Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari

Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari (児雷也豪傑物語)

The Heroic Tales of Jiraiya first published in 1839. Over the next 29 years (till 1868), it became a popular series of 43 illustrated novels completed by 4 different authors

In this Edo‑period tale, a demonic giant snake spirit manipulates the powerful Tsukikage clan by possessing the adopted son Orochimaru (大蛇丸), leading to the massacre of the Ogata and Matsuura clans and the near‑death of their heirs, Jiraiya and Tsunade (自来也 or 児雷也) and Tsunade (綱手)

Raised by a hermit, Jiraiya and Tsunade learn toad and slug magic to avenge their families, navigating a magical triangle where snake defeats toad, toad defeats slug, and slug defeats snake. The key to defeating Orochimaru would be to use the Nakirimaru sword (wave-cutting sword)

In their first battle, Orochimaru fought and severely wounded Jiraiya. After the early defeat, Jiraiya is saved by the self‑sacrifice of his long‑lost sister Ayame, whose blood cures snake‑magic wounds.

Years later, Jiraiya and Tsunade recover the sacred wave‑cutting sword from Hell Valley and exorcise the snake spirit from Orochimaru, restore their clans’ honor, and bring peace back to the realm.

Sources:

Lanka, L. (2016, September 2). The Tale of The Gallant Jiraiya (Original Folklore) - from Edo Period. Way of Ninja. https://www.wayofninja.com/jiraiya-folklore/