Sage Mode Jiraiya!

Under the unreserved power of Yuki Yoru's "Heavenly Phenomenon Descends," the entire Tsunan Town had transformed into a frozen wasteland.

Death and cold filled this world, in that moment.

It was as if even the air itself had been frozen.

"Crack, crack!"

Thick layers of ice were shattered by Fugaku, and a gaunt figure was pulled out from within the ice by him.

His Three-Tomoe spun ceaselessly in his eye sockets as he surveyed everything around him; the shock in Fugaku's heart was beyond measure.

The scene before him was utterly staggering. Even Fugaku, who had already witnessed Yoru's terrifying Ice Release, felt a chill in his heart.

"Is this really something Ice Release can accomplish..."

In legend, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, could create an entire forest in an instant, altering the entire terrain. Even the ultimate Divine Power of the ancestor Uchiha could not rival him.

Fugaku did not know what that scene looked like, but one thing was certain: facing Yoru at this moment, even if he activated the third stage of Susanoo, he probably could not defeat Yoru now...

"The power of the Uchiha... can't even compare to your Ice Release..."

Fugaku's fists clenched tightly, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

The proudest Uchiha, now utterly powerless.

"Let's go, Shisui. Prepare to retreat!"

Looking at Jiraiya atop the giant toad, Fugaku grabbed Shisui's shoulder but suddenly noticed that Shisui was also staring blankly at the frozen world before him.

"Dead... they're all... dead..."

"Everyone just... like this..."

"Yuki Yoru..."

The genius youth of the Uchiha seemed unable to believe what he saw. His remaining single eye fixed on Yuki Yoru, who stood atop the ice wall overlooking everything.

His right eye was wrapped in bandages, while Yuki Yoru's right eye wore a mask.

Their left eyes seemed to meet in midair. Shisui could clearly see the sneer and disdain curling at the corner of Yuki Yoru's mouth, as if mocking his incompetence, sneering at Konoha's weakness.

"You bastard..."

Uchiha Shisui's hands clenched tightly, his fingernails scratching grooves into the ice.

Suddenly, an astonishing pressure came from above. Fugaku, sensing this aura, his expression shifted slightly. He grabbed Shisui's shoulder and swiftly retreated backward.

It wasn't just Fugaku. At this moment, almost everyone on the battlefield sensed this aura.

Countless gazes converged, landing on the white-haired figure.

"Hah!"

As Jiraiya's hands came together, Yoru could clearly feel a distinct agitation in the power of heaven and earth. An indescribably terrifying energy was gathering upon him.

"That posture, that aura..."

Yagura's pupils sharply contracted. He quickly called out a warning.

"Yoru, be careful! This is the source of why the Sannin Jiraiya is called the Toad Sage. He wields the legendary power of Senjutsu!"

That Jiraiya possessed the power of Senjutsu, wielding the same Sage Mode as the legendary First Hokage, was hardly a secret among the upper echelons of the ninja world.

When Jiraiya had traveled the ninja world in the past, he had activated Sage Mode many times.

Even during this Third Great Ninja War, on the Iwagakure battlefield, Jiraiya had activated Sage Mode to counter the two tailed beasts there.

This overpowered combat capability had long drawn the attention of major powers in the ninja world, and had also spurred them to explore the power of Senjutsu—though none had succeeded.

This only added to the mystery and might of Senjutsu.

And made the name of the Sannin even more illustrious!

"Do you think I'll just give you the chance to use that move?"

Yoru's figure instantly appeared before Jiraiya, and the Ice Dragon roared forth.

But in front of Jiraiya, another toad, smaller in size, appeared.

This toad held a steel trident in one hand and a shield in the other, stubbornly blocking the Ice Dragon. At the same time, it thrust its steel trident fiercely toward Yoru's face.

"Oh! Though I'm clumsy, I can still be of some use!"

"Annoying toad!"

Yoru's gaze turned cold. Hyōrinmaru clashed against the steel trident, producing the sound of metal striking metal.

A biting chill spread along the steel trident, threatening to freeze the toad as well in an instant.

But.

Though the toad looked clumsy and dull, its reaction speed was astonishing.

The moment the chill spread, it had already discarded the steel trident in its hand, dodged the incoming Ice Dragon, and landed steadily.

"Well done, Gama Ken!"

Gama Ken looked reluctantly at the frozen steel trident: "It's all because I'm too clumsy..."

"I'll make you a brand-new one later! Leave this place to me for now!" Jiraiya laughed.

As natural energy coalesced, Jiraiya's appearance underwent a clear transformation.

On his face, covered in blood-red patterns, red eye shadow appeared at the corners of his eyes—something only achievable in Sage Mode.

Though still faint and flickering, Jiraiya's pupils had shifted into horizontal slits like a toad's, with several bumpy protrusions emerging on either side of his nose bridge.

At the same time.

Accompanied by a puff of white smoke, two small figures appeared on either side of Jiraiya.

"I was in the middle of cooking, little Jiraiya... Why does it feel so cold here? This place—did little Jiraiya come to the Land of Snow? Oh, and Gamabunta's here too!"

"Don't be like that, dear. It seems little Jiraiya has run into some formidable enemies."

The white smoke dissipated, revealing two tiny toads who spoke in human tongues.

"Sorry, Boss Lady, and Boss, for calling you out under these circumstances." Jiraiya took a deep breath, his gaze falling on Yuki Yoru and the dense ranks of Kirigakure ninja. "This time, I really had no other choice."

"So it's war, huh. No wonder you've activated that Sage Mode you hate so much."

Sage Fukasaku noticed Jiraiya's altered aura and followed his gaze to the assembled Kirigakure forces.

"That headband, and that attire—Kirigakure, is it."

"So Konohagakure is at war with Kirigakure right now. That means this icy environment was created by someone from Kirigakure's Yuki Clan?"

"The Ice Release of the Yuki Clan can reach this level? But speaking of which, little Jiraiya, you should really learn to enter Sage Mode on your own. Little Minato can already do it now!"

Sage Shima, still a bit put out that her cooking had been interrupted, couldn't help teasing Jiraiya.

Hearing this.

The image of that golden-haired boy flashed through Jiraiya's mind, and he burst into laughter. "Hahaha... Minato can already enter Sage Mode? Truly worthy of being my disciple!"

"Yes, little Minato can enter Sage Mode now, and his Sage Mode is very perfect—not a trace of toadification on his body." Sage Fukasaku nodded.

"Don't praise him too much, or that kid will get cocky." A proud expression appeared on Jiraiya's face. "When I get back this time, I'll have to properly check on that kid's recent training progress... if I can make it back..."

"Then, let's get ready to move!"

The two Sage Toads stood on either side of Jiraiya, and at that moment, the natural energy within Jiraiya surged to its peak.

Sage Toad Jiraiya.

Full power unleashed!