Soaring through the air, the Third Kazekage passed over Jiraiya and dropped a massive, dense block of iron sand directly above them.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Method!"
The black, ominous block of iron sand expanded rapidly, sprouting countless branching iron sand tendrils, resembling the roots of an ancient tree traversing through time.
From a distance, it looked like an inverted iron sand tree towering in the sky.
Bang! Bang!
The hard iron branches struck fiercely into the earthen wall where Jiraiya stood, raising clouds of dust and cutting through chunks of irregular stone, sending debris tumbling to the ground.
Jiraiya's transformed toad-like eyes remained fixed on the advancing iron sand forest in the sky.
Just as he was about to retreat, Fukasaku abruptly opened his mouth and unleashed a sharp beam of light.
"Sage Art: Tongue Lashing Slash!"
Infused with Senjutsu Chakra, Fukasaku's elongated tongue shot out like a razor-sharp blade.
The tongue traced an arc through the air, slicing through numerous iron branches, which shattered into countless iron particles.
For a moment, it seemed as though a black rain of ink fell from the sky.
The Kazekage's heart tightened the instant he saw the piercing light. A faint tearing sensation rippled across his body—his instincts warning him of imminent danger. If he didn't react immediately, he knew this premonition would become reality!
His heartbeat quickened, and though it had been a long time since he faced such life-threatening combat, the adrenaline rushing through his veins reignited his fighting spirit.
Almost instinctively, his iron sand wings tilted downward to the right, shifting his body to the left.
Slash!
The sharp sound of metal being severed reached the Kazekage's ears, and in the next moment, he felt himself plummeting downward.
It was only then that he realized what had happened—a blade-like tongue from the toad had severed one of his iron sand wings.
Had he not reacted in time, it wouldn't have been his wing that was cut—it would have been his torso.
"Oh? Impressive combat instincts!" Fukasaku retracted his tongue and praised the Kazekage, who was now hovering in midair with a newly reformed iron sand wing.
Still shaken, the Kazekage dared not approach Jiraiya so recklessly again.
"So, this is the legendary Sage Arts?"
"And such terrifying power comes from a mere summoned beast?"
The Third Kazekage had read about Sage Arts in Sunagakure's secret scrolls, though the records were sparse. They only mentioned that the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama Senju, had mastered such arts.
But now, witnessing the power of Sage Arts firsthand, the Kazekage was utterly astonished. If even Jiraiya, one of the "Legendary Sannin," possessed such strength, what would happen if all three Sannin appeared on the battlefield? How could Sunagakure possibly withstand them?
Countless thoughts raced through the Kazekage's mind, but he forcibly suppressed them, channeling his Chakra. Even against a formidable foe, he would not back down!
"Honey, these iron sand branches keep regenerating!"
Shima noticed that the severed tips of the iron sand branches were sprouting new, sharp, and twisted extensions, continuing their relentless assault from above.
Boom!
Jiraiya leapt down from the stone wall, his powerful descent creating a massive crater upon impact.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Spear Rain!"
The Kazekage's next ninjutsu followed immediately. The dense iron sand branches suddenly fractured and reshaped, transforming into countless cold, gleaming iron spears.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
From the front, it looked as though the sky above Jiraiya was filled with countless sharp black needles, like a dark cloud blotting out the sun.
In an instant, the spears rained down like a torrential storm, hurtling toward Jiraiya below.
Lying prone on the ground, Jiraiya's expression grew grim in the face of such an overwhelming attack. However, he quickly responded.
"Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon!"
Jiraiya's white hair spread out instantly, covering his back before standing on end like bristling needles.
Infused with Senjutsu Chakra, the hair shot upward like a violent storm. With the two great sages enhancing its activity, Jiraiya's hair seemed endless, an infinite barrage of senbon-like needles.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
Jiraiya's hair needles pierced the falling iron spears, each one leaving a small hole.
But under the relentless assault of the white needles, the black rain of spears was gradually overwhelmed and neutralized.
As the stalemate persisted, the Kazekage did not remain idle. Clenching his teeth, he channeled every last bit of his Chakra and formed a series of complex hand seals.
"Hm?"
Shima, who was transmitting Natural Energy into Jiraiya's body, suddenly noticed something. The iron spears, which had been falling straight downward, abruptly paused in midair before changing direction.
In unison, they all turned and shot directly toward Jiraiya, creating a scene where he appeared to be trapped at the bottom of a black funnel.
...
"?!"
Meanwhile, Sōmi, gripping the Starfall Rod, felt a surge of confusion. The purple-blue rod was now wrapped in layers of intricate black runes, resembling chains binding it tightly.
He had always known that Sunagakure's sealing techniques lagged behind those of the Uzumaki Clan, but he hadn't expected the gap to be this vast...
With just a touch, Minato Namikaze had not only broken the sealing technique Sōmi had prepared but had also sealed away the Starfall Rod's Chakra storage function.
Fortunately, most of the Chakra stored within the rod had already been drawn out, so the impact on the battle wasn't significant.
Boom!
The puppet controlled by Sasori flared with intense purple lightning, the air itself resonating with the sound of thunder.
The puppet moved like a streak of lightning, ignoring Minato, who was right in front of it. Instead, it left a purple trail on the ground as it shot toward the distance.
"Hm?" Minato's mind raced as he quickly realized Sasori's intent—he had discovered the special kunai Minato had planted earlier.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Dragon Tornado!"
Roar!
Accompanied by a faint dragon's roar, the puppet spun violently mid-flight, releasing blinding silver lightning.
At its core, a hint of purple spread rapidly, turning the silver lightning into a storm of purple thunder.
In moments, a massive purple thunder dragon, dozens of meters long, streaked across the sky.
Its neck swept downward, absorbing several of Minato's special kunai into its body.
The entire sequence of events unfolded as though preordained, with Sasori's actions smooth and decisive.
At the same time, a hint of triumph appeared on Sōmi's face. He clasped his hands together and shouted loudly.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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