BOOM! BOOM!
Jiraiya's hair rapidly extended.
Every strand became as hard as steel needles, forming an impenetrable shield that wrapped around his entire body.
Even the dense wind bullets, powerful enough to tear apart rock and pierce steel plates, were completely blocked.
Not a single one could harm him.
"Now that's more like it. Otherwise this would be too boring."
Ren nodded calmly.
But before Jiraiya could respond, his tone shifted and he sneered:
"However… that technique of yours may be good, but its greatest weakness should be fire, right?"
"SWISH… SWISH…"
On one trumpet-shaped flower after another,
blazing flames began gathering.
The scorching heat distorted the air itself.
"You think I'll just sit here and let that happen?"
Jiraiya had already anticipated this.
"Don't underestimate me, kid… I'm the great Sage Jiraiya!"
At some point, he had already completed his hand seals.
He slammed his palm onto the ground.
Summoning Technique!
BOOM! BOOM!
Massive summoning markings spread outward.
A huge cloud of smoke erupted, obscuring everything.
The surrounding trees were crushed instantly by the massive creature that appeared.
Even Ren's technique was temporarily interrupted.
Watching From Afar
"Oh? Jiraiya actually summoned Gamabunta."
Tsunade chuckled while watching the battle.
"So that's Jiraiya's summoning beast?"
Karin blinked curiously.
"Wood Release should be the natural enemy of giant summon creatures, though."
Shizune smiled while holding Tonton.
Considering Ren's Wood Release power, which was already approaching the First Hokage's level,
even Gamabunta shouldn't be able to stop it.
"You didn't notice, Shizune?"
Tsunade curled her lips.
"Ren is doing it on purpose."
"They aren't real enemies. He can't kill Jiraiya, so he has to hold back."
"From the start, Ren intended to force Jiraiya to use everything he had—then crush him completely."
"Break him physically and mentally."
"Otherwise, do you think Jiraiya could have lasted this long without knowing anything about Ren's abilities?"
"That kid is evil."
"…."
Shizune and Karin exchanged looks.
Knowing Ren…
that sounded completely plausible.
Gamabunta Appears
Inside the wrecked forest, the smoke cleared.
A gigantic toad holding a pipe appeared.
His voice boomed like thunder.
"Jiraiya, what's the meaning of this? You summoned me to a place like this?"
But the next second—
countless vines surged forward.
They twisted and wrapped toward the enormous toad.
"What the—Wood Release?!"
Gamabunta's eyes widened.
If he remembered correctly,
besides the First Hokage,
no one in the ninja world should have Wood Release.
"No time to explain!"
Seeing the vines approaching again, Jiraiya shouted.
"Bunta, jump back! Get out of the forest!"
Although Gamabunta liked to complain, he trusted Jiraiya completely.
His massive hind legs pushed against the ground.
He leapt high into the air.
WHOOOOSH—
A powerful wind pressure exploded outward.
The enormous toad body soared backward.
Some vines snapped as they were torn away.
BOOM!
The ground trembled violently as Gamabunta landed over a hundred meters away—
finally escaping the forest's range.
Outside the Forest
"Jiraiya, what's going on?"
Gamabunta stared at the dense forest in confusion.
"Wood Release… wasn't that exclusive to the First Hokage?"
"That kid is Tsunade's disciple," Jiraiya explained briefly.
"And apparently a descendant of the Senju clan who awakened Wood Release."
He looked around the now open area and let out a long breath.
"At least we're out of that dangerous forest."
"What?! Tsunade's disciple?"
Gamabunta glanced at Ren, who looked far too young.
"You're telling me that kid made you look this miserable?"
Jiraiya wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Don't treat him like a normal kid."
"His chakra reserves are ridiculous, and his control over Wood Release surpasses even the First Hokage."
"And most of his ninjutsu don't require hand seals."
Gamabunta's eyes widened.
But before he could say anything else—
Jiraiya spoke again.
"Enough talking, Bunta!"
"Use oil!"
"Let's burn the whole forest down!"
"Got it!"
Gamabunta didn't hesitate.
He inhaled deeply and spat out a massive torrent of toad oil like a giant pillar.
At the same time, Jiraiya completed his hand seals.
Fire Release – Toad Oil Flame Bullet!
The oil ignited instantly.
A terrifying inferno erupted, distorting the air itself.
The blazing flames surged toward the forest like a tidal wave.
Ren's Counter
But the next moment—
inside the forest,
the trumpet flowers had already turned toward Gamabunta.
From them—
countless water dragons burst forth.
Water Release – Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
The dragons roared as they surged forward.
BOOM! BOOM!
Fire and water collided violently.
Steam exploded everywhere.
The pressure blast made it impossible to keep one's eyes open.
Hot waves rolled through the battlefield.
"What?!"
Gamabunta was stunned.
He couldn't believe their unbeatable combo attack had been stopped so easily.
"It was blocked…"
Jiraiya's expression turned serious.
Ren's True Setup
"Jiraiya,"
Ren stood atop massive vines, which carried him forward like giant serpents.
He emerged from the forest and faced Jiraiya and Gamabunta directly.
"You really think that big toad alone could escape my forest so easily?"
Ren crossed his arms, smiling calmly.
"Some flashy techniques need a wide open stage… and a worthy opponent."
"Only then are they worth watching."
"Don't get cocky, brat!"
Gamabunta, who was famous for his temper—even toward Jiraiya—was furious.
He jumped high into the air.
His hands formed seals.
Then he spat a massive water cannon.
Water Release – Iron Bullet!
WHOOSH—
A gigantic water sphere tore through the air toward Ren.
But Ren remained calm.
More vines rose.
More trumpet flowers bloomed.
In the shocked eyes of Jiraiya and Gamabunta—
five different colors of chakra light gathered.
Then they fired simultaneously.
Five Release: Great Barrage Technique!
BOOM! BOOM!
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