The Fifth Ring

The next day the team sets out for the the 5th, & supposedly final, ring. Everyone is curious as to what it could be, while at the same time wary of the dangers it can & probably will present. After a couple of hours, they see a large barrier made of lightning off in the distance. "So, I'm guessing that's the 5th ring. Kind of anti-climatic that it's just a big electric fence.", Sasuke states. Naruto laughs & replies, "They probably didn't think anybody would make it this far, so they didn't put much thought into their last defense!". Shikamaru bounds forward, next to Tsachi, & before he can say a word Tsachi says, "No Shikamaru, I don't think Naruto is right. There's more to that barrier than it just being 'a big electric fence', as my cousin put it.".

Shikamaru smirks & nods, "I'm glad not everyone is delusional about the Cloud's final defense", he replies. Tsachi looks back at him & responds, "If you really think this is the Cloud Village's last defense, maybe you're more delusional than you think Shikamaru.". Tsachi bursts forward, while the others struggle to keep up.

Finally, after another half hour, they reach the massive barrier. "How are we supposed to get past this?!", Naruto exclaims in frustration. Sasuke pulls him over & answers, "I think moving away from the only sign around for miles might help.". They all look at the wooden sign, which reads:

The Key Heard, Sunset, Darn Rust.

Naruto scratches his head & inquires, "Ok, still, how the hell are we supposed to get past this?!". Ino speaks up, "We could use Wind Jutsu! It's strong against Lightning, right?". Naruto, Tsachi & Ino nod & stand together. "I'm gonna try & add Wind Chakra to my Rasengan!", Naruto exclaims excitedly. Ino rolls her eyes, while Tsachi smiles. Both of them then look at the barrier & put their hands together.

Wind Style: Hurricane Shuriken Jutsu!

Tsachi put his hands out & wind begins to blow in front of him, creating a massive hurricane. It charges the barrier, attempting to cut through the barrier.

Wind Style: Falling Petal Dance!

Even more wind picks up & combines with Tsachi's as flower petals fly through the air. The barrier bends to the wind, but it does not break. "Naruto! Are you sure about that now!? Maybe you should try something else instead!", Sakura pleads as she sees him using clones to create a wind charged Rasengan. He ignores her & charges into the hurricane force winds that attempt to rip away the barrier.

WIND STYLE RASENGAN!

He slams the ball of chakra into the wall, right along side the hurricane. In the end though, it doesn't give enough to let anything through but the wind. They all sit down, when Shikamaru notices something; the sign is still there, completely unaffected by the wind while the trees & ground around them are damaged. "Tsachi, what if that sign plays a part in it? It wouldn't still be up unless it was important somehow.", he states while refusing to take his eyes off it. They all notice, & Tsachi exclaims, "Of course! Why didn't I think of it before?!".

They all look at him now, even Shikamaru. "Arashi loves puzzles. That's what this is, another 1 of his stupid puzzles. We won't be able to just bust our way in, we have to solve his puzzle to get through.", he states before adding, "Now if only we can figure out how.". Sakura sits down near the sign & stares at it, like she's trying to solve something. "I know what it is.", she says suddenly. They all look at her in shock as she continues, "The phrase on the sign, it's an anagram. Switch the letters around & it spells 'Thunder Tears The Sky Asunder".

"So? If that's the case then why didn't something happen Suckura?", Naruto asks meanly. Tsachi glares at him before responding, "Because, Naruto, it has to be said at sunset, when the Sun hits the Iron Hills. It causes a rust colored sunset. I guess now we just have to wait until then, make out a plan for when we go in.". Naruto walks off, & as he does so, Sakura sees a small pool of blood on the ground where Naruto was standing.

She chases after him, & find Naruto crouched underneath a tree, holding his bloody hand in pain. "Let me help Naruto.", Sakura orders while trying to take his hand. "Fuck you. I'd rather lose a finger than have you help me. Leave me alone bitch, I don't need your help anyway.", he replies cruely before turning away. Sakura charges her hand with chakra, & quickly touches the back of Naruto's head, knocking him out. "I'm sorry Naruto, but you left me no choice. I'm going to fix your hand whether you like it or not.".

Sunset arrives rather quickly, & as the light from the Sun hits the Iron Hills in the west, the sky turns a rusty red just like Tsachi said it would. "THUNDER TEARS THE SKY ASUNDER!", Tsachi yells triumphantly, & as the barrier disappears, & massive storm takes form above it. Lightning crashes, & thunder follows, tearing the sky asunder.

Ninja Facts: Jiraiya

That's right, it's the triumphant return of Ninja Facts! Today is all about the Toad Sage, & the 1st of our 3 part expose on the Legendary Sannin!

With power comparable to any Kage, Jiraiya is easily 1 of the strongest ninja in the world. His demeanor & perverted ways might not show it, but underneath it all he's a good guy who does more for people than they ever realize.

Age: 54
Weight: 192.9 lbs
Height: 6'4" (approx.)
Chakra Types: Fire & Earth
Signature Jutsus: Dark Swamp Jutsu, Toad Jutsus (grouping all of them together), Needle Jizo, Wild Lion's Mane, Rasengan (& various counterparts)
Birthday: November 11th
Reg. #: 002301
Mission Stats: 58 D-rank, 345 C-rank, 684 B-rank, 614 A-rank, 138 S-rank

Random Points of Interest

In the entire Naruto Universe, Jiraiya has completed more missions than any other shinobi.

He was trained by the 3rd Hokage, trained the 4th Hokage & trained with the 5th Hokage.

He also shares blood type, B, with his former teammates Orochimaru & Tsunade.

2 of Jiraiya's students, Minato Namikaze & Nagato, became leaders of their villages.

His interestes include sneaking a peek inside Women's Bath Houses & writing.

Notable Quotes

(First thing he said to Tsunade) "Nice to meet you. I'm Jiraiya! You can send me a love letter later!"

"I'm not a little pervert....I'm a big one!"

(To Naruto in uncut versions) "You think that old trick will work on me? I'm a goddamn sage!"

(To Pain) "When people get hurt, they learn to hate....when people hurt others, they become hated & racked with guilt. But knowing that pain allows people to be kind. Pain allows people to grow... & how you grow is up to you."

"Never go back on your word.... & never give up, no matter how bad it gets. That's your ninja way... & I'm supposed to be your teacher... I can't go out like this! Because I... the student's ninja way should be the master's too! Right, Naruto?"

Remember, that's just the 1st of the Legendary Sannin! Come back soon for Part 2, brought to by Ninja Facts!