Chapter 19: Sage Mode

"What do we do now, Jiraiya?"

"Do we keep fighting?"

Gamabunta looked up at the massive clay dragon in the sky, an ominous feeling rising in his chest.

The enemy had taken to the air, freely raining down bombs with impunity. This was bad—very bad.

"This is our best chance today!"

"Bunta, I need you to buy me some time." Jiraiya's gaze was locked on Deidara, his expression grim.

He hadn't expected his opponent to be so troublesome.

Though Deidara's abilities were deceptively simple, the sheer versatility with which he used them made him a terrifyingly intelligent fighter.

"What?! Are you planning to use that?"

Gamabunta's shock was palpable, but Jiraiya didn't respond. Instead, he performed another summoning technique. This time, two small toads appeared. Despite their diminutive size, no one would dare underestimate them.

They were none other than Fukasaku and Shima, the true rulers of Mount Myōboku.

"What's this? Summoning us so suddenly while I'm preparing dinner?!" Shima grumbled, holding a basket full of wriggling insects. Just a glance at them made Jiraiya recall some unpleasant memories.

"Jiraiya-boy, if you've brought us here, it must be urgent," Fukasaku cut straight to the point.

"I want to use Sage Mode," Jiraiya said with a firm nod. "I'll need your help."

Sage Mode?

Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious. They understood the gravity of the situation immediately. In unison, they leapt onto Jiraiya's shoulders. Jiraiya pressed his palms together and began gathering natural energy, preparing to enter Sage Mode.

"Secret Technique: Dragon's Nest!"

Deidara unleashed a swarm of clay dragons, their numbers blotting out the sky.

On the ground, Gamabunta broke into a cold sweat as the dragons swooped down.

"This many? This is really bad!"

"Water Release: Gunshot!"

Gamabunta's belly swelled before contracting sharply as he fired a series of high-pressure water bullets from his mouth, aiming to intercept the incoming dragon swarm.

"Hah!"

A faint shout echoed, and the leading dragons detonated, obliterating the water bullets with ease.

"It's no use! They just keep coming!"

Gamabunta groaned in frustration, his massive body bouncing across the battlefield in an almost comical attempt to evade the explosions.

"Hey! You two still haven't finished off that slippery snake? Hurry up and help me!" he shouted toward Gamaken and Gamahiro, who were locked in battle nearby.

"I'm doing my best, you know!" Gamaken grunted, using his spear to block an onslaught from a colossal clay serpent. The prolonged combat was taking its toll, and exhaustion was setting in.

"This is bad!" Jiraiya yelled. "Deidara's gaining altitude. If he gets high enough, he might even detonate that clay serpent! We'll lose for sure if that happens. Stop him!"

Jiraiya knew he could avoid the explosion using various techniques, but the toads wouldn't be so lucky. If they had to escape back to Mount Myōboku, he wouldn't get a second chance to summon them.

"I'll try my best! Even though I'm pretty useless!" Gamaken jumped high into the air, somehow reaching above Deidara's clay dragon. With a roar, he thrust his spear downward.

"Roar!"

A guardian dragon shot out from the side, biting Gamaken's stomach. Though the dragon was much smaller than Gamaken, it managed to knock his trajectory off course. The two tumbled away, disappearing into the distance.

Jiraiya saw Deidara's hands form the detonation seal and shouted in panic.

"Gamaken! Get away from that dragon! It's about to explode!"

"Argh!"

Boom!

The explosion echoed across the battlefield. Gamaken had managed to push the dragon away with his shield at the last moment, but the proximity to the blast left him severely injured. He landed on the ground, belly-up, his burned skin and trembling limbs a testament to the damage he'd taken.

"I'm useless... I'll retreat for now."

With a puff of smoke, Gamaken disappeared, his summoning undone.

Though Deidara had taken out one of the giant toads, he didn't look relieved. Jiraiya was clearly stalling for time to complete his Sage Mode, and once that happened, the battle would turn in his favor.

However, with Jiraiya constantly on Gamabunta's back, moving at high speed, even large-scale bombs couldn't land a hit—like a Tailed Beast Ball that couldn't connect with its target.

"Jiraiya! If you're just going to run, there's no point in continuing this fight," Deidara sneered. "I'll just fly higher, out of your reach, and wait for Sasori to finish breaking through your barrier. Then, we'll take you down together!"

Deidara commanded his dragon to ascend, clearly intending to disengage.

"What? He's retreating?"

Jiraiya's eyes widened. He shouted at Gamabunta, "Bunta, you have to stop him! I just need a little more time to finish entering Sage Mode!"

Gamabunta groaned. "I'm already struggling to run. Now you want me to stop him too? Jiraiya, do you ever think about what's realistic?"

Knowing Gamabunta wasn't wrong, Jiraiya could only grit his teeth in frustration. Just then, Gamahiro broke free from his fight with the clay serpent and leapt over.

"I'll handle it!" Gamahiro called out. "Bunta, keep that snake busy!"

Without waiting for a response, Gamahiro crouched low and launched himself skyward, dual swords glinting as he swung at Deidara.

Gotcha!

But Deidara had been baiting them all along, forcing Jiraiya and his allies into direct confrontation.

"Try this! Its power rivals a Tailed Beast Ball!"

A massive clay dragon surged forward, ready to explode in Gamahiro's face. But to everyone's surprise, Gamahiro revealed a hidden trump card.

"Toad Whirlwind Slash!"

Spinning rapidly with his dual blades, Gamahiro generated a fierce gale that sliced the dragon cleanly in half, nullifying the impending explosion.

Even so, the skies remained Deidara's domain. Another dragon took the fallen one's place, positioning itself at a safe distance before exploding on command.

"Argh! Hot, hot, hot! I'm heading back to Mount Myōboku!" Gamahiro yelled.

Though he avoided death, the explosion left him scorched and unable to fight further. With a puff of smoke, he too vanished, his summoning undone.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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