Chapter 53 - 53 (1/2)
Sakumo and Chiyo are old rivals, and are familiar with each other's strengths and fighting methods.
Sakumo should have a slight edge on her in overall strength, but Chiyo's skill with using Chakra threads to control puppets is not something to be under estimated.
After all, she was also a quasi-Kage tier ninja. With her superb mastery of puppet, Sakumo wasn't able to land hits on her.
On the other side, what was even more spectacular was the battle of Jiraya against the 4th Kazekage.
Rasa had the magnet release Kekkei Genkai. The manga does not indicate what releases are fused to get Magnet Release, but Ryo speculated that it was a fusion of the wind and thunder properties. (Translator note: By elimination, one can speculate that it's actually a fusion of wind and earth release, as Rasa had Wind, Earth and Water release in addition to his Magnet and Yin release abilities. Check out Narutopedia for more Info.)
Someone as strong as a Kage must have more than just the ability to use one nature attribute. Most elites actually have 2 or more.
Naturally, the 4th was no exception. From his use of Magnet release, Ryo can know that he has at least the control over both thunder and wind.
Just like his opponent, Jiraya understood more than most people about Ninjutsu. He's inherited the mastery of the 3rd who had flawless technique himself.
It was difficult to predict the outcome of the fight. With the exception of Thunder Release, Jiraya was a master of all other nature transformations. But the 4th Kazekage was also extraordinary in Ninjutsu.
”I didn't expect that the 3rd's disciple would be this great of a ninja. If we were fighting elsewhere, it wouldn't be so easy for me to beat you!” Said Rasa.
”You mean that since we are in the desert, you'll be able to easily beat me?” Jiraya was able to gauge his enemy's level during the fight, and he knew that he shouldn't be able to beat him unless he enters his sage mode.
”Don't you have the Hyuga clan and their Byakugan? Don't they notice anything different with the desert's sand?” The Sand controlled by Rasa was rushing towards Jiraya.
”You control sand? Then you are the Ichibi's Jinchuriku? No, you don't have the seals on your body.” Jiraya didn't pay much attention to the sand moving towards him, and just made an Earth Style Wall to protect himself.
”What!” The wall was easily crumbled by the sand wave. Jiraya looked like he was going to lose when he was wounded by the sand rushing his way.
”Jiraya, it's over!” The 4th Kazekage proclaimed victory and wanted to finish off his opponent.
Right when Jiraya was hit, he activated one of Ryo's healing stones. The 4th Kazekage also launched a B Grade Wind Release Jutsu. With the help of the healing stone, the damage taken from it was controlled. So Jiraya was able to avoid a fatal blow from the 4th Kazekage.
” [Summoning]” Jiraya needed to recover a bit from his injuries. Gamabunta would help in holding Rasa back.
”Gamabunta, be careful! This guy's sand is heavier than normal.”
”Oh, I won't be as useless as you!” Gamabunta's words couldn't be further from the truth. Actually, the Kazekage increased his vigilance. Many years of fighting experience made him understand that Jiraya was on to something special.
”Is that his summon? Just like rumored, it's a giant red toad!”
On the battlefield, Konoha's Ninjas whose morals were low because Jiraya was injured saw Gamabunta and regained the will to fight.
Ryo got his team working on healing the poisoned and injured Konoha Ninja, while sneaking himself into the battle.
Konoha wasn't winning. It is true that the overall level of Konoha's Ninjas is superior to that of Sand's just like Sakumo said. But in this environment, the two sides became almost equal in strength.