A thunderous roar echoed as the Lightning Dragon surged forward at an incredible speed, moving too fast for the naked eye to follow.
Hotaru's pupils contracted, and in the next instant, the Lightning Dragon struck him head-on, enveloping him in crackling electricity.
Layers of insect carcasses began to fall from his body, dropping to the ground one after another. Hotaru had bred countless insects inside himself, creatures that served as his shield against lethal attacks. Though the lightning rampaged across his body, most of its destructive force was absorbed by the insects covering him.
"Such a terrifying attack… but if you think this is enough to kill me, you're gravely mistaken."
Hotaru's voice rang out from within the storm of lightning, his tone unfazed and confident.
Jiraiya almost laughed at the arrogance in his words. He had no idea where this guy found the nerve to be so bold. Even though the Lightning Dragon hadn't dealt a decisive blow, Hotaru was already trapped within a field of lightning. Jiraiya doubted he carried the same kind of specialized ninja tool as Kakuzu, one that could redirect electricity. If Hotaru didn't have such a tool, then breaking through this storm of lightning would come at a heavy cost. And when that happened—when his Sage Mode finally ran out—Jiraiya would have no trouble finishing him off.
"Fire Release: Giant Flame Bomb!"
"Earth Release: Heavens' Cover!"
Jiraiya's hands moved in a blur, forming hand seals as he unleashed two jutsu simultaneously. A massive fireball surged forward, while a tremendous slab of earth descended upon Hotaru.
Before the attacks landed, a swarm of black beetles erupted from Hotaru's body, forming a writhing sphere that completely enveloped him. Then, the fire and earth jutsu crashed down upon him with an earth-shaking impact.
A deafening explosion resounded as the sphere of insects shattered apart.
"Sage Art: Needle Senbon!"
Jiraiya wasn't about to let up. Root operatives had long since abandoned their individuality, becoming little more than mindless puppets. There was no point in trying to recruit someone like Hotaru.
Completing another set of hand seals, Jiraiya launched a barrage of hair-thin senbon, each glowing with chakra. They shot toward Hotaru like a relentless rainstorm, swift and unforgiving.
Before Hotaru could react, the senbon had already pierced his body in countless places. Though his insects tried to shield him, they were overwhelmed by the sheer density of the attack. Blood seeped from the myriad of tiny puncture wounds covering his body.
"Sage Mode truly is as powerful as the legends describe..."
Despite being riddled with wounds, Hotaru's expression remained eerily calm. He fixed his gaze on Jiraiya and spoke rapidly, as if racing against time.
"To think that you, at such a young age, managed to master Sage Mode in Mount Myoboku… You could have had an incredibly bright future. But instead, you've chosen to oppose Lord Danzo. That choice has sealed your fate—death is inevitable. Your immense talent will be wasted."
Then, without hesitation, Hotaru lifted his shirt, revealing a complex sealing array carved into his abdomen. Raising his right hand, he slammed his palm against the seal.
The intricate markings on his skin lit up, pulsing ominously. A streak of dark energy erupted from his stomach and shot into the sky. In an instant, the black light expanded outward, forming an enormous barrier that enclosed the entire battlefield.
"Defying Lord Danzo only leads to death. No one can change that."
A manic grin spread across Hotaru's face as countless tiny insects began to emerge from his body. The moment they appeared, they started multiplying—one became two, two became four, and so on. Within mere seconds, their numbers had swelled to the tens of thousands, and they showed no signs of stopping.
Meanwhile, Hotaru's body rapidly withered. His skin shriveled, his face aged decades in an instant—his very life force fueling the creation of the ever-multiplying swarm.
Hotaru had severely underestimated Jiraiya.
He had initially believed that if he could stall for long enough, Jiraiya's Sage Mode would dissipate, giving him the upper hand. But he had been too arrogant. The secret techniques of the Aburame Clan that he relied on had too many weaknesses. Even though he was an elite jonin, he was among the weakest of his rank.
Now, realizing he had no chance of victory, he had chosen to go down with Jiraiya.
Fulfilling Lord Danzo's orders was all that mattered.
Even if it cost him his life, it was worth it.
As the countless insects surged forward, Jiraiya's expression grew serious. Their rapid multiplication was terrifying. Their numbers had already reached an overwhelming scale, giving the illusion of an endless, swarming tide.
If he didn't wipe them all out at once, even a few survivors could rapidly repopulate. Simply destroying them piece by piece wouldn't work.
Escaping was also out of the question. Jiraiya could sense the immense power sealing the barrier. Breaking it open in a short amount of time was impossible.
He had to give it everything he had.
But these insects weren't going to give him the luxury of time. With a horrifying hum, the swarm took flight, streaking toward him.
They were unnatural—headless, with only wings and bloated bodies. Their abdomens had gaping slits lined with razor-sharp teeth, opening and closing like grotesque mouths.
Jiraiya, however, remained unfazed. He had already devised a plan.
If his opponent could use barrier techniques to trap him, then he could do the same in return.
These insects multiplied at an absurd rate, meaning their lifespan had to be exceptionally short. If they lived longer, they wouldn't need to propagate so aggressively.
"Summoning Jutsu: Toad Gourd Prison!"
Biting his thumb, Jiraiya slammed his hand onto the ground. A summoning formula appeared beneath him, and his surroundings shifted in an instant.
Darkness engulfed him.
He now stood within a dimly lit space, facing a murky pool of bubbling liquid. Every single one of Hotaru's insects had been transported into this realm as well—trapped within its confines.
This was the stomach of the Toad Gourd, an immensely powerful toad from Mount Myoboku. Its stomach formed an independent space, serving as a near-inescapable prison.
Jiraiya had a contract with this toad, allowing him to summon its stomach at will, instantly transporting both himself and his enemies inside.
Compared to the Toad Mouth Bind Jutsu that had restrained Kakuzu, this was on an entirely different level—far stronger and far more secure.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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