Mount Myoboku is home to many powerful toads, each possessing unique abilities. Whether it was the toad currently before him or the one that had trapped Kakuzu, their sheer size was beyond imagination.
Jiraiya couldn't directly summon them into the ninja world—their advanced age required them to stay in areas rich with natural energy to sustain their lives. If he were to summon them, they could only remain for a brief period before having to return to Mount Myoboku. More importantly, their massive size meant summoning them in their entirety would drain Jiraiya's chakra almost instantly.
Bringing them into battle for mere seconds was utterly impractical. Only a fool would summon them in full. Even just summoning a portion—like a toad's stomach—nearly depleted his reserves of senjutsu chakra. It was even more taxing than summoning the three great toad brothers simultaneously.
As the strange insects adjusted to their new environment, they hesitated only briefly before swarming toward Jiraiya. Their sharp mandibles clicked together, producing a nerve-wracking sound that sent shivers down his spine.
"Little bugs, you can have fun on your own."
Jiraiya smirked as the fleshy walls behind him opened up. With a single leap, he exited through the opening before sealing it shut with a quick hand sign.
Outside, Jiraiya found that Hotaru was already dead. His corpse was shriveled, with all his blood and organs consumed by the swarm. Jiraiya approached the lifeless body and retrieved the Soul Vessel he had obtained through his system. Uncorking the bottle, he aimed it at the corpse and muttered an incantation.
A dark aura emerged from the vessel, enveloping Hotaru's remains. Moments later, his soul was forcefully extracted and drawn into the vessel.
As an elite jonin, Hotaru's soul was valuable—it could be offered to the Shinigami to perform the Reaper Death Seal. Now, Jiraiya had a means of using the technique without paying the ultimate price.
After sealing the vessel, he stowed it away, knowing he had secured a powerful trump card. With a final fire jutsu, he reduced Hotaru's body to ashes.
Jiraiya turned to the dark barrier nearby. Now that Hotaru was dead, the barrier had lost its power source. As expected, within a minute, it began to fade before disappearing entirely.
Waiting briefly to confirm the area was safe, Jiraiya formed a hand seal, reopening a passage in the toad's stomach and stepping inside.
As he anticipated, the rapidly multiplying insects had incredibly short lifespans. Every single one had perished, their bodies dissolving into the strong acid.
"At least you had a good meal," Jiraiya mused, before releasing the summoning jutsu.
"You've got to be kidding me. You still haven't finished them off?"
Jiraiya turned his gaze toward Gamabunta and the others. A jonin and a particularly resilient elite chunin were still holding on, though the rest of the Root members had been wiped out.
"I really am useless… I've disappointed you again."
Gamaken lowered his head in self-reproach.
Jiraiya sighed but wasted no time, joining the battle. With his intervention, the remaining enemies were swiftly dispatched.
"Danzo… since you've chosen this path, don't blame me for what happens next."
With all the Root operatives eliminated, Jiraiya's sage mode faded, his eyes glinting with cold determination. He was now fully committed to taking down Danzo.
Initially, he had been hesitant. Danzo's darkness could still be useful for certain matters. But the man had made his move first. Jiraiya couldn't tolerate it any longer.
After incinerating the Root members' corpses with a fire jutsu, Jiraiya and the three great toads returned to the battlefield where Kakuzu was still trapped.
Stepping into the toad's stomach, he looked at the restrained Akatsuki member.
"Three of your masks have been destroyed. That means you only have two hearts left."
He paused, then smirked. "Actually, make that one."
Without warning, Jiraiya plunged the Lightning Flame Blade straight into Kakuzu's chest, piercing the red-mouthed mask. Blood poured from the wound.
"My patience has limits. Live or die—make your choice."
Jiraiya's voice was cold and unwavering.
Kakuzu stared at him, his gaze sharp. "You seriously intend to build a world free of conflict?"
"I have no reason to lie," Jiraiya replied. "Swear your loyalty to me, and you'll see the truth for yourself."
A moment of silence passed before Kakuzu exhaled. "Then I choose to live. But tell me—how do you plan to keep me under control?"
Jiraiya smirked. "You're smarter than you look. I'll be placing a seal on your soul."
He had no intention of leaving Kakuzu unchecked. Given the man's ability to replace his own heart, there were few effective ways to restrain him—targeting his soul was the best option.
Fortunately, among the sealing techniques left behind by Uzumaki Mito, there was one specifically designed for this purpose. Once inscribed onto a person's soul, it could be activated with a single hand sign, tearing the target's soul apart instantly. The technique's name was simple and direct: Soul Seal.
Without further words, Jiraiya pressed his hands together, focusing his spiritual energy. In an instant, his consciousness surged into Kakuzu's body, locking onto his soul.
Chains of energy wrapped around Kakuzu's essence as glowing symbols branded themselves onto it. When Jiraiya withdrew, he saw Kakuzu drenched in sweat, his face twisted in pain.
Clearly, the process had been agonizing.
Jiraiya himself felt the strain, his forehead damp with sweat. Performing the Soul Seal had consumed a significant amount of his mental energy.
But now, he could finally relax.
With the seal in place, Kakuzu's life and death were now entirely in Jiraiya's hands.
Without this technique, keeping Kakuzu in check would have been nearly impossible.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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