strike. Behind him, the ground erupted, leaving a rectangular pit of unfathomable depth.

The earth within the pit was gone, vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

"What a terrifying attack," Uzumaki Chito murmured, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "It's almost as powerful as one of my own strikes."

He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the perpetrator—a diminutive man with a large head and a stern expression, floating in the air alongside a crimson-nosed figure.

Recognition dawned instantly.

"Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage," Uzumaki Chito said with a faint smile. "So, that earlier attack was your famed Dust Release?"

"Impressive."

Ōnoki's face twisted with rage. "You!" he bellowed. "Your smug expression reminds me of him! That accursed man!"

Without waiting for a reply, Ōnoki clasped his hands together, forming another white cube in his palms.

"Die!" he roared, hurling the glowing construct toward Uzumaki Chito.

The white cuboid streaked through the air, its destructive energy aimed squarely at the clone.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!" Ōnoki's voice reverberated with fury.

"Don't!" Jiraiya shouted in alarm, his voice laced with desperation.

But his plea was drowned out by the sheer force of Ōnoki's attack. In the blink of an eye, the Dust Release technique reached Uzumaki Chito's projection.

"Trivial tricks," Uzumaki Chito muttered disdainfully.

He extended a single finger.

At its tip, a speck of white light flickered to life, glowing faintly yet exuding an unshakable sense of power.