Chapter 37

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Boom! Boom! The fierce battle continued to rage in the open space.

Realizing Gensou's intentions, Jiraiya intensified his attacks.

But against Gensou, whose chakra was nearly infinite and whose Edo Tensei body could repair itself instantly, it was all for naught.

However, Jiraiya wasn't alone on the battlefield.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Several poisoned senbon shot from the hidden mechanism on Shizune's wrist, flying swiftly towards Gensou.

Though the movement was subtle, Gensou noticed it and twisted his body to avoid the senbon.

Taking advantage of the opening, Jiraiya clapped his hands together: "Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"

Jiraiya's white hair grew rapidly, thickening and wrapping around Gensou like a lion's mane, binding him completely from head to toe.

Crack, crack~~ The massive white hair tightened with enough force to cut through metal, aiming to crush Gensou.

Despite the cracks appearing on his Edo Tensei body, Gensou remained unperturbed, opening his mouth: "Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"

A large amount of acidic fluid spewed from Gensou's mouth, easily corroding the Needle Jizo wrapping around him, and surged towards Jiraiya and Shizune like a raging river.

"Troublesome."

Jiraiya sighed, retreating while forming hand seals: "Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

A vast brown swamp replaced the ground, meeting the incoming acid.

With a sizzling sound, the swamp quickly shrank, but the acid also ceased its advance and dissipated.

Boom!

Another loud explosion sounded in the distance.

Jiraiya frowned, looking at Gensou, whose damaged body was rapidly regenerating amidst flying paper scraps, and thought:

"Ordinary attacks are ineffective against the Edo Tensei body; only sealing techniques can completely restrain it. But against Gensou, even I can't resolve this quickly."

"The longer this drags on, what will happen to Tsunade?"

Jiraiya grew increasingly anxious.

Understanding the situation, Shizune bit her lip and said, "Jiraiya-sama, I'll hold him off! You go find Tsunade-sama!"

"Shizune, you..."

Jiraiya looked deeply at Shizune.

Seeing the determination on her face, Jiraiya, as a decisive ninja, didn't argue further.

"Naruto, we're leaving!"

Orochimaru and Kabuto's combination required his attention.

Given Naruto's importance, Jiraiya naturally intended to take him along.

"Hey, hey, making decisions without consulting me? Did you consider my opinion?"

Gensou, witnessing everything, spread his hands with a smile.

The current scene reminded him of certain anime scenarios where a character sacrifices themselves to buy time for the protagonist.

Only now, he was the villain.

But he had to ask, do villains always play along so obediently?

Do as you say without resistance?

Jiraiya ignored Gensou's taunt, preparing to act.

Gensou was about to intercept when a figure dashed towards him.

"Your opponent is me now!"

Shizune's lips parted, firing several poisoned needles at Gensou.

Gensou paused, flicking his fingers in the air.

With several crisp sounds, the needles fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Shizune launched into close combat without hesitation.

"Girl, you're overestimating yourself."

Gensou easily blocked Shizune's attacks, continuing, "Or perhaps, you're underestimating me?"

"For Tsunade-sama! No matter how difficult, I will do it!"

Shizune's unwavering determination showed in her eyes.

She opened her mouth again: "Ninja Art: Poison Mist!"

Instantly,

Chakra within Shizune's body transformed into a toxic chemical substance, spewing out as purple mist that rapidly spread towards Gensou.

"Interesting."

Gensou stepped back.

"But far from enough."

With that, he clapped his hands, unleashing a strong wind that scattered the poison mist.

As the wind howled, kicking up dust, Shizune squinted, searching for Gensou's whereabouts when a mocking voice reached her ears.

"If making vows and chanting slogans like 'for so-and-so, I will do this or that' could ensure success, then why train hard? Just spread the seeds randomly, and all enemies would be defeated."

Behind her!

Shizune's eyes narrowed, enveloping her hands in blue chakra like surgical scalpels, swinging fiercely behind her.

The next second.

"Not there!"

Seeing the empty space, Shizune's pupils contracted, instinctively preparing to retreat.

But it was too late.

Gensou appeared beside Shizune like a phantom.

"Train more."

Boom! Shizune's body was sent flying like a cannonball towards Jiraiya.

Sometimes, shouting slogans isn't enough.

Gensou looked at Jiraiya, who hadn't gone far, and pointed, causing several Lava Release fireballs to rain down, forcing him to stop.

"Still not working?"

Jiraiya sighed, halting his steps.

Naruto quickly ran to catch Shizune:

"Shizune-neechan, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Shizune forced a nod, using her Mystical Palm Technique to heal herself while apologizing to Jiraiya:

"I'm sorry, Jiraiya-sama. I'm too weak!"

"Anyone else would find it hard too. I was too impulsive, took it for granted." Jiraiya admitted his mistake, looking at Gensou approaching them.

He had hoped against hope.

But now it seemed that failing to reach Tsunade in time might cost Shizune her life.

Step. Step. Step. Gensou calmly walked up to the three, saying,

"Hand over the Spirit Transformation Technique, and I'll let you meet Tsunade."

Before Jiraiya or Shizune could respond, Naruto angrily shouted:

"You can't just take what others don't want to give! What kind of 'great predecessor' are you?"

Naruto didn't know what the Spirit Transformation Technique was or Gensou's identity.

But his simple values told him that taking things by force was wrong.

"You're right."

Gensou nodded in agreement with Naruto's rebuke, "Morally, what I'm doing is wrong."

"But when has this world ever truly followed morality?"

"Kid, let me teach you a real lesson today."

"In this world, might always outweighs morality!"

(End of Chapter)