Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 129: The Power of the Rinnegan!

Generally speaking...

The more information one has, the easier a battle becomes.

However, the more one learns about Shigen, the more troublesome he appears—so much so that it might even make one want to give up the fight altogether.

Even as Jiraiya relayed intelligence to the two sages, he couldn't help but feel at a loss. He was beginning to regret challenging Shigen in the first place.

If he could turn back time, Jiraiya might ask his past self: "You actually knew quite a lot about him, so why were you so fearless when you charged in with Gamabunta?"

"Let me think..."

"Not even Uchiha Madara's genjutsu can affect him?"

When Fukasaku mentioned Madara, he couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. After a brief moment of contemplation, he explained, "The Uchiha's genjutsu relies on sight, whereas the genjutsu we use is auditory..."

Even if Uchiha Madara, a legendary shinobi, had incredibly powerful illusions, different schools of genjutsu ultimately had their own distinctions.

Maybe...

Their genjutsu could still work.

Besides...

Their technique was by no means weak!

This genjutsu came from a secret musical score treasured in Mount Myōboku, and only toads could chant its lyrics and melody. It was incredibly difficult to learn, ranking among the most powerful genjutsu in the ninja world—even someone as seasoned as Gamabunta had never mastered it.

In the past...

The two sages had practiced this genjutsu while singing love songs to each other, which was how they finally perfected it.

So when Shima confirmed that her husband was actually going to use that technique, she blushed slightly.

"Do we really have to use this one? I never imagined I'd have to do something from my younger days again!"

"We have to try..."

Fukasaku's mouth slowly puffed up as he reminded Jiraiya, "But it takes time for us to complete the technique..."

"Shigen will give us that time."

Jiraiya's gaze fell upon the figure standing motionless in the distance. He knew Shigen wouldn't mind at all—he would allow them to use their full strength.

First...

This was, after all, a battle between shinobi.

Second...

Perhaps it was the mercy of a senior toward his juniors.

Jiraiya's expression grew solemn. He let out a self-deprecating laugh, as if mocking himself, but also as if provoking Shigen to witness their genjutsu.

"Right now, Shigen must see us the way an adult sees children playing with toys. No matter how the children play, it's impossible for them to pose a real threat to him..."

"That's not quite right."

Shigen shook his head but then sincerely praised, "At the very least, from where I stand now, our chakra levels are nearly the same. The only advantage I have is the unlimited chakra provided by my Reanimation body. I believe you'll find the opportunity to unleash this technique in battle..."

"How humble..."

A bitter smile appeared on Jiraiya's face.

"How much longer?"

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Shigen watched as Fukasaku and Shima's mouths puffed up, the sound of their croaking growing louder.

Sage Mode granted exceptional control over natural energy.

Shigen could feel the musical notes flooding toward him, and as he raised his hand slightly, it was as if he could touch them.

What a fascinating technique...

The creatures of the ninja world evolved at an astonishing rate.

Compared to an individual's wisdom, the accumulated knowledge of countless beings over millennia had given rise to some truly miraculous jutsu—especially in a place like Mount Myōboku.

However...

This also allowed Shigen to find a way to counter it.

At least in Sage Mode, by manipulating natural energy, he could immediately block the transmission of sound waves through the air.

A jutsu that relies on sound to attack...

Ultimately, it could never escape the fundamental rule that sound requires a medium to travel.

If an area of true vacuum were to appear, the transmission of these sound waves would be interrupted. This could significantly delay the genjutsu's activation—or even cause it to fail entirely.

"It's ready!"

Just as Shigen was devising a countermeasure, Fukasaku and Shima's mouths swelled to their limits, and their croaking grew overwhelmingly dense!

"Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant!"

As the chorus of croaks rang out, waves of sound gathered together, twisting space as they surged toward Shigen!

These sounds...

Were painfully sharp!

Shigen could faintly sense his consciousness being drawn into a genjutsu world. In his vision, four enormous toads materialized!

The Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant had taken effect!

If left uninterrupted, once the auditory genjutsu was fully realized, the victim would be dragged into a mental space controlled by these four giant toads.

Each of these toads wore heavy armor, with the words "No," "Motion," "Underworld," and "King" inscribed on their bodies to signify their identities. They held massive stone swords in one hand while the other conjured an ethereal space that bound Shigen's spirit!

In essence...

This genjutsu functioned like any other—it all came down to a battle of mental fortitude within the illusionary space.

And Shigen's strongest trait... was his mental will.

The next moment!

Shigen's spiritual presence expanded rapidly, instantly breaking free from the control of the four massive toads. His spiritual form loomed even larger than theirs!

Back in reality...

Shigen's body merely stiffened for an instant.

"The genjutsu... worked!"

Jiraiya's face lit up with excitement when he saw this!

He didn't care how long the Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant could hold Shigen—he immediately crouched down, frog-like webbing growing between his fingers and toes, and leaped straight toward Shigen!

As long as Shigen was caught in a genjutsu...

A single attack could shatter his Reanimation body!

At that moment, Jiraiya realized that Shigen was not invincible!

The next second!

Just as Jiraiya lunged forward—

Fukasaku and Shima suddenly covered their ears, wincing as if tormented by a piercing noise!

This was...

The backlash of a failed genjutsu!

"Jiraiya!"

Fukasaku momentarily lost his hearing, and assuming Jiraiya had as well, he had to shout to warn the man he'd watched grow up:

"The genjutsu has been broken! Don't get close to him!"

But...

It was too late!

Shigen reacted faster than Jiraiya!

The moment Jiraiya charged forward, Shigen grabbed his wrist, twisting his body to throw him aside!

"Sage Art: Rasengan!"

But in Jiraiya's palm, a spiraling chakra sphere formed—the Sage-enhanced Rasengan was already smashing toward Shigen's arm!

As long as he destroyed the Reanimation body...

Shigen would be immobilized!

Jiraiya had analyzed it: Shigen's method of absorbing jutsu was through the glow on his palm. His arm shouldn't be able to activate that ability!

Unless... Shigen chose to release his grip and step back.

But if he did...

Jiraiya might never get another chance to attack!

Even if he failed...

Maybe this was enough!

Jiraiya wasn't afraid of losing. He even felt a bit of joy.

"Even if my best efforts aren't enough to win, if I can make Lord Shigen move, at least I won't have lost completely."

Yet in a split second—

A strange scene unfolded!

As Jiraiya predicted, Shigen let go of his wrist—but instead of retreating, his Rinnegan flashed eerily, and in a chillingly calm voice, he uttered:

"Shinra Tensei."

The next instant!

A repulsive force violently struck Jiraiya!

It was as if he had been crushed by a tidal wave—his body flung away in utter disarray!

Jiraiya barely landed, but as he looked up, he saw the deep trench left by Shigen's repulsive force.

"This is... repulsion?"

His face was filled with shock.

At that moment, Jiraiya finally understood—

The power of the Rinnegan was beyond terrifying.

Shigen slightly raised his arm, not hesitating to provide Jiraiya with an explanation.

"This is the power of the Rinnegan."

Jiraiya's expression grew heavy.

He suddenly recalled his deceased student, Nagato. He remembered Nagato mentioning that, in his youth, he had once unleashed the power of the Rinnegan...

And now, he was finally witnessing just how terrifying that power truly was.

"I see."

"Absorbing your jutsu is also one of the Rinnegan's abilities."

As Shigen spoke, his arm slowly began to change. His entire forearm transformed into a futuristic, glowing cannon.

"Asura Path."

The cannon's core gathered chakra, glowing ominously with destructive energy!

"Dodge it!"

Fukasaku and Shima both screamed in alarm!

"This is also a power of the Rinnegan?!"

With Sage Mode enhancing his reflexes, Jiraiya reacted instantly. He leaped away just in time, narrowly dodging the terrifying blast!

A beam of light shot forth, cutting through the forest behind him. Trees were instantly pierced, their trunks left charred with smoldering holes!

Had he reacted a moment too late, that blast could have annihilated his lower body!

Yet Jiraiya alone understood the full extent of the danger, while an oblivious Naruto, watching from afar, was filled with awe.

"Whoa! That was so cool!"

But...

Jiraiya's crisis was far from over!

Shigen's arm reformed from the mechanical cannon, returning to its normal shape. He remained calm as he raised his hand once more—

And activated another Rinnegan ability.

"Banshō Ten'in."

A strange, irresistible force suddenly pulled Jiraiya forward!

"This is... gravity?!"

Jiraiya's face flashed with shock!

Before he could counter it, his body was already being yanked toward Shigen at terrifying speed!

His body was out of control...

He tried forming hand seals, but the gravitational pull was too strong—he couldn't stabilize himself!

At this rate...

Shigen was simply pulling him in—

But a powerful attack was sure to follow!

"Now's our chance!"

Fukasaku exchanged glances with Shima!

"Hard to control my body like this..."

Shima struggled to turn her head, but the pull only accelerated her reaction speed—her tongue shot out instantly, extending at an unnatural length toward Shigen!

"Tongue Bind!"

Her long tongue coiled toward Shigen's body in an attempt to restrain him!

"Water Slash!"

At the same time, Fukasaku spat out a high-pressure jet of water!

This was a perfect combination of Sage Art and physical restraint!

Shigen sighed slightly and canceled Banshō Ten'in, then raised his hand once more.

"Shinra Tensei."

A powerful repulsive force erupted!

Boom!

With an explosion of dust, Jiraiya and the two toad sages were blasted away, sent crashing into a tree!

Jiraiya, ever quick-witted, barely managed to reposition himself. He flattened his body to the ground like a frog, his eyes fixed warily on Shigen.

"Ouch... ouch..."

Shima groaned, rubbing her injured tongue.

"Wait, I just realized something..."

Fukasaku, still dizzy from the impact, rubbed his temples, struggling to focus.

"This repulsion... feels stronger than before..."

"You're right."

Jiraiya nodded in agreement, fingers digging into the dirt as he kept his eyes locked on Shigen.

"It looks like a Rinnegan user can freely control both repulsive and attractive forces. This ability... I still haven't figured out how to counter it yet."

Before his voice had even faded—

Jiraiya saw Shigen lightly curling his fingers!

Suddenly, a wave of natural energy surged toward him, wrapping around his body.

Jiraiya immediately felt a crushing weight press down on him, slowing his movements!

"My body..."

Jiraiya's eyes widened in realization!

"This is just like Frog Kumite's use of natural energy!"

Fukasaku immediately understood Shigen's technique. He, too, felt his breathing grow heavier as the energy weighed down on his body.

"No wonder he raised the Slug Sage... But his control over natural energy is too frightening..."

"We need to dispel this natural energy—"

"No!"

Jiraiya cut him off, shaking his head grimly.

"If we absorb too much natural energy and fail to balance it, I'll turn into a frog!"

Fukasaku instantly fell silent. He knew Jiraiya's limitations all too well. If they tried to absorb this energy recklessly, he'd be petrified into a toad statue.

"Now... your speed has dropped."

Shigen curled his fingers again, his voice calm and quiet.

"I may not be skilled with these eyes... but it's about time this battle comes to an end."

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Powerstones?

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