Boom!!!
A deafening explosion echoed across the battlefield, followed by a massive cloud of smoke. As the haze began to dissipate, an enormous shadow emerged, towering over the chaos.
Both Sunagakure and Konohagakure shinobi froze in shock, many of them seeing such a sight for the first time in their lives. Summoning beasts were the stuff of myths for most.
When the smoke finally cleared, what stood before them was an enormous red toad, its body as tall as a small mountain. The sheer size of the creature sent waves of disbelief rippling through the crowd.
"What... what kind of monster is this?!"
"Such a huge toad!"
"Is this also a summoning beast?"
"..."
Amidst the stunned shinobi, a few individuals remained calm. Figures like Rasa, Michikawa, and Pakura watched without a trace of surprise. Unlike most of their comrades, they had a deeper understanding of Konohagakure's secrets.
"This is Jiraiya's summoning beast, one of the Three Legendary Sannin!"
Standing atop the giant toad's head, Minato looked slightly apologetic as he spoke.
"Sorry for summoning you here, Lord Bunta."
Gamabunta, the toad in question, surveyed the battlefield with his immense, sharp eyes. A puff of smoke escaped from the pipe clenched in his mouth as he grumbled. His gaze swept across the crowd of shinobi, clearly recognizing the forehead protectors from Sunagakure.
"These forehead protectors are from Sunagakure... Minato, another war?"
Minato scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ah, my apologies, but I had no other choice, Lord Bunta. Konoha's situation isn't great, and the enemy's shinobi are incredibly tough to deal with. I need your help to get close to him."
Gamabunta's huge eyes turned, locking onto Rasa, who stood calmly in the distance, emitting a mysterious aura.
"That man?"
Minato grew even more uneasy as he replied.
"He's the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure."
"What the…?!"
Gamabunta froze for a moment, then grumbled with a sour expression.
"Minato, you sure know how to pick an opponent for me."
"Lord Bunta, all I need is your help getting close to him."
"I see. Understood."
While summoning beasts from the great sacred places typically avoided human conflicts, alliances and dire circumstances sometimes forced them into action. This was one of those times.
As the colossal toad made his presence known, Michikawa and Pakura quickly moved to Rasa's side, their expressions serious.
"Need any help?"
Rasa shook his head calmly.
"Stick to the original plan. Proceed to the next phase."
This response left both of them slightly surprised, but they nodded in agreement.
Rasa then raised his head to glare coldly at the enormous toad, its shadow blocking out the sun.
"A summoning beast to envy, indeed. In that case, I won't hold back either!"
Minato blinked in surprise, then watched as Rasa formed hand seals.
"Let's see how my Shukaku fares against your toad!"
"Magnet Release: Avatar of Shukaku!"
The ground beneath them trembled violently, a deep rumbling reverberating through the air. The sand covering the battlefield surged toward Rasa, coalescing into an immense form. Slowly but surely, the sand took on a monstrous shape, nearly matching Gamabunta in size.
Gamabunta's eyes widened momentarily at the sight of the creature, then he let out a sigh of relief.
"That's... at least it's not a real Tailed Beast!"
"What? Really?"
Minato's reaction to the mention of "Tailed Beast" was far more intense.
Gamabunta explained while pulling a short blade from his waist.
"Don't worry. It's just an imitation of Shukaku, not a real Tailed Beast. But it doesn't look easy to deal with. Get ready—I'm going in..."
Gamabunta sprang high into the air, his enormous frame causing shockwaves across the battlefield. Gripping his blade tightly, he dove directly toward Rasa's Shukaku construct.
Meanwhile, following Rasa's orders, Michikawa and Pakura gave a sharp signal. At once, the shinobi of Sunagakure surged forward, colliding with Konohagakure's forces. The war between the two villages had officially erupted in full force.
---
Amid the vast desert:
Gamabunta's massive shadow descended from the sky, his blade slashing straight at Rasa, who stood atop the Shukaku construct.
Clang!
The sharp ring of metal striking an unyielding surface reverberated through the air. The Shukaku construct raised one massive arm, effortlessly intercepting the attack.
"Impossible!"
Suspended in mid-air, Gamabunta's expression darkened as he felt the extraordinary strength and near-impenetrable hardness of the construct's sand-like surface.
"That's enough, Lord Bunta!" Minato called out urgently. The gap between himself and Rasa was now close enough to act.
Just as Minato prepared to utilize his Flying Thunder God kunai, Gamabunta abruptly pivoted in mid-air, retreating to safety. A gigantic tail swept through the space where he had been, slamming into the ground with a deafening crash.
Had the toad lingered for even a second longer, that single strike could have inflicted severe damage.
"Are you okay, Lord Bunta?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine. But this thing's hide is seriously tough—it made my hand ache!"
At that moment, Minato noticed something glowing beneath the Shukaku construct's torn surface.
"It's gold dust. The Fourth Kazekage has infused his gold dust into this creature."
"I see. No wonder it feels like a metal fortress. Minato, brute force won't work—we need to find an opening and use ninjutsu!"
"Understood!"
"Here we go!"
Gamabunta's enormous body lunged at the Shukaku construct again.
This time, he was more cautious. As the construct's tail swung toward him, he spun in the air, deftly dodging while simultaneously forming hand seals.
"If it's sand, it must be weak to water!"
"Water Release: Liquid Bullet!"
A massive water bubble shot toward the Shukaku construct.
"As expected of a summoning beast from Mount Myoboku! Such chakra reserves!"
The Water Release technique was nearly at an S-rank level.
However, Rasa remained unshaken, merely controlling the Shukaku construct to raise an arm. A golden shield formed from condensed gold dust emerged like an umbrella, blocking the liquid bullet.
The defense of the gold dust was indeed formidable!
The water bubble exploded violently, transforming into a torrential rain that drenched the battlefield.
Minato suddenly noticed something and said, "Lord Bunta, we need to move the battlefield. There are too many shinobi from our village here!"
"I understand!"
Seeing his attack ineffective, Gamabunta quickly retreated.
Rasa, also concerned about collateral damage to his own forces, controlled the Shukaku construct to give chase, maintaining the battle away from their respective shinobi.
With the two giant entities gone, the shinobi of Sunagakure and Konohagakure could finally engage in combat without holding back.
Before long, the two combatants had moved to a deserted area.
As Gamabunta continued advancing, Rasa's patience wore thin.
"Hey, Konohagakure shinobi, how far are you planning to run? Isn't this far enough?"
Gamabunta finally halted, turning to face Rasa. Minato, standing on Gamabunta's head, wore a serious expression.
"Boss Toad, we need to finish this quickly. Our village's shinobi can't hold out much longer!"
"I get it. We'll split up and attack! Controlling that construct has to divide his attention!"
"Got it!"