When everyone's attention, whether they were shocked by the afterglow of Night Guy or attracted by the confrontation between Sage of Six Paths and Naruto, could not help but focus on the decisive core battlefield high in the sky.
An old, slow, but familiar voice with some kind of insight into all wisdom, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, sounded on a battlefield somewhere at a relatively low altitude, and was accurately transmitted to one person's ears.
"Haha... don't just focus on the battle above... little Jiraiya."
The voice was gentle, but it seemed to carry a heavy burden, causing Jiraiya, who was dealing with First Tsuchikage and Kazekage, to tremble all over!
He followed the sound and saw the top of a relatively intact mountain not far away. At some point, an old orange Toad figure quietly appeared.
It is Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru of Mount Myōboku.
Its eyes, which always seemed to be open but not open, seemed to be able to see through the past and the future, were looking at Jiraiya calmly at the moment, with a hint of a faint smile on the corner of its mouth.
"Great Toad?"
Jiraiya's face instantly became extremely solemn. It could even be said that this was the first time he had shown such a heavy expression since he entered this Life-and-Death Shogi.
Great Toad Sage can be said to be the opponent that Jiraiya is least willing to face and the most difficult opponent to deal with.
There is no one.
As for the reason?
There is no need for Jiraiya to explain. His psychic beast partner Gamabunta has already given the most direct answer through actions.
Gamabunta, who was originally fighting side by side with Jiraiya and fighting against the threat of First Tsuchikage Dust Release, heard the voice of Great Toad Sage, and his huge body visibly stiffened.
Immediately, under Jiraiya's astonished eyes, Gamabunta took a deep breath, and then with a clever force, he threw Jiraiya directly to Orochimaru, who was standing not far away above Wan She's head, as if he were throwing away a burden.
"Hey! Gamabunta! You..."
Jiraiya was caught off guard. He was in the air, frightened and angry.
And Gamabunta, after throwing away Jiraiya, did not hesitate at all. His huge hind legs suddenly exerted force, and he jumped up like a cannonball. After a few ups and downs, he came to the mountain where Great Toad Sage was, and landed steadily behind Great Toad Sage, with a respectful posture, as if he was a guard and follower.
It lowered its head and looked down at Jiraiya, who had fallen next to Orochimaru and stabilized his figure in a panic. There was a trace of complex emotions in the huge Toad's eyes, and his voice was apologetic, but also revealed unquestionable determination:
"I'm sorry, Jiraiya. However, as Toad of Mount Myōboku, we act according to the will of Great Toad."
Gamabunta's words clearly stated his position.
Mount Myōboku, or Great Toad Sage, is now on the side of Pure Land.
As the psychic beast of Mount Myōboku, Gamabunta can help Jiraiya as if it is not seen when the opponent is not facing him directly, but when Great Toad Sage is nearby, Gamabunta can only follow the highest will, even if it means becoming the enemy of the former contractor Jiraiya.
This sudden change made Jiraiya's heart sink to the bottom.
He understands very well the weight that Great Toad Sage represents.
Almost at the same time, in another part of the battlefield, Katsuyu, who was assisting Tsunade in treating the wounded and conducting auxiliary operations with his split body, also saw an obvious stagnation in his movements.
Katsuyu's gentle voice, with a hint of helplessness and apology, sounded directly in the hearts of Tsunade and some Konoha Ninja:
"Lady Tsunade I'm very sorry.
I just received a clear message from the main body."
"Slug Sage has decided to remain neutral and not help each other in this battle of 'Life-and-Death Shogi'."
"Therefore, I can no longer assist you in your fight... I'm very sorry."
After finishing his words, Katsuyu threw Tsunade, who was fighting in the center of the enemy, towards Wan She, which was regarded as its last help to Tsunade.
Those Katsuyu clones that split off for auxiliary attacks or treatments turned into white smoke and disappeared, leaving only the main part responsible for basic treatment and communication. Chakra also obviously restrained itself and made a gesture of no longer participating in the battle.
Shikkotsu Forest, chose neutral.
Three Great Sage Lands, Mount Myōboku are leaning towards Pure Land, Shikkotsu Forest is neutral... So, what about the last Ryūchi Cave?
Everyone's eyes, including Jiraiya who had just stabilized his body and Orochimaru who had been watching coldly, involuntarily turned to the snake that was entrenched like a mountain, spitting out scarlet letters, and with cunning and greedy light shining in its vertical pupils.
Wan She naturally felt this subtle and tense atmosphere. Its huge head slowly lowered, its vertical pupils locked on Orochimaru, and its hoarse voice carried an unabashed deal and threat:
"Orochimaru... Humph, things seem to be getting interesting."
Wan She's Nobuko licked her lips, "Mount Myōboku and Old Toads are all gone..."
It seems that the water in this chess game is deeper than imagined."
"Let's do this..."
Wan She's voice was full of temptation and cruelty, "Give me five hundred living people as Sacrifice, fresh and strong ones."
How about I disobey White Snake Sage's order and continue to stay and help you fight?"
It set its own price, trying to grab the maximum benefit from this incident, even going against the possible will of the Ryūchi Cave supreme master White Snake Sage.
However, facing Wan She's attempt to rob him, Orochimaru pushed Jiraiya aside and sneered, Golden Snake Eyes was full of coldness and disdain.
"Five hundred humans Sacrifice? That's quite an appetite."
Orochimaru's tone was mocking, "However, Wan She, you seem to have made a mistake."
She raised her head slightly, her eyes seemed to penetrate the sky of Pure Land, and saw the scene deep in Ryūchi Cave.
"If White Snake Sage really decided to go into this muddy water and personally issued a clear order..."
Orochimaru's voice suddenly turned cold, "Even if I agree to you, do you think you can pass Garaga's test?"
Garaga is another one-eyed giant red snake among Ryūchi Cave that is extremely powerful and violent in temperament, even inferior to ten thousand snakes.
It is also the top combat power among Ryūchi Cave snakes, and its relationship with Wanshe is not harmonious, and can even be said to be a competitor.
Orochimaru's words are reminding Wanshe that Ryūchi Cave is not the same as Griddle. If White Snake Sage really has a clear will, the executor may not be Wanshe, but Garaga or other big snakes may be sent to come.
If Wan She acts without authorization, he will not only have to face external enemies, but may also incur punishment within Ryūchi Cave, especially hostility from Garaga.
Hearing this, Wan She's huge vertical pupils suddenly shrank.
Obviously the name Garaga made him feel afraid.
It was silent for a moment, seeming to weigh the pros and cons, and finally let out a cold chuckle:
"Hey, since the risk is so high and the rewards may not be forthcoming, I have to say goodbye."
As it spoke, its huge body began to twist, as if it was preparing to release the channeling and return to Ryūchi Cave.
In this kind of melee where the situation is unclear, it seems to be a wiser choice to protect yourself and wait and see the situation.
However, Orochimaru's next words caused Wan She's movements to suddenly stop.
"Please."
Orochimaru's tone was understated, even with a hint of a smile, "However, Wan She, I suggest you think about it clearly."
She turned her head slightly and looked at Naruto Uzumaki, who was confronting Sage of Six Paths in the distance.
"If Sixth goes to Ryūchi Cave in person in the future..."
Orochimaru lengthened his tone, and Golden Snake Eyes flashed a dangerous light:
"And at that time, if you are remembered by him for running away today, or if you are considered worthless or even a hindrance to him..."
"Do you think, with his character and strength... you can survive in his hands?"
"In other words, do you think...White Snake Sage would choose to completely turn against Sixth Hokage in order to save a disobedient snake?"
Wan She's huge body froze, and the original cunning and greed in his vertical eyes were quickly replaced by surprise, weighing, and a trace of unconcealable... fear.
It reminds of the terrifying power that the blond Kid once showed in Konoha Crush Plan, and of his current status and reputation in Shinobi World...
If you were really remembered by such a being...
Especially since Ryūchi Cave may not fully support himself...
Wan She fell into a huge struggle and silence.
Orochimaru looked at Wan She's reaction, and the corner of his mouth curved with a hint of control.
"So should you leave now and take the unknown risk, possibly facing irresistible retaliation in the future; or stay, show your value, and maybe get some... unexpected 'return on investment' in the future?"
"Orochimaru, do you think you've got me today?"
Wan She's hoarse voice was filled with suppressed anger and unwillingness, but more importantly, it was a kind of weakness that seemed like resignation.
Orochimaru didn't answer, but Golden Snake Eyes's smile became even deeper.