"Has it disappeared..."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
In the sky, the gigantic Yatagarasu swooped directly towards Orochimaru, its mouth wide open, ready to snatch up Orochimaru!
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Orochimaru raised a hand to perform hand seals, summoning a brown snake that, regardless of its life or death, was immediately snatched away by Yatagarasu's claws instead of Orochimaru!
"Summoning Jutsu!"
The Animal Path Pain summoned a gigantic bull once more!
The bull let out a roar, charging towards Orochimaru, the ground trembling under its hooves!
Boom!
Gama Ken jumped beside Orochimaru, swinging the shield in his hand to knock the bull away!
"Not bad..."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a light smile.
The giant toads of Mount Myoboku were always full of arrogance, but the one exception was Gama Ken, who was simple and honest, making Orochimaru not dislike him.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
The Animal Path slapped the ground!
A Hellhound emerged from the smoke, lunging towards Orochimaru and Gama Ken, turning this place into a battlefield of summoned beasts!
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, raising a hand to release an exceptionally large python, its size so massive it made one feel uneasy; just by looking at its size, it seemed even larger than the mountain beside it!
"Is it Manda?"
Gama Ken looked over curiously.
"It's the Second Generation Manda."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a light smile, nonchalantly watching as the enormous Second Generation Manda directly opened its mouth to swallow the Hellhound.
Ever since Manda was used as a sacrifice by Akihara Kagura, Orochimaru and Kabuto cultivated the Second Generation Manda using blood cells previously extracted from Manda.
After all...
Summoned beasts are an important part of a ninja's strength.
The Second Generation Manda is larger and stronger than the First Generation Manda, and its personality is much more gentle and obedient.
Moreover...
The Second Generation Manda is not like those arrogant creatures from Ryuchi Cave!
When the Second Generation Manda appeared, the entire battlefield was immediately transformed, and none of the summoned beasts present were its match!
After killing the Hellhound, the Second Generation Manda swiftly coiled around the bull fighting with Gama Ken, wrapping it up tightly before swallowing it whole!
The Yatagarasu swooped down from the sky, attempting to drop a string of bombs on the Second Generation Manda, only to be snatched up by the Second Generation Manda, which soared skyward, swallowing the bird as well!
This Second Generation Manda...
Appeared to be the overlord among the summoned beasts!
A group of summoned beasts evolved from the Rinnegan's unique abilities were utterly no match for it, completely cleared out with little effort!
"The Rinnegan's summoning techniques... is this the extent of their skill?"
Orochimaru let out a mocking laugh, indifferent to the Animal Path Pain's prowess in cultivating summoned beasts, he raised his fingers to command the Second Generation Manda to charge at Pain Six Paths!
The Second Generation Manda swiftly slithered forward, its calm eyes open as it spewed out purplish poison mist towards Pain Six Paths!
"Almighty Push!"
The Deva Path Pain stood bravely, releasing a huge repulsive force to hurl the Second Generation Manda away, which then coiled around the mountain, forcibly resisting the summoned beasts' assault!
The entire battlefield became somewhat tense!
Over the years, Orochimaru has experimented with countless techniques; though he lacks the ability to defeat Pain Six Paths, his extremely flexible body and strong life force, combined with various powerful snake summoned beasts, make dragging out the battle for five minutes not too challenging, perhaps even allowing him to somewhat suppress his opponent with the power of the Second Generation Manda!
The battle swiftly split in two directions, as Pain Six Paths fought the entangled Second Generation Manda, while Orochimaru and Gama Ken stood atop the Second Generation Manda's head, quietly waiting for Jiraiya to complete Sage Mode.
An invisible Chameleon atop.
Nagato continually sat there, relying on the chameleon's nimble movements and invisibility to ensure he wasn't caught in the crossfire of the battlefield, with Konan standing by his side, keeping him protected.
Seeing the rampant destruction of the Second Generation Manda, Konan grew uneasy and proactively suggested, "Nagato, let me handle it..."
"It's only temporary."
Nagato shook his head, continuing to self-assuredly state, "Pain Six Paths can handle it as long as more chakra is allocated to Deva Path Pain's Almighty Push..."
Truth be told.
It was indeed a bit tough.
Because the Second Generation Manda is too enormous, its soul is also extremely resilient, making even the Human Path spend considerable time trying to extract it, without finding an appropriate opportunity.
The only one who should restrain the Second Generation Manda, the Animal Path, had its Summoned Beasts directly swallowed whole by Manda, instead becoming restrained by it...
Now...
They can only rely on the Deva Path Pain to cast a powerful Almighty Push.
"Don't use that jutsu."
Konan was very aware that Nagato could still manipulate the Deva Path Pain to use a terrifying Almighty Push that gathers all the Pain's Chakra, which could definitely take down the Second Generation Manda!
But...
That jutsu would put an unbearable strain on Nagato's body!
"Let me go instead."
Konan's body transformed into sheets of paper and softly found a reason to persuade Nagato: "Your Chakra needs to be reserved for the most crucial moment, Jiraiya-sensei is still converging some powerful jutsu..."
"..."
Nagato could only slowly nod his head.
The next moment!
Countless sheets of paper flew toward the Second Generation Manda!
Konan's body formed into a half-figure in mid-air, with wings made of paper unfolded behind her, intensely watching the rampaging Second Generation Manda!
The sheets of paper adhered to the Second Generation Manda's body, each transforming into an Explosive Tag and exploding instantly, leaving bleeding wounds all over its body!
"Hisssss..."
The Second Generation Manda wailed in pain!
If this continued, it would be killed by countless Explosive Tags!
However, the Second Generation Manda was inherently obedient, only following Orochimaru's orders, allowing Konan's Explosive Tags to bombard it while still dutifully shielding Jiraiya!
However...
The time had finally come!
Just as the Second Generation Manda, constantly bombarded by Konan's Explosive Tags, was about to give in, Jiraiya finally completed his Sage Mode!
"Game Ken, thank you, you can go back now..."
A relaxed smile appeared on Jiraiya's lips, his face gradually showing the toad-like features of Sage Mode: "Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima will arrive soon..."
"Alright..."
Game Ken nodded, disappearing into a puff of smoke.
The next moment!
A strong burst of Chakra erupted from Jiraiya's body, and he instantly entered Sage Mode, with two small toads appearing on his shoulders!
Fukasaku and Shima from Mount Myoboku!
Since Jiraiya couldn't enter Sage Mode on his own, he could only have the two sages assist him, and they could extend the duration of his Sage Mode!
"Little Jiraiya, you must train properly..."
Sage Shima couldn't help but criticize Jiraiya upon arriving: "You can't always rely on us. What if we're not here one day?"
"Alright, let's not say too much."
As soon as Sage Fukasaku appeared, his gaze fell on the enormous Second Generation Manda before them, and he was immediately startled: "Is this Manda? No, Manda isn't this big; has Ryuchi Cave produced a species like the Iwayado Giant Toad?"
"Is the enemy Orochimaru?"
Sage Shima looked at Orochimaru.
"No, Orochimaru is our ally."
Jiraiya shook his head, softly speaking on behalf of his old friend: "If it wasn't for Orochimaru, I might have died here today..."
"Don't forget what we agreed on..."
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya's Sage Mode, frowned, and coldly reminded him: "If I can't escape, you'll have to cover my retreat even if you die here."
"Alright, alright..."
Jiraiya's Sage Mode instilled confidence within him.
With the help of his old companion Orochimaru alongside him, and the formidable allies in Fukasaku and Shima, Jiraiya didn't believe they would lose.
"Orochimaru..."
Jiraiya smiled, taking off his clogs, his toes resembling those of a toad, grasping the ground securely: "If we two lose to a youngster, wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
"We are..."
"The Sannin of Konoha!"