Chapter 402: The Armor
After the council meeting concluded, Minato Namikaze was summoned for a private discussion with Kakashi.
"Sensei, have you still not managed to connect with your summoning contract?" Kakashi asked.
Minato nodded in confirmation, still unable to fathom why Mount Myoboku had suddenly severed ties despite the long standing bond and despite his lack of any malice toward the toads.
Kakashi, however, suspected the reason. Minato had also abandoned chakra for the new Douqi system, marking him as an outsider to the chakra based nature energy techniques of Mount Myoboku. Their worlds were now incompatible.
"It's no issue," Kakashi reassured. "But sensei, even if you have no wish to fight them, I ask that you don't interfere. Those toads crossed the line, mine and the boundary of our great deity's will. They must be eradicated."
Minato opened his mouth as if to argue but ultimately held his peace. Kakashi was not only his family's savior but also the architect of this era of peace. Though he had held friendly relations with the toads, Minato was practical and knew where his loyalty ultimately lay.
Thus began the hunt across the Hanhai Empire to exterminate every toad, ordinary or otherwise. Concerns about environmental imbalance were quickly dismissed; the ecosystem would adapt, and plenty of amphibians could replace them.
However, the legendary toads of Mount Myoboku and Jiraiya himself remained elusive. The unique dimension of Mount Myoboku kept them hidden. Yet with the entire world united in the search, finding them was only a matter of time.
From his hiding place, Jiraiya watched these developments with a heavy heart. Fortunately, his transformation techniques kept him hidden; no one recognized him as he moved from place to place.
"Such an evil god, commanding the entire ninja world to commit such atrocities," Jiraiya cursed quietly, yet the fate of ordinary toads meant little to him. Only the powerful toads of Mount Myoboku truly mattered.
He had spent a year in pursuit of the prophesied "Child of Destiny," stopping in city after city and finding nothing. The prophecy from Great Toad Sage Gamamaru was frustratingly vague, only hinting that the savior would become Jiraiya's disciple. So far, however, every person he attempted to train had turned him in when they discovered his outdated practices. Jiraiya figured that anyone capable of reporting him couldn't be the true savior.
One day, while Jiraiya was searching as usual, a prickling unease made him halt in his tracks. Everything was too quiet. It was midsummer, a season when insects should be chirping endlessly. Activating his Rinnegan, Jiraiya surveyed his surroundings, detecting a distinct, fearsome chakra signature that made his skin crawl.
The lone, commanding figure of Madara Uchiha appeared, clad in black and looking down at Jiraiya with cold disdain.
"This eye, this presence… Yes, this is indeed the Rinnegan of the Sage of Six Paths," Madara said, acknowledging Jiraiya's power. Though Jiraiya had long known Madara had somehow returned, facing him now filled him with more dread than any fight with Kakashi.
"The difference in strength is overwhelming," Jiraiya thought as Madara's mere gaze exerted an unbearable pressure.
Madara's voice broke through the tension. "Insect, surrender the Rinnegan, and I might allow you to keep your pitiful life."
Instead of replying, Jiraiya swiftly performed a summoning jutsu. A dense cloud of smoke rose, revealing three enormous toads as large as mountains with the two Sages, Shima and Fukasaku, atop Jiraiya's shoulders. With their help, he instantly entered Sage Mode.
Madara watched this spectacle with a glacial expression. "This is your answer? How foolish."
"Gamabunta, Hiro, Ken! You handle the main attack!" Jiraiya ordered, his voice sharp.
The three toads from Mount Myoboku's gang charged toward Madara, who dodged their attacks with ease. "Your courage is commendable, and your strength is not insignificant, but to strike at me is sheer madness," he scoffed.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A powerful repulsive force hurled the three giant toads away, and Madara's Sharingan flickered to reveal the Rinnegan in his eyes.
Spotting an opportunity in the chaos, Jiraiya attempted to escape, but Madara smirked, extending a hand.
"Bansho Ten'in!"
An irresistible force yanked Jiraiya back toward him. But within ten meters, Jiraiya activated one of his deadliest techniques, "Sage Art: Goemon!"
Flames surged as ignited toad oil and wind transformed into a sea of blazing fire, with the potential to engulf Madara completely.
Jiraiya had prepared well, aware of the Rinnegan's absorption abilities but knowing that techniques infused with natural energy could not be absorbed. This close range attack was carefully timed and positioned to bypass Madara's defenses.
As the searing flames rushed forward, Jiraiya allowed himself a slight smile. "Even the mightiest warrior can fall prey to a moment of arrogance," he thought.
Yet his satisfaction was short lived. His eyes widened in shock as the flames met Madara, who was encased in a suit of brilliant blue armor, his expression unperturbed.
Since forsaking chakra and taking up Douqi, Madara's training had been relentless, and without distractions, he was unmatched in this new system.
A suit of blue Douqi armor enveloped him, transforming him into a demonic figure reminiscent of the ancient Japanese crow god.
"Douqi Armor: Susano'o!"
(End of Chapter)
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