Chapter 49: Trying Hands

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Chapter 49: Trying Hands

Uchiha Clan Grounds

By the time Jiraiya arrived, the gate of the Uchiha clan compound was already open. Kaien stood at the entrance with a calm smile on his face.

"Yo, you're here. I've been waiting a long time."

Jiraiya felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. Waiting a long time? Was Kaien provoking him on purpose?

Squinting slightly, Jiraiya asked,

"Uchiha Kaien, did you know I was coming?"

Kaien nodded, still smiling.

"I was more worried that you wouldn't come. That's why I had flyers sent out to lure you here."

Jiraiya had long stopped underestimating Kaien. He narrowed his eyes and spoke seriously.

"Why are you targeting me?"

Kaien waved a hand dismissively.

"Targeting? That's a bit dramatic. I was just stating the truth."

"You—!" Jiraiya was about to speak, but Kaien's expression suddenly shifted to one of coldness.

"Can't handle the truth?" Kaien asked. "Compared to the injustice the Uchiha have endured over the years, this is nothing—not even one percent."

"You were out on a mission during the Nine-Tails Rebellion. You never came back. We Uchiha helped evacuate the villagers, yet we were the ones blamed. Why didn't anyone question your absence?"

"Is it just because you're the Third Hokage's student? If not for that, maybe they would've accused you of intentionally avoiding the chaos."

Jiraiya sighed, half-smiling, half-exasperated.

"You're angry about that? Are you out of your mind?"

Kaien rolled his eyes.

"You're overthinking it. I just want to make it clear—we Uchiha moved out of Konoha because we don't want anything to do with your village anymore."

"Whether we act or stay silent, we're always blamed. We're tired of this. We've given up all rights to Konoha. We're not interested in the Hokage position. So stop testing us."

Jiraiya scratched his head. He hadn't expected Kaien to be this blunt.

"You could've just said so. Did you need to mess with me like this?"

Kaien shrugged.

"I didn't set a trap. You got caught peeping at the women's bath all on your own. How is that my fault?"

Jiraiya's face turned red with frustration. But he reminded himself of his real purpose—the mission from the Third Hokage.

"I heard Uchiha's Susanoo is unmatched. Mind giving me a demonstration?"

Kaien didn't hesitate.

"I've also heard stories of the Toad Sage on the battlefield. I'd love to see your strength, too."

"Follow me to our training ground."

…

They arrived at the Uchiha training ground. Kaien had already evacuated everyone in anticipation of the fight.

The space was completely deserted. The two men stood facing each other. Kaien was the first to raise his hand and form the seal of confrontation.

Interesting, Jiraiya thought, returning the gesture.

Kaien struck first. With a swift hand seal, he launched a Great Fireball Jutsu. As the flames roared toward Jiraiya, Kaien charged in right behind them.

Jiraiya reacted instantly.

"Ninja Art: Needle Jizō!"

His hair grew long and wrapped around him, blocking the flames. Then he switched to Wild Lion's Mane Technique, sending the elongated hair snapping toward Kaien.

Kaien pulled out a kunai, deflecting the attack with metallic clangs.

He threw the kunai, only for Jiraiya to kick it aside. But Kaien used the opportunity to close in, slamming a powerful kick at Jiraiya's side.

Thud!

Jiraiya blocked the kick with his arm but was forced to slide back. Kaien used the momentum to leap into the air and launched a barrage of shuriken.

They collided mid-air, changing direction and creating a deadly spread that surrounded Jiraiya.

Uchiha-style throwing technique, Jiraiya thought, eyes narrowing.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Bang!

A massive purple toad—Toad Ken—appeared, raising a large shield to protect Jiraiya.

Kaien formed another seal.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Claw Crimson!"

Flames cloaked the flying shuriken, making them resemble blazing flower petals as they rained down toward Toad Ken.

Toad Ken leapt, twirling in midair, barely managing to deflect most of the fiery projectiles.

From behind the shield, Jiraiya charged out—Rasengan in hand.

Kaien ducked low, aiming a kunai at Jiraiya's jaw. If the Rasengan landed, the kunai would strike true, too.

Jiraiya twisted, retracting his chest and kicking Kaien away.

Meanwhile, Toad Ken struggled under the relentless barrage. The shield was battered, and even his steel fork weapon had been struck by burning shuriken.

"Tch… I'm too careless," Jiraiya muttered.

While Kaien was sent flying, Jiraiya seized the moment.

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

A blazing torrent flew toward Kaien, engulfing him.

Boom!

"Ahhh—!"

Suddenly, Kaien burst into a murder of crows, scattering in all directions.

"Crow Clone..." Jiraiya realized.

He quickly made another seal.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Bang!

A green toad with dual blades—Toad Kamatari—appeared, slicing the crows into smoke.

Kaien reappeared from the smoke.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

A furious blaze erupted from his mouth.

As Kaien landed, he felt the ground become soft.

At the same moment, the Jiraiya who had been hit turned into dirt—a clone.

The real Jiraiya emerged behind him.

"Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Kaien's eyes glowed crimson—Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Susanoo!"

Boom!

A skeletal Susanoo erupted around him, breaking free of the swamp.

But oil was already sprayed across the Susanoo's surface.

"Fire Style: Giant Flame Bomb!"

The oil caught fire instantly, igniting the armor.

Kaien canceled Susanoo and leapt out through the burning gap.

He retreated swiftly and raised his hand.

"I surrender."

Kaien looked tired—his chakra drained.

Jiraiya dispelled the Rasengan he had prepared, a little disappointed.

"Doesn't your Susanoo have a bigger form?"

Kaien dropped unceremoniously to the ground with a grunt.

"My chakra isn't bottomless, you know."

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.

Kaien had used multiple high-level techniques: Crow Clone, Fire Dragon, Phoenix Claw, and Susanoo. Chakra usage aside, pupil power for Susanoo was also a major cost.

Jiraiya estimated Kaien still had strength in reserve, especially since he never used Sage Mode.

If Kaien didn't hold back… this could've ended differently.

Susanoo demands enormous chakra. If Kaien had gone all out, he probably couldn't have sustained it for long.

Jiraiya walked over, extending a hand. Kaien stood up and made the seal of reconciliation. Jiraiya mirrored him.

Then Kaien collapsed onto the ground, arms behind his head, totally relaxed.

"If you'd stop peeping on women's baths, we might become friends someday."

Kaien looked up at Jiraiya with a sideways glance.

Even now, Jiraiya was still the same—greedy, lazy, unfocused, lacking responsibility. If he had taken Orochimaru seriously, the rogue Sannin wouldn't have gotten away so easily.

Today's fight was a valuable test for Kaien.

It wasn't like sparring with Shisui or fighting in dreams. Jiraiya's fighting style was overwhelming and flashy, not refined like Uchiha tactics. Kaien realized his combat execution needed work—especially against chakra-rich enemies.

He hadn't awakened any unique Mangekyō abilities yet, but he could still activate Susanoo. The issue was sustainability—he needed more chakra reserves.

Jiraiya sat cross-legged nearby, also catching his breath.

"What do you think of Konoha Village?" he asked quietly.

Kaien shook his head.

"It's none of my business. Whether Konoha thrives or crumbles—it has nothing to do with me."

"As long as no one bothers the Uchiha, we just want to live peacefully and grow our businesses. We have many civilian clan members who just want a better life."

He stood up.

"I've got things to do. No need to see you out."

Jiraiya watched Kaien's back disappear into the compound, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.

…

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Translated By – Ancient Lores

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