"Damn… it's him."
On the rooftop, locked in battle against the First and Second Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the crimson sky. The raging flames dyed the heavens red, and he immediately recognized the source.
That fire was Ash's technique.
In the ninja world, Ash's Fire Release was infamous. Many had personally witnessed its overwhelming scale. Even when dozens of shinobi used Water Release simultaneously, they still failed to suppress it completely.
"The kid's finally made his move," Orochimaru murmured from across the battlefield, a twisted smile creeping onto his lips.
"That fool… then I'd better hurry as well."
With a flick of his fingers, he tightened his control over the reanimated First and Second Hokage, directing them to press their assault on the Third Hokage even harder.
"Water Release: Water Cannon!"
"Water Release: Water Cannon!"
"Water Release: Water Cannon!"
At Gamabunta's command, three massive torrents of water blasted upward, colliding head-on with Ash's sea of flames. Steam erupted violently as the fire was forcefully extinguished, leaving a hollow opening at the center—just large enough for Gamabunta to shield himself.
"Huff… huff… I barely held on," Gamabunta muttered.
"My chakra's almost gone."
Though he had blocked the attack, the cost was enormous. Turning his head, he spoke anxiously to Jiraiya, who stood atop him.
"Hold on a little longer," Jiraiya said, sweat dripping down his face.
"It'll be done soon."
Even as he said that, his expression remained tense. This technique—he still hadn't fully mastered it. All he could do was rely on the two Great Toad Sages of Mount Myōboku.
"So… Sage Mode, huh."
Watching Jiraiya remain completely still while gathering chakra, Ash smiled faintly.
"This is the first time I've fought someone who truly understands Senjutsu."
If it came to Sage Mode alone, Ash was confident—second place didn't exist for him.
"Gengar, I'll leave things here to you," Ash said calmly.
"Teleport."
In an instant, Ash vanished from atop Gengar and reappeared directly behind Gamabunta.
"Gengar!"
Gengar responded instantly. Dark, distorted shadows condensed around its body before firing outward in every direction. Wherever the shadows passed, the surroundings were shredded apart, leaving behind torn earth and twisted debris.
Boom!
Whoosh!
The moment Ash appeared behind Jiraiya—
Bang!
Jiraiya suddenly spun and unleashed a powerful roundhouse kick, slamming straight into Ash's abdomen.
Ash was sent flying like a cannonball, smashing through multiple buildings in a straight line before crashing into a massive rock wall. The stone caved in on impact, forming a deep crater.
"So I was a step too late," Ash muttered calmly as he stood up, brushing dust from his clothes.
"That's fine. I'll just wait until you're ready."
Despite the pain, he looked completely unharmed.
In truth, Ash had already activated Cursed Seal Level One. His recovery ability had risen sharply—this level of damage barely mattered.
"Hoho… looks like it's our turn, dear."
Two small toads appeared on Jiraiya's shoulders.
They were Fukasaku and Shima, the Great Toad Sages of Mount Myōboku—known as the Toad Father and Mother.
"I'm sorry," Jiraiya said gravely.
"Konoha's facing a powerful enemy. I can't handle him alone. I had no choice but to ask for your help."
Jiraiya's appearance had already changed—his face carried distinct toad-like features.
It was clear.
His Sage Mode was incomplete, relying entirely on Fukasaku and Shima to maintain it.
"…That guy," Fukasaku muttered, staring at Ash in the distance.
"Wait," Shima suddenly gasped.
"Look closely at the markings on that brat's face."
Her expression shifted to one of genuine shock—something she hadn't shown in decades.
"Perfect Sage Mode," Fukasaku said slowly after sensing Ash's chakra.
"And a flawless one at that. Jiraiya… where did you even find someone like this?"
"What?!"
Jiraiya's face darkened instantly.
"He knows Sage Mode too… No wonder. The first time I met him, he entered that state naturally. So that was Sage Mode… That explains why it always felt familiar when I trained."
"Senior," Gamabunta said heavily, exhaustion clear in his voice.
"I'll leave the rest to you. I don't have much chakra left."
Between blocking Ash's flames and enduring Gengar's relentless pressure, he had reached his limit.
The real battle—
was only just beginning.
You had to understand—Gengar's strength was on a level comparable to the Nine-Tails.
The only real differences lay in stamina and recovery speed. Even so, for Gamabunta to hold out this long was already remarkable.
"You should withdraw first. Leave this to us."
At his words, Fukasaku spoke calmly, his gaze fixed warily on Ash in the distance.
Ash, already in Cursed Seal Level One, stretched slightly.
Natural energy continuously poured into his body, circulating smoothly.
"It's been a long time since I entered the Cursed Seal state," Ash muttered with a faint smile.
"This feeling… really isn't bad."
After Gamabunta returned to the summoning realm, Shima quickly formed hand seals.
"Jiraiya, get ready. We'll use that combination."
"Understood."
As Jiraiya followed her instructions, Ash's Sharingan clearly saw the natural energy gathering around him.
However, compared to Ash himself, the speed was noticeably slower—an obvious flaw caused by Jiraiya's incomplete mastery of Sage Mode.
"Sage Art: Goemon!"
Jiraiya spewed thick gray oil from his mouth.
At the same time, Fukasaku unleashed Wind Release, accelerating the flow of the oil, while Shima followed up with Fire Release.
In an instant, the oil ignited.
A massive torrent of roaring flames surged forward, carrying terrifying momentum as it slammed straight toward Ash.
The scorching heat washed over the battlefield.
Nearby buildings rapidly heated up, walls cracking and splitting apart under the extreme temperature.
Even the surrounding air warped violently, making it clear just how destructive this combined Sage Technique truly was.
...
(End of Chapter)
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