Chapter 81 – Jiraiya's Sage Arts
As Gamabunta clashed relentlessly with Shukaku, something odd became clear.
Normally, as one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya would be weaving jutsu to support his summon. Yet he hadn't lifted a finger. Instead, he stood motionless, hands pressed together, clearly preparing something.
Nan immediately understood. With no other options left, Jiraiya was readying Sage Mode—his final trump card.
Still, Nan harbored doubts. Sage Arts were indeed powerful, but their destructive force was relative to human opponents. None of the three great Sage training grounds possessed overwhelming, specialized combat techniques suited for colossal monsters.
Mount Myōboku's arts in particular leaned more toward illusions and physical augmentation than large-scale ninjutsu. Against a fully manifested tailed beast like Shukaku—towering, saturated with endless chakra—how effective could such techniques really be?
After all, Bijū were notoriously difficult to subdue. Only those wielding Wood Release, the Sharingan, or advanced sealing techniques could suppress them reliably. The alternative was sheer brute force, like the Third Raikage, who had traded blows with tailed beasts until both sides collapsed from exhaustion.
For ordinary shinobi, no matter how much effort they poured in, a tailed beast was beyond victory.
The average Konoha ninja couldn't gauge the true disparity between Gamabunta and Shukaku, but even they could see the Toad Boss was struggling. Their only comfort was the sight of Jiraiya's ongoing hand signs. Perhaps he was preparing some great jutsu, one that could finally put an end to the monster that had already slaughtered so many of their comrades.
But Gamabunta was faltering. He was no tailed beast—just a massive toad with formidable strength. Against Shukaku's near-limitless chakra reserves, his stamina was burning away fast. Fortunately, Jiraiya's preparations reached their climax just as Gamabunta's strength waned.
Blood smeared across his palm, Jiraiya slammed his hands together.
"Summoning Technique!"
With a puff of smoke, two small figures appeared on his shoulders: the elder toads, Fukasaku and Shima.
Unlike the towering summons of Mount Myōboku, these two were scarcely larger than ordinary toads. At first glance, they hardly seemed like the mountain's greatest sages—second only to the Great Toad Sage himself. In truth, they could expand their size at will, but preferred these humble forms.
"Long time no see, little Jiraiya," Fukasaku croaked warmly. "If you've called us, you must be facing quite the troublesome opponent."
Jiraiya's expression was grave. "Indeed, masters. I need your help with that beast ahead. Only with your senjutsu can we stand a chance."
The sages followed his gaze—and their eyes widened.
"That's the One-Tail, Shukaku," Fukasaku muttered. "Foolish boy, you can't hope to defeat a tailed beast with Sage Mode alone. Such creatures can only be truly dealt with through sealing techniques."
"I know," Jiraiya admitted. "But look at his head."
High atop Shukaku's forehead lay Bunpuku, eyes shut, trapped in slumber.
"He's the jinchūriki. Shukaku's already bound by another seal. Casting another won't help. My plan is different: I'll use Sage Mode's speed and power to break through and wake the medium. If I can rouse the host, the beast will be forced back into its prison."
Shima's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So that's it. This seal resembles a Feigning Sleep technique. Normally, the jinchūriki's will suppresses Shukaku's. By succumbing to slumber, the host's will fades, allowing Shukaku's to surface and unleash its full power. Wake the medium, and the rampage ends."
Understanding dawned, and the three moved as one.
"Then let us begin. Sage Art: Amphibian Technique!"
Senjutsu required stillness, drawing in natural energy—a task impossible to maintain while fighting. To overcome this, Jiraiya had devised a method: linking chakra with the two sages perched on his shoulders, who would gather natural energy for him.
Through their support, he could sustain Sage Mode in battle.
As the natural energy flowed into him, Jiraiya's body shifted. His eyes transformed into those of a toad, and faint amphibian features marked his face. It was an imperfect form, proof that his mastery was not yet complete—but even so, he had stepped into the realm of a Sage.
Even this incomplete form of Sage Mode had a dramatic effect. Jiraiya's movements, already swift, suddenly accelerated to a level beyond human limits.
As Gamabunta clashed once more with Shukaku, Jiraiya used the opening to leap onto the tailed beast's massive body, sprinting rapidly toward its head.
Shukaku immediately sensed his intent. With a roar, he manipulated torrents of sand to block Jiraiya's path.
But the Sage's speed, bolstered by nature energy, now even surpassed that of Nan. Shukaku's sand barriers couldn't keep up. Within moments, Jiraiya closed in on the unconscious vessel perched on the tanuki's head.
Joy surged in his heart. So close! Once I wake the host, Shukaku will be sealed back inside.
Jiraiya raised his fist, ready to knock the old man conscious—
—but Shukaku's eyes gleamed with mocking disdain instead of panic.
He had been sealed too many times before. He knew that the instant his jinchūriki awoke, he would be dragged back into imprisonment. He had already devised a countermeasure.
The sand composing his head unraveled and flowed over the vessel, encasing him completely. Strange, glowing runes crawled across the surface, forming a protective seal.
For all his monstrous power, Shukaku was never a creature of brute combat. His true strength lay in defense and sealing techniques. Now he used those very arts to shield his host from interference.
To seal him again, the enemy would need to shatter his greatest defense head-on—an impossible feat in his eyes. Since the deaths of Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara, Shukaku believed no shinobi alive could break through his impregnable armor. Not even the Nine-Tails.
Jiraiya's eyes widened as his punch landed. The enhanced frog kata strike—powered by Sage energy—slammed into the sand cocoon with explosive force.
The result? Only the faintest crack appeared before it mended itself instantly. The impact reverberated up Jiraiya's arm, leaving his knuckles throbbing with pain.
At the same time, more sand surged to engulf him. Forced to retreat, he leapt back just as Gamabunta bounded forward to snatch him from the swirling trap.
Back on his summon's head, Jiraiya's face grew grim. His last resort—Sage Mode—had failed to produce results.
If even this won't work… then I have no options left.
All he could do now was pray that the Third Hokage and Orochimaru could finish their own battles quickly. Only with the combined might of the Legendary Three could they hope to prevail.
But Gamabunta was already panting heavily, nearing his limit. How much longer could he hold Shukaku at bay? Would the others arrive before his summoning ran out?
Jiraiya's failed attempt hadn't surprised Nan in the slightest.
As expected, even Sage Arts aren't enough. Looks like it's my turn to step in.
Slowly, he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. His clone received the signal.
Then, for the first time since awakening it, Nan prepared to unleash his most secret technique.