NOVEL NEXT Chapter 96: The Final Sound!
Hearing Jiraiya's question, Ichikishimahime replied coldly,
"By our master's command, we will kill the one who angered him!"
"Master?" Jiraiya's pupils contracted.
He immediately thought of Uchiha Kaede in the sky. When he had glanced earlier, he had indeed seen three figures standing beside Kaede.
And in today's shinobi world, only Uchiha Kaede had the power to treat such formidable individuals as his slaves!
Without wasting words, Ichikishimahime raised her hand and slammed it down.
"Summoning Technique!"
In the next moment, the two Great Toad Sages of Mount Myōboku appeared on his shoulders.
"This is… the scent of Ryūchi Cave?"
The instant they arrived, Fukasaku and Shima locked their eyes on the Three Snake Princesses.
As elders of the three great holy sites, they naturally recognized one another.
Ichikishimahime sneered. "So it's you two filthy toads."
"Mount Myōboku was destroyed by our master, yet instead of hiding in some sewer, you dare show yourselves in the shinobi world?"
"Master?" Fukasaku and Shima were both startled.
Shima shouted in disbelief, "You actually acknowledge Uchiha Kaede—that demon—as your master?"
"Don't you know he also destroyed Ryūchi Cave?"
Uwatsuhime replied coldly, "Of course we know."
"But in nature, the strong survive and the weak perish. If our master could slay the White Snake, then we naturally follow such a powerful being!"
They no longer even used the title 'Sage' for the White Snake. At this point, they were wholeheartedly loyal to Uchiha Kaede.
Fukasaku couldn't help but curse. "Truly, you're nothing but cold-blooded animals!"
Realizing the situation, Jiraiya stepped in.
"Great Toad Sages, this isn't the time for pointless talk—Uchiha Kaede is watching from above!"
Startled, Fukasaku and Shima turned their hateful gazes skyward at Kaede.
"How dare you look at our master with such eyes?"
Ichikishimahime's killing intent flared, and she struck at Jiraiya without warning.
Jiraiya hastily raised his arm, but still took a heavy kick that sent him flying.
"Damn it, in my normal state I'm no match at all. Sages, hurry and help me enter Sage Mode!"
Fukasaku and Shima didn't hesitate and leapt onto his shoulders.
"You think we'll let you?"
In the next instant, two puppet constructs lunged at them.
Facing the Three Snake Princesses and their puppets, Jiraiya had no way to form the hand seal he needed—without both hands together, he couldn't enter Sage Mode.
On the sidelines, Hiruzen saw this and moved to help.
"You think I'm not here?!"
Danzo said the same, intercepting him.
The battlefield split once more—Danzo being pummeled by Tsunade, Hiruzen under relentless assault from Naruto, and Jiraiya unable even to begin Sage Mode against the Snake Princesses.
High above, Uchiha Kaede sat calmly, watching the play he had orchestrated.
The Konoha shinobi had lost all will to fight. Many were already fleeing in desperation—numbers aside, they couldn't hope to win, not with Kaede, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, and the Four Extreme Thunder Beasts on the field.
"We can't win! We'll all die!"
That was the unshakable thought in every Konoha ninja's mind.
Konoha's defeat was certain.
…
"Great Toad Sages, looks like I can't protect you anymore—take care of yourselves!"
Once again evading their attacks, Jiraiya gave a bitter smile.
He cursed his lack of talent. Without Sage Mode, he couldn't keep up with the Snake Princesses' speed—and they still struck at his mind whenever they could.
If not for the natural energy the Sages fed him, he'd already have been caught. But at this rate, he'd still die by their hands.
Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a look, as if reaching a decision.
While Jiraiya fended them off, Fukasaku asked gravely,
"Jiraiya boy, are you afraid of dying?"
Jiraiya froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"A ninja endures all pain and keeps fighting even when gravely injured!"
"Death? I, Jiraiya, have never feared it!"
"If you have a plan, use it—no matter the cost, even if it's my life!"
Fukasaku drew in a deep breath and smiled.
"It's not just your life."
Shima smirked. "That's right—it's also the lives of hundreds more."
She slapped her hand to the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
In an instant, all the remaining toads of Mount Myōboku appeared.
"This is…" Jiraiya stared in confusion.
Fukasaku explained, "Even if you entered Sage Mode now, you wouldn't be able to beat them."
"So, I will use a secret art to force all of our natural energy into you."
Shima pointed to the toads behind her. "When it's done, they'll all die. And we'll leave only a sliver of energy to help you keep your Sage energy stable."
"But the power will be so great that when we die, you…"
Jiraiya closed his eyes, his answer clear. Then he asked quietly, "But they're the last hope of Mount Myōboku—if they all die here… And is Konoha really worth your sacrifice?"
Shima gave a serene smile. "Don't worry, we've already hidden the true young ones. And don't feel guilty—the Great Toad Sage told us before sending us here…"
"That you can stop Uchiha Kaede—no matter the cost."
Jiraiya nodded. He trusted the Great Toad Sage's foresight.
"I understand. Then let's begin!"
Breaking away from the Snake Princesses' assault, Gamabunta and a few powerful toads leapt forward to buy him time.
Fukasaku and Shima began drawing in all the natural energy from the gathered toads and poured it into Jiraiya.
Moments later, a celestial aura erupted, silencing the battlefield.
Even Kaede narrowed his eyes—this presence far exceeded Nagato's Six Paths of Pain.
"So much natural energy… without the two of them controlling it, you'd explode instantly."
"So… you've chosen to stake your life?"
With the Sages stabilizing his energy, Jiraiya's body transformed—his face took on a toad's features, and webbing formed between his fingers and toes.
"This guy…" Tsunade frowned deeply. She could sense the terrifying power—strong enough that she couldn't match him.
But if that energy went out of control inside him, then Jiraiya…
"Jiraiya…"
From afar, Orochimaru also looked on intently. He could feel Jiraiya's resolve to die.
"As expected, you chose this foolish shinobi path after all."
For once, Orochimaru's expression was solemn, as if honoring the final performance of an old friend.
…
(End of Chapter)
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