Boom!
A massive blast shook the chamber as the Animal Path slammed his hands together in a summoning seal. A gigantic Hell Crab materialized, spewing bubbles from its gaping maw that surged toward Jiraiya and Vincent.
Both moved instantly. Jiraiya used chakra to cling to the wall, while Vincent leapt high, slamming his fist into the stone beside him.
Crash!
A single punch tore open the wall, leaving a gaping hole. Vincent grabbed hold of the broken rock and anchored himself.
"What terrifying strength…" Jiraiya muttered, watching in shock. The scene reminded him vividly of Tsunade. With one punch, she too could shatter walls. But in Vincent's case, the power seemed even greater and his face remained so calm, as though it were effortless.
The next instant, Konan burst free of the foaming tide. The oil coating her body had been washed away. Paper spread from her frame once more, reforming her angelic wings as she landed behind the Animal Path.
"Kill them!" she commanded.
The Animal Path shifted his hand seals again. The Hell Crab bounded forward, its massive pincers snapping toward them.
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
Jiraiya's white hair surged outward, twisting into the shapes of lion heads. The flowing mane coiled around the Hell Crab, holding it fast.
The beast screeched, thrashing against the restraint.
"Now!"
Vincent kicked off the wall, body a blur of motion.
"Serious Punch!"
His colossal fist crashed into the beast.
Boom!
The explosion echoed like thunder. The enormous Hell Crab disintegrated into gore, its remains splattering across the battlefield.
"What?"
The Animal Path's eyes widened. A single punch had annihilated his summon.
Jiraiya wasted no time, binding the Animal Path in his hair once more. His eyes grew grave. "Nagato, what happened to Yahiko? What happened to you?"
The Animal Path remained calm despite being restrained. "Yahiko is dead."
"Then you really have changed," Jiraiya said coldly. His chakra flared with killing intent. "The boy who once swore to protect his friends… I can barely recognize you anymore."
"I have grown," the Animal Path replied flatly, his voice stripped of humanity. "This village was forged in war, soaked in blood. I was once a child. Now I have transcended into an adult. You, teacher, remain only human. I… have become a god."
Vincent's eyes narrowed. "A god?"
"Exactly. From mortal… to god."
"Then what do you want?" Jiraiya demanded. "Why collect the Tailed Beasts? What is your goal?"
The Animal Path's gaze was steady. "With their power, I can forge a forbidden technique capable of erasing entire nations in an instant."
"That will only cause more chaos!" Jiraiya snapped.
"No. I will give this weapon to all nations. With equal fear, they will know true peace. To make the world grow, humanity must endure infinite suffering. And as god, I will guide them through it."
As he spoke, he used a substitution technique, slipping free from Jiraiya's hair.
"Damn it…" Jiraiya hissed, spotting him high above. He turned to Vincent.
"Kid, I need time to prepare Sage Mode. Can you buy me that time?"
Vincent grinned, raising his fist. "Leave it to me."
He launched forward like lightning.
"You're reckless," Jiraiya muttered under his breath, smiling faintly as he bit his wrist, smearing blood across his face. Hands pressed together, he began gathering natural energy.
"Tch. Annoying."
The Animal Path made a swift seal. A monstrous lizard appeared beneath him, its massive jaws snapping shut as it swallowed him whole before vanishing.
"Invisible, huh?"
Vincent stood in the wreckage, scanning the battlefield.
The ground trembled. A deafening howl split the air as a new beast emerged a massive three-headed hellhound, its fangs dripping as it charged straight for Jiraiya.
"Stop right there!"
Vincent roared, kicking off the wall. His body became a projectile.
"Serious Punch!"
His strike detonated against the beast, blasting it back in an eruption of smoke.
"Not finished yet. Be careful, Jiraiya-sensei!" Vincent warned, staring hard into the haze.
"Understood." Jiraiya's eyes hardened.
Then.
Three separate howls shook the air. The smoke cleared, revealing not one but three hellhounds, each lunging from a different angle.
"Damn it!"
Vincent struck again, punching one to pieces. His movements were so fast the others could barely react. But to his surprise, the beast reformed, splitting into more copies.
Two became four. Four became eight.
Moments later, the single monster had multiplied into a colossal abomination with seven or eight snarling heads, its body towering like a nightmare.
"That's one ugly mutt. Kiba would call it his dream dog," Vincent muttered dryly, even as his eyes stayed sharp.
"Kid, let's lead it somewhere tighter! We can fight one-on-one there!" Jiraiya shouted.
Without hesitation, he leapt away. Vincent followed.
They darted into a narrow alley, the monstrous hounds clawing after them.
"Careful!" Jiraiya warned, releasing his seals.
Together, Vincent's fists and Jiraiya's strikes tore through dozens of the beasts.
But Jiraiya wasn't finished. He pressed his hand onto Vincent's shoulder.
In an instant, the two vanished from the alley.
"They escaped?"
The Animal Path emerged from the belly of the lizard, scanning the area for chakra traces.
"No… you underestimated me."
The words came from behind him.
He spun around to see Vincent standing there, arms folded.
"Now."
The summoning lizard lunged to re-swallow its master.
"You think too little of me."
Vincent appeared atop the lizard's head in the blink of an eye.
"Serious Punch!"
The blow landed like a hammer of judgment.
Boom!
The lizard's skull shattered, its massive body exploding apart in an instant.
"What terrifying strength," Jiraiya whispered, stunned by the destruction, even as he prepared himself.
The Animal Path staggered, his Rinnegan narrowing. With a furious snarl, he slammed his hands together again.
Another summon materialized, this time a massive bird diving toward Jiraiya's unguarded back.
"Look out!" Vincent bellowed.
----------------------------------------------------
The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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