The explosive beam of lightning crashed directly into Konoha's rear headquarters. Amidst the violent shockwaves, countless Leaf ninjas were caught in the disaster, and wails of agony echoed through the ranks.
The forces stationed at the base were primarily composed of the Medical, Sealing, Barrier, and Sensory teams.
Shiraishi's first strike with the massive electromagnetic construct had turned the Leaf's rear into a scene of utter chaos.
Jiraiya's motive for taking over the fight was clear: the Third Hokage was currently the spiritual pillar of the Leaf and could not afford any more setbacks. Otherwise, the blow to morale would be fatal.
"Jiraiya, this little Sand brat isn't going to be easy to handle," Gamabunta said, gripping his pipe. Though he looked nonchalant, he was already in a state of full combat readiness.
Jiraiya let out a boisterous laugh. Even though his opponent was incredibly troublesome, his spirit remained heroic. "I'll have to trouble you again, then!"
"Hmph!"
With a massive leap, Gamabunta lunged forward, the air around them surging with intense heat. Jiraiya took the initiative, launching a coordinated ninjutsu with the Toad Boss: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!
"There it is! Lord Jiraiya's coordinated ninjutsu..."
As one of the world-renowned Sannin, Jiraiya's partnership with Gamabunta was legendary. Their large-scale combined techniques were a nightmare for every hidden village.
"A combination of fire and oil... ordinary Water Style can't extinguish this. However, Black Mist Shiraishi masters Magnet Release; he should be able to block this," the Third Hokage noted, his body still recovering from the electrical burns as he watched the clash intensely.
Beside him, Shikaku Nara was working hard to analyze the shifting tides of the battle.
The Hokage had pushed himself to the limit; after the previous series of intense exchanges, his physical stamina simply couldn't keep up. Attacks he could once evade with ease now required every ounce of his strength to parry.
The massive oil flame bullet, fueled by Bunta's oil and Jiraiya's fire, expanded across the battlefield. Its massive range made it nearly impossible to escape, dealing devastating damage. Because of the toad oil, it was far more difficult to counter than a standard Fire Style.
The large creature constructed from silver sand was unavoidable and was directly swallowed by the inferno. As the light of the explosion flickered, Shiraishi used his suspension ability to retreat rapidly.
Levitating in the air?
Combining telekinesis and Magnet Release gave Shiraishi incredible mobility. Facing the encroaching flames, he rotated his palms. The remnants of the collapsed silver sand gathered once more, forming a gargantuan wall that bricked off the fire.
Shiraishi dared not be careless against the man often called the most "average" of the Sannin. The silver blade in his hand crackled with electricity before he shot forward like an afterimage, leaving behind a trail of electrical cicada-like flickers.
So fast!
Amidst the fluttering blue sparks, a Dimensional Hole warped the space. Shiraishi blinked directly in front of Jiraiya, his hands gathering currents into jagged claws that drew a magnificent silver arc through the air.
The claws were ferocious, but Jiraiya met the attack with his characteristic wide-open combat style.
As he dropped toward the ground, a Dimensional Hole followed him like a shadow; Shiraishi had arrived on the ground a step ahead.
Facing Shiraishi's advance, Jiraiya's hair swirled into the Needle Jizo counterattack. Against the rain of spikes, Shiraishi didn't flinch. He fired a blade of lightning from the glow gathered in his hand.
As the lightning blade sliced forward, Jiraiya dove low, slamming a hand into the ground to trigger an Earth Style technique.
The earth turned into a massive mudslide, attempting to trap Shiraishi, while Gamabunta swung his massive blade in a killing strike.
Toad Short Sword Slash! This was Gamabunta's fastest draw-and-cut technique. Due to the sword's immense size and power, anyone hit by it was guaranteed a grave injury.
"Filthy beast, know your place!"
Facing the toad's strike, Shiraishi pointed a single palm toward the sky. As the silver sand whirled beneath his feet, the metal and current began to coalesce into a gargantuan blade saturated with electromagnetic energy.
This technique...
It was a simple structural shaping of a giant blade, but the Sand ninjas watching knew how difficult it was to achieve Shiraishi's level of precision. Neither the chakra reserves nor the control required were within their reach.
Blade met blade. In a metallic explosion of sound and force, the electromagnetic giant sword generated a powerful magnetic storm that sent Gamabunta flying. As his giant sword was knocked from his grip, the Toad Boss's palms went numb.
Is this kid even human?
Suddenly, a Dimensional Hole appeared directly in front of Gamabunta. A second massive electromagnetic blade lunged out. Its speed and power were so great that the Toad Boss's expression twisted in horror.
Despite his rapid movement, his right arm couldn't clear the path of the sudden second blade appearing from the portal. His arm was severed cleanly. With a poof of white smoke, Gamabunta vanished, forced back to Mount Myoboku.
Clearly, while Shiraishi was forming the first blade, he was already manifesting the second within the Dimensional Hole. However, creating two such massive constructs had left Shiraishi visibly fatigued.
I can't let the Leaf find a weakness...
Though Gamabunta was dealt with, Jiraiya was still watching like a tiger over its prey. Shiraishi made a split-second decision and exhaled a massive cloud of Black Mist.
This was one of the techniques that made Shiraishi famous. Although Jiraiya was prepared, the moment he touched the mist, he felt a bone-chilling cold. Compared to the mist of two years ago, this version carried a lethal frost.
He combined Ice Style properties into the Black Mist to create a brand-new version.
As the "Professor," the Third Hokage quickly realized the secret. This was an upgraded, evolved version of Shiraishi's signature move.
Ice Style wasn't difficult for Shiraishi; having mastered Wind and Water, he had several Ice Style jutsus in his repertoire. But he didn't just want the jutsu; he wanted to integrate it into his tactical system.
As the mist invaded, frost began to coat the ground. Shiraishi charged through the haze with heavy, violent steps.
He threw a punch with such domineering and heavy force that Jiraiya's face paled. As Jiraiya retreated, pillars of water erupted from the ground, rotating at high speeds to reshape the battlefield.
Water Encampment Wall!
This move suddenly reminded Jiraiya of his past battle with Hanzo—the same elusive water-based binding methods that had suppressed him time and again.
"Lord Jiraiya! His chakra is showing signs of depletion! Destroying the Magnet Release is the priority. Otherwise, if he uses the Black Mist to stall, his chakra will recover!"
Aided by the analysis of the Hyuga ninjas, Shikaku Nara finally found a window of weakness. After fighting Uchiha Zhan, the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and the giant summoning Bunta in succession, Shiraishi's stamina was seriously flagging.
Suddenly, a swarm of insects surged like a storm, covering Shiraishi's black mist from high above. Though they were being frozen, these specialized Aburame insects were slowly siphoning away Shiraishi's chakra.
In addition to the insects, fifteen Leaf elite Jonin appeared simultaneously, surrounding Shiraishi in a coordinated battle formation.
Ebizo, watching from a distance, was furious. "Despicable Leaf! Do you only know how to fight in waves?"
To the Sand's glares, the Leaf remained indifferent...
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: Patreon.com/kazama677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 60 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.