As time passed, Uchiha Izuna furrowed his brows. The sheer magnitude of chakra Jiraiya was amassing was becoming overwhelming.
"This can't continue any longer. If this keeps up, he might actually interfere with my brother's technique."
With that thought, Izuna's Susanoo raised its hand, condensing a massive three-tomoe shuriken-like construct known as the Yasaka Magatama.
Jiraiya's expression tightened. This powerful technique required a long preparation phase and restricted mobility, but it wasn't enough to deter him at this moment.
His upper garments tore apart, revealing four arms extending from his back.
"Asura Path: Mechanized Armor—Asura's Assault!!!"
The terrifying attacks collided, creating a massive cloud of dust that obscured Izuna's vision.
"Damn it, clear this!"
With a wave of Izuna's hand, the scene before him became clear once more.
Seeing the pitch-black chakra construct in Jiraiya's hands, Izuna's expression shifted.
Thanks to Madara's deep affection for his younger brother, Izuna had long been privy to the secrets of the Rinnegan. In an instant, he recognized the true nature of this technique.
"Planetary Devastation!"
Izuna's mind raced. If this ocular technique were used to disrupt his brother's Universal Pull, it might actually work, as both techniques operated on principles of force.
The difference lay in the fact that Planetary Devastation was the most domineering force-based ocular technique within the Rinnegan.
A fierce determination ignited within Izuna—he absolutely could not allow Jiraiya to succeed. At the same time, a deep regret welled up inside him. If only he had acted earlier to interrupt, this situation wouldn't have arisen. The arrogance of the Uchiha clan had caused no small amount of trouble.
In the ninja world, there was no such thing as an absolutely invincible technique—every technique had a countermeasure. Izuna began to think rapidly.
Meanwhile, the core of Jiraiya's Planetary Devastation had already soared into the sky, overlapping with the sun and emitting an ominous black glow.
Instantly, the earth cracked open, as if an invisible hand were devouring the world.
Uchiha Madara frowned slightly, clearly sensing the interference caused by Planetary Devastation. However, instead of stopping, he smiled confidently, watching his proud younger brother with satisfaction.
Warmth surged through Izuna's heart, and a flash of inspiration struck him. He immediately understood what he needed to do.
An explosive surge of chakra erupted, forming a colossal hundred-meter-tall Susanoo that shot straight into the sky.
"For any technique to function effectively, its structure must remain intact. Once a powerful external force damages the composition of the technique, the technique will collapse. This is the fundamental principle of ninjutsu.
Therefore—"
Izuna truly lived up to being Madara's blood brother. Both their Susanoos were demonic figures with two faces and four arms. All four arms simultaneously condensed the Yasaka Magatama, and an oppressive surge of qi instantly enveloped the surrounding ten-mile radius.
"Go!"
With a powerful turn, Izuna's Susanoo hurled the Yasaka Magatama one after another.
Under the immense gravitational pull of Planetary Devastation, the two forces collided as expected. A blinding white light flashed, and a powerful shockwave erupted instantly.
The shockwave even affected the barrier over a hundred miles away, demonstrating just how terrifying the collision between these two techniques was.
Those on the side of the Vast Ocean Realm who were observing the battle couldn't help but cheer—their vile enemy had been thwarted.
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the scene unfold. Though he possessed far more chakra than an ordinary shadow-level ninja, using Planetary Devastation had drained sixty percent of his reserves. Yet, he couldn't believe it had been so easily countered by the enemy.
"Has the ninja world truly come to an end?" Jiraiya closed his eyes in anguish, muttering softly.
At this moment, Izuna reverted his Susanoo back to its half-body form.
He had promised to leave Jiraiya for his beloved brother and wouldn't take action himself. However, Izuna also wouldn't let his guard down again and allow Jiraiya to use such a game-changing technique.
But when Izuna heard Jiraiya's words, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Jiraiya, now feeling utterly defeated, glared coldly at Izuna.
"What's so funny?"
A mocking smirk crossed Izuna's face. "What's so funny?
Hahaha—"
The Uchiha's laughter echoed loudly.
Even though Izuna hailed from the Warring States era, Jiraiya still dared to angrily demand an answer.
"How can you laugh, you servant of an evil god! The ninja world has become nothing more than a pasture for that god to raise livestock. How can you laugh in the face of such a tragic future?!"
Upon hearing this, Izuna managed to stifle his laughter, but the disdain in his eyes remained impossible to conceal.
"Isn't that right, Jiraiya? I've read your file. To be honest, your life is pitifully empty. You abandoned your village and comrades based on the prophecy of a bunch of animals.
And even now, you're completely alone. Haven't you realized yet who's truly in the wrong?"
"Shut up! You servant of an evil god! The toads of Mount Myōboku aren't mere animals—they are accomplished sages!" Jiraiya retorted.
True wisdom doesn't bother arguing with fools.
"Oh, sure, sure, whatever you say," Izuna replied dismissively.
But this attitude struck a nerve in Jiraiya's fragile heart. An explosion of chakra surged forth as he charged toward Izuna with renewed ferocity.
At this point, Jiraiya reasoned that since Uchiha Madara and his brother shared a close bond, and directly confronting Madara was impossible, he would target Izuna instead. Though he only had forty percent of his chakra remaining, Jiraiya believed there was still a chance for victory.
"Sage Art: Heavenly Path—Divine Push!"
"Susanoo: Eight-Fold Mirror!"
At their level, every move carried the potential to devastate heaven and earth.
But Izuna remained purely defensive. Even with the augmentation of Sage Mode, Jiraiya's Six Paths powers failed to make significant headway.
Draining the last ounce of chakra from his body, Jiraiya collapsed to one knee, panting heavily.
"You'll regret this, servants of the evil god."
Izuna slowly approached, looking down at Jiraiya with disdain.
"Without understanding the disparity in our power, you recklessly relied on ancient, unstoppable forces. This is brute courage.
Without even knowing the truth of the matter, you blindly trusted the words of a bunch of animals. This is foolish ignorance.
You, who originated from the Leaf Village—a place you claimed to hold dear—now stand alone without a single ally. This is the mark of a solitary fool.
And yet, someone like you—a reckless, ignorant, and isolated fool—is the last ninja of this era.
How ironic. It seems ninjas truly have no reason to exist anymore.
The era of the ninja has ended, remnants of the old age, Jiraiya."
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