Kazuyama Gekkō didn't know why he suddenly entered Sage Mode. The natural energy erupting from the Falls of Truth was overwhelming; even without consciously trying to absorb it, his body was instinctively drawing in this raw power.
Years ago, he had already mastered entering Sage Mode without the aid of the Snake Princess. A deep blue glow enveloped his entire body, and two horns sprouted from his forehead. His aura became as fierce as that of a Titan Python.
"Natural energy..."
"A snake?"
"A sensation so cold... even colder than the chill Lord Orochimaru ever gave me."
"Kazuyama Gekkō, you are terrifying."
To Jūgo's eyes, Kazuyama now resembled a giant snake, radiating coldness and a murderous aura. However, Kazuyama Gekkō himself felt incredibly comfortable. The feeling of energy surging through him was simply sublime.
"Enough. Stop staring at me."
"Let's go. We should check on Kimimaro. I never imagined my sensei would abandon the secondary cursed seal."
"Instead, he had Kimimaro directly receive your cellular enhancement. Is this to grant him an even more formidable Sage Body?"
One had to admit that Orochimaru possessed both audacity and skill. Was Jūgo's pure, natural Sage Body so easily replicable?
Even the secondary cursed seal was not something easily controlled, let alone advancing further into something as advanced as a Sage Body.
The two entered the waterfall's interior.
"BOOM!"
The moment they entered, an attack came. A thick bone whip lashed out horizontally.
Kazuyama Gekkō, instinctively reacting, tried to dodge. After all, his principle was simple: dodge any attack that can be avoided. Only a fool would try to block it head-on. But there was one fool present.
Jūgo didn't flinch. He channeled his cursed seal's power, transforming his hands into monstrous fists and met the attack head-on with a double punch.
"Thud!"
The collision of their strikes produced a dull, heavy sound.
"Ahahahaha!"
"Kill! Kill!"
Kimimaro, his eyes crimson, emerged from the explosion. Realizing his attack had been blocked, he stepped forward.
Now resembling a demon god, Kimimaro's body erupted with bone spurs, and half of his body was covered in eerie, twisting patterns. These were clearly the markings of the Sage Body—patterns akin to cursed seals, but vastly superior.
"Has he already entered the pseudo-Sennin body?"
"And because the natural energy is hard to control, it's causing him to go berserk."
"Now we can only forcibly suppress it."
Jūgo analyzed the situation with remarkable rationality, though his own demeanor was anything but calm. His once serene face twisted into a ferocious grimace, and intense natural energy began erupting from his body, transforming his appearance.
One after another, jet-like circular tubes appeared on his back, and his skin darkened, turning into a deeper hue. It was clear—he had entered the Sage Body state as well.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa."
"Not so violent. If both of you go berserk together, this place will be ruined."
"So, I'll handle it."
Kazuyama Gekkō's Sage Mode was unlike the others. His was far more icy and sinister. His movements were noticeably gentler, almost serene. Spreading his hands, the natural energy around him coalesced into two giant snakes.
These energy-formed serpents charged toward Kimimaro with incredible speed.
"Kill! Kill you all!"
Kimimaro had descended into madness. He no longer cared who stood before him. The only thought consuming his mind was to kill—kill everyone who stood in his way.
"Swish!"
He drew two bone blades from his body and charged toward the giant snake.
Unfortunately, Kazuyama Gekkō's giant snake was an energy entity, completely impervious to physical attacks.
The bone blades struck, cleaving the energy serpent in two. The fragments immediately split into countless smaller serpents, all lunging toward Kimimaro.
This was a technique Kazuyama Gekkō had learned from Nagato's summoned beast, the Great Dog. However, while the Great Dog relied on summoning magic, Kazuyama's technique utilized Senjutsu—a fundamentally different approach.
"Lord Kimimaro, have you forgotten me?"
"Back in the Land of Water, it was I who sought you out."
Kazuyama Gekkō flashed a wicked grin. Though his smile was playful, his attacks grew increasingly vicious.
Senjutsu chakra coalesced into giant snakes, appearing one after another.
"Serpent Senjutsu: Serpent Swarm Tactics."
"Lord Kimimaro, have you ever danced with snakes?"
His elegant voice delivered the words, but his attack became even more frenzied. Divine Art chakra surged forth, continuously materializing into giant serpents. Within moments, Kimimaro found himself surrounded by countless massive snakes.
Entangled by the serpents, Kimimaro still fought furiously.
He roared in anger as bone spines erupted from his body. Yet, though his spines were powerful, the giant snakes were pure energy forms. His attacks were ineffective against them.
Jūgo, who had initially intended to assist, stood back after witnessing Kazuyama Gekkō so easily bind Kimimaro. He released his energy and simply observed.
"Unimaginable combat prowess. Harnessing natural energy to fuel your attacks?"
"Snake-like as you are, I must admit, Kazuyama Gekkō, you are truly formidable."
Kazuyama Gekkō chuckled softly at Jūgo's praise.
"Thanks for the compliment. This is nothing special, hardly worth mentioning."
"Quickly, release him."
"Snake Senjutsu, Sun Devour!"
Kazuyama Gekkō's gaze remained fixed on the still-struggling Kimimaro, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
The next moment, Kazuyama pressed his palms together.
Natural energy coalesced into a colossal serpent's maw and lunged at Kimimaro.
In the blink of an eye, Kimimaro was swallowed whole.
But Kimimaro wasn't going down without a fight. He immediately began to resist.
What happened next was surprising. Despite his intense efforts, Kimimaro's bones couldn't pierce the immense pressure of the Senjutsu energy. Instead, he was crushed under the invisible force.
"Well now, while the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai can enhance bone density to terrifying levels..." Kazuyama mused, his voice cold.
"…it's no match for the pressure of a giant snake."
"Mr. Kimimaro, you'd best just drift off peacefully."
"When you wake up, everything will return to normal."
Kazuyama Gekkō increased his chakra output, intensifying the crushing pressure of the giant snake.
He then used his chakra to seal off the air, trapping Kimimaro in a suffocating confinement.
With both his physical strength and oxygen rapidly depleting, Kimimaro soon reached his limit.
No matter how powerful he was, in the face of Kazuyama Gekkō, he was no more than a child still growing.