As everyone's attention, whether seized by the lingering brilliance of Night Guy or drawn by the confrontation between the Sage of Six Paths and Naruto, converged irresistibly on the decisive battlefield high in the sky...
An aged, slow, yet familiar voice imbued with a wisdom that seemed to see through everything rang out somewhere on the lower battlefield, like a pebble dropped into a still lake, reaching one person's ears with perfect precision.
"Heh heh... don't just focus on the battle up there... little Jiraiya."
The voice was calm, yet it seemed to carry an immense weight, making Jiraiya shudder as he fought the First Tsuchikage and the Kazekage!
He looked toward the voice and saw an ancient orange toad atop a relatively intact peak nearby, having appeared without a sound at some point.
It was none other than Mount Myōboku's Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru.
His perpetually half-open eyes, which seemed capable of seeing both past and future, were now calmly watching Jiraiya, with the faintest hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
"Great Elder?"
Jiraiya's expression instantly grew grave-indeed, this was the first time since entering this game of Life-and-Death Shogi that he had looked so deeply troubled.
The Great Toad Sage was the opponent Jiraiya least wanted to face, and the one he would find hardest to deal with.
Without exception.
As for why?
Jiraiya had no need to explain. His summoned partner, Gamabunta, had already provided the most direct answer through his actions.
Gamabunta, who had been fighting beside Jiraiya against the threat of the First Tsuchikage's Dust Release, visibly stiffened the instant he heard the Great Toad Sage's voice.
Then, under Jiraiya's astonished gaze, Gamabunta took a deep breath and, with a deft flick as though shedding a burden, hurled Jiraiya straight toward