AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 115: The Ravaged Shukaku
A gentle breeze brushed against his face as the scenery before Jiraiya's eyes was gradually replaced by green.
At the final moment of leading Shukaku to the outskirts of Konoha, Jiraiya looked back as if sensing something; within the nearly invisible Four Violet Flames Formation, a dense thicket of giant trees suddenly appeared.
"Sensei, I hope you can hold out until I return with reinforcements!"
"Little bugs, this lord has caught you!"
"Jiraiya, don't get distracted, Shukaku is catching up!"
Gamahiro's voice carried a hint of urgency. Although its size was also massive, Shukaku was a Tailed Beast after all. Even if it was the relatively weaker one among the nine Tailed Beasts, it wasn't something Gamahiro could easily confront or escape from.
"Watch your back!" Jiraiya snapped back to reality and warned Gamahiro. "Shukaku's attack is here!"
"I see it!"
Gamahiro roared. While continuously dodging, the long swords in its hands swung repeatedly, slicing through the unavoidable Drilling Air Bullets mid-air.
*Boom!*
After warning Gamahiro, Jiraiya didn't stay idle either. A thick, high wall created by Earth ReleaseNinjutsu blocked Shukaku's path, but under the dual assault of Shukaku's massive body slamming into it and the Drilling Air Bullets, it collapsed instantly after supporting for only a moment.
"Right here then!"
Using the brief opportunity created by Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, Jiraiya spoke to warn Gamahiro again. At the same time, his hand speed was pushed to the limit, quickly transitioning into another Ninjutsu.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
The ground beneath Shukaku's feet changed instantly. It became thick and viscous while also being exceptionally soft. In the blink of an eye, Shukaku sank halfway in, temporarily losing its ability to pursue.
"Toad Oil!"
Jiraiya's three words were concise. Gamahirounderstood immediately; its cheeks puffed out and then spat, releasing a large mass of Toad Oil that flew rapidly toward the enraged Shukakustruggling to break free.
*Whoosh!*
Jiraiya's third Ninjutsu was also launched very quickly and was perfectly synchronized with Gamahiro's movements. After it spat out the Toad Oil, a burst of intensely burning flames erupted from Jiraiya's mouth, directly igniting the oil.
High temperature, scorching heat, fierce impact, and lasting power!
These were the four hallmarks of Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet. Moreover, it wasn't just Gamabunta who could coordinate with Jiraiya; Gamahiro could do the same.
A vast sheet of flames directly covered the exposed half of Shukaku's body, and even the Swamp of the Underworld from earlier was baked dry and hardened. This made the binding ability even more outstanding and made it even more difficult for Shukaku to escape.
"That hurts like hell!" Shukaku's roar of pain echoed, indicating that Jiraiya's continuous attacks were effective. "This lord will definitely not let you off!"
"Not good!" Jiraiya was suddenly startled. "Get out of the way!"
A massive Tailed Beast Ball was swallowed into Shukaku's mouth. Following that, a dazzling light filled with explosive power formed a thick beam of light. Starting from Shukaku's giant maw, it surged rapidly toward Gamahiro and Jiraiya standing on its head.
The Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet was scattered. As the flames dispersed, they ignited the surrounding forest below. Precisely because the Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet acted as an obstruction, Shukaku's vision was hindered, causing the Tailed Beast Ball to miss its mark.
Having survived the ordeal, Jiraiya wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. This was exactly why Tailed Beasts were so feared. Although a Ninja's attacks could still take effect, the damage dealt to a Tailed Beast was limited, whereas a single Tailed Beast Ball from a Tailed Beast could instantly turn a person to ash.
Gamahiro, having dodged the attack, also felt a lingering fear. Because of its large size, if it had been a second slower just now, it probably would have taken that Tailed Beast Ball full on.
While it might not have died instantly, if it were sent back to Mount Myōboku with fatal injuries, it would likely take about a year to recover. The suffering involved would be quite a lot to handle.
"Here we go!"
"Understood!"
The man and toad, having escaped danger, organized their attack once more. Meanwhile, Shukaku, after breaking free using the immense strength within its massive body, also began preparing a second Tailed Beast Ball.
"Now's the time!"
"Go!"
Gamahiro grabbed Jiraiya's feet and, with a casual toss, sent Jiraiya flying like a cannonball at high speed from top to bottom toward Shukaku. As he flew, Jiraiya condensed a deep blue Rasengan in his hand.
As he flew, Jiraiya continuously poured a large amount of Chakra into the Rasengan. Although it hadn't undergone further compression to elevate the power of the growing Rasengan, its destructive force had long surpassed that of a normal Rasengan by an unknown margin as its size continued to expand.
Just then, Shukaku finished condensing the Tailed Beast Ball. Just as it was about to take it into its mouth to fire, Jiraiya arrived holding the Great Ball Rasengan with both hands. Right at the moment the Tailed Beast Ball was about to emerge, he struck Shukaku's lower jaw.
At the moment the Great Ball Rasengan made contact with Shukaku, the expected explosion didn't occur. Because Shukaku's body was entirely made of sand, the structural integrity of its form was naturally not ideal.
Upon receiving the heavy blow, Shukaku's lower jaw was shattered. Due to the impact of the Great Ball Rasengan, the remaining half of the jaw was violently pushed upward. Shukaku's massive maw snapped shut instantly, causing the nearly completed Tailed Beast Ball to go out of control and explode right inside Shukaku's mouth!
*Boom! Crack!*
When Jiraiya charged toward Shukaku, Gamahirohad already jumped from his spot. While leaping past Shukaku, he caught the now-exhausted Jiraiya.
By the time Jiraiya stood on top of Gamahiro's head, holding Gaara of the Sand who was gradually waking up from the Feigning Sleep Technique, Gamahiro had landed again.
*Kaboom!*
A sound more violent than any previous explosion rang out. Shukaku's head was completely blown away without a trace, and its massive body crashed to the ground at that moment, crumbling into fine sand upon impact.
"Phew..."
Jiraiya panted heavily, looking at Gaara of the Sandin his arms and feeling secretly relieved. "Fortunately, this little guy isn't a Perfect Jinchuriki, otherwise this battle really wouldn't have been this easy."
"This is already something to be proud of!" Gamahiro's voice was muffled. "Even if he's not a Perfect Jinchuriki, being able to defeat a Tailed Beast that most Ninja would shrink back from is an illustrious enough achievement!"
"I just used a few tricks..." Jiraiya scratched his head with a bit of narcissism, but then immediately turned serious. "Konoha still needs support. Let's go!"
After Jiraiya returned to reinforce Konoha, Naruto's main body deactivated its concealment and appeared not far from the center of the battlefield.
"As expected of Jiraiya-sensei. The Ninjutsucoordination, the grasp of the battlefield, the search for opportunities... just these few things alone are enough for you to roam the Ninja Worldand ignore most dangers..."
"But the Ichibi Shukaku is truly useless; it didn't even manage to force out Jiraiya-sensei's Senjutsu!" Naruto shook his head, watching Jiraiya's departing figure. "But this will do. It's time to pull Danzo Shimura into the fray."
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