Chapter 327: 327.Jiraiya’s Backdoor Plan, Determined to Outdo Orochimaru

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Orochimaru didn’t care in the slightest about Manda’s departure.

If he wanted, he could easily sign a contract with another snake.

Besides, as Kazuki had said, a summoned beast like Manda was no longer of much use to him.

There was little point in signing a new summoning contract at this stage.

“Brat…”

After Kazuki and Orochimaru left, Manda’s massive eyes gleamed with a sinister green light.

But the moment he began to entertain any rebellious thoughts, his soul quaked with pain, and he immediately fell back into line.

Damn it!!

To think that I, Lord Manda, must be controlled and driven by a mere kid like this!!!!

Being controlled by Kazuki was one thing—Manda had no complaints there. Kazuki’s strength was overwhelming, terrifyingly so, capable of crushing him with ease.

Manda might not like it, but he had no choice but to obey.

But Sasuke? Manda was genuinely unwilling to bow to him.

Unfortunately, unwillingness didn’t matter. Unless he wanted to die or endure unbearable torment, he had to comply.

“Although the Elder can control you, I hope we can coexist peacefully,” Sasuke said. “Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I won’t summon you, nor will I offer you any sacrifices.”

“Remember your promise, Uchiha Sasuke.”

Sasuke’s assurance that he wouldn’t forcibly control Manda or summon him needlessly gave the serpent a sense of relief.

It was the best outcome he could hope for in this unfortunate situation.

Manda slithered away.

Sasuke didn’t care. Compared to the reluctant and begrudging Manda, he was far more interested in nurturing Aoda.

Even if Aoda was still a young, baby snake that needed gradual training.

Still, a summoned beast like Manda could be used as a last resort when needed.

After all, Manda’s strength was undeniable, capable of solving problems Sasuke couldn’t handle alone.

“What? You want me to spar with Sasuke tomorrow?”

When Naruto heard this from Jiraiya, he nearly jumped out of his skin. “What are you thinking? I can only summon tadpoles right now!! How am I supposed to compete with Sasuke??”

In his mind, Naruto pictured himself using the Summoning Technique, only to produce a tiny tadpole or a small toad. Meanwhile, Sasuke would stare at him with cold, disdainful eyes and sneer, “Trash!”

Arghhh!!!

No way, no way! That kind of thing absolutely couldn’t happen.

“What are you scared of? Do you think you’re inferior to Sasuke?” Jiraiya teased, using his classic provocation tactic.

“Of course not! I’d never lose to Sasuke! It’s just… it’s just…” Naruto’s voice was firm, but a hint of uncertainty lingered in his heart.

He had to admit Sasuke’s talent outshone his own, especially in learning ninjutsu.

Naruto knew he couldn’t match Sasuke’s aptitude in that area, no matter how hard he tried.

Competing with Sasuke in summoning techniques? Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

“Heh, don’t worry, kid. I won’t let you embarrass yourself too badly. Just give it your all,” Jiraiya said with a sly grin, encouraging Naruto.

In truth, Jiraiya had already made arrangements with the toads of Mount Myōboku. Tomorrow, he’d pull some strings to ensure Naruto achieved something worthwhile.

His goal was to motivate Naruto, not crush his spirit.

Pulling a few strings to summon a toad the size of a small house—was that too much to ask?

It might even boost Naruto’s confidence.

Most importantly, the toads of Mount Myōboku were willing to bend the rules, unlike the cold, unyielding snakes of Ryūchi Cave. Those serpents wouldn’t budge, not even for Orochimaru.

With Naruto’s chakra reserves, as long as he put in some effort, summoning a powerful toad was entirely possible. Orochimaru, you’re going down! Jiraiya thought smugly.

Jiraiya didn’t believe Naruto would lose.

Nor did he believe Orochimaru would dare let Sasuke summon Manda. Even if Sasuke had enough chakra to summon a beast as powerful as Manda, that snake wasn’t exactly cooperative.

Who knew who Manda might turn on first if summoned?

Between Sasuke and Naruto, if Sasuke outclassed Naruto in most areas, Naruto’s massive chakra reserves and unyielding spirit were more than enough to outshine Sasuke.

Compared to Naruto’s relentless determination, Sasuke still fell a bit short.

As for chakra, there was no contest. The Uzumaki and Senju clans’ innate constitutions gave them enormous chakra pools.

While the Uchiha weren’t lacking in chakra, they couldn’t compare to those two clans.

Fortunately, Sasuke’s chakra, while not on Naruto’s level, was sufficient to summon Manda.

After all, Manda would respond willingly, driven by his desire for sacrifices, rather than being forcibly summoned.

Forcing a summon required an immense amount of chakra.

In the original story, when Jiraiya threw Naruto into a ravine, Naruto’s first successful summoning of Gamabunta relied on tapping into the Nine-Tails’ chakra.

Without a summoned beast’s acknowledgment, summoning a powerful, massive creature depended on whether the beast was in the mood to respond.

Sasuke could summon Manda so easily because Manda cooperated, eager for his promised sacrifice.

Without that factor, summoning Manda—even if successful—would likely drain Sasuke to the point of collapse.

“Arghhh! Pervy Sage, why are you doing this to me?! I’m so stressed!!!” Naruto wailed, terrified of losing to Sasuke.

Jiraiya had proposed the challenge, and both sides had agreed. Backing out now would make Naruto a laughingstock.

“I can do this. I believe in myself!” Naruto muttered, clutching his head in frustration before throwing himself into practice, psyching himself up and repeatedly using the Summoning Technique.

Thankfully, his massive chakra reserves allowed him to train so recklessly. If it were Kakashi in his place…

Kakashi would probably be lying on the ground, eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth from exhaustion.

The next morning, when Jiraiya dragged Naruto out of bed, the boy was still groggy.

He’d stayed up practicing late into the night, and now dark circles hung under his eyes, his energy completely drained.

Kazuki arrived early at the Hokage’s office building, only to find Tsunade already seated at her desk.

She was dozing off, her head bobbing up and down.

The previous day, she’d worked late into the night and ended up sleeping in the office’s rest area.

Then, bright and early, Jiraiya had woken her up, dragging her out to watch Naruto and Sasuke’s competition. Tsunade was so furious she wanted to kick Jiraiya into next week.

“This early?” Kazuki asked, munching on a breakfast he’d bought from a street vendor, surprised to see Tsunade up. “It’s rare for you to be awake at this hour.”

“Spare me,” Tsunade snapped. “It’s all that idiot Jiraiya’s fault. He woke Shizune up at the crack of dawn, and then she came to get me, saying we’re going to watch Naruto and Sasuke’s little showdown. I’m pissed!”

“I’m gonna bash that mutt’s head in!!!” Tsunade roared, slamming her fist on the desk.

“…”

’Poor guy,’ Kazuki thought, shaking his head slightly. A sleep-deprived woman was truly terrifying.

He silently prayed for Jiraiya’s safety for three seconds before finishing his food and saying to Tsunade, “Since we’re going to watch the show, let’s head out together.”

“Where’s my breakfast?” Tsunade asked, realizing Kazuki hadn’t brought her anything after venting her frustration.

“Breakfast, my ass. Who knew you’d be up this early?” Kazuki retorted. “We’ll grab something on the way. Let’s go.”

“That damn Jiraiya, I’m gonna kick his sorry butt!!!” Tsunade growled.

“Shizune, what are you standing around for? Go buy breakfast, then we’re off to watch the show.”

“Hold on, I’ll have Izumi come along to join the fun,” Kazuki added.

Both Kazuki and Tsunade promptly brought their assistants along to the training grounds. Watching a spectacle was always more fun with a crowd.

Izumi, thrilled at the chance to see some action, eagerly tagged along behind Kazuki and Tsunade.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep