Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 160

He recalled the colossal Wood Release Buddha that blotted out the sky at the Valley of the End, and Hashirama Senju's almost godlike power in Sage Mode.

"but……"

Ban's voice deepened, unusually carrying a hint of inquiry: "Although the contact was extremely brief, one thing is clearly certain—"

"Sage Chakra, which is infused with natural energy, is far superior in both quality and quantity to ordinary chakra. It is a power that is closer to the origin of the world."

A glimmer of enlightenment flashed in his eternal kaleidoscope, as if he had instantly pierced through a mystery that had troubled him for a long time.

"No wonder... no wonder Hashirama was able to use such a massive and completely illogical Wood Release forbidden technique as 'True Several Thousand Hands' after activating Sage Mode!"

"It could even directly suppress the combined attack of me and the scruffy fox back then!"

Madara's tone was complex, containing both recognition of his nemesis's power and resentment at his own failure to master it back then.

But more than anything, it was a sudden realization.

Chapter 180 Jiraiya Loses His Savings

Under the moonlight, the jar of toad oil, exuding a strange, fresh scent of herbs, swayed in Jiraiya's hand as if it were a priceless treasure.

Just a moment ago, Naruto was still immersed in the boundless anticipation brought by the awe-inspiring title of "Sage Mode".

His azure eyes gleamed with a thirst for power.

However, the next second, when Jiraiya's words, "These were bought with the money of the two of you," lightly drifted into my ears.

Naruto's hopeful expression instantly froze as if covered in ice!

Naruto suddenly sprang up from the ground, pointing at the small ceramic pot that was no bigger than the palm of his hand.

The voice rose eight octaves due to utter absurdity and anger, "Just this little can of broken oil?!"

"Sasuke and I together have at least tens of thousands of taels of silver! Do you think we're easy targets? You lecherous sage! Pay up!"

He was so angry his hair almost stood on end; the fear of nearly turning into a toad was overshadowed by this blatant scam.

Sasuke's expression also darkened completely, his icy gaze scraping against Jiraiya's face like a tangible blade.

Although he didn't speak, the silent pressure he exuded sent chills down Jiraiya's spine even more than Naruto's roar.

Jiraiya coughed twice, trying to maintain his master's dignity, and continued his fabrication without batting an eye: "You have to believe me! Disciple! This is toad oil specially supplied by Mount Myōboku! You can't buy it anywhere else! It's priceless, don't you understand?"

"I begged Fukasaku, the leader of Mount Myōboku, for a long time, and I talked myself hoarse before he finally made an exception and gave me this little bit out of consideration for our long-standing friendship and for saving the future of the ninja world! This is already a very favorable friendship price!"

He tried his best to make his expression incredibly sincere, almost as if he were swearing an oath to the heavens.

"that is……"

Jiraiya abruptly changed the subject, a perfectly timed "difficult" expression appearing on his face.

"What is it?" Naruto and Sasuke asked in unison, their eyes sharp as eagles.

"that is……"

Jiraiya's eyes darted around, and his voice lowered: "Brother Fukasaku... specifically emphasized that this oil... cannot be bought with my money..."

He tried to create a sense of helplessness, saying, "That's the rule, there's nothing I can do about it."

"So you stole your apprentice's money, didn't you?!"

Naruto instantly bristled, his logic perfectly locked! His anger was reignited!

"Utterly shameless!" Sasuke's cold snort was like an ice pick.

Just as the suspect was caught red-handed and the atmosphere was about to explode again.

A clear, childlike voice, tinged with deep confusion, weakly rang out at the three people's feet:

"Huh? Lord Jiraiya?"

It was that little toad that hadn't left after delivering the oil that brought good fortune.

It tilted its large, emerald-green head back, its big eyes blinking in bewilderment: "When did Master Fukasaku say that I couldn't use your money to buy toad oil?"

"The old man only said that toad oil is only found in Mount Myoboku, and told you not to use it indiscriminately."

"It even specifically instructed me to make sure you settled the payment on the spot! Didn't you pay with your own bankbook? I remember it very clearly, the number was such a long string of zeros!"

The little toad's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap in the quiet forest!

Jiraiya's expression froze instantly, as if a pause button had been pressed.

He slowly and stiffly lowered his head, looking at the little toad at his feet, its face innocent and still trying to recall the details.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

Jiraiya's lips trembled as he forced out a few words through gritted teeth: "You...you little toad with such good luck...why aren't you gone yet?!"

He was exposed to the face of a clueless little toad!

This is social death!

Naruto and Sasuke's gazes grew colder and more dangerous with each of Gamabun's words.

That look in his eyes was no longer directed at his master.

Instead, we're watching a heinous fraudster caught red-handed, yet still trying to deny his crimes!

Naruto let out a long, threatening snort from his nose, and slowly, forcefully clenched his fist, his knuckles making a cracking sound.

Sasuke didn't speak, but silently placed his hand on the kunai again and clenched it tightly, a cold killing intent spreading out.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted in a low voice!

"Understood!" Sasuke understood immediately!

"Hey, hey, hey! Wait! Let me explain! This is a misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!"

Jiraiya took a step back in alarm, waving his hands wildly.

However, it's too late!

Two figures pounced on their prey like hungry tigers, filled with pent-up anger and resentment at being deceived.

They pounced once again on that white-haired old lecher who was trying to fool them with sweet talk!

Ouch! My nose!

"You brat! Go easy on me! Don't hit my handsome face! This is my livelihood!"

"Ouch! Who pulled my hair! Stop it! You've all gone too far!"

"What master would steal his apprentice's wallet to buy oil and then lie about it!"

"This is an investment! This is education based on love! Ah—!"

The pitiful screams, the muffled thuds of fists and feet hitting flesh, the sound of clothes being torn apart.

In the quiet woods, a unique symphony of "respect for teachers and the way of life" is woven together.

Under the moonlight, one could see white hair flying, golden hair standing on end, and black-haired figures moving swiftly.

Jiraiya jumped around frantically, covering his head and running away, trying to protect his handsome face and flowing long hair.

But two fists can't fight four hands, let alone two little monsters fueled by rage.

Finally, under the combined attack of Naruto and Sasuke, Jiraiya screamed and collapsed to the ground.

Completely unable to resist, he could only groan and whimper as he protected his vitals.

Naruto, panting heavily, unceremoniously pulled the dark blue savings book from Jiraiya's arms once again.

He flipped it open, held it up to the moonlight, pointed to the astronomical figure on it, and said fiercely, "Compensation for emotional distress! Gas money! And the cost of treating us to a hundred meals of Ichiraku Ramen! Deduct it all from here! Sasuke, how much do you want to deduct?"

Sasuke glanced coldly at Jiraiya, who was lying on the ground with a bruised and battered face, and said succinctly, "Half."

"Okay! We'll deduct half!"

Naruto immediately started gesturing on the bankbook. Although he didn't quite understand how to operate it, he was full of confidence: "We'll ask the Third Hokage to help us transfer the money out! The rest can be your funeral savings!"

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya let out a heartbroken wail: "No—! My royalties! My hard-earned money—!"

However, under the cold gazes of Naruto and Sasuke, his cries could only turn into powerless groans.

Looking at the huge sum of money about to be withdrawn from his bank account, Jiraiya felt his heart bleeding, a pain worse than the wound on his face.

Toad Yun tilted his head, watching the farce unfold before him, seemingly not quite understanding the complexities of money relationships and mentor-disciple bonds among humans.

It hopped around twice, leaving behind a message:

"Lord Jiraiya, the little toad has been taken back to report!"

With a "poof," it turned into white smoke and disappeared, leaving behind only a mess and three exhausted master and disciples.

Brothers and sisters, please recommend this book to everyone! (。?ω?。)ノ?

Chapter 181 Dangerous Approach

Meanwhile, deep within the underground base of the Sound Village, far from Konoha and in a cold, damp place.

The air was thick with the smell of blood, disinfectant, and a nauseating stench of snakes.

In the center of a laboratory filled with sophisticated instruments and huge culture tanks.

Orochimaru slumped onto the specially made bed, his body convulsing uncontrollably.

His pale, handsome face was now twisted and distorted.

Large beads of cold sweat kept sliding down his forehead, and his golden snake eyes were filled with extreme pain and uncontrollable violence.

Beneath the wide sleeves of his robe, the exposed skin of his arms appeared a sickly purplish-black.

It felt as if countless tiny, venomous insects were wriggling and gnawing frantically under my skin!

Streaks of dark red, deep purple, and even eerie icy blue energy patterns.

It spread and pulsated on his skin like a living thing!

"Uh... ho ho..."

Orochimaru let out a hoarse, labored breath, like a broken bellows.

Although they relied on the "Snake Substitution Technique" and sacrificed the Sound Four as bait and buffer.