Jiraiya's expression was grim. Everything Hyuga Gakuya said—he already knew. But this was the reality of the ninja world: the strong prey on the weak.
Still, he needed to de-escalate the situation with the Otogakure leader in front of him. He said,
"If you leave now with the Sound shinobi, Konoha guarantees we'll stop accepting tribute from the Land of Fields. In fact, we'll even compensate them generously."
But Gakuya's gaze was resolute as he rejected Jiraiya's offer.
"It's too late for that. For the people who trust me, I'll carve a path forward with my own two hands!"
He thrust his tightly clenched right fist forward. "Even if I end up broken and bleeding. Even if I'm crushed to dust!"
His voice thundered through the arena, shaking every heart present with the power and conviction of a true leader.
Up in the stands, the Raikage couldn't help but comment to Darui,
"Who would've thought a hero like that existed in one of our neighboring villages? It's a shame he wasn't born in Kumogakure. If he were, I'd raise him to be the Fifth Raikage without hesitation."
Darui watched Gakuya's back with a quiet sigh.
"He's underestimated Konoha's strength... This won't end well for him."
Jiraiya's eyes turned sharp, laced with killing intent. "So there's no chance to resolve this peacefully?"
Gakuya met his gaze. "None. Let's finish this."
Natural energy surged toward Gakuya, flowing into his body as he entered Sage Mode in an instant. This was the power of Perfect Sage Mode—he could activate it anytime he wished.
"That's the Sage Mode from Ryūchi!" Jiraiya exclaimed. Of course he recognized it. What Gakuya had achieved far surpassed his own imperfect Sage Mode.
"I underestimated him," Jiraiya muttered, biting his finger and smearing blood across his face in preparation to summon the Great Sages of Mount Myōboku.
But unlike Gakuya, his own Sage Mode required significant prep time.
"Kakashi, Guy, stall him! I need time to summon the Toad Sages and enter Sage Mode!" Jiraiya clasped his hands and began focusing his chakra.
"Understood!" Kakashi's eyes sharpened as he unsheathed his ninja blade.
"Time for Konoha's Blue Beast to enter the fray!" Guy bellowed, charging headfirst toward Gakuya.
His speed built rapidly as he shattered stone underfoot, soaring toward Gakuya with a flying kick.
Gakuya raised both arms to block. The moment Guy's kick landed, a burst of powerful sound waves exploded from Gakuya's forearms.
Guy's bones felt like they were being crushed from the inside out. He retreated instantly.
Just then, Kakashi appeared behind Gakuya, his short blade aiming for Gakuya's back.
"Sage Art: Snake Scales!"
Scales burst forth beneath Gakuya's clothes, forming a thick armor along his back. Kakashi's blade clashed against them with a sound like steel meeting steel.
Gakuya whipped around, his arm transforming into a steel-like whip aimed straight for Kakashi's neck.
"Die!"
Kakashi tried to parry, but his blade got caught between the scales. That tiny moment of hesitation placed him in immediate danger.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Suddenly, thick wooden branches burst forth, pushing Kakashi out of harm's way. Gakuya's whip-arm smashed into the wood, splintering it instantly.
The sheer power behind Gakuya's strike was terrifying. Kakashi tumbled away, barely managing to gain distance.
"Yamato, you're finally here," Kakashi said with relief. But a quick glance showed the One-Tail and Nine-Tails were still clashing nearby—and Naruto had sprouted his sixth tail.
"Yamato, we'll handle things here. See if you can re-seal the Nine-Tails," Kakashi instructed.
"I'll try… at least slow him down," Yamato replied, unsure.
Gakuya tore Kakashi's short blade from his back and dashed forward.
"You should be more worried about yourselves!"
"Guy, go all out. Just don't get in close if you can help it!" Kakashi called out, his hands forming seals as he spewed fire.
Gakuya responded mid-charge, spitting out a torrent of water.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
The elements clashed violently, generating a thick mist from the explosion of steam.
"Eight Gates… Seventh Gate: Gate of Wonder—Open!" Guy shouted, his chakra exploding in a shockwave that blew away the fog.
He appeared before Gakuya in an instant, throwing a punch with all his might.
Gakuya didn't dodge. He met it head-on with a punch of his own.
Their fists collided. Gakuya felt a sharp pain in his chest, stumbling backward.
But Guy fared worse—his punch had no anchor, and he was blasted away like a missile.
Gakuya was startled. He alone knew how much force he'd put into that strike. With the blessings of a Sage Body, Sage Art, and Perfect Sage Mode, it should've overwhelmed anyone—but somehow, it had ended in a draw.
Gakuya's hands flew through seals. "Sage Art: White Shock Technique!"
A signature move of Ryūchi, it caused air to vibrate violently, grinding opponents' bones to the point of paralysis. It could even sever all five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
A glowing red dragon surged from Gakuya's mouth, holding a black orb in its claws. It flew over the Konoha shinobi, spinning rapidly before diving into the orb.
The orb exploded with a blinding flash and deafening sonic blast.
Konoha's ninja were instantly blinded, their ears ringing with white noise. Their bodies ached, muscles paralyzed—completely immobilized.
Only Gakuya remained unaffected. He gripped the short blade and lunged again.
...
Jiraiya gritted his teeth through the pain, springing into action as he wove hand seals.
"Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane!"
His hair shot out like steel wires under chakra reinforcement, whipping toward Gakuya.
But Gakuya's blade, now coated with Wind Style chakra, slashed through them with ease.
Guy forced his eyes open, barely making out Gakuya's silhouette. He raised his hands.
"Daytime Tiger!"
A roaring white tiger surged forward, barreling toward Gakuya.
He responded with a massive fire dragon.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
The two collided, erupting in a fiery explosion.
A roar rang out from above as Tsunade descended like a meteor, foot aimed at Gakuya's skull.
But Gakuya remained calm. He clapped his hands.
His muscles bulged as he met her head-on.
Boom!
The ground beneath them gave way, collapsing into the level below. Their impact obliterated everything nearby.
Gakuya disappeared under the rubble.
Tsunade leapt up first—but Gakuya didn't follow.
"You're finally here!" Jiraiya called out with relief.
Tsunade shot him a glance. "I'm not about to let Grandpa and Uncle's village be destroyed on our watch."
"Is he dead?" the Konoha shinobi murmured. Under that kind of impact, survival seemed impossible.
Just as they dared to hope…
The surrounding stone and trees suddenly came alive, hurling themselves at the Konoha shinobi.
Several died instantly.
Then, from beneath the rubble, a pale hand pushed through the dirt. Gakuya stood again, brushing blood from the corner of his mouth.
"I said I'd use these hands… to clear a path for the people who trust in me!"
The Konoha ninja stared, stunned. He was their enemy—but in that moment, they couldn't help but respect him.
Such willpower. Such strength. Was it truly right to fight someone like this?
From afar, Sasuke watched the lone figure with conflicted eyes.
"If I had power like that… killing Itachi would be no problem…"
But none of them knew Gakuya's true thoughts.
Why the hell hasn't anyone shown up yet?
Kabuto, you useless bastard...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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