"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
On the coast outside Uzushiogakure, a battle of wind and fire unfolded.
On one side was the scorching heat that burned everything to ashes, and on the other was the chaotic, surging airflow that overturned the earth.
Flames and wind collided in an instant, without any obstruction.
The heat surged, and the crimson flames illuminated the coast, reflecting the sea like flowing gemstones. Under the assault of the violent wind, countless waves of fire swept in all directions before entering a stalemate.
Jiraiya’s expression turned to shock, his pupils trembling with fear as he realized his flames were slowly but surely being pushed back by Orochimaru’s wind.
"This... this can’t be possible!"
Great Flame Bullet versus Great Breakthrough—not only was the difficulty of the jutsu B-rank versus C-rank, but even in terms of elemental affinity, fire was supposed to counter wind. Yet Orochimaru had effortlessly defied all logic, using wind to overpower his flames!
"If I couldn’t even do this much, I wouldn’t dare call myself his disciple outside."
Orochimaru chuckled, his hand seals shifting abruptly. Purple markings extended around his eyes, flickering like breathing for a moment.
At that instant, the surging wind grew even more violent, faintly drawing upon the power of nature itself. The howling gale was like the wrath of the heavens.
The stalemate was broken in an instant. The wind surged forward with unstoppable force, carrying the flames back like a tidal wave crashing onto the shore!
Jiraiya completely lost control of his fire, his horrified face illuminated by the blaze.
Fire may counter wind in nature, but only wind can make flames grow stronger!
With the boost of Orochimaru’s Wind Release chakra, the power of Great Flame Bullet had been amplified to a level Jiraiya could never hope to match. The inferno raged, scorching the earth and sky.
Nawaki, hiding behind the two, paled and instinctively took a step back, his foot crushing a pebble with a crisp sound.
That sound snapped Jiraiya out of his daze.
He glanced back at Nawaki, forcing a reassuring grin.
"Nawaki, don’t be afraid. A shinobi must remain calm, no matter what crisis they face."
As soon as he finished speaking, he bit his thumb and swiftly formed hand seals with bloodied fingers.
"Summoning Technique! Come forth, Gamabunta!"
With a heavy slam on the ground, a massive plume of smoke erupted like a volcanic explosion, shooting up a hundred meters. A colossal figure emerged from the dispersing mist.
It was a deep-red giant toad, dressed in a dark-blue jacket like a human, smoking a pipe, and crouching like a small mountain.
Its waist was wrapped in bandages, and a short sword was strapped to its side—though, from a human perspective, that "short sword" was more like a telephone pole in size.
Jiraiya and the others stood firmly atop Gamabunta’s head, looking down at the raging sea of fire.
"I’m counting on you, Bunta!"
Gamabunta immediately sensed the intense heat. The flames surged like a tidal wave, nearly reaching its neck. Its massive horizontal pupils narrowed slightly.
"This is the aura of natural energy!"
It snorted, its booming voice piercing the air and making everyone’s ears ring.
"Jiraiya, why the hell are you messing with the snakes of Ryūchi Cave?!"
Without waiting for an answer, Gamabunta clapped its webbed hands together, puffing up its cheeks before spewing a waterfall-like torrent of liquid!
"Sage Art: Water Release: Starch Syrup Shot!"
The thick, white liquid gushed out like a floodgate had been opened, instantly colliding with the sea of fire. The hissing sound of steam filled the air as the two forces violently reacted, producing massive clouds of white vapor.
This was a signature Sage Art Water Release of Mount Myōboku’s toads, originally meant to create a small lake in an instant, using its extreme stickiness to trap enemies.
But now, the starch syrup was rapidly dehydrated by the flames, forming a thin yet tough white film that could withstand the tearing force of the wind. Moreover, this film had excellent heat insulation, blocking the scorching air currents.
Of course, the main reason was that this was a Sage Art—imbued with Gamabunta’s own Sage chakra, which neutralized the natural energy in Orochimaru’s Wind Release.
As the steam gradually dissipated, the flames vanished without a trace, leaving only scorched earth between the two sides.
Gamabunta narrowed its eyes, finally getting a clear look at the enemy.
It wasn’t some snake monster, nor was it one of the famous sages—just an unknown young man.
Yet, the cold, serpentine aura emanating from him made the toad frown.
This was the unmistakable presence of Ryūchi Cave.
"Orochimaru, surrender!"
Jiraiya shouted, "I admit, you’ve surpassed us in strength over the years. But a shinobi’s battle isn’t just about individual power! Compared to fighting alone, I excel in teamwork! You should... remember Mount Myōboku!"
"The Sage Arts of Mount Myōboku are the strongest, and the toads are all seasoned warriors! Bunta is the best of them! With our combined strength, you stand no chance alone!"
Orochimaru tilted his head, completely ignoring Jiraiya’s words as he studied Gamabunta with idle curiosity.
"Is this toad the same tadpole you summoned back then? It’s grown quite a bit."
Jiraiya’s face darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting? I’m nothing like I was back then!"
He stepped forward. "Give up, Orochimaru! Bunta’s full power rivals a tailed beast! If it comes to that, I won’t be able to guarantee your life!"
"Oh? So I should be grateful?"
"Don’t be stubborn! You’re forcing my hand!" Jiraiya’s expression twisted with reluctance.
"Fine, fine... I admit, teamwork does make victory easier. But there’s one thing you said that really grates on my ears."
Orochimaru’s fingertips glowed faintly before he sliced his palm open with a flick, forming a bloody hand seal.
"You said... Mount Myōboku’s Sage Arts are the strongest?"
"Summoning Technique!"
A billowing white mist spread across the battlefield as a crimson serpent unfurled its massive body. Its size was no less than Gamabunta’s—if anything, it was even larger. Its fangs gleamed menacingly, its vertical pupils shining like golden lanterns, and its scales clinked like steel armor.
Maboroshi, the Scarlet Serpent of Ryūchi Cave, had arrived!
"Oh? Isn’t this my favorite toad snack?"
Maboroshi flicked its tongue, eyeing Gamabunta with a long-lost hunger.
Gamabunta tensed, its expression turning grave.
Even Tsunade sensed its unease.
As the princess of the Senju clan, she knew a little about the legends of the three great Sage regions.
Snakes eat toads—this wasn’t just a rule of nature but also the delicate balance between the Sage lands.
And the true counter to snakes, the force that could suppress Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Arts, was the power of Shikkotsu Forest...
She bit her thumb and leaped into the air as a burst of white smoke erupted with a crisp voice:
"Summoning Technique!"
As the mist cleared, a gigantic Katsuyu stood tall on the battlefield, forming a triangular standoff with Gamabunta and Maboroshi!
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