Chapter 55 : Sage Mode!

[Toad Gamaken, the giant toad of Mount Myoboku, wielding a shield in his left hand and a harpoon covered in thorns in his right hand, appeared like an ancient Animal!]

[In comparison, the chameleon summoned by Animal Path Pain seemed much smaller.]

[Seemingly aware of his invisibility, the chameleon took Pain into stealth, preparing for a sneak attack from the shadows.]

[But in a surprising turn of events, Jiraiya clapped his hands together and created two seals with his feet!]

[Could this even be possible?]

Countless ninja were left in awe at this moment. They believed that performing jutsu with only one hand was already at the pinnacle of their art, so the use of one's feet was beyond their comprehension. It shattered their understanding of ninja norms!

[Jiraiya's blue perception barrier expanded!]

[Seeing that Animal Path Pain was altering his strategy by summoning a massive three-headed dog capable of continuous splitting attacks!]

[For a while, Jiraiya and Gamaken found themselves at a disadvantage as they faced an increasing number of foes. They had to maintain the perception barrier at all times to prevent stealthy sneak attacks from Pain.]

[Eventually, Gamaken was overwhelmed, bitten by over a dozen giant dogs, and unable to move!]

[Yet, in this dire situation, Jiraiya didn't show any signs of concern. Instead, he wore a triumphant smile!]

[In the next moment, Jiraiya executed a Reverse Summoning, disappearing into Gamaken's stomach!]

[The seemingly immortal giant dogs that could endlessly split were suddenly reduced to a minuscule size, all sealed and awaiting digestion.]

[Pain, still hidden in stealth, felt a mixture of surprise and confusion when a sudden gust of wind came from behind. Jiraiya and Gamaken reappeared seemingly out of thin air.]

[With tremendous force, Toad Gamaken impaled the chameleon into the ground with his massive harpoon!]

[However, in the very next moment, a white fog enveloped the area, revealing that the chameleons were, in fact, Shadow Clones, just like Jiraiya and Gamaken had used earlier!]

[Simultaneously, a colossal, strange bird in the sky descended like a sharpened blade, rapidly pecking towards Jiraiya!]

[It was too late to dodge, so Toad Gamaken had no choice but to raise his shield!]

[Boom!]

[The enormous force struck, causing the massive shield to crack and sending Toad Gamaken flying.]

[At this point, the battle seemed to be turning against Jiraiya!]

"An intriguing battle," remarked Aizen, who had noticed something fascinating. Unlike other worlds, battles in this world, known as the Hokage world, often relied on intelligence and extensive combat experience rather than sheer strength alone. This world demanded more strategy and cunningness.

As Aizen contemplated, he remembered a figure named Uchiha Obito who possessed the power to negate any attack, a power that even he found challenging to deal with. 

Yet, within two rounds, Obito had been defeated by a man named Namikaze Minato. Aizen eagerly looked forward to what would happen next.

[The scene continued.]

[Toad Gamaken fell to the ground, and Jiraiya had no choice but to lure the strange bird into the nearby building.]

[As expected, in the confined space, Jiraiya easily dispatched his opponent.]

[However, it seemed that the enemy was running out of Summoning Animals, and another massive Summoning Animal made its appearance!]

[This time, Toad Gamaken returned, but after defeating a rhino, he was visibly fatigued and had to retreat to Mount Myoboku.]

[The Summoning Animal appeared again, this time in the form of a charging bison heading straight for Jiraiya!]

[Boom!]

[A massive cloud of dust enveloped the area as the bison crashed headfirst into the wall. Jiraiya appeared to have been struck due to a lack of evasion!]

"Did you succeed?" wondered Pain, still concealed in stealth, as he peered into the smoke.

[But his question was answered by a torrent of flames!]

[The bison was severely wounded by the flames and ceased its summoning.]

[From the large hole in the wall, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard.]

[As the light drew near, three pairs of bright, somewhat menacing eyes emerged from the darkness!]

[At last, when the light revealed itself, Pain finally saw clearly.]

[He observed two small, elderly toads perched on Jiraiya's shoulders, and Jiraiya's appearance had undergone a startling transformation!]

[He now bore red markings, a square and authoritative countenance, a white beard, a warty nose... and golden toad-like eyes!]

[Mount Myoboku Sage Mode!]

In the world of pirates, Sengoku's expression shifted as he pondered the sudden change.

In the realm of Fate, Seimei wore a bewildered expression, wondering why the forces of nature had manifested within a human, creating an oddly oppressive aura.

Amongst the leaves, Jiraiya muttered to himself.

"Man, I really need to go back to Mount Myoboku to refine this Sage Mode. It's so unattractive; it's tarnishing my previously handsome image."

In the underground base, Orochimaru looked on with curiosity.

"Is this Sage Mode? Jiraiya's power seems to have multiplied... It's a shame that the old lady in Ryuchi Cave's test was so foolish..."

[In comparison to the earlier toad appearances, the toads on Jiraiya's shoulders seemed insignificant, as if they could perish in the next moment.]

[But in the very next moment, these two toads displayed astonishing combat prowess!]

[One of them extended an incredibly long tongue, expertly snaring the invisible chameleon and slamming it to the ground.]

[The other toad, without forming any hand seals, unleashed the high-pressure 'Water Severing Wave Technique,' instantly slicing the chameleon in half and showering the area in bright red blood!]

[The stealthy chameleon, which had posed a significant challenge to Jiraiya mere seconds ago, did not last even two seconds under this onslaught; it was dead beyond any doubt!]

Viewers who couldn't comprehend why Jiraiya had summoned two small toads fell into stunned silence.

These toads were far more fierce than the previous large toad!

At Mount Myoboku, Toad Gamaken was left flabbergasted.

Indeed, the elder toads were even more ferocious than he had ever imagined!

Toad Gamabunta, standing nearby, was utterly dumbfounded!

[Animal Path Pain's eyes remained indifferent, showing no sorrow for the death of the Summoning Animal. In the very next moment, he clapped his hands together!]

["Summoning Technique!"]

[White smoke materialized, but this time, it was not a Summoning Beast that emerged.]

[Two individuals appeared, both adorned with red clouds against a black background, and both possessed Rinnegan.]

[They were none other than... Human Path and Preta Path!]

*****

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