Nawaki reluctantly stepped forward, and the toad swallowed him too. Jiraiya, folding his arms, laughed. "Come on, Xin, it's just a moment, then it'll be over. Just bear with it, alright?"
"Jiraiya, I think this kid doesn't like me much, and I don't feel like..." The Gourd Toad started to complain.
It was unwilling to carry someone who disrespected it. However, mid-complaint, it noticed something in the darkness-a huge black shadow, with two glowing vertical pupils.
Danger!
The Gourd Toad jumped in fear. Jiraiya slapped his forehead and let out a nervous laugh, trying to ease the situation. "Manda, long time no see. Looks like you've gotten stronger." Manda ignored Jiraiya. Its thick, snake-like tongue flicked through the air, eyeing the Gourd Toad like prey.
"Master, may I eat this disrespectful toad?"
Among the Three Great Sage Regions, Shikkotsu Forest remained neutral, while Mount Myōboku and Ryuchi Cave were at odds.
Snakes from Ryūchi Cave often attacked Mount Myōboku, hunting its toads for food.
To the snakes, toads were a delicacy, especially the ones from Mount Myōboku, which were incredibly nourishing and came with numerous benefits.
While the Gourd Toad was swallowing Minato, Xin had already summoned Manda-only, not on the ship, as Manda was too large and would have capsized it. Instead, it was summoned into the sea.
"What's so special about eating a toad?" Xin jumped onto Manda's head and said to Jiraiya, "Have your toad lead the way. I'll follow behind."
Squatting atop Manda's head, Xin pressed his palm against it, chakra spreading out.
Manda dared not resist and obediently remained still. Despite the rough waters, Manda stayed completely steady, unmoving.
In a moment, Manda's terrifying aura vanished. If Manda wasn't right there before his eyes, Jiraiya might have doubted his own vision.
Envy!
The technique to suppress one's presence like that-was incredible.
Too bad I can't learn it.
Shaking his head, Jiraiya allowed the Gourd Toad to swallow him as well.
Once it had swallowed Jiraiya, the Gourd Toad's entire body shivered under Manda's gaze. Without delay, it leaped into the sea and swam toward the islands under Kirigakure's control.
No orders were needed. Manda followed silently.
Manda's enormous body moved swiftly through the sea, no matter how hard the Gourd Toad tried, it just couldn't shake him off.
Snakes were natural predators of toads, and Manda was clearly in the mood for a meal.
With such a predator following close behind, the Gourd Toad was practically on the verge of a mental breakdown.
Manda's massive body moved beneath the surface, with only a small part of its head visible above the water.
Xin sat calmly atop it, as if on a flat plank, gliding smoothly forward.
With Xin's help concealing Manda's massive presence, as long as he stayed submerged, it was unlikely that they'd be detected by the enemy.
If the choice was between being swallowed by a toad or using Manda as a ride, Xin would definitely choose the latter.