Just as the golden sand spears ravaged the battlefield and forced Konoha's advance to a halt—
A massive shadow descended.
"Summoning Technique: Toad Shop Crash!"
A gigantic toad, as large as a small mountain, appeared out of thin air and crashed down toward Rasa.
The sheer pressure of its fall scattered the golden sand clouds beneath him.
"One of the Sannin—Jiraiya!"
Sensing the overwhelming chakra, Rasa immediately realized—
Staying in the air would make him a perfect target.
What darkened his expression wasn't the attack itself—
But who had launched it.
Jiraiya's techniques were notoriously destructive.
Taking this head-on was not an option.
The golden sand beneath Rasa surged violently, forming a thick barrier that rose to meet the descending mass.
At the same time, he used the recoil to propel himself downward like a falling meteor, escaping the crushing shadow above.
"BOOM—!!!"
Gamabunta slammed into the golden barrier.
For a brief moment, the two forces held.
Then—
Crack!
The sand wall shattered.
Gamabunta's momentum remained unstoppable as his massive body struck the ground, creating a deep crater. Cracks spread outward like a spiderweb.
The resulting shockwave swept across the battlefield like an invisible tsunami.
Within dozens of meters, both Konoha and Sunagakure ninja were thrown into the air, their formations instantly collapsing.
Rasa avoided the direct impact—
But landed heavily.
His feet struck the ground, and he slid backward, struggling to stabilize himself.
Before he could recover—
The ground behind him suddenly softened.
Mud.
A massive purple snake burst out like lightning.
Its jaws opened wide—
And the Kusanagi Sword shot toward his back.
"Orochimaru—!"
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
The timing was flawless.
Rasa's momentum had yet to stabilize, and his defense had not fully reformed.
"Lord Rasa, be careful!"
Maki's shout rang out in alarm.
But Rasa was a Kage-level shinobi.
At the critical moment, he twisted his body.
Golden sand condensed instantly behind him, forming a compact shield.
"Clang!"
The Kusanagi Sword struck.
Sparks burst outward.
The blade barely scraped past the shield, slicing through his robe and leaving a shallow cut across his back.
Blood splashed.
Not fatal—
But enough to send a chill down his spine.
"Did it land?!"
Jiraiya, standing atop Gamabunta, grinned.
But Orochimaru had already sensed the result.
The strike hadn't fully penetrated.
Without hesitation, he withdrew.
"Jiraiya, you bastard…"
Gamabunta's deep voice rumbled across the battlefield.
"You never summon me for anything good."
His massive eyes swept across the burning camp and chaotic battlefield.
Then—
He understood.
"Haha! Don't say that, Bunta!"
Jiraiya laughed, hands on his hips.
"We're facing the Kazekage himself."
"A fight like this needs you!"
"Hmph."
Gamabunta snorted, drawing his massive blade with a sharp metallic ring.
"Finish it quickly."
"Fighting in the middle of the night… You may not have a home to return to, but I do."
Jiraiya's face darkened slightly.
On the other side of the battlefield—
A sinister wave of chakra spread through the air.
Orochimaru bit his thumb and slammed his hand onto the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
Sealing patterns spread rapidly.
White smoke erupted.
A massive purple serpent appeared—
No smaller than Gamabunta.
Manda.
Its scales gleamed coldly, its eyes filled with cruelty.
"Orochimaru…"
"One hundred sacrifices."
"Or I'll devour you first."
"Don't worry," Orochimaru replied calmly.
"There are plenty available."
Standing atop Manda's head, he locked eyes with Rasa.
"Now…"
"Let the feast begin."
One toad.
One serpent.
Two colossal summons.
The battlefield trembled under their presence.
Konoha's morale surged.
Sunagakure's ranks faltered.
Rasa's expression turned grim.
Facing two giant summons—
And both Sannin—
He understood.
This battle had reached a decisive point.
"We cannot let them run rampant!"
His chakra erupted outward.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"
This time—
The scale was overwhelming.
The earth roared.
The entire valley seemed to collapse as endless golden sand surged upward like an overturned ocean.
It crashed forward—
Toward the summons—
Toward Konoha's forces.
His intent was clear.
Force them to stand and endure.
If they dodged—
Sunagakure's own forces would be destroyed.
"Damn it!"
Jiraiya cursed.
Gamabunta could dodge.
But the army behind them—
Could not.
"Hold the line!"
Gamabunta roared.
His massive blade cleaved through the incoming waves of golden sand.
"Orochimaru—the price just went up!"
Manda hissed in irritation.
Its massive tail swept across the battlefield, shattering portions of the golden sand.
Even so—
They were being suppressed.
Seeing this—
Rasa slowly reached behind him.
His hand touched—
A black teapot.
The vessel sealing the One-Tail.
His gaze flickered.
Then hardened.
Cold.
He looked toward Jiraiya.
Toward Orochimaru.
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