"Boom—"
It was as though a fireball had plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily into the ground.
The next instant, the entire earth shook. The ground split open into a massive crater nearly a thousand meters across, dense cracks spreading through it in semicircular patterns.
The tottering tower nearby, after suffering so much shaking and damage, finally could no longer hold on.
The structures atop it shattered and fell away one after another. At last, the entire tower collapsed with a thunderous crash, exposing the examinees hiding within as well as those still fighting.
Yet even though the entire tower had been reduced to rubble, the tower formed from what looked like golden curse seals still stood there, exceptionally conspicuous.
However, at this moment, even such a strange sight failed to draw much attention.
After seeing Dai fall from the sky, the several Kage, shocked that the victor had been decided so quickly, wore extremely grim expressions.
Even Tsunade and Jiraiya beside them looked solemn as they hurried to where Dai had fallen.
Fortunately, after Aizen sent Dai crashing down in one blow, he did not press his advantage, giving everyone, who had nearly stopped breathing, a brief chance to catch their breath.
High in the air, Aizen gently withdrew his hand. His cold eyes glanced at the thin streaks of blood seeping from his pale palm, but he said nothing.
His gaze shifted slightly as he casually glanced toward the distance.
"Whoosh!"
Following his gaze, a golden figure abruptly appeared on the field. Seeing the devastated scene before him and the enormous crater where Jiraiya and the others stood, the newcomer's expression darkened slightly.
He flashed into the crater, looking within with deep concern, though his voice remained calm.
"Teacher Jiraiya, is Senior Dai all right?!"
Before Jiraiya could