"So many against one? This doesn't suit your status at all!"
After barely blocking an attack and forcing the Jonin attackers to retreat, Jiraiya gritted his teeth but still managed a forced smile. "Lord Soushu, you're a dominant overlord, yet you resort to such underhanded methods. It truly doesn't match your station."
"Who said this is ganging up? When ninja fight together, it's called battlefield strategy!"
Hyuga Soushu remained unfazed as he casually waved his hand. The Jonin from the Nara and Yamanaka clans immediately withdrew, since their Shadow Secret Jutsu and Mind Secret Technique were clearly ineffective against Jiraiya's Sage Chakra combination. Continuing the battle would only disrupt their own rhythm.
"Besides," he added, "no one cares about the process, so long as victory is achieved."
"Hehehe!"
These words almost made Jiraiya sneer in anger.
"Jiraiya..."
However, Senior Fukasaku, perched on his shoulder, had recovered slightly from the damage caused by [Ignite], though visibly weakened. "You need to be careful—now more than ever."
Meanwhile, Elder Shima, standing on the other side, subtly scratched Jiraiya's shoulder with her hidden foot—a quiet signal to retreat.
Jiraiya shifted his shoulder almost imperceptibly, indicating his wish to continue fighting.
In response, Senior Fukasaku also used subtle leg movements and chakra fluctuations to show support, signaling Elder Shima to prepare their strongest Sage Art move together.
Though talking high and lofty, for Senior Fukasaku, that single [Ignite] from Hyuga Soushu was the greatest humiliation in centuries! And for such a disgrace to go unanswered? Shame on him for calling himself a sage!
"Young man," Senior Fukasaku asked while secretly regulating his chakra, "what you're using isn't traditional Ninjutsu. Tell me then, where did you obtain these powers?"
"Do you really think any ninja would willingly reveal their secrets?"
Soushu replied with disdain. "And besides, have you ever seen someone share information with their enemies?"
"Everything Mount Myōboku does is for a better future of the Ninja World. You must have serious misunderstandings about our Holy Land," Elder Shima continued, taking over the questioning as Senior Fukasaku struggled to catch his breath.
"It's useless!"
Hyuga Soushu shook his head. "Nothing can escape my Byakugan!"
Immediately afterward, the deployed Uchiha Three-Comma Jonin simultaneously activated their jutsu.
[Genjutsu: Makyou Kaou Technique!]
[Sharingan Genjutsu!]
Without waiting to confirm whether the Uchiha clan's genjutsu was effective, the rest of the Jonin followed their sequence and launched a deadly assault.
[Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!]
Jiraiya roared furiously. Relying on Sage Chakra's resistance to illusions, he forcibly resisted the genjutsu effects. At the same time, his silver hair suddenly extended like a waterfall, transforming into majestic lion's mane-like tendrils. With ruthless precision, he caught the Jonin slashing from the left in a tight coil of hair. Then, slightly bending at the waist, his upper body muscles unleashed tremendous force. As he swiftly twisted to the right, that Jonin's figure disintegrated into a puff of smoke under the irresistible crushing pressure!
"It's the Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Jiraiya was instantly stunned.
But attacks from other Jonin had already arrived from every direction—front, back, left, right, above, and below!
"Secret Technique: Steel Needle Senbon!"
With no choice left, Jiraiya could only use the same trick again, whipping his long hair in all directions to fire hardened strands as sharp as steel.
This time, however, since most of his Sage Chakra had been allocated to preparing his ultimate secret technique, there wasn't enough power left to fully activate the technique. The steel-like hair needles merely scattered the Shadow Clones mixed among the attacking Jonin, but barely harmed the real ones participating in the battle.
Overwhelmed and unable to defend properly, Jiraiya once again suffered several fresh wounds across his body.
"He's weak! Finish him off now!"
The Uchiha ninja roared loudly, then charged into the battle themselves.
Glancing around briefly, Jiraiya realized that no fewer than fifty Jonin were directly engaged in the attack, with several more nearby either maintaining watch or rapidly forming Hand Seals to prepare secret techniques.
This kind of overwhelming force could take down even the Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"How much longer?"
Jiraiya whipped his hair again, driving back the Jonin closing in on him. At the same time, he used Chakra-based sound transmission to ask the two elders resting on his shoulders.
"Just about one minute more!"
Elder Shima quickly responded.
"Fine!"
Jiraiya could only grit his teeth and endure.
As for the discomfort caused by multitasking—maintaining Sage Chakra while fighting—he could do nothing but struggle to hold on.
But one thing was certain: he couldn't keep this battle state up for much longer.
[Jumping Slash!]
Just when Jiraiya slightly lost focus, Hyuga Soushu appeared like a ghost above him, swinging his Torch Pole weapon straight at Senior Fukasaku!
To Hyuga Soushu, cutting off one finger was better than bruising ten. Rather than annihilating the enemy completely, it made more sense to prioritize capturing one of the Sages.
"Clang!"
Thankfully, Jiraiya managed to raise his arm just in time, blocking the heavy strike from the Torch Pole.
But it wasn't over yet.
Hyuga Soushu was faster than Jiraiya had expected.
Although his body was momentarily airborne due to the skill's mechanics, Soushu swiftly swung the Torch Pole repeatedly, hammering Jiraiya down into the ground with successive blows!
Even with Sage Chakra, Jiraiya's body couldn't take that kind of beating.
The burning pain shooting up his arms confirmed his worst fears—both were broken, badly!
If things continued like this, even if he eventually escaped, he might end up permanently crippled.
So, Jiraiya immediately whipped his hair around and launched another Secret Jutsu to drive Hyuga Soushu back.
[Blood Slash!]
Hyuga Soushu activated the equipped skill of the [Hunger Hydra].
A pale red ripple-shaped energy field spread outward, and the already gravely injured Jiraiya could no longer suppress his internal injuries, spitting out a mouthful of blood with a pained "Puah!" as his figure swayed unsteadily.
At this moment, the strongest immortal technique prepared by the two sages was finally complete.
Stimulated by the surge of Sage Chakra, Jiraiya—who had just barely managed to swallow a mouthful of blood—suddenly came to. Enduring unbearable pain, he stretched out his arms toward Hyuga Soushu, palms facing the incoming Torch Pole attack.
[Sage Art: Demon Toad Ensemble Chorus!]
"Ku-ka-ka-ka!!"
A violent shockwave of sound erupted simultaneously from the mouths of both Mount Myoboku Sages and Jiraiya, fueled by Sage Chakra. It immediately engulfed Hyuga Soushu, who had no way to evade.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!!"
In an instant, as the sound waves spread outward, everything in front of the Sage Art Genjutsu was completely torn apart by the sonic pressure!
Even the ninja hiding behind cover awaiting orders suffered heavy losses!
This could be considered the most devastating single attack since the start of the conflict!
But what caused the greatest concern was the condition of Hyuga Soushu, who had been struck directly by the Sage Art illusion.
"What incredible Sage Art!"
Just as the ninja were still shaken by what they'd seen, Hyuga Soushu lightly landed beside Jiraiya's formation and spoke through gritted teeth: "If I hadn't been careful, I might have really fallen for your trick!"
"Honorable Lord Soushu!"
The entire Ninja Force let out a collective cheer!
Although faint traces of alarm flickered across Hyuga Soushu's face, his body and clothing remained completely intact.
This alone proved he had dodged a point-blank Sage Art attack that should've been impossible to evade!
"You!"
"How is this possible!"
Witnessing this, neither Jiraiya nor the two Mount Myoboku Sages could believe their own eyes.
This was the ultimate secret technique of the Mount Myoboku lineage!
Even Hebihime of Ryuchi Cave, another revered Sage of equal standing, wouldn't have been able to avoid such a close-range Sage Art attack. How could someone merely human like Hyuga Soushu possibly accomplish this!
Sure, Soushu was an anomaly destined to change the Ninja World, so he must have some power—but seriously? How could someone be this hard to take down?
Unbelievable!
After carefully observing Hyuga Soushu, the two Mount Myoboku Sages began considering retreat.
Continuing the battle would only mean certain death!
"Excellent work indeed! Truly worthy of Mount Myoboku's Sages!"
Gritting his teeth, Hyuga Soushu raised his hand—and like a flood released from a dam, the Jonin surged forward into battle.
Meanwhile, Medical Ninja swiftly began rescuing the wounded while Uzumaki Ninja urgently repaired the Sealing Barrier damaged by the Sage Art.
If not for Hyuga Soushu activating the [Flash] skill at the critical last second, he wouldn't have even deserved a grave!
Although one of his equipped artifacts—the [Guardian Angel]—possessed resurrection power, it was meant only as a last-resort ace up the sleeve. Publicly returning from death would create unpredictable consequences. Even the most loyal ninja under his command would feel deep unease.
After all, to a ninja, birth, aging, sickness, and death are immutable laws of nature; revival from death challenges fundamental common sense. There was simply no need to provoke such risks or test the understanding of those under his command.
Compared to that, avoiding Sage Art attacks directly made Hyuga Soushu's strength seem even more unfathomable!
"Jiraiya, we can't drag this out any longer!"
Shima the Elder issued a warning through chakra-based sound transmission: "Our reserves of Sage Chakra and your physical condition won't allow us to continue fighting!"
"I understand."
Though reluctant, Jiraiya knew his own physical limits better than anyone.
If he delayed just a few more minutes, he'd likely die right here.
And if his death dragged Senior Fukasaku and Elder Shima down with him, Jiraiya wouldn't be able to live with himself.
"You're right. This isn't the time to stubbornly insist on staying."
Although unwilling to admit it, Senior Fukasaku had no choice but to agree with his wife's opinion.
After being struck by [Ignite] from Hyuga Soushu, Senior Fukasaku had already suffered severe internal injuries. Drawing on Sage Chakra was nearly impossible now. Worse yet, prior to this, the barrier suppressed natural energy absorption, creating a deficit. Now, he was weaker than ever before.
[Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!]
[Wind Release: Wind Blade!]
[Lightning Release!]
A storm of jutsu kept pounding against Jiraiya's body. Even with Sage Chakra forcibly maintaining an external defensive barrier, Jiraiya still felt dizzy and nearly fainted.
"Get ready!"
Elder Shima prepared to end the Summoning Technique and return directly to Mount Myoboku.
She would go first—Senior Fukasaku's strength had nearly run out. Even after returning to Mount Myoboku, the remaining chakra in his body wouldn't be enough to perform the Reverse Summoning Technique required to send Jiraiya back safely. That way, she could clear the path for Senior Fukasaku's own escape later.
"Puff!"
In a burst of blue smoke, Elder Shima vanished safely!
Meanwhile, the Uzumaki ninja successfully completed repairs to the barrier.
So when Senior Fukasaku tried to end the Summoning Technique, suddenly he sensed an inexplicable sluggishness in space-time itself resisting his return to Mount Myoboku!
"What?"
Senior Fukasaku immediately felt uneasy.
But after testing slightly, he discovered that increasing Sage Chakra output enabled him to break through spatial constraints and depart successfully, which eased his worries somewhat.
"Jiraiya, prepare yourself!"
After shouting a warning, Senior Fukasaku prepared to increase power.
Just then, Jiraiya suddenly transformed into a wisp of blue smoke. Back at Mount Myoboku, Elder Shima had immediately performed the Reverse Summoning Technique the moment she returned, pulling the dangerously trapped Jiraiya back to Mount Myoboku!
With Jiraiya's disappearance, the Sage Chakra shield barrier he maintained instantly collapsed. The continuous barrage of ninjutsu mercilessly crashed into Senior Fukasaku who was preparing to leave.
"Ugh!"
Already gravely injured, Senior Fukasaku flew backward like a ragged sack thrown through the air, coughed up blood, and was barely clinging to life.
"Oh no!"
Senior Fukasaku grew even more anxious.
Although in the long years past, as one of Mount Myoboku's two Great Sages, Senior Fukasaku had engaged in countless battles against the rival Ryuchi Cave, never had he suffered such severe injuries or faced such an extreme crisis without prior experience.
After all, compared to battles with summoned beasts, ninja combat was far bloodier and more precise—its rhythm and cadence light-years beyond those mindless summoned creatures. Facing this relentless pressure, Senior Fukasaku could barely react at all.
Yet for the sake of survival, Senior Fukasaku forcefully expelled his Sage Chakra outward to just barely block the first wave of attacks, then frantically redirected all remaining chakra toward dispelling the Summoning Technique!
But Hyuga Soushu, who had been closely monitoring battlefield developments throughout, naturally would not allow his escape!
If Elder Shima and Jiraiya managed to flee, that was acceptable—but if even Senior Fukasaku, a wounded sage, couldn't be stopped here, this battle would truly be regrettable!
[Jumping Slash!]
Hyuga Soushu appeared beside Senior Fukasaku directly through fierce jutsu bombardment, slamming down viciously and disrupting the carefully gathered Sage Chakra.
"Gentle Fist Sixty-Four Palms!"
Immediately afterward, Hyuga Soushu released his Torch Pole weapon and, after many years, executed the Gentle Fist once again upon Senior Fukasaku's body.
The elderly sage's frail form immediately spat blood from every orifice, nearly fainting on the spot!
"I mustn't die!"
Driven by sheer willpower alone, Senior Fukasaku pumped his Sage Chakra.
But Hyuga Soushu's hand seized his ankle and swiftly turned his palm into a blade-like strike aimed downward at his waist!
"Puchi!"
The tiny body split cleanly in two!
At the final moment, Senior Fukasaku's Sage Chakra finally broke free from the Sealing Barrier's suppression, escaping as wisps of smoke!
However, the half-body grasped by Hyuga Soushu remained behind!
"My dear!"
Inside Mount Myoboku, Elder Shima nearly fainted instantly upon seeing Senior Fukasaku's upper torso falling from the sky!
Instantly, chaos erupted across Mount Myoboku!
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