Chapter 30
"Summon beasts?!"
"These kids are incredible!"
"Amazing!!"
The Konoha ANBU, though fully engaged in their own battles, couldn't help but notice out of the corner of their eyes the massive figures that appeared alongside the young Sannin. Their hearts swelled with admiration for the three children they had previously doubted. At this moment, they finally recognized the strength and potential of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
After all, not every ninja had the ability to summon ninja beasts. And having a combat-ready summon on the battlefield significantly enhanced a ninja's strength, especially in prolonged engagements. The ANBU knew this all too well from their own experiences.
---
"H-hateful...!"
The Kumo ninjas, once filled with confidence, now stood frozen, gripping their swords tightly, their faces filled with terror as they looked up at the three ninja beasts summoned by the Konoha brats.
Two of the summoned creatures, a toad and a slug, didn't appear particularly threatening at first glance. The slug seemed passive, and the toad didn't look like much of a fighter either. But the enormous flower patterned python? It radiated menace, its thick body coiled and ready to strike, and its sharp eyes gleamed dangerously.
---
"Tsunade-sama!"
The voice of the slug, Katsuyu, was soft and melodic, instantly calming anyone who heard it.
Jiraiya's summon, a small toad, sighed deeply before speaking, "Jiraiya, I was enjoying some peace and quiet, and you call me out now? Tch... wait... have you brought me to a battlefield?!"
As soon as the summon beasts appeared, they immediately spoke to their summoners. However, Orochimaru's python said nothing aloud, simply hissing in anticipation. Deep within Orochimaru's mind, the serpent's voice slithered into his thoughts, acknowledging him: "Master..."
---
Before Orochimaru's defection, the bonds between the three young ninjas were truly remarkable. Even Orochimaru, who rarely showed much sentimentality, couldn't help but feel a tinge of nostalgia and camaraderie as he stood with his teammates. For two years now, under the guidance of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the three of them had trained side by side, building not just strength but mutual trust.
Their teamwork had only grown stronger. The hidden shadow snake hands combined with Jiraiya's Needle Jizō, for example, was a deadly combination they had perfected through practice. The synchronization they had with their summon beasts was no different.
Signing a blood contract was the key to summoning beasts, and the size and power of the summoned creature often depended on the chakra capacity of the ninja.
Tsunade's slug, Katsuyu, could adjust her size depending on the amount of chakra Tsunade poured into the summoning. Similarly, Orochimaru's snakes and Jiraiya's toads would vary in species and strength according to the chakra available.
At the tender age of eight, the Sannin still had limited chakra reserves. Consequently, the summon beasts they summoned weren't as large as the ones they would summon in the future.
Currently, Tsunade's slug and Jiraiya's toad were only slightly taller than an adult human. Orochimaru's summoned snake, while formidable, was about seven to eight meters long, its body thicker than a grown man's thigh.
That being said, Orochimaru had already taken intermediate gene enhancement serum, which had doubled his chakra capacity over the past two years. His real strength far surpassed what he was showing now. However, to keep pace with Tsunade and Jiraiya, he had opted for a smaller summon, knowing that summoning a larger snake might create unnecessary complications.
---
In truth, Orochimaru had to be cautious when summoning snakes, especially when it came to summoning the largest and most dangerous one Manda. Unlike the other summon creatures, the snakes from Ryūchi Cave were notoriously vicious and independent. Even Manda, who had intelligence far beyond an ordinary beast, was cruel, cold-blooded, and often defiant.
If Orochimaru ever summoned Manda, he would likely need to wrestle with the snake to establish control. At this stage, that wasn't necessary, nor did Orochimaru have the time or inclination to deal with such a rebellious creature.
---
Returning to the battle at hand, the Kumo ninjas who once held the advantage in numbers now found themselves evenly matched. Worse yet, they had underestimated Sarutobi Hiruzen and, by extension, his students.
Hiruzen had already eliminated one enemy ninja, and the young Sannin trio had quickly dispatched another with their surprise attack. Now, the Kumo ninjas had only one extra member on their side.
But as soon as the four summon beasts appeared, their numerical advantage vanished.
Hiruzen Monkey King Enma, in particular, struck fear into the hearts of the remaining Kumo ninjas. Enma was a nightmare for anyone who faced him in battle. His immense strength and sharp claws could tear through even the strongest defenses and, as the Kumo ninjas quickly learned, he could grab their ninja swords directly with his powerful hands.
Ding ding!
Bang bang!
"Tsunade, get out of the way!" Orochimaru shouted.
"Got it!" Tsunade responded instantly, pushing off the ground with her toes and leaping back gracefully, giving Orochimaru and Jiraiya space to move.
The two boys quickly formed hand seals, preparing to launch a combined attack on the Kumo ninjas now entangled with the summon beasts.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Fire and wind combined in perfect harmony, the wind fanning the flames into a massive inferno that surged toward the remaining Kumo ninja.
WHOOSH!
The fire roared across the battlefield like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path. Within moments, screams echoed from the flames as the Kumo ninjas were caught in the searing heat.
---
Shuriken, kunai, explosive tags, and the roars of summon beasts filled the battlefield with a cacophony of sound and fury. The overwhelming difference in power between the Konoha ninjas and their Kumo opponents became painfully clear as the fight drew to a close.
"W-White haired Ape... Dammit... You're Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
The Kumo Jōnin Shai, after witnessing the white haired-furred Monkey King Enma and recognizing Hiruzen's combat prowess, finally realized who he was up against. His voice trembled with anger and fear.
The image of Hiruzen had been imprinted deeply into the minds of the Kumo ninjas from previous battles. But it wasn't just Hiruzen himself it was the fearsome White haired Ape that haunted them most.
Hiruzen, his face calm but resolute, glanced at the remaining Kumo ninjas and spoke softly, "This war should have ended long ago. Why are you still so stubborn?"
"Ended?!" Shai's voice cracked with bitter laughter. "You're so naive...! Die!!"
With a roar of desperation, Shai gripped his sword and rushed at Hiruzen once more. He knew full well that he was no match for the man in front of him. But retreat was not an option.
Looking around at the bodies of his fallen comrades, Shai realized that the miscalculations he had made in underestimating Hiruzen and his students had cost his entire team their lives.
What would be the point of returning now? He had nothing left no teammates, no family. Rather than continue living with the shame of this failure, it was better to die here, on the battlefield.
He had made peace with his fate.
"Ninjas should die on the battlefield!"
WHOOSH!
With a single swift motion, Hiruzen's kunai pierced Shai's heart from behind, gleaming with cold finality as it delivered the killing blow.
The battle was over.