"How... how is this possible?! He stood there and took all those B-rank and higher ninjutsu, and he's completely unharmed!"
A Mist ninja, who had never faced the Akatsuki or Allen before, couldn't help but let out a look of utter disbelief and shock.
To put it in perspective, even a village Kage facing ninjutsu of B-rank or higher would either counter with a technique of equal rank, use a Substitution Jutsu, or use a Body Flicker to evade.
But Allen?
From start to finish, he hadn't moved an inch!
It was as if all the previous attacks were some kind of illusion rather than events that had actually transpired.
"Calm down! He isn't some ordinary person; he's known as the most dangerous individual in the entire shinobi world. Steel yourself, because nothing that happens involving him should be considered surprising!" a Konoha ninja explained in a low voice.
"He's right! The man we are facing is a monster truly capable of destroying an entire nation with ease. Fight with the resolve to die! We could all be killed in the next second," a Cloud Jonin added, his expression grim.
As they spoke, Jiraiya had already launched at least three rounds of attacks at Allen.
Unfortunately, his understanding and application of Sage Mode and natural energy were clearly still in the nascent stages. His various so-called Senjutsu failed to transcend the scope of standard ninjutsu; at best, they were merely empowered versions.
To Allen, such attacks didn't even warrant an evasion; simply shifting them away via space-time ninjutsu was more than enough.
"Space-time ninjutsu?! You warped all the attacks away?"
Jiraiya was clearly no fool. After several probes, he finally sensed something was amiss. Every time a technique drew near a certain point, it would vanish inexplicably. While it was almost impossible to see with the naked eye, he detected the anomaly through his acute perception of natural energy.
Allen nodded with a smile. "Correct! I suggest you stop wasting your energy. As far as Sage Mode is concerned, you're just an infant who has barely learned to walk. You pose no threat to me whatsoever."
"No! I will not stand by and watch you gather all nine Tailed Beasts to resurrect the legendary Ten-Tails," Jiraiya stated with iron-clad conviction.
"Is that so? How unfortunate. In that case, let me teach you how Sage Mode should actually be used."
As the last syllable left his lips, Allen's body suddenly inhaled a staggering amount of natural energy. Immediately following, a terrifying aura erupted from within him. Although there was no physical change to his form, not even markings around his eyes, he projected an indescribable sense of overwhelming pressure.
"This is...?!"
Jiraiya, being the most sensitive to this sensation, gasped in shock, his mouth hanging open.
"This is my Sage Mode. While its principles originated from Ryūchi Cave, under my modification, it has become something entirely different. Now, let's start with the most basic energy application. True Senjutsu chakra is, simply put, the refinement and utilization of the natural energy that exists everywhere in this world. Generally, to ensure safety, a user uses their own chakra as a foundation and stabilizer to mix with natural energy. But if your chakra control is powerful enough, you only need a tiny spark of your own chakra to trigger a chain reaction with several, or even dozens of, times the amount of natural energy. Like this..."
As he spoke, Allen raised his hand to mimic the technique his opponent had just used. In a single second, he manifested a colossal Rasengan dozens of times larger than an Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan. To further increase its lethality, he even infused it with his specialty Lightning Release chakra.
Such a terrifying sight was something most people had never even heard of, let alone seen.
While the spectators were paralyzed by shock and fear, Allen simply hurled it toward the center of the Allied Forces' camp.
"Not good! Quick! Scatter!"
Someone finally screamed, and the crowd, previously standing like statues, began using every trick in the book to flee the blast zone at maximum speed.
The moment they cleared the area, the Super Lightning Release Rasengan descended. It transformed into a blinding white flash of electricity that swallowed the entire camp. Trees, grass, and temporary tents were all carbonized instantly. Some structures were pierced by lightning and began to ignite, filling the air with a pungent, acrid smell of burning.
It was obvious that if they hadn't fled in time, few in that camp would have survived.
"Do you see? This is the true power of Sage Mode, using the absolute minimum of your own chakra as a catalyst. That is precisely why it is called Senjutsu."
Allen spoke like a patient teacher, guiding Jiraiya through the fundamental principles of Sage Mode.
While the Sage Modes of the Three Great Sage Regions had different focuses, they all essentially relied on natural energy to boost combat effectiveness. Of course, these were merely the methods local inhabitants were forced to devise in the absence of pure extraterrestrial bloodlines.
Someone like Kaguya, who had consumed the Chakra Fruit, had no need for Sage Mode. She could simply merge with the God Tree and siphon life energy directly from the planet until all life was exhausted, turning it into a dead star.
Jiraiya, however, knew nothing of this. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Are you trying to humiliate me?"
"Humiliate? No, no, no. Don't misunderstand. I am merely showing you the true potential of Sage Mode. As you are now, you're too weak; you aren't even qualified to participate in the coming final war," Allen replied playfully.
Just as Jiraiya was about to retort, a massive, turtle-like silhouette finally began to drift slowly to the surface of the water.
The Three-Tails, Isobu, had finally appeared!
Seeing this, Allen immediately ignored Jiraiya and charged straight for the Three-Tails.
"Not good! Stop him! Don't let the Akatsuki take the Three-Tails!" Jiraiya shouted, attempting to give chase.
However, at that moment, Nagato, controlling the Six Paths of Pain, blocked his path. He spoke in a cold, emotionless tone: "Jiraiya-sensei, it seems your last brush with death didn't teach you a lesson."
"Nagato..."
Encountering the student who had nearly killed him once again, Jiraiya was instantly flooded with complex emotions. He knew all too well that he was no match for the Six Paths of Pain and the Rinnegan. At the very least, he had found no counter to the Deva Path's Universal Pull and Almighty Push.
As for the others, they were naturally intercepted by the other core members of the Akatsuki. Though the Allied Forces were numerous, very few individuals possessed the strength to match the likes of Kakuzu, Itachi, Kisame, Sasori, or Deidara. And once they engaged, it was clear that victory would not be decided quickly.