Naruto: The Legend of Red Haired Shanks

After leaving Konohagakure, Jiraiya had been wandering across the ninja world. 

As one of the Sannin, and arguably the strongest among them, Jiraiya could go anywhere he pleased—yes, even the women's bathhouses. 

That was the kind of confidence and strength that came with being one of the Sannin. 

But this time, what had caught Jiraiya's attention wasn't material for his next book—it was something far more familiar to him. 

"Natural energy is gathering… The chakra is incredibly dense." 

Even without being a sensory ninja or using any special techniques, Jiraiya could clearly feel the overwhelming chakra waves in the distance. 

Just as Zabuza had noticed, Shanks' chakra, despite being used for sensing, was so intense that it distorted the surrounding energy, making it nearly impossible for others not to notice. 

"This feeling… Is someone trying to learn Sage Mode?" 

Jiraiya was surprised. From what he could sense, it seemed like someone was indeed trying to master Sage Mode. 

But something didn't add up—why was the process so chaotic? 

Both the chakra and the natural energy in the air were way too wild. It seemed similar to Sage Mode training, but at the same time, it felt completely different. 

"That shouldn't be possible. Aside from the three great holy lands, no one else can teach Sage Mode. Even I wouldn't be able to… and besides, it's way too dangerous." 

Jiraiya's expression grew serious as he sprinted toward Shanks' location. 

Even with the help of toad oil, training in Sage Mode was incredibly risky—one wrong step and he could turn to stone. 

Whether out of curiosity or concern for the future of the ninja world, Jiraiya had to see this for himself. 

And if it had any connection to the organization he had been investigating, that would be even better. 

On the other side, standing outside Shanks' room, Zabuza also sensed something in that very moment. Without hesitation, he got up and dashed toward a branch of the lake. 

As he sped across the water's surface, the lake rippled beneath his feet. 

Following the river upstream, a faint mist gradually began to appear.

The mist looked completely normal at night, but in reality, it was created by Zabuza using the Hidden Mist Jutsu. 

Besides that, he had also placed three water clones in the area. If anything went wrong, the clones would disappear instantly. 

Zabuza had an incredible amount of battle experience, and in situations like this, the difference between a trained assassin and an ordinary ninja became clear. 

Before long, his figure disappeared into the thick mist. 

The mist-covered forest was eerily quiet. The only sound was the occasional trickle of water from a nearby stream. 

Tap, tap, tap! 

The soft sound of footsteps splashing in the water echoed as Zabuza stepped onto the surface of the river. 

"Not here?" 

He scanned the water. Aside from a piece of rotten wood drifting downstream, there was nothing unusual. 

Everything seemed perfectly normal. 

But the next moment, his body suddenly tensed. 

"How stupid do you think I am? There's no way a log like that would just show up here!" 

In less than a second, his hands flashed through a series of seals. 

"Water Prison Jutsu!" 

The moment the jutsu took effect, the log was instantly trapped in a sphere of water. 

Without hesitation, Zabuza struck. 

His kunai stabbed straight toward the log, cutting through the mist with a sharp glint. 

Zabuza's skill had improved rapidly, but— 

*Clang!* 

The Water Prison Jutsu failed to trap the target. 

In the blink of an eye, a kunai appeared in Jiraiya's hand, blocking the attack. 

Both of them immediately jumped back, putting distance between each other. 

Standing on the water, Jiraiya grinned. 

"Haha! Looks like I've gotten rusty at sneaking around if I got caught that easily." 

"This is as far as you go. The place ahead is not for you to step into." 

Zabuza's voice was cold. He had sensed the man's strength from just that brief clash. 

"Oh? You think you can stop me with just that kunai? If you don't bring out your Kubikiribocho, there's no way you can hold me back." 

Jiraiya's expression remained relaxed and confident. 

That was the confidence of one of the Legendary Sannin. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? Unless all seven of them were together, a single one wasn't nearly enough. 

"That works for me." 

Zabuza didn't hesitate. He reached behind his back and pulled out his weapon. 

Or rather, what was left of it. 

All that remained was the hilt. The blade had been shattered long ago. 

"The Kubikiribocho, one of the Seven Ninja Swords… It's said that as long as it absorbs blood, it will always stay sharp. Even if the blade is broken, it can regenerate by drinking the blood of its enemies." 

Jiraiya's words carried an unspoken meaning—Zabuza hadn't killed anyone in a long time. Not even an animal. 

"I don't know what my future path will be, but I do know one thing—" 

"The path I once walked as a member of the Seven Swordsmen was the wrong one." 

"Being an executioner won't bring hope to the village." 

Zabuza spoke calmly. He hadn't found his own path yet, but he was no longer lost. 

Killing? To him now, it was the most meaningless thing. 

He had been an executioner for far too long, and he was tired of it.

Someone who can bring hope to the village could never be a mere killer! 

"Is that what you want to protect?" 

Zabuza's answer caught Jiraiya a little off guard, but just a few words weren't enough to stop him. 

Jiraiya moved. His low stance shot forward, kunai in hand, aiming straight for Zabuza's arm. 

"Protect? I just owe him a favor, that's all. That man doesn't need me to protect him. If anything, I'd only be restricting his freedom." 

Clang! 

Zabuza blocked Jiraiya's kunai with his own. 

The next second, the air above the water seemed to explode. 

Jiraiya was sent flying backward, skimming across the water's surface. 

Somehow, his white hair had already extended forward, sharp as needles, gleaming with a cold light. 

Zabuza's chest was soaked in blood. 

But his injuries weren't from Jiraiya. In fact, Jiraiya himself had a fresh wound on his arm—his hair hadn't completely stopped Zabuza's attack. 

"A swordsman's blade is his most trusted companion. And at the same time, the swordsman is the one his blade trusts the most. 

As long as I'm alive, my Kubikiribocho will never break." 

Zabuza's body trembled. In that brief moment, he had reforged his broken sword with his own blood. 

"Silent Killing Technique!" 

Zabuza's eyes turned blood-red. He gripped his sword tightly and swung again. 

In that instant, his mind was completely clear. His eyes saw nothing but Jiraiya. One thought remained—cut him down! 

"Slash!" 

A roar shattered the silence of the forest. 

The flash of Kubikiribocho's blade tore through the air, the sharp sound of slicing wind rushing toward Jiraiya.