Chapter 9: The Aburame Clan’s Jutsu

The fire roared through the air, igniting every leaf in its path.

Jiraiya hadn't used his full power when launching the Fire Release: Flame Bullet. Instead, he released just one flame bullet, intending to mislead Ryoma about his true strength.

This way, in the battles to come, Jiraiya could gain an advantage and defeat Ryoma more effectively. In ninja combat, strategies often play a decisive role. A clever plan can allow a weaker ninja to defeat a far stronger opponent.

Among Chunin, most who could use the Fire Release: Flame Bullet were limited to producing just one flame bullet at a time. Ryoma would never suspect that Jiraiya could simultaneously unleash three. That would be a surprise he'd reveal soon enough.

The moment Ryoma realized the one bound by his jutsu was only Jiraiya's clone, he understood his position was exposed. Without hesitation, he prepared his defensive jutsu:

Insect Release: Insect Wall.

As the flame bullet approached, a swarm of black beetles flew out from Ryoma's body. They gathered rapidly, forming a thick, black barrier. From a distance, it resembled a massive shield.

This technique, one of the Aburame Clan's staples, relied entirely on the user's control over their insects to determine its defensive strength.

Boom!

The flame bullet struck the insect wall, erupting in a deafening explosion. Sparks flew in all directions, and the air immediately filled with the acrid stench of burning.

Nearly half of the black beetles forming the wall were incinerated, their charred remains falling to the ground. Ryoma winced at the sight, his heart aching. Breeding and nurturing his insects was no simple task.

After blocking the flame bullet, Ryoma immediately activated the Body Flicker Technique, retreating deeper into the forest in an attempt to hide once more.

But Jiraiya wasn't about to let him escape again. Activating the Body Flicker Technique himself, he pursued Ryoma and threw three shuriken at his fleeing back.

Ryoma, in turn, flung three of his own shuriken to intercept. The metallic clang of collisions echoed as the shuriken fell to the ground.

Ordinary shuriken lacked the power to cause significant harm unless used in overwhelming numbers. Only shuriken forged from special chakra-conducting metals held immense destructive potential, but such weapons were incredibly rare and difficult to obtain.

"Insect Release: Insect Rope!"

As Jiraiya closed in, Ryoma released another swarm of winged insects. The bugs rapidly coalesced into a writhing rope, lunging toward Jiraiya to ensnare him.

Jiraiya hurled several shuriken at the approaching insect rope. However, the rope's agility and the insects' speed allowed it to evade the projectiles with ease. The buzzing grew louder as the rope closed the distance to Jiraiya.

"What a nuisance."

Jiraiya quickly formed hand seals, unleashing another Fire Release: Flame Bullet. The searing fireball shot forward, radiating intense heat.

Before the fireball could reach the insect rope, the bugs let out sharp, crackling sounds and fell lifelessly to the ground. Fire Release was a natural counter to Insect Release techniques, as most insects were highly vulnerable to heat.

Though the insect rope's speed was impressive, its defensive capabilities were far inferior to the black beetles of the insect wall—it was far too fragile. With just one flame bullet, Jiraiya annihilated the entire swarm.

"Sensei, is it just me, or does Jiraiya's Flame Bullet seem much stronger than before?"

Observing the battle from a distance, Tsunade frowned and voiced her doubts. She had sparred with Jiraiya in the past and was familiar with the power of his Flame Bullet.

During one of their previous bouts, she'd even shattered Jiraiya's flame bullet with a single punch, emerging unscathed. But now, the Flame Bullet's power seemed far greater.

"You're not mistaken," Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed with a nod. "Jiraiya's Flame Bullet now contains far more concentrated chakra. In future matches with him, you mustn't rely solely on your fists—it could result in serious burns."

Sarutobi's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he observed Jiraiya. He had initially taken Jiraiya as a disciple for political reasons. Jiraiya, an orphan from a civilian family whose parents had died in the war, served as a symbol to inspire and rally support among the lower-ranking ninja.

If not for these considerations, Sarutobi would never have chosen Jiraiya as a pupil. In fact, he'd been close to giving up on him due to Jiraiya's apparent lack of talent.

In truth, Sarutobi's only genuine choice for a disciple had been Orochimaru. His decision to mentor Tsunade was similarly driven by political motives—to strengthen ties with the Senju Clan and counterbalance the Uchiha Clan.

"Was he just pretending to be weak all this time?" Orochimaru murmured, his golden eyes narrowing as he watched Jiraiya's sudden surge in power.

"You won't escape from me again!" Jiraiya bellowed, unleashing another barrage of Flame Bullets toward Ryoma.

Thanks to his Sage Body, Jiraiya's chakra reserves allowed him to sustain such attacks without fear of depletion. Ryoma, however, didn't have an endless supply of insects. Eventually, he'd run out.

As the number of black beetles around Ryoma dwindled, he realized he couldn't shake off Jiraiya. Leaping onto a tree branch, he swiftly turned and released three peculiar insects.

These insects, resembling small spheres with four pairs of translucent, razor-like wings, exuded an ominous aura.

"Insect Release: Insect Slash!"

With a loud cry, Ryoma formed hand seals, and the three insects surged with chakra. They expanded rapidly, growing to the size of a palm, their wings buzzing with lethal energy.

Wind chakra coated their razor-like wings, enhancing their sharpness. The insects' flight created trails of slicing wind blades that severed everything in their path. Trees fell in an instant, cleanly sliced by the invisible force.

These creatures, known as Wind Cutter Bugs, were a rare and deadly breed cultivated by the Aburame Clan. Infused with wind chakra, they could augment a variety of Wind Release techniques.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

Without hesitation, Jiraiya unleashed another flame bullet. The fireball roared toward the three advancing insects.

However, before the flames could reach their targets, the wind blades emitted by the insects sliced through the fireball, dispersing it entirely.

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