The famous Toad Trio of Mount Myōboku stood together, joined by numerous other toads—less renowned but no less formidable.
The response from Mount Myōboku had been swift.
In mere moments, Gensou's view was filled with an army of toads of various sizes and colors.
This was the strength of one of the Three Great Sage Lands.
Though their numbers could not rival the armies of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, the toads of Mount Myōboku possessed the power of senjutsu, making them far stronger than average shinobi.
The natural energy of Mount Myōboku surged wildly, and the brilliance of senjutsu shone brighter than ever before.
In contrast to this overwhelming force, Gensou stood alone, appearing minuscule in comparison.
The gathered toads, emboldened by their numbers, felt confident.
"Is that Gensou?"
"The man said to rival the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara in his time? And now he's alive again?"
"Doesn't matter who he is! He killed Elder Iwajuku and so many of our kin! He must pay with his life!"
"Yes! Death to the invader!"
For over a thousand years, Mount Myōboku had known peace. This was the first time an outsider had invaded so brutally, killing many, including notable toads like Iwajuku.
The toads were furious. They believed that no matter how strong the enemy, the collective might of Mount Myōboku would inevitably prevail.
"Overconfidence will cost you dearly," thought Gamabunta, the most experienced of the toads. Seeing the unshaken confidence of his comrades, he couldn't help but frown.
If Jiraiya's intel was correct, this would not be an easy fight.
With that thought, Gamabunta stepped forward, preparing to take command of the battlefield.
While the toads were focused on their grand assault, Gensou's attention was elsewhere.
His Rinnegan sensed that the Nine-Tails' chakra was not coming toward him as expected. Instead, it was heading deeper into Mount Myōboku, toward an area obscured by a strange force that interfered with his perception.
Soon, Naruto's chakra would vanish completely from his senses.
"Naruto wouldn't run away. This must be the work of the toads," Gensou thought with a frown.
The toads' attitude toward Naruto puzzled him. Even if Naruto was their summoner, their determination to protect him seemed excessive.
Naruto was no helpless individual; in fact, he was far stronger than any of the toads present. As the "Child of Prophecy" in Mount Myōboku's legends, it would make more sense for Naruto to join the battle, fighting alongside the toads against Gensou.
Yet, inexplicably, Naruto was being led away.
Could it be that Mount Myōboku, lacking confidence in their ability to defeat him, was sacrificing themselves to buy time for Naruto's retreat?
Gensou found it hard to believe.
The Great Toad Sage had once participated in the battle against Kaguya and her son, but only as a supporter in the shadows. It seemed unlikely that Mount Myōboku would suddenly exhibit such courage, especially when Gensou's target wasn't even the toads themselves.
Gensou's gaze fixed on the deepest part of Mount Myōboku.
That had to be the Great Toad Sage's dwelling—and Naruto's destination.
With time running out and Naruto's chakra on the verge of disappearing from his senses, Gensou decided to act decisively.
"If anything goes wrong, it's because you didn't follow the rules," he muttered, his gaze sweeping over the toad army now advancing under Gamabunta's command.
Much like Pain's initial attitude toward Konoha, Gensou had intended to keep his disruption to Mount Myōboku to a minimum. His plan was simply to locate Naruto, defeat him, and leave.
But Naruto hadn't come to confront him as expected. Instead, he had retreated in the opposite direction.
This unexpected turn of events made Gensou wary.
Mount Myōboku lacked someone like Tsunade with her persuasive words, but it did have the Great Toad Sage—a being Gensou respected for its immense experience and wisdom.
To avoid complications in his mission to capture the Nine-Tails, Gensou made his decision.
Without warning, Gensou rose into the sky.
"Stop him!" Gamabunta roared, sensing the growing danger.
He immediately began forming hand seals.
"Suiton: Teppōdama!"
Large water bullets shot toward Gensou with relentless force.
Following Gamabunta's lead, the other toads launched their attacks.
"Katon: Endan!"
"Fūton: Shinkūdan!"
"Katon: Gamayu Endan!"
Countless powerful ninjutsu converged on Gensou.
But none reached him.
With the Preta Path, Gensou absorbed every technique, converting the foreign chakra into his own reserves.
Bolstered by this surge of energy and his already immense chakra, Gensou floated high above Mount Myōboku, radiating brilliance as the sun blazed behind him.
From this vantage point, he could see the entire area, including the Great Toad Sage's dwelling where Naruto had been taken.
Opening his arms wide, Gensou spoke softly to himself, "I should say something memorable."
After a moment's thought, he decided to pay homage to a classic.
Focusing his Rinnegan, Gensou's voice echoed:
"Feel the pain."
In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of chakra poured into his Rinnegan.
Super Shinra Tensei!
The sky seemed to collapse as a cataclysmic force descended upon Mount Myōboku.
(End of Chapter)
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