Time ticked by, second after second.
As expected, Orochimaru immediately launched a ferocious assault in tandem with Manda the moment he noticed Jiraiya attempting to enter Sennin Mōdo (Sage Mode).
Even with Gamabunta's strength, he found himself completely on the defensive, unable to counterattack. All he could do was dodge and guard, with no opportunity to go on the offensive.
Still, he stubbornly held his ground, buying time for Jiraiya to absorb natural energy.
Smack!
A sharp, whip-like crack echoed across the battlefield as Manda's tail smashed into Gamabunta's abdomen, sending the giant toad hurtling through the air.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up at the sight. Without hesitation, he formed hand seals and cast a jutsu—Hebi no Kuchizuke (Serpent's Kiss)!
In an instant, a phantom serpent head formed in his palm, shooting out like lightning. As it flew through the air, it grew larger and began to solidify, snapping its fangs toward Gamabunta.
This was an original jutsu of Orochimaru's—one with both devastating physical damage and venomous effects that could incapacitate its target.
But just as the serpent's fangs were about to sink into Gamabunta, an overwhelming pressure erupted—not from the giant toad, but from the figure standing on his head.
Jiraiya had finally completed the transformation into Sennin Mōdo.
Now radiating a terrifying aura of sheer power, Jiraiya looked down at the injured Gamabunta, then at the incoming serpent head. Without a hint of hesitation, he formed hand seals and unleashed a fire-style jutsu—Katon: Endan (Fire Style: Flame Bullet)!
A blazing fireball, hot enough to scorch the air, shot forward like a cannonball, colliding with the serpent head and disintegrating it on the spot.
And it didn't stop there.
The fireball continued its path, slamming toward Orochimaru and Manda.
Sensing the danger, Manda swiftly twisted his massive body and shot away like a bolt of violet lightning, narrowly evading the attack.
But before he could catch his breath, another fireball—larger and more powerful than the first—came barreling in.
This time, Manda couldn't dodge.
The fireball hit him squarely, and a pained, furious hiss tore through the air.
Jiraiya didn't relax. His eyes darted from side to side, sensory perception on full alert. He was searching for something.
Then, his gaze snapped to the ground below. He grabbed Gamabunta and, with a flicker of motion, vanished from his spot.
CHOMP!
A horned, violet serpent head burst from the earth, jaws wide open, biting nothing but air.
It was Manda's head.
Turns out, the earlier hit had been a feint. Manda had used a quick Shed Skin Technique to avoid the fireball, hoping to ambush Jiraiya in the confusion.
But his target had already vanished.
Jiraiya, in Sennin Mōdo, possessed heightened sensory capabilities. He'd detected the subtle trick and dodged just in time.
From a distance, Qingming narrowed his eyes at the brief clash.
He wasn't surprised by Jiraiya's reaction—he had anticipated the level of power Jiraiya would wield in Sage Mode.
What surprised him was Manda.
No wonder Orochimaru valued this summon so highly. Manda wasn't just powerful—his tactics and timing were exceptional.
That deceptive retreat followed by a surprise strike… Even experienced jōnin wouldn't be able to pull it off so cleanly.
And Manda had done it in mere moments.
Had it been any other shinobi—not one as seasoned or powerful as Jiraiya—they likely would've been caught off-guard.
Now, as Manda and Orochimaru re-emerged, Jiraiya didn't immediately attack.
He glanced at the battered Gamabunta beside him and said, "Bunta, leave the rest to me. You've done enough. Go get patched up."
"…Alright."
Gamabunta didn't argue. He hesitated only briefly before nodding.
He'd taken heavy damage fending off Orochimaru and Manda alone. His priority now was recovery.
But before vanishing, he shot a glare at Manda in the distance and grumbled, "Jiraiya… Make sure you teach that damned snake a lesson."
"Manda, huh…"
"No problem."
Jiraiya nodded firmly.
Why hadn't Gamabunta asked Jiraiya to kill Manda?
Simple. As a Kuchiyose (summoned beast), especially one with a separate dimension as its home, Manda wasn't easy to kill.
When backed into a corner, summoned beasts can simply cancel the summoning and return to their realm.
Unless ambushed, or restrained by something like the Sharingan, it's almost impossible to take them out.
Especially a powerful one like Manda.
That's why Gamabunta only asked for payback—not an execution.
POOF!
A cloud of chakra-infused smoke burst out as Gamabunta returned to Mount Myōboku.
Now alone, Jiraiya fixed his gaze on Orochimaru and Manda.
"Orochimaru… It's not too late. Come back with me."
"Heh…"
Orochimaru just chuckled, and responded with an A-rank jutsu—Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique)!
Dozens—no, hundreds—of shuriken multiplied in the air, shooting toward Jiraiya like a deadly storm.
Jiraiya didn't flinch.
He calmly formed seals. His long white hair surged and grew, transforming into thick, protective strands that wove together into a shield—Hari Jizō (Needle Jizō).
But this time, powered by Senjutsu Chakra, it was faster, more flexible, and much tougher.
Every single shuriken bounced off harmlessly.
Then—he struck back.
With a change of hand seals, Jiraiya unleashed the first of his true Sage Art techniques—Senpō: Kebari Senbon (Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon)!
A storm of needle-like hair shot from his back, raining down like thousands of piercing missiles—far more numerous and powerful than the earlier shuriken barrage.
Don't underestimate them just because they're made of hair.
Enhanced by Senjutsu Chakra, they were harder than steel and moved with lethal precision.
It was a nightmare for any opponent—and Orochimaru and Manda were no exception.