Naruto: A Century as an Arrancar, Starting Off by Killing the Demi-God

Fzzzzz!!

A massive Rasengan condensed in Jiraiya's palm as he leapt into the air, driving it downward toward Lucas Moore with full force.

He had been watching from the shadows, witnessing every moment of the earlier battle between Lucas and Orochimaru.

That devastating blast stronger than even a Tailed Beast Bomb he knew he wouldn't have survived it either unless he activated Sage Mode.

This man was terrifyingly powerful.

Even stronger than what the bounty reports had described.

Possessing mysterious, seal-less techniques, nearly impenetrable defenses, and offensive strength on par with a Tailed Beast.

And according to Minato's earlier report, this man even had abilities that disrupted the Flying Thunder God Technique.

So Jiraiya had no choice.

He had to open with his strongest move.

Yet Lucas didn't even look up. He uttered one word.

"Scram."

In that instant, a burst of spiritual pressure exploded from his body.

Boom!!

The force rippled like a tidal wave, slamming into Jiraiya from below.

His heart skipped a beat. His body was overwhelmed.

Even the path of his Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan twisted unnaturally mid-air.

It missed its mark entirely and smashed into the ground, shattering rock and soil in a chaotic spray.

Lucas calmly drew his blade and slashed forward.

Shrrk!!

A razor-sharp arc of spiritual pressure shot forth, cutting into Jiraiya's body and spraying blood into the air.

But a second later, the Jiraiya before him turned to smoke, leaving behind only a chunk of charred wood.

"Substitution Technique, huh?" Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Not bad. You reacted quickly."

The Substitution Technique an incredibly useful ninjutsu.

By instantly switching places with a nearby object, typically a plant or a log, the user could narrowly evade an incoming attack.

It seemed flawless.

But in reality, the technique had a serious flaw it required impeccable reaction speed.

If the enemy's attack was too fast and the user didn't perceive it in time, the substitution wouldn't activate in time to save them.

That was the same reason Lucas had been able to kill Hanzo.

Back then, Hanzo had already lost an arm and was severely wounded. His ability to respond had dropped significantly.

That gave Lucas enough time to finish him off with a spear of green light.

Now, not far away, Jiraiya stood drenched in cold sweat.

"That was way too close! One more second and I'd be dead. He's way too fast…"

There was something strange about that pressure too.

It felt intangible, yet it forcibly shifted his body's trajectory. That's why his Rasengan veered off-course.

What kind of ability was that?

None of the intelligence gathered so far had mentioned it.

Just as expected from someone who lived in the same era as the "God of Shinobi." The number of secret techniques he possessed was mind-boggling.

Facing him directly, Lucas said in an even tone, "Jiraiya, don't make this difficult. Orochimaru came with me willingly. Don't get the wrong idea."

"Willingly?" Jiraiya frowned and glanced over at Orochimaru.

He had arrived too late to hear their pre-fight exchange and had assumed that Orochimaru had been beaten and was being forced to leave.

"Yes, Jiraiya," Orochimaru said, licking his face with his long tongue, expression cold. "Serving Lord Moore is my honor. I suggest you stay out of this. Otherwise, don't blame me if you die here."

Jiraiya's expression turned grim.

He knew he couldn't talk Orochimaru out of this.

But he still didn't trust Lucas.

What if Lucas was using Orochimaru?

With a stern look, Jiraiya asked, "With this kind of power, what exactly do you want? What was your identity during the Warring States era? And who are you now?"

Lucas chuckled lightly. "Obviously, I'm here for peace. I've long grown sick of this toxic world. My past identity isn't something I can share, but for now… let's just say I'm the new leader of Amegakure."

Ever since word got out that he had killed Hanzo in an instant, the major nations hadn't stopped sending spies into the Rain Village.

Their goal was simple to confirm whether the one who'd taken down Hanzo was the same man now leading the village.

Now, he'd confirmed it himself.

"So it was you after all!"

Jiraiya took a deep breath. "You killed Hanzo a year ago, and a month ago you stirred up trouble in Konoha. Peace? Don't insult me. Is Amegakure trying to start the Fourth Great Ninja War?"

Lucas sighed. "Is it that hard to believe someone's telling the truth these days?"

"You may not have harmed Orochimaru, but a man like you this powerful and unrestrained must still be held accountable. I'll take him back to the village to face justice. That's the righteous path I, Jiraiya, must walk!"

With a dramatic sweep of his arms, Jiraiya slapped his palm down.

Puff!!

A large cloud of smoke appeared, revealing a red-skinned toad with sharp ears, a large shield in one hand, and a massive trident in the other.

"Gamaken! Buy me some time… I need to summon Fukasaku and Shima to assist me in activating Sage Mode!"

Jiraiya shouted as he retreated and kicked off his wooden sandals.

Biting his thumb, he drew blood and smeared it beneath his eyes in a crimson arc.

"Got it, Jiraiya!"

"I may be clumsy, but I'll do my best!"

Gamaken raised his shield and charged at Lucas with a loud war cry.

He jabbed forward with his massive trident.

Clang!!

Lucas calmly raised his sword and blocked the strike.

The force vibrated through Gamaken's body, sending him flying.

"That strength… unbelievable!!" he gasped as he landed. "Can a human really possess this kind of power?!"

Before he could recover 

Whoosh!

Lucas vanished with a flash step, reappearing right in front of him.

With a swift slash of his blade, a glowing wave of energy exploded forward.

Boom!!

It struck Gamaken's shield head-on with a heavy thud. The impact shook him to the core.

"I'm sorry, Jiraiya," Gamaken said weakly. "His attack power is just too much. I'll have to retreat to Mount Myōboku for a few months to recover. I'm sorry I couldn't help…"

Before he finished, his body dissolved into smoke.

Seeing his summoned beast vanish, Jiraiya gritted his teeth and reached to summon another.

"No need," Lucas said calmly. "No matter how many of that level you call, they won't make a difference."

"If you want to fight me with your strongest trump card, I'll wait. I'd like to see for myself whether this so-called Sage Mode really lives up to the legend."

"…"

Jiraiya paused, surprised.

He could tell Lucas meant it.

Still, to be cautious, he widened the distance between them.

Time passed slowly.

Five minutes later…

Two small toads appeared on his shoulders.

Fukasaku and Shima.

Jiraiya's body had undergone subtle changes.

His eyes now had horizontal pupils, his nose was covered in warty textures, and his feet had become broader.

There were faint traces of frog-like features all over him.

And with that, Sage Mode was complete.

Boom!!

He stomped the ground, shattering it beneath him.

With a wild, defiant look in his eyes, Jiraiya pointed at Lucas and declared,

"Though a dragon must eventually return to the sea, the sea does not welcome me Jiraiya!

Today, even if I must lay down my life, I will not let you take Orochimaru!"