Boom!
Shigure slammed into the ground, carving out a massive crater upon impact.
As the dust cloud engulfed him, Orochimaru and Jiraiya finally caught a brief moment of respite.
"You prepare—I'll hold him off," Orochimaru said grimly. His body twisted unnaturally as he launched himself toward Shigure.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
A powerful gust erupted from Orochimaru's mouth, scattering the thick smoke and revealing Shigure's silhouette amid the debris.
Locking onto his position, Orochimaru raised one hand. Chakra surged around it, taking on a sharp, cutting edge.
Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!
Several invisible blades of wind shot toward Shigure with deadly precision.
Still brushing the dust from his cloak, Shigure sensed the attack approaching. His expression didn't waver. Forming a one-handed seal, he countered in an instant.
Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!
The two waves of wind collided midair with a screeching roar. Shigure's blades, denser and more refined, tore through Orochimaru's attack and continued forward.
Orochimaru barely managed to evade as the blades carved into the earth behind him. His golden eyes narrowed slightly—half in surprise, half in curiosity.
Did he just copy my technique… after seeing it once?
Orochimaru didn't have time to ponder the thought.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Dozens of serpents shot from his sleeves, fangs glistening with venom. Since long, complex hand seals were useless against someone like Shigure, Orochimaru switched to a technique he could use instantly—one that could at least delay his opponent.
He needed time. Jiraiya was standing behind him, hands clasped in concentration, drawing in nature energy.
Jiraiya was preparing to summon the Elder Toads of Mount Myōboku, to properly enter Sage Mode. On his own, he could gather Sage Chakra, but not for long—his Sage Mode would be unstable. Only by merging with the two Sages could he maintain it properly.
He couldn't afford any interruptions now.
Seeing Orochimaru's serpents lash out, Jiraiya frowned slightly. A sense of unease crept into his heart.
Countless black snakes surged toward Shigure.
Shigure merely smirked. "Tch."
Is the Great Sage analyzing this? he asked inwardly.
[Great Sage]: Of course. The opponent is using a type of Summoning Technique—different from the Sage Mode you're expecting.
Heh, no rush, Shigure thought. Once he finishes his summoning, we'll finally see what real Sage Mode looks like.
It was the perfect chance. While Jiraiya prepared, Shigure could take down Orochimaru first.
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!
Thick fog instantly rolled over the battlefield, obscuring everything. The moment the mist enveloped them, Shigure's blade flickered—cutting down every snake that came near.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He realized his mistake too late. Shigure didn't need both hands for seals—he could weave them with just one.
That wasn't something that could be learned through training. That was innate talent—a gift only a handful possessed.
The mist… he was setting up for an ambush. But who was the target—Orochimaru or Jiraiya?
Orochimaru took a deep breath.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
He exhaled with immense force, blowing away the fog in every direction. But as the mist dissipated—
Shigure was gone.
Orochimaru's gaze snapped toward Jiraiya—but there was no sign of him anywhere.
"Where did he—?"
Before he could finish, a thunderous roar erupted.
Manda howled in agony.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel!
Shigure appeared above Manda's head, spinning like a raging vortex of water. His blade sliced downward, forming a spiraling current that tore through the massive serpent's scales and flesh.
Blood splattered across the ground as the titanic summon writhed in pain.
"Orochimaru, you bastard! Remember—you owe me a thousand sacrifices for this!" Manda bellowed.
With a thunderous bang, the serpent vanished in a puff of smoke.
Orochimaru stared at the spot where Manda had disappeared. His eyes narrowed slightly. He defeated Manda… that easily?
Shigure landed gracefully, the dark blade Zangetsu gleaming in his hand. He sheathed it slowly, his expression unreadable.
Then, his gaze shifted toward the other side of the battlefield—toward Gamabunta, who stood towering above all.
Shigure's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Great Sage."
[Great Sage]: Preparations complete. You may activate it at any time.
"Then let's end this."
In an instant, the surrounding mist surged outward, enveloping Gamabunta's massive body. The air grew biting cold as the mist shifted, crystallizing into Snow Mist—its icy chakra seeping into the toad's limbs and muscles.
Gamabunta's body stiffened. Frost began crawling up his skin.
Ice Release: Freezing Moment!
Before the toad boss could break free, his enormous frame was consumed by glimmering ice crystals. In mere seconds, a colossal ice sculpture of Gamabunta stood frozen mid-roar upon the battlefield.
Shigure lowered his hand, turning his gaze from the frozen summon to Jiraiya—who had barely managed to leap clear—and then toward Orochimaru.
Without warning, Shigure's body blurred. His form vanished in a flash of crimson light.
Orochimaru's eyes widened. So fast! He instinctively retreated, his mind racing to form a counter—but he never got the chance.
Shigure appeared before him, moving faster than Orochimaru could react.
Boil Release: Matchless Monstrous Strength!
Shigure's fist crashed into Orochimaru's jaw with overwhelming force. The impact twisted his face grotesquely as his body was launched skyward, spinning violently.
Shigure exhaled slowly, the crimson heat radiating from his skin beginning to fade.
From both sides of his body, torrents of water surged forth, spiraling upward into the clouds before coiling together like serpents.
Water Release: Twin Water Dragon Jutsu!
Two enormous water dragons shot toward the airborne Orochimaru, colliding with crushing power. The violent pressure of the torrents slammed into him, leaving him no room to resist.
"Freeze."
With a single word, Shigure's chakra shifted once more.
The dragons solidified midair, transforming into colossal Ice Dragons. In that same moment, Orochimaru—caught between them—was completely frozen, encased in solid ice.
Shigure landed lightly on the battlefield, his cloak fluttering as he turned to face Jiraiya once more.
The battle was over.
Orochimaru—one of the Legendary Sannin—was sealed without a chance to strike back.
Shigure's voice was calm, but the weight behind it was suffocating.
"Now… only you remain."
Under the Great Sage's guidance, the power of Shukaku's sealing marks flared to life, spreading across the frozen dragons. The sigils pulsed, and the ice around Orochimaru tightened. The seal was complete.
Jiraiya could only stare, disbelief flickering across his face.
Orochimaru… defeated just like that?
It wasn't even a contest. Every technique, every transition—Shigure's movements were seamless, his rhythm absolute. Orochimaru never even had the chance to breathe.
This wasn't just overwhelming strength. It was mastery—both instinctive and analytical.
Even with Sage Mode… could I truly beat this monster?
But then, his expression hardened.
Tsunade had been taken by this boy. Whether for Konoha's sake or for hers, Jiraiya could not—would not—stand aside.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sharp as steel.
"Shigure… you're truly worthy of being called Konoha's little monster. Among the so-called 'Three Young Monsters' of the village, I think the real monster… is you."
His chakra surged violently, shaking the air.
"But even so—let's see how your generation of monsters compares to us Sannin!"
He slammed his hands together.
Summoning Jutsu!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Multiple clouds of smoke exploded across the battlefield as enormous figures began to emerge.
...
TN:
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