Jiraiya and Mei Terumi Die in Battle

Within the Four Red Yang Formation, a different level of confrontation unfolds.

The azure-blue Susanoo hovered in mid-air, its six arms wielding twin swords, a bow and arrow, a spear, and a shield, like a war god from mythology, looking down at the four tiny figures on the ground. Obito stood in the command room on Susanoo's chest, his gaze behind the mask calm yet tinged with amusement, as if admiring the final struggle of a trapped beast.

On the ground, Ai knelt on one knee, his right arm trembling slightly from the clash with Susanoo; Gaara's sandbox had shrunk by half, the control range of the sand compressed to ten meters around his body; Mei Terumi had blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, the switching between Boil Release and Lava Release had already depleted more than half of her Chakra.

Only Jiraiya remained standing.

The two immortals Fukasaku and Shima, stood on his shoulders, and Natural Energy gathered towards him like Uzumaki. His Senjutsu mask was fully revealed on his face, and his eyes, which were usually smiling, were now as sharp as an eagle's.

"Gentlemen," Jiraiya's voice was low, but clearly reached the ears of the other three, "I have a plan."

Ai raised her head, her eyes filled with suppressed anger and exhaustion. "Speak."

"I need time—about thirty seconds." Jiraiya's gaze was fixed on Susanoo in mid-air, on the faintly visible figure on Susanoo's chest. "I will unleash the strongest Genjutsu, a Sage Art that can completely imprison the opponent's mind and actions. Back when Nagato invaded Konoha, even the Rinnegan clones were affected by this technique."

Gaara frowned. "If we succeed, who will kill Obito? He's inside that 'turtle shell' right now, still in the air; we can't reach him at all."

Mei Terumi also looked at Jiraiya: "Furthermore, can your Genjutsu penetrate Susanoo?"

A complex smile curved at the corners of Jiraiya's lips.

His gaze, intentionally or unintentionally, swept over Susanoo's chest—there, besides Obito, was another person.

"Liquor."

Ai's pupils contracted sharply. "You believe him?"

"I believe in him." Jiraiya's voice was unwavering, without any hesitation. "I believe in that child, no matter what mask he wears, no matter whose side he stands by—in his heart, there must still be Konoha."

This trust came without any reason, yet it was weighty and profound.

A was silent. Gaara was silent. Mei Terumi was silent too.

They recalled the intelligence "Jiu" had passed on over the years, his reminders at crucial moments, and his actions during the capture of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, which clearly went beyond the stance of "Akatsuki members."

But trust, on the battlefield, is something you have to gamble with your life for.

"Thirty seconds," A finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "I'll give you thirty seconds. The Kazekage, Mizukage, and I will fight to the death to hold Obito. But if after thirty seconds..."

He didn't finish speaking.

But everyone understands.

If the Genjutsu doesn't activate after thirty seconds, or if it does but has no effect, or if it has an effect but the "wine" isn't used—then they will likely all die here.

"That's enough." Jiraiya nodded, then closed his eyes and began to form a series of extremely complex hand seals. These hand seals were completely different from ordinary Genjutsu; each gesture was drawing on Natural Energy, and the faint Frog Song of frogs began to echo in the air.

The two hermits, Fukasaku and Shima, exchanged a glance and began chanting simultaneously. It was an ancient language, a tradition from Mount Myoboku, each syllable containing the power to bind the soul.

Immortal Technique: Toad's Final Song - Ready to begin.

Inside the Susanoo's command center, Neji witnessed everything.

The Byakugan's vision pierced through Susanoo's Chakra Armor, clearly seeing Jiraiya's hand Hand Seals, the lip movements of the two sages as they began chanting, and the subtle shifting positions of A, Gaara, Mei Terumi —they were building a defensive perimeter for Jiraiya.

Then, he recognized the technique.

Immortal Technique: Toad's Lament.

In the original work, this technique completely imprisoned three of the Six Paths of Pain. Even Nagato, the possessor of the Rinnegan, was affected because of the close proximity. It was the pinnacle of sound-based Genjutsu, a binding technique that directly affects the soul through Natural Energy.

Jiraiya... intended to use this technique to imprison Obito, and then, as an "undercover agent," kill Obito from Obito while he was unable to move.

That's... a bold plan.

Neji's heart sank.

If the plan succeeds and Obito is truly completely imprisoned, then this is indeed the best time to kill him. I am right next to Obito, less than two meters away. Whether I use Dust Release, Senjutsu Mode, or the simplest Kunai pierce his heart, I have more than a 90% chance of success.

But...

Obito cannot die now.

At least, he cannot die before the Ten-Tails is resurrected and before he evolves the Tenseigan.

Neji's mind raced with calculations. If he cooperated with Jiraiya's plan and killed Obito, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path would go out of control, the six Tailed Beasts would rampage, but the Allied Forces still had Naruto, and there was still a chance to control the situation. He would become a hero, able to return to Konoha honorably, and...

But what about the Caged Bird?

What about the Tenseigan?

What about that opportunity to break free from the shackles of fate, something I'd longed for for three years, planned for over three years, and endured countless pains and torments to finally get it?

Without Obito, who will revive the Ten-Tails? Who will gather the Chakra of the Nine Tailed Beasts? Who will... pave the way for their own evolution?

I'm sorry, Jiraiya.

Neji silently said to himself. The last trace of hesitation vanished from the Byakugan hidden behind his glasses, replaced by a cold, almost cruel determination.

He bowed slightly, his voice respectful and steady:

"Lord Madara, Jiraiya of Konoha is preparing to unleash an extremely powerful Genjutsu. This technique is called 'Toad's Song,' which can directly affect the opponent's mind through sound, achieving a complete immobilization effect. Back when Nagato controlled Pain to invade Konoha, even from a great distance, the Rinnegan clones were affected by this technique."

His wording was very skillful.

Instead of directly stating "This technique can imprison you," they said "Nagato's clone was affected." This both reminded Obito of the danger of the technique and avoided making it seem like they were questioning Obito's strength.

His eyebrows behind the Obito were slightly raised.

"Every powerful Ninjutsu has a weakness." His voice was emotionless. "What is the weakness of this technique?"

"It takes preparation time," Neji replied immediately, "About thirty seconds. During this time, the caster cannot be interrupted and requires the assistance of two hermits from Mount Myoboku in chanting."

Obito fell silent.

His gaze swept over Jiraiya, who was Hand Seals on the ground, over the two Toad Sage chanting, and over A, Gaara, Mei Terumi, who were standing ready. Then, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"Then... don't give him time."

The moment the words left his Susanoo moved.

It wasn't a slow movement, but a dive. The blue-green giant adjusted its posture in mid-air, its wings folded behind it, and all six arms simultaneously entered an attack stance—two swords crossed in front of its chest, a spear drawn back like a fully drawn bow, arrows nocked on the giant bow that appeared out of thin air, and a shield protecting its vitals.

Target: Jiraiya.

The arrows were fired first.

That wasn't a physical arrow, but an energy arrow condensed from pure Chakra, moving faster than the speed of sound, leaving a blinding blue-green trail in the air. The arrowhead was locked onto Jiraiya's brow—not his heart, not his throat, but the Yintang acupoint where his mind was most focused during the technique.

"Sand Shield!"

Gaara reacted with lightning speed. The sand on the ground surged wildly, coalescing into a giant shield over three meters thick in front of him and Jiraiya. The sealing runes of Shukaku appeared on the surface of the shield—although Shukaku had been extracted, Gaara's control over sand had reached a new level through years of training.

The arrow struck the sand shield.

There was no explosion, only erosion. The azure Chakra, like a living venomous snake, frantically burrowed into the cracks of the sand, breaking it down into its most basic particles wherever it passed. Two meters of the three-meter-thick sand shield were eroded away in three seconds.

But this block gave Mei Terumi time to react.

"Lava Release - Lava Barrier!"

Crimson lava erupted from the ground, forming a second line of defense behind the remaining sand shield. The intense heat distorted the air, and the flowing lava formed an arc-shaped wall.

The arrow pierced the last layer of sand and struck the lava wall.

Laugh--!!!

The intense collision of high temperature and Chakra produced a deafening sonic boom. Lava splashed everywhere, and most of the arrow's energy was consumed, but the remaining part still moved forward, only its direction was deflected, grazing Jiraiya's right shoulder and leaving a charred mark on his Sage Robe.

Just then, the spear arrived.

Susanoo's third pair of arms hurled the energy spear, which was over twenty meters long, with all its might. This throw was devoid of any technique; it was purely a display of ultimate power. The spear spun in the air, its tip tearing through the air, its target still Jiraiya.

Lightning Release: Hell Stab - One-Finger Nukite!

Ai's figure transformed into a true lightning bolt. He didn't try to block the spear—he knew he couldn't—but instead chose a smarter approach: attacking the side of the spear, altering its trajectory.

Boom--!!!

Ai's index finger precisely touched the middle of the spear. Lightning Release Chakra and Susanoo's energy collided violently, and the shockwave from the explosion ripped up the surrounding soil. The spear's direction shifted slightly, and the tip grazed Jiraiya's left arm, tearing through his Sage Robe and leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound on his skin.

Blood splattered.

Jiraiya frowned slightly, but his hand Hand Seals didn't stop, and his chanting continued. Fifteen seconds left.

But Obito's attack had only just begun.

Susanoo's twin swords swept horizontally from left and right.

It wasn't aimed at Jiraiya, but at the space to his left and right—blocking all escape routes. Before the blade even arrived, the wind from the blade had already plowed two deep furrows into the ground.

"Boil Release: Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"

Mei Terumi spewed out high-temperature acid mist from her mouth, not to attack Susanoo, but to coat the blades of the two katana. The corrosive properties of Boil Release were brought to their maximum at this moment, the Chakra on the blades began to become unstable, and the blue-green light began to dim.

But Obito didn't care at all.

A simple action that caused everyone's expression to change drastically.

The two katana detached from Susanoo's hands and thrust directly and precisely at Jiraiya.

Boom--!!!

The twin swords, corroded by Boil Release, were swung with increased speed, instantly tripling in speed. The corroded Chakra was forcibly dispersed, and the blades once again shone with a dazzling blue-green light.

Then, it was slashed down.

The sword on the left slashed towards Jiraiya's heart.

The sword on the right slashed towards Jiraiya's neck.

There are no blind spots, no way out.

A wanted to help, but the recoil from colliding with the spear had paralyzed his entire right arm; Gaara tried to pull Jiraiya sand, but the sand couldn't keep up with the sword's speed; Mei Terumi to use Lava Release to block, but the Hand Seals needed time—

Jiraiya, had only ten seconds left.

His eyes opened, those eyes that were always smiling, now eerily calm. He looked at the oncoming glint of the blade, at the faintly visible masked figure on Susanoo's chest, and at the child standing beside Obito.

His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something.

But the flash of the blade gave him no chance.

Pfft--

The knife pierced his heart from the left.

The right blade severed the neck.

Fresh blood blooms like the most beautiful flower in the morning light.

Jiraiya froze. His hand Hand Seals stopped in mid-air, and the chanting abruptly ceased. He looked down at the bluish-green blade protruding from his chest, and at the warm blood spurting from his body.

Then he smiled.

That smile was complex—it contained regret, relief, and perhaps even a hint of... comfort?

"Little Jiraiya --!!!"

The mournful cries of the two immortals, Fukasaku and Shima, echoed across the battlefield. But at this moment, the Reverse Summoning was triggered, and their bodies began to turn into white smoke, forcibly teleporting them back to Mount Myoboku.

Jiraiya's body slowly fell backward.

Bang.

The dull sound was particularly jarring on the deathly silent battlefield within the Four Red Yang Formation.

"Jiraiya --!!!"

Outside the Four Red Yang Formation, Tsunade's roar almost tore the sky apart. She watched the fallen figure on the monitor screen, watched the man who had accompanied her for most of her life, the one who had always stood by her side despite their bickering, die so simply, brutally, and without dignity. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She wanted to rush in, to tear Susanoo, to slice Obito a thousand pieces—

But she couldn't.

She is one of the nodes of the Four Red Yang Formation. If she leaves, the barrier will collapse, Obito will rush directly into Konoha.

She could only watch.

I watched helplessly.

"Withdraw!"

Tsunade's voice was forced out through clenched teeth, each word dripping with blood and tears. Maintaining the Four Red Yang Formation was pointless— Jiraiya was dead, and the core tactic of the offensive group had failed. The most important thing now was to preserve the remaining forces and reorganize the defense.

The crimson barrier began to dissipate.

And at the very moment the barrier was completely dispelled—

Obito's attacks did not stop.

Susanoo's spear was aimed at Mei Terumi.

Mei Terumi was still reeling from Jiraiya's death and reacted a beat too late. By the time she realized the danger, the spear was already at her feet.

"Sand Shield!"

Gaara's sand surged up again, but this time, Susanoo's shield—those empty hands—slammed down. Not to attack Mei Terumi, but to attack the sand.

Boom--!!!

The shield collided with the sand shield, scattering the sand. The spear continued forward without hindrance.

Mei Terumi finally reacted, forming hand Hand Seals: "Boil Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"

The scorching acid mist instantly filled the air, blurring her figure within it. This was Mist Village's signature Ninjutsu; within the mist, she could conceal herself and sense the enemy's location.

But Obito didn't need to sense anything.

Susanoo's twin swords swept horizontally to the left and right.

The blade tore through the thick fog, sealing off all possible escape routes. Mei Terumi moved rapidly through the fog, but the range of the blade's light was too vast—

Laugh.

The tip of the left-hand knife sliced across her waist, cutting through her armor and tearing her flesh.

Mei Terumi out a muffled groan, her movements slowing for a moment.

And in that very instant, the arrow arrived.

The third arrow was fired from Susanoo's giant bow, this time with a clear target—her brow.

The thick fog dissipated.

Mei Terumi stood rooted to the spot, a bloody hole, about the thickness of a finger, piercing her forehead. Her eyes were still open, filled with resentment, shock, and perhaps even a hint of... worry about the future of Mist Village?

Then, she slowly collapsed.

The second shadow died in battle.

From the Four Red Yang Formation was dispelled to the Mei Terumi died, the entire process took no more than five seconds.

The remaining six— Tsunade, Kakashi, Kurotsuchi, Darui, A, Gaara —reunited. They looked at Susanoo hovering in mid-air, at the man standing on Susanoo's chest, looking down at them like a god. What welled up in their hearts was not anger or hatred.

It's a lack of power.

It is despair.

It is the most primal fear of mortals when faced with absolute power.

Obito's gaze swept over them, lingering on Kakashi for a second longer. In that second, a complex emotion seemed to flash through his mind, but it was quickly replaced by cold indifference.

"I can't play with these ants anymore."

His voice was soft, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. It was a tone of loneliness at the top, a tone of weariness with the game.

Then, Susanoo began to dissipate.

The azure armor transformed into specks of light, and its six arms, twin swords, spear, bow and arrow, shield, and wings all vanished. Obito and Neji descended from mid-air, landing nimbly on the head of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, which was crouching not far away.

The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path remained silent, eight of its nine eyes fully open, while the eyelid of the one symbolizing the Nine-Tails Fox trembled slightly, as if it were about to open at any moment.

Obito a hand Hand Seals, a simple gesture that contained a certain ancient rhythm.

"Wine," he commanded, his voice calm and even, "Throw the Kinkaku Ginkaku into the golem's mouth."

"Yes, sir."

Neji bowed in response, then picked up the two sealed Reanimated Body from the ground and walked to the enormous, abyss-like mouth of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Without any hesitation, he tossed them aside—

The Kinkaku Ginkaku brothers were cast into darkness.

There was no sound, no light, like two stones thrown into a bottomless well. A faint swallowing sound came from deep within the throat of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and then, all was quiet.

But change is happening.

The massive body of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path began to tremble slightly, and the patterns on its skin began to glow—not the deathly gray-white of before, but a strange, flowing light mixed with nine colors. These streams of light spread along the patterns and eventually converged at the location of its nine eyes.

The eye that symbolizes the Nine-Tails Fox trembled more and more violently.

Then, it opened its eyes.

It wasn't fully open, but half-open. The eyelid was raised halfway, revealing the empty pupil beneath, which seemed to contain the weight of the entire world.

Meanwhile--

The six Tailed Beasts that were engaged in battle with the Allied Forces' Jonin on the outskirts of Konoha simultaneously ceased their movements.

The Two-Tails Matatabi's eerie blue flames extinguished, the Four-Tails Son Gokū's lava cooled, the Five-Tails Kokuō's steam dissipated, the Six-Tails, Saiken's poisonous mist contracted, the Seven-Tails Chomei's scales fell to the ground, Eight-Tails Gyuki's lightning subsided.

They fell straight down, like puppets whose strings had been removed. Their massive bodies crashed onto the ground with a dull thud, kicking up clouds of dust.

Chakra overflowed from their bodies, transforming into Six Paths streams of light of different colors. They traversed a distance of thousands of meters, flying towards the east gate of Konoha, towards the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and into its gaping maw.

Currently, all nine eyes of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path are open, except for the eye representing the Nine-Tails, which is half-open.

An aura that transcended Tailed Beast, Kage -Kage Level, and the realm of human comprehension began to emanate from the golem. It wasn't the pressure of Chakra; it was something more primal, more ancient, belonging to the aura of "gods."

The Incomplete Ten-Tails has begun to awaken.

Obito, standing atop the golem's head, arms outstretched, seemed to be welcoming some great moment.

Neji stood half a step behind him, head bowed, his respectful posture impeccable.

But in those Byakugan hidden behind the lenses, a long-awaited, almost thirsty light finally began to burn.

It'll be soon.

We'll be there soon.

That was the moment he had been waiting for for more than three years.