Chapter 261
"It's over."
The Great Toad Sage raised its right hand.
Under the control of the Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique, far more potent than the Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique, Gensou's body moved involuntarily. His right hand, holding a long black rod, was also raised.
The black rod's tip inched closer to his chin, ready to pierce through his skull.
Dozens of meters away, the two Truth-Seeking Balls still under his control wouldn't make it back in time.
Pinned down like a fish on a chopping board, Gensou's eyes flickered briefly before he suddenly spoke.
"Interesting."
The Great Toad Sage's expression darkened, and without hesitation, it accelerated the motion.
Clang!
A crisp collision rang out before the black rod could reach Gensou's chin.
The Great Toad Sage glanced up, its eyes widening in shock. A small, familiar black orb had appeared beneath Gensou's chin, intercepting the black rod.
"A Truth-Seeking Ball!"
The sage's pupils shrank as it uttered each word.
"Correct," Gensou replied indifferently.
From the start, Gensou had possessed four Truth-Seeking Balls.
He had only revealed three, keeping one hidden within his clothing to mislead his opponent. The element of surprise was often the key to victory.
In battle, a ninja's personal information could determine the outcome, and an unknown trump card was always a formidable threat.
Though he hadn't anticipated that his hidden card would save his life instead of securing victory, Gensou smirked slightly.
"I must admit, Great Toad Sage, you are the most challenging and admirable foe I've ever faced."
Unlike Senju Hashirama, who relied on sheer overwhelming force, the Great Toad Sage combined immense strength with genuine tactical brilliance.
For a moment, Gensou had almost lost.
But now, it was time to conclude the battle.
The Truth-Seeking Ball under Gensou's chin transformed into a sword and shot toward the Great Toad Sage.
The sage immediately dispelled the Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique and attempted to evade.
Suddenly, a burst of Yin Release energy erupted from Gensou's shadow, causing the sage to hesitate briefly.
Although Gensou hadn't mastered shadow techniques, the core principle of such jutsu was rooted in Yin Release. He didn't need finesse—just a momentary disruption was enough.
The sage quickly regained control, but that brief pause had cost it dearly.
The Truth-Seeking Ball-turned-sword was already upon it, leaving no time to escape.
Watching its impending doom, the Great Toad Sage sighed softly, ready to make its final decision.
But then, something unexpected happened.
With a shattering sound, a golden chakra arm elongated rapidly and shot through the air.
Just as the Truth-Seeking Ball was about to strike, the chakra arm snatched the sage and flung it backward.
Boom!
The Great Toad Sage crashed into the ground, while the chakra arm dissipated upon contact with the Truth-Seeking Ball.
Gensou raised an eyebrow at the sight and turned to look.
Not far away, the Great Toad Sage had been saved by none other than Naruto Uzumaki. Cloaked in golden chakra, his spiky hair formed two horn-like shapes, six magatama markings appeared on his collar, and his eyes glowed with horizontal slit sage pupils.
"Nine-Tails Chakra Mode combined with Sage Mode?"
Gensou's Rinnegan scanned Naruto, quickly analyzing his state. He noticed the shattered remains of the cat's-eye stone on the ground and deduced what had happened.
"Kurama... always stirring up trouble," Gensou muttered, shaking his head.
If not for Kurama's cooperation, Naruto would never have achieved Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, especially without ever setting foot on Turtle Island.
"Annoying, but another doesn't change much."
Gensou summoned his three remaining Truth-Seeking Balls, letting them hover behind him.
Opposite him, Naruto, full of fighting spirit, clapped his hands together.
"Grandpa Toad, let's fight side by side!"
"Naruto..."
The Great Toad Sage glanced at the boy who had shattered the cat's-eye stone and saved its life. Its gaze softened momentarily before it nodded and warned,
"Be cautious of Gensou's Truth-Seeking Balls!"
"I got it!"
Naruto nodded firmly, his eyes resolute as he stared at Gensou, who stood silently with a black rod resting on his shoulder, flanked by three Truth-Seeking Balls.
Internally, Naruto spoke:
"Kurama, it's our turn now!"
"Of course! Let's do this!"
In the sealed space, Kurama's massive form loomed in the darkness. Ready for battle, it faced Gensou as if to challenge not just him, but the likes of Madara and Hashirama—individuals who had tormented it time and again.
This time, Kurama's unease was overwhelming. Feeling an intense sense of danger, it knew it couldn't afford to hold back.
"To hell with you, Gensou!"
"Kid!" Kurama suddenly called out, stopping Naruto mid-action.
"What is it?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
Kurama stared deeply at Naruto before declaring,
"I'm entrusting everything to you!"
Without hesitation, Kurama poured all of its power into Naruto, opening its heart completely.
In that moment, Naruto and Kurama achieved perfect understanding and synchronization. The Jinchūriki and tailed beast became one, elevating Naruto to a perfect Jinchūriki.
A more powerful aura erupted from Naruto.
His golden chakra cloak transformed further, advancing from Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to Kurama Mode. Combined with Sage Mode, it was the strongest form Naruto could achieve.
"This... is quite the upgrade."
Watching the transformation, Gensou rested the black rod on his shoulder and couldn't help but comment.
In a short span, Naruto had gone from someone capable of challenging the Five Kage to surpassing Kage-level power, and now, reaching a level just below Six Paths.
"Truly the destined protagonist of this world," Gensou remarked, his Rinnegan locking onto Naruto.
"Faced with unparalleled danger, you unleash your greatest potential. But... do you understand that extremes often lead to downfall?"
(End of Chapter)
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