Snakes, symbols of spiritual energy, possess strange forms. They can lie dormant, shed their skin, change their shape, and move with secretive agility.
As the successor of Ryūchi Cave, Kazuyama Gekkō activated Senjutsu for the first time in earnest.
He absorbed all the natural energy surrounding him into his body. With the additional power from the three Snake Princesses, Sage Mode officially began.
Senjutsu: Serpent Transfiguration Dance. This technique uses natural energy to construct a personal serpent avatar.
"I can't let you live!"
"Die!"
Hanzō wasn't about to just stand by and let Kazuyama finish the technique. His knowledge was vast, and he understood Senjutsu well enough.
After all, Hashirama Senju—once the strongest shinobi in the world—had possessed this very ability.
Techniques that transcend the limits of ordinary ninjutsu are not only overwhelmingly powerful but also extremely dangerous. There was no way Hanzō would willingly put himself in harm's way.
His sickle had already slashed toward Kazuyama, and at the same time, a water dragon erupted from the ground, drenching the surroundings with scattered droplets.
"Kazuyama..."
"Don't distract him. He's found his path."
Tagitsuhime was just about to call out when Tagorihime stopped her. At that moment, Kazuyama slowly closed his eyes.
He didn't react at all to Hanzō's incoming attack.
"Clang!"
"Boom!"
The crisp clash of metal left Hanzō momentarily stunned. His full-powered strike had been blocked—by nothing more than a shadowy figure.
His water dragon, too, was held back, its neck seemingly bitten and restrained by the same phantom image, unable to advance another inch.
"Kept you waiting, huh?"
"Manifest, Titan Python!"
Kazuyama opened his eyes again. This time, the glow around him had turned a dusky blue-gray, completely different from before.
The aura surrounding him also sharpened into focus. A massive serpent in that same blue-gray hue emerged.
The water dragon was now clamped in the serpent's jaws. As the serpent's form solidified, its immense strength crushed the dragon entirely into a spray of water.
Seeing this, Hanzō immediately pulled back, eyes locked on Kazuyama and the gigantic snake.
"So that's Kazuyama's serpent transformation?"
"Looks pretty fierce... even more savage than Manda."
Tagitsuhime couldn't help but praise the blue-gray serpent, then stomped on Manda for good measure.
Although not as colossal as the serpents of Ryūchi Cave, this one stretched ten meters long, brimming with raw power.
"The Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave is only truly mastered after completing the serpent transformation. Kazuyama, you've done it."
This time, Ichikishimahime didn't rebuke Tagitsuhime. She was just as pleased, watching Kazuyama with satisfaction.
The Titan Python—the largest of serpents—was feared for its incredible physical strength and destructive might, a true apex predator.
"Senjutsu from one of the Three Great Sage Lands?"
"Hmph... Ibuse!"
With a cold snort, Hanzō summoned a massive Ibuse, which burst from the earth and immediately exhaled a thick cloud of poisonous gas.
The purple-black miasma quickly engulfed the area. Screams erupted from all directions—Konoha ninja, Iwa ninja, none were spared in the chaos.
But no one could complain. This was war. Everything changed in a heartbeat. Even if Iwa hated it, they had no choice but to flee the poison and save themselves.
As the gas spread, the Titan Python behind Kazuyama suddenly opened its massive jaws and swallowed him whole.
The snake surged forward, Kazuyama standing calmly within its body, letting the Titan Python charge ahead.
"Old man, your poison doesn't work on me!"
"You seriously think a snake would fear poison?!"
Under Sage Mode, Kazuyama became feral. The three Snake Princesses stood nearby, silently enduring his volatile aura.
Senjutsu from Ryūchi Cave draws out and amplifies deep-seated emotions. Kazuyama, usually nonchalant and playful, had simply buried his wildness—until now.
With Sage Mode, all that suppressed madness came pouring out.
"Old man! Come out and fight me!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The Titan Python barreled through the poisonous mist like a bulldozer—but it wasn't random.
Using natural energy to sense the battlefield, Kazuyama had locked onto Hanzō and Ibuse's positions and was now charging straight at them.
"What the hell is that thing?!"
"Everyone, clear out! Leave him to Hanzō! The rest of you, push the front line!"
As the battlefield commander, Shibito Azuma had noticed the chaos in the poison zone. That massive blue-gray snake was too conspicuous, smashing every tree in its path.
All he could do was order his forces to retreat from the area.
Their Tailed Beast had been blocked, and even their reinforcements were now being hunted down. Azuma was beyond frustrated.
...
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Tsunade was healing the wounded when a member of the Yamanaka Clan suddenly gasped.
"That's terrifying... Is that his true strength?"
"He's Lord Orochimaru's disciple, one of the Legendary Sannin... his power is insane..."
While treating the injured, Tsunade glanced at him. The Yamanaka ninja caught her look and immediately reported what he had seen.
A giant snake, formed entirely of terrifying chakra, was dominating the battlefield. Even Hanzō of the Salamander, the Demi-God, was being chased down.
Hanzō had been forced to release a massive cloud of poison gas, attacking friend and foe alike.
But none of it slowed Kazuyama down. He had already chased Hanzō from the forest's center to its rear.
"That kid... he's using Sage Mode?"
"Lady Tsunade, his strength is incredible, but something about him feels... off."
The Yamanaka ninja wiped the sweat from his brow. It wasn't from the heat—it was fear.
Using chakra perception, he had sensed Kazuyama's chakra: wild, cold, and full of bloodlust.
"A side effect of Sage Mode?"
"Doesn't matter. Let him do what he wants—as long as it gets Hanzō off the battlefield!"
"Send in the backup troops. We can't let a single Iwa ninja escape this forest. Push them back!"
This forest was vast, with cliffs at its center. Tsunade had chosen it specifically as the battleground to stop Iwagakure. For a village with Tailed Beasts, open plains were never an option.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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