The Daimyo of the Land of Fire stood at the top of the Hokage Rock, looking down at Konoha below.
He leaned on an emerald-studded scepter, and the sunlight reflected off the gems, casting a dazzling glow, as if deliberately showcasing his power.
Around him were more than thirty guards and servants. Some held umbrellas for the Daimyo, some carried fruit platters, and others knelt on the ground to serve as his footrest.
At this moment, the Daimyo stroked his chin, his voice filled with deliberate disdain. "Is this the so-called Konoha? It's even more shabby than the Daimyo's Mansion thirty years ago, it feels a bit like being in the countryside."
In fact, the Daimyo was the same age as Hiruzen, fifty-five years old, but he didn't look old at all. However, his youthful appearance made him seem even more arrogant.
Four Konoha Elite Jonin stood not far away, their expressions subtly changing upon hearing these remarks, but none dared to retort.
Fugaku stood beside the Daimyo, his lips twitching slightly.
When the Daimyo's gaze turned towards the Valley of the End, his well-maintained fingers suddenly clenched the scepter.
The two towering stone statues, hundreds of meters tall, cast long shadows in the setting sun, as if silently narrating the glory of the ninja era.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he suddenly stomped his scepter heavily on the ground. "Madara and Hashirama, huh? When I return to the mansion, I'll build an even bigger one, carved in my likeness."
At the bottom of the Valley of the End, Shun and Jiraiya stood on opposite banks of the river. The turbulent water splashed at their feet.
"Confrontation Seal!"
After both formed the hand seal simultaneously, they instantly retreated.
Shun's current Chakra reserves were greater than Jiraiya's, so he had already prepared several tactics.
Firstly, Shadow Clone Technique was undoubtedly a highly cost-effective Ninjutsu that could quickly deplete an enemy's Chakra reserves.
He clapped his hands.
Shadow Clone Technique!
Bang... Bang... ang...
Seventy-two Shadow Clones burst forth like fireworks, each Clone precisely landing in the optimal tactical position.
Hiruzen's pipe slipped from his mouth, and he murmured, "Shun's Chakra reserves... It seems to be more than four times what it was last time. How is this possible?"
Jiraiya laughed and formed a hand seal. "Interesting! Uchiha brat, let me see your true power."
The same seventy-two Shadow Clones instantly appeared.
The Shadow Clones of both sides, like two armies facing off, arrayed themselves at the bottom of the valley.
Both were skilled in Fire Release, with a large attack range, so the battle scene was like a small war, dazzling to behold.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Fire Release: Flame Bullet!
Hundreds of Fire Release Ninjutsu erupted simultaneously. The collision of flames and flames created explosions that evaporated the river water, and white mist permeated the entire battlefield.
On the viewing platform, a gasp of surprise immediately arose, and some dropped in shock.
...
Shun stood on a protruding rock, seeing Jiraiya's Chakra rapidly depleting.
He secretly rejoiced, 'As I expected. Jiraiya fell for it.'
Seeing that Shun's Chakra reserves were actually greater than his own, Jiraiya realized something was wrong.
"Treacherous Uchiha brat!"
Therefore, he immediately canceled the Shadow Clones, recovered some Chakra, and then used the Summoning Technique.
With a deafening croak, Gamabunta descended from the sky.
Gamabunta had known Jiraiya since childhood, was roughly the same age as Jiraiya, around 37 years old, over 17 meters tall, and skilled in Kenjutsu and Water Release Ninjutsu.
The giant pipe in its mouth spewed a thick cloud of smoke, and its eyes gleamed with battle intent. "Jiraiya, this opponent isn't simple."
Jiraiya shouted loudly, "Gamabunta, use Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Gamabunta opened its mouth, over eight meters long, and spewed a massive wave of water that swept across the battlefield like a tsunami.
The giant toad, with such a high-profile entrance, once again escalated the atmosphere of the battlefield.
"This toad looks so ugly, but its strength is really amazing."
"Go, Jiraiya! I bet a million ryo on you, don't lose!"
"My heart aches for you, Shun! Go!"
The shouts of the surrounding audience were incessant, but they quickly received warnings.
Shun also canceled many Shadow Clones, leaving only two Shadow Clones to cooperate on the field.
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!
Wind Release: Gale Palm!
Wind fueled the fire, and the fire dragon surged against the current, forcefully pushing up the water waterfall.
The boiling steam rapidly reduced visibility on the battlefield.
Some audience members in the front row were even drenched by the oncoming steam, revealing their graceful and full figures, and their pearl hair ornaments clinked and rolled all over the ground.
"Shun, you are so mighty!"
"Go, Shun, defeat Jiraiya! I bet ten million ryo on you! Don't lose!"
"Shun is so mighty. I want to be your girlfriend."
With Senju Sage Body (Advanced), Shun's sensory abilities were also very good.
Wild Lion's Mane Technique!
In the dense fog, Jiraiya's white hair began to harden and lengthen, launching a sneak attack in the dark. Soon, the long white hair entangled Shun, then slammed him fiercely to the ground.
Jiraiya shouted excitedly, "Give up! Brat!"
But the coolness lasted only a second as a "bang" sounded, and the entangled Shun turned into a wooden stake.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Shun's true body attacked from the side, the strong wind dispersed the mist, and blew Jiraiya into mid-air.
In mid-air, Jiraiya immediately used Needle Jizo, protecting himself with hardened hair.
Jiraiya frowned slightly. "I didn't expect this Uchiha brat to be so troublesome."
After landing, he bit his finger without hesitation.
Summoning Technique!
He clapped his hands and summoned Gamakichi and Gamahiro.
Now, three giant toads had appeared on the battlefield simultaneously, causing a gasp of surprise in the audience.
Gamahiro was skilled at using Water Release Ninjutsu and dual swords for high-speed combat. It wielded its dual swords, slashing wildly at Shun, and many surrounding giant trees and rocks were split in two by the dual swords.
Gamabunta occasionally seized the opportunity to launch sneak attacks with its single sword.
Gamakichi, holding a shield, continuously smashed it towards Shun.
Boom... Boom... Boom...
The ground was smashed with one deep pit after another, causing it to constantly vibrate, somewhat like a series of small earthquakes.
Many people were shaken, some unable to stand steadily, some even clinging to each other.
"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
"Brother-in-law, why are you still messing around?"
Among the audience, there were many Elite Jonin. They put themselves in the situation. If it were them, caught in such a siege, they would have died several times already.