Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 128: Let’s Talk About Our Opponent—Shigen!

As a ninja who had mastered Sage Mode, Jiraiya was intimately familiar with senjutsu chakra. He even knew a bit about Shigen's background.

Thanks to Tsunade being his teammate...

Jiraiya had learned that Shigen was the one who had raised the Slug Sage over a thousand years ago. That meant his mastery over Sage Mode and senjutsu chakra was bound to be extraordinary.

In Sage Mode—

The physical enhancement of a ninja was one thing...

But the sheer increase in power that senjutsu chakra granted to jutsu was terrifying!

Because Jiraiya understood the might of senjutsu, he also understood just how difficult the opponent before him was.

A Shigen who could possibly use Sage Techniques without limit—

That was a nightmare for any ninja in the world!

"Sage Art..."

Shigen had already raised his hand.

The natural energy in the air seemed to move at his command.

A suffocating pressure pressed against Jiraiya's nose.

The moment Shigen made a move...

The entire flow of natural energy responded to him!

This was Jiraiya's first time facing an opponent who could use Sage Mode—

Especially someone whose Sage Mode was far superior to his own!

"Hmm?"

Shigen glanced at the tense Jiraiya and Gamabunta, surprised at their hesitation.

He gave them a light reminder—

Their warm-up was over.

"You can enter Sage Mode now."

"Hahaha... Alright!"

Jiraiya grinned but quickly grew serious, making a request.

"But... I'll need some time."

After all, entering Sage Mode required him to absorb natural energy.

More importantly, he needed to summon Fukasaku and Shima from Mount Myōboku to help extend the duration of his Sage Mode.

"Hey, Jiraiya..."

Gamabunta couldn't help but warn him.

"You need to think this through... Pa and Ma might—"

"I have to try."

Jiraiya insisted.

He needed to see how long Shigen could maintain Sage Mode.

He needed to see the full extent of Sage-enhanced ninjutsu!

However...

Even if he entered Sage Mode—

He probably still wouldn't be able to match this ancient-era shinobi.

Because when Jiraiya looked at Shigen...

He noticed that from the start of the battle—

Shigen's feet had never moved.

Now—

Jiraiya could only hope that, with Sage Mode and the help of Fukasaku and Shima, he could gain even the slightest advantage...

"Hmph..."

"What a delusional fool..."

Deep underground, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu lurked, displeased that Jiraiya had dared to challenge Shigen.

"Even if Shigen can only use less than one percent of his full power in this state, he's still beyond anything these weaklings can handle..."

Of course,

Jiraiya knew none of this.

Even if he did, he wouldn't back down.

With Shigen's approval, the white-haired man sat cross-legged on Gamabunta's head, bringing his hands together as he started to absorb natural energy.

"You need time?"

Shigen's fingers curled slightly—

And in an instant, the natural energy in the air surged toward Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was stunned—

He entered the meditative state almost immediately!

Shigen's control over natural energy—

Had always been one of his core abilities since ancient times.

Before he obtained the Sage of Six Paths' power,

Sage Mode was his only true strength.

"This..."

Gamabunta was shaken.

Even he had to admit—

Shigen's control over natural energy was beyond anything even the toads of Mount Myōboku could achieve!

His mastery was so absolute—

That Gamabunta couldn't even imagine how powerful his Sage Mode truly was.

At this point,

He wasn't sure if he could even help Jiraiya at all.

But—

He didn't need to anymore!

With Shigen's assistance, Jiraiya had absorbed enough natural energy.

His eyes transformed into the characteristic frog-like pupils of Sage Mode!

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Jiraiya's eyes gleamed as he made his move!

Gamabunta vanished in a puff of smoke.

In his place—

Two small figures appeared.

Fukasaku. Shima.

The two elder toads of Mount Myōboku.

Though their bodies were small,

The senjutsu chakra within them far surpassed even the largest toads like Gamabunta!

The moment they arrived,

They sensed Jiraiya's situation and leaped onto his shoulders.

Their bodies fused partially with Jiraiya's, allowing them to continuously refine senjutsu chakra for him.

"Jiraiya-boy, who's the enemy?"

Fukasaku asked immediately—

Then froze.

"Huh? Why is there so much natural energy gathered here?"

"It feels almost like Mount Myōboku..."

Shima glanced around, her gaze curious.

"Jiraiya-boy, it's been a long time since you've used Sage Mode, hasn't it?"

"Shigen."

Jiraiya didn't answer directly.

Instead, he turned his shoulder slightly, guiding their gaze toward Shigen.

"We can continue now."

"..."

The two elder toads fell silent.

Unlike the brash and arrogant Gamabunta,

They were cautious.

They had accompanied the Great Toad Sage for over 800 years.

And they knew more about Shigen's story.

Right now—

The difference in power between the two sides was beyond measure.

If they were to compare by rank...

Shigen was on the level of the Great Toad Sage.

Not them.

"...It's just a sparring match."

Jiraiya noticed their silence and quickly reassured them,

Lowering his voice as he explained how the battle had started.

"Well, that's a relief..."

Fukasaku's expression softened—

But he still grew solemn,

Bowing slightly toward Shigen in respect.

"Lord Shigen, please forgive us juniors for our rudeness."

"What an interesting experience..."

Shima chuckled, fully understanding her husband's reaction.

She knew Shigen had raised the Slug Sage,

But it was still amusing to realize—

Even after 800 years,

They were still considered juniors.

"..."

Jiraiya's eyelids twitched.

Come on—

A little more confidence, please?

"It's fine."

Shigen responded casually.

Even without considering his past with the Slug Sage,

His thousand years of experience in the Underworld meant he truly could call them juniors.

But courtesy aside—

The toad sages moved with incredible speed!

"Sage Art: Water Severing Slash!"

Fukasaku spat out a razor-sharp stream of water—

A blade that could slice through flesh and bone in an instant!

"Wait—"

Jiraiya tried to stop them.

But—

It was already too late!

Shigen raised his hand.

A soft glow radiated from his palm—

And the high-pressure water blade vanished—

Completely absorbed into his body!

"...Ninjutsu won't work."

Jiraiya quickly reminded them.

Then, after a pause,

"...Looks like senjutsu doesn't work either."

He hesitated—

Then added one more thing.

"...But Shigen can use both ninjutsu and senjutsu freely."

"He doesn't need hand seals."

"And he's mastered all chakra natures."

"..."

Fukasaku's expression darkened.

How were they supposed to fight this?

Shigen had no limits—

While they had nothing that worked against him.

What were they supposed to do?

Charge in for close combat?

"Close combat..."

Jiraiya sighed,

Then warned them,

"He has Tsunade's monstrous strength."

"And his swordsmanship overwhelmed Gamabunta."

Even though—

That sounded absurd.

Shigen was just a normal-sized human.

Compared to a massive toad like Gamabunta,

It didn't even seem possible for him to compete in swordplay.

Yet—

That was exactly what had happened.

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Shima muttered,

"Honey, we came all the way to Konoha... should we just go buy groceries and head home?"

Though it was a joke,

Jiraiya could tell—

They were starting to waver.

And honestly—

Who could blame them?

"Still, we have to try."

Fukasaku's gaze locked onto Shigen.

"At the very least, the Great Toad Sage wants to know how strong he is now."

As Mount Myōboku's elders—

They had to carry out the Great Sage's will.

"I'll come up with a plan."

"We can't fight him in close combat."

"We can't use ninjutsu either..."

Fukasaku finally suggested,

"...Let's try genjutsu."

But Jiraiya frowned.

"...Genjutsu?"

He hesitated—

Then sighed.

"...You know, Madara once tried that."

"And Shigen broke through it."

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