Chapter 95: The Toad Boss and the Splitting Void
"Summoning Jutsu!"
As Jiraiya's hands slammed down, a complex summoning array of black lines and characters erupted onto the watchtower floor.
BOOM!
A thick, white mist billowed out, engulfing the entire platform. Within the haze, a powerful, immense presence began to materialize. When the mist finally cleared, a colossal figure stood revealed, dwarfing everything around it.
Crimson skin, crisscrossed with red markings. Powerful, muscular limbs and a body several meters tall. A massive, sheathed tanto was tucked into its waistband.
The moment this figure appeared, it delivered a visual shock, giving everyone the imposing feeling of standing before a living mountain.
The Toad Boss, Gamabunta.
As all knowledgeable shinobi knew, Mount Myōboku was the home of the toads. It was inhabited not only by many toad summons but also by two supremely powerful Toad Sages. And aside from them, Gamabunta was the undisputed leader of all toads on the mountain.
"Jiraiya, you brat! Disturbing my peaceful afternoon nap by summoning me, the great Gamabunta? Have you forgotten the fear of being dominated by me?"
Gamabunta's voice was a low, rumbling baritone as he chided Jiraiya, a smoking pipe clenched in his mouth. His entire demeanor was arrogant and domineering, radiating a ruffian's confidence.
However, Jiraiya didn't respond with his usual easy-going banter. Instead, he gave a grim, solemn nod and gestured for the great toad to look ahead, at the lone figure of Aizen Sōsuke.
"So, this is a Summoning Beast? Truly… different."
A rare flicker of appraisal shone in Aizen's eyes. For Gamabunta to hold the position of boss, he naturally possessed significant power. The toad gave off a palpable sense of threat.
Had this been his peak, Aizen would have dismissed Gamabunta with a mere glance. No matter its size, it would have been nothing more than a larger insect to him. Just as in his final battle in Karakura Town, where a simple swing of his sword had severed the arm of the Visored, Love.
But the situation was different now. Aizen's power was only a fraction of what it once was. While he still held overwhelming superiority over ordinary jonin, facing a creature known to contend with Tailed Beasts required a more measured approach.
"Jiraiya, boy, you called me out for this kid?" Gamabunta took a long, lazy look at Aizen and then let out a disdainful chuckle. In his view, Aizen was just a slightly mature teenager. No matter how strong his aura seemed, to Gamabunta's eyes, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—futile.
"Don't underestimate him, Bunta," Jiraiya warned, his brow furrowed. Though murderous intent surged within him, he forced himself to remain analytical. As one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya's strength wasn't just in power, but in wisdom. He wouldn't charge in recklessly like Guy without understanding his opponent.
"I'll be damned, Jiraiya. Haven't seen you in years and your guts have shrunk. You've grown in body, but your brain's stayed the same size, huh?" Gamabunta scoffed, completely disregarding Jiraiya's caution. He believed Jiraiya was being overly hesitant, letting himself be intimidated by a mere boy.
Who were they? One was a Legendary Sannin, a hero of Konoha. The other was the Toad Boss of Mount Myōboku, a power second only to the two sage toads themselves. To hesitate out of excessive worry would be a joke.
"Let me see just how special you are, to make Jiraiya so nervous."
Before Jiraiya could stop him, Gamabunta took the initiative. Relying on his immense strength, he pushed off powerfully with his legs, launching his colossal form into the air.
Instantly, the clear sky was blotted out by his massive shadow, creating an oppressive feeling like black clouds crushing a city. Despite his size, Gamabunta's speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, he was directly above Aizen.
"Toad Flatness—Shadow Crush!"
Gamabunta's body descended like a falling mountain, carrying an unparalleled, crushing force aimed directly at Aizen on the watchtower.
Just as he was about to be flattened, repeating the fate of the giant snakes he had crushed earlier, Aizen showed no fear. His eyes flashed, and he vanished.
"Shunpo."
With a soft sound, Aizen disappeared from the watchtower. A few seconds later, Gamabunta landed with a cataclysmic BOOM!, utterly demolishing the tallest structure in Konoha. Dust and debris filled the air.
Though Gamabunta's attack had missed Aizen, it had the unintended effect of destroying the Six Rods of Light prison, freeing the captive Might Guy.
Swish!
Aizen's figure reappeared, high in the air. To the shock of all who saw, he stood calmly upon nothing, the constant, dense spiritual power at his feet allowing him to tread on air as if it were solid ground.
"Huh. Not bad. You're pretty fast for a little bug," Gamabunta grunted, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had indeed underestimated the boy. The contempt on his face vanished, replaced by a more serious fighting spirit. "Dodging the first move doesn't mean you can dodge the second."
Gamabunta brought his two massive palms together. Chakra built up within his mouth before he spat it out, forming a gigantic, high-pressure water ball.
"Water Style: Water Gun Jutsu!"
The water bullet shot forth with the speed of lightning, tearing across the sky toward the hovering Aizen. Everyone could feel the terrifying energy condensed within it.
Aizen showed no panic. Standing calmly in the air, he began to chant once more.
"Wall of iron fan, thou who art unable to cut off a blade."
"Soar through the heavens, you sun-wheel; scatter and become a thousand ripples of light."
"Bakudō Number Eighty-One: Dankū!"
A massive, translucent rectangular barrier shimmered into existence before him. The colossal water bullet, powerful enough to shatter rock, struck the barrier and exploded in a tremendous shower of water and foam, failing to even make the shield waver.
The air fell silent for a moment, the only sound the rain of water pattering to the ground far below. Gamabunta's eyes widened slightly. This was no ordinary ninjutsu.
Aizen looked down at the mighty toad, his expression one of mild interest. "Is that all?"