Chapter 67: A Thorough Beating

A flash of lightning streaked through the air, tearing apart the water bullets spewed by Gamabunta. The water scattered into countless droplets, splashing across the ground.

However, the water bullets Gamabunta launched now were far from the overwhelming force he once unleashed against Shukaku in the original tale. After all, Gamabunta had yet to reach his peak.

"What powerful Lightning Release…"

Gamabunta's fiery gaze held a hint of seriousness as he looked at Jiraiya. This young shinobi was far stronger than he had anticipated.

If he continued to underestimate him, he might really end up being taught a harsh lesson.

"Take this—Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"

Gamabunta unleashed a massive torrent of toad oil, coating the ground around Jiraiya. The earth beneath his feet became slick and treacherous, limiting Jiraiya's movements.

"Kid, there's no way you'll beat me in a contest of strength!"

With that declaration, Gamabunta raised his massive sword and brought it crashing down toward Jiraiya. He couldn't believe that Jiraiya's seemingly frail body could possess an endless reservoir of stamina.

Clang!

Jiraiya didn't dodge. Instead, his Lightning Flame Blade met Gamabunta's sword head-on. This time, Gamabunta was smarter—each time his strike landed, he immediately withdrew his blade, giving Jiraiya no chance to channel his Lightning Release.

Clang! Clang!

"Damn brat! I refuse to believe I can't knock you down!"

After clashing more than a dozen times, Gamabunta's frustration boiled over. Despite his relentless attacks, he couldn't gain the upper hand. On the contrary, his sword arm was growing numb, and his stamina was rapidly depleting.

"If this is all the strength you have, I wouldn't even consider taking you as my summon," Jiraiya taunted, forming hand seals with a smirk. He hurled his Lightning Flame Blade into the air.

Roar!

A deafening dragon's roar echoed as the blade transformed into a blazing, electric dragon, lunging ferociously at Gamabunta.

"Damn brat! Don't underestimate me!"

"Toad Three-Slash Strike!"

Gamabunta swung his blade, unleashing three rapid slashes that cleaved through the flaming dragon. The force of his strikes extinguished the fiery beast.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Jiraiya quickly formed seals and slammed his hands onto the ground. In an instant, the earth beneath Gamabunta turned into a deep, sticky swamp.

Having just vanquished the dragon, Gamabunta was caught off guard and sank into the mire.

"Don't underestimate a toad's leaping power! This swamp won't hold me!"

Gamabunta roared, plunging his short blade into solid ground ahead to use it as leverage for a powerful jump.

"You're not going anywhere," Jiraiya sneered, forming more hand seals. From above Gamabunta, a massive layer of earth materialized and came crashing down.

Gamabunta barely managed to lift himself before the weight of the falling earth sent him tumbling back into the swamp.

"Argh, this hurts like hell!"

Gamabunta groaned in pain, his massive body trembling.

"Still think you can keep roaring like that?" Jiraiya mocked. Gamabunta's attempts to free himself from the swamp now seemed like little more than wishful thinking.

"Earth Release: Mud Fall!"

From above, torrents of red clay rained down, smothering Gamabunta entirely.

"Old man," Shima grumbled through gritted teeth, struggling to shake off the weight of the clay, "this kid's chakra recovery is downright terrifying! It's like his cells are brimming with an endless supply of chakra."

Shima and Fukasaku watched from the sidelines, their expressions serious.

"Every time he exhausts his chakra, his cells produce an enormous amount to replenish it almost instantly," Shima muttered.

"You're not mistaken," Fukasaku said with a rare tone of agreement. "His cells are incredibly active—almost like the ones described in records about the Sage Body."

"If that's the case," Shima chimed in, her voice filled with excitement, "learning Sage Mode will be a breeze for him. The Sage Body is exceptionally sensitive to natural energy."

"And don't forget," Fukasaku added, "those with the Sage Body can enter Perfect Sage Mode with ease."

The two elder sages exchanged glances, their gazes filled with approval as they watched Jiraiya's performance.

"Do you really think these cheap tricks will keep me down?" Gamabunta roared again, his body shaking violently in an effort to fling off the mud and clay. He fired a barrage of water cannons into the swamp, trying to dilute it and reduce its viscosity.

Jiraiya couldn't help but smirk at the sight.

"Water conducts electricity. The more you flood the swamp, the worse it'll get for you," Jiraiya remarked.

"Lightning Release: Ten Myriad Thunder Prison!"

With Gamabunta thoroughly trapped in the swamp, Jiraiya unleashed his strongest technique.

Thunder roared as countless lightning bolts gathered around him. In an instant, the electricity surged toward Gamabunta, engulfing him in a blinding storm of light.

"Agh! This is unbearable!"

Gamabunta's anguished cries echoed as his massive body was scorched, wisps of smoke rising from his charred skin. The air grew thick with the aroma of cooked meat.

"Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique!"

Jiraiya hurled a special shuriken, which split into thousands of identical copies midair. They rained down on Gamabunta like a storm.

While the toads of Mount Myoboku were known for their tough, resilient skin, even they couldn't remain unscathed forever. The barrage of shuriken tore through Gamabunta's flesh, leaving him bloodied and battered.

In the original story, when Orochimaru attacked Konoha with his summoned serpent, ordinary shuriken and jutsu proved ineffective. But Jiraiya's timely intervention had turned the tide, proving that sheer force and ingenuity could overcome even the toughest foes.

Now, after enduring Jiraiya's relentless assault, Gamabunta was utterly exhausted. His massive frame continued to sink into the swamp, unable to muster the strength to even grip his sword.

"Gamabunta, there's no doubt Jiraiya has the strength and skill to form a contract with you," Shima said, her voice tinged with both pity and admiration as she watched her son's defeat.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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