Jiraiya's expression turned serious as he listened.
"It's true, Jiraya. Two hundred years ago, Mount Myōboku helped seal away the rampaging Box of Ultimate Bliss. And fifty years ago, Mount Myōboku was watching over the two legends who founded Konoha..."
"The ones in charge of that task were none other than my wife and me. Their chakra and presence are etched in our memories."
Jiraiya remained silent for a moment, his toad-like, blank white eyes igniting with a fierce determination. "If Uchiha Madara and the Box of Ultimate Bliss are appearing together, then this is a disaster waiting to happen."
For the sake of Konoha, and the entire shinobi world, he had to uncover the truth about Fūma today.
"Come, Fūma. As their teachers, let's put on a demonstration match for our students!" Jiraiya declared, but then turned to Kakashi and the others, instructing, "Stay far away. If anything seems off, retreat back to Konoha's barrier immediately."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi and the others quickly withdrew.
Under Minato's guidance, Obito and Konan took to the skies using their flying tools, positioning themselves as spectators for the upcoming battle.
"Hmm... Are you done talking?"
Fūma cracked his neck and gave Jiraiya a calm smile. "Jiraiya, I've lost count of how many times you've challenged me and failed, but this time, I hope you've improved."
"Ah... I won't disappoint you, Fūma." Jiraiya's confidence was unwavering. His expression darkened, and with a powerful stomp of his wooden sandals, the ground beneath him shattered into countless fragments!
...........
The Third Hokage rushed toward the battlefield with Sakumo and Shikama at his side, followed closely by dozens of elite Anbu operatives.
'Jiraiya, why won't you listen? You reckless fool, you actually went to challenge Fūma... This is trouble. That man won't let you off easy.'
The moment he spotted Gamabunta in the distance, the Third knew Jiraiya had ignored his warnings and confronted Fūma anyway.
"Sigh... Those two are bound to make a mess. The commotion they'll cause will only deepen the concerns of Konoha's shinobi and civilians." He sighed in frustration.
Shikama and Sakumo exchanged glances but said nothing, both offering wry smiles.
"Lord Third, the villagers are already aware of the Uchiha situation. I doubt this will cause any further confusion," Shikama pointed toward the sky, his meaning clear.
When Fūma was trapped inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss, Setsuna had led his entire clan to the Hokage's office, demanding answers with no attempt to keep it hidden.
Now, with the Uchiha Fortress standing tall and the sky under the Uchiha's surveillance, it was impossible for anyone in Konoha to remain oblivious to the growing conflict between the Uchiha and the Hokage's administration.
'Rather than worrying about public perception, shouldn't we be more concerned about Jiraiya losing?'
Shikama sighed. Given the Hokage faction's recent track record, their only saving grace had been the lack of a direct confrontation. The true balance of power remained uncertain.
But now, Jiraiya had taken it upon himself to fire the first shot, pushing Konoha's history in a new direction.
........
Suddenly, an overwhelming chakra surged through the air, ancient and boundless, as heavy as a mountain. But within it, the Third Hokage recognized a familiar presence.
'Could it be...?!'
Realization struck him like a thunderbolt. This was the same power he hadn't encountered in decades—
'Jiraiya, that brat... he's mastered the First Hokage's secret technique, Sage Mode?!'
Memories of a battle that once shook the world resurfaced in the Third's mind.
The conflict that had spanned from the Valley of the End to the distant shores of the Land of Water—the battle of a man who could single-handedly shift the fate of the entire shinobi world.
As a student of Tobirama, the Third knew better than anyone that, although the First Hokage was renowned for his Wood Release, his true deadliest weapon was Sage Mode.
Yet Sage Mode had remained out of reach for Konoha for centuries, controlled only by the Three Great Sage Lands. Unlike Wood Release, which Konoha had actively researched, no one had dared to believe they could obtain true Sage Mode.
'Sage Mode... Jiraiya, you've given me quite the surprise!'
A new fire lit up in the Third's eyes. His previous worries melted away, replaced by anticipation. He even picked up his pace, rushing toward the battlefield with renewed vigor.
Sakumo watched silently, deep in thought. The power balance in Konoha had already begun to shift. As more extraordinary individuals emerged—whether from the Uchiha or the Fire Shadow faction—he felt himself falling behind.
A simple swordsman, clinging to his family's traditional kenjutsu... was he still keeping up with the times?
...........
Root Headquarters~
"Sage Mode! That's Sage Mode!"
Danzo shot to his feet, his voice a deep growl. "I'd recognize that power anywhere! Assemble the Root operatives—prepare an ambush at the target's location! Move at full speed!"
For the past few days, Danzo had been struggling to balance the chaotic forces within him—Hashirama's cells, the Nine-Tails' chakra, and his own body's limits. He had managed to maintain a delicate equilibrium, preventing himself from being overwhelmed.
Wood Release could suppress the Tailed Beasts, giving him a means to contain the Nine-Tails.
Meanwhile, the leaking chakra from the beast helped counteract the aggressive invasion of Hashirama's cells.
Yet his control was incomplete. Unlike Hashirama himself, Danzo couldn't naturally integrate these elements into his body. He had to constantly fight against their conflicting forces.
One misstep, and the Nine-Tails could disrupt the balance, causing everything to spiral out of control.
To counter this, Danzo had already begun laying the groundwork. He planned to use the Uchiha's Sharingan to reinforce his control.
He also considered extracting purer cells from the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans to stabilize his body.
But none of these solutions were as enticing as Sage Mode.
'If I can obtain Sage Mode, I'll have everything Hashirama had—and more. With Wood Release in my left hand and the Nine-Tails in my right... Who in the shinobi world could stand against me?'
Danzo's greed burned fiercely. His eyes glinted as he led his forces toward the battlefield at full speed.
..........
Training Ground 39, Konoha~
"Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
A putrid, slick wave of toad oil erupted forward, igniting into a blazing inferno. The scorching flames devoured everything in their path, turning the ground to charred remains.
Fūma simply raised his hand, his voice calm. "Ninjutsu that relies on chakra? How boring."
*WHOOSH!*
With a single swipe of his palm, a violent gust tore through the battlefield.
The sheer force of the wind extinguished the flames instantly, sweeping the burning oil away as if it were mere dust.
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