Chapter 140: Gamabunta: What the Hell?

"Boom!"

A deafening roar shook the heavens. The Golden Cudgel slammed heavily onto Susanoo, and the blue energy shield instantly shattered like broken glass, splitting apart in all directions. Fragments flew everywhere, turning into specks of blue light that dissipated in midair.

Susanoo's massive frame swayed on the verge of collapse under this terrifying impact, and Madara's figure plummeted from the sky like a kite with its string cut.

"Bang!"

The earth trembled violently, as if a magnitude-nine earthquake had struck. Surrounding trees were uprooted by the powerful shockwave, and rubble flew in all directions like shells. The entire battlefield was shrouded in a piercing white light.

At this moment, Minato's voice suddenly rang out: "Summoning Technique: Toad Crushing Technique!"

Immediately after, a massive, suffocating figure descended from the heavens. It was a toad of astonishingly gigantic proportions; its body blotted out the sky, like a small mountain plummeting toward the pit on the ground.

"Boom!"

Gamabunta's massive body slammed heavily into the newly formed pit, kicking up billowing clouds of dust.

Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi involuntarily retreated several steps to avoid the powerful impact. Only after the dust settled slightly did they see the scene before them clearly.

"This is..." Gamabunta took a puff from his pipe, exhaled a mouthful of smoke, "Minato, why did you summon me to Konoha?"

A trace of apology appeared on Minato's face, but his eyes remained vigilant, fixed on the pit: "Sorry, Gamabunta. The situation is urgent; I need your help."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood to the side, gripping the Golden Cudgel, his expression grave: "Don't let your guard down, Minato. An attack of this degree probably isn't enough to."

His words weren't finished when he suddenly sensed a violent chakra fluctuation rising from underground. Gamabunta also detected the anomaly, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

"Hey, Minato," Gamabunta's tone was tense, "what did you make me smash?"

Just then, a gigantic blue arm suddenly extended from beneath Gamabunta, followed by another arm. Those two arms emitted an eerie blue glow.

Feeling the tremendous force from beneath him, Gamabunta couldn't help but widen his eyes: "What the hell is this?!"

Before he could react, those two giant blue hands had already firmly seized his body. Gamabunta only felt an irresistible force, and his whole body was lifted high.

"Wait! What's going on?!" Gamabunta shouted in panic.

"Get lost!" Madara's voice came from within Susanoo, his voice now filled with rage.

The next second, Susanoo violently flung its arm, throwing Gamabunta out like a stone. The giant toad traced an arc through the air and crashed heavily into a distant mountain peak.

"Rumble!" The entire mountain shook, and rubble flew everywhere.

Gamabunta fell heavily to the ground, his whole body sinking into the pile of rubble. He laboriously raised his head, seeing stars, and groaned weakly: "I can't take it anymore. Minato, next time you call me out, explain the situation clearly first."

His voice not yet fallen, Gamabunta's figure vanished in a puff of white smoke, returning to the Rumbling Realm.

With Gamabunta's departure, the air on the battlefield suddenly grew heavy.

Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi warily watched the dust below, a sense of foreboding rising in their hearts. The air was permeated with a suffocating oppressive feeling, as if something terrifying was about to appear.

Suddenly, a massive blue silhouette emerged from the dust. It was a humanoid muscle giant over ten meters tall, its entire body composed of blue chakra, emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.

Susanoo slowly stood up, every movement causing the air to tremble. Its form had already evolved to the third stage; muscle contours were clearly visible, brimming with a sense of power.

Although it had not yet formed a complete suit of armor, its might was already enough to inspire awe. Madara Uchiha stood in the center of Susanoo, arms crossed, his eyes flashing with the distinctive purple light of the Rinnegan. The corner of his mouth curled into a cold smile: "What? Scared? This is only the beginning."

As soon as his words fell, the massive Susanoo began to move. Its movements appeared slow, yet contained unmatched power. With every step it took, the earth trembled, leaving deep footprints.

Suddenly, Susanoo swung its right arm, and a gigantic blue energy blade formed out of thin air. This greatsword composed of pure chakra emitted a heart-palpitating pressure.

"Clang!"

The energy sword tore through the air, letting out a sharp scream. It swept horizontally toward the direction where Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi were, its speed unbelievable; wherever the blade passed, the air was torn apart, forming a visible vacuum belt.

Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted sharply, and they reacted almost instinctively.

Minato immediately activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, flashing to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and grabbing his shoulder. The next second, both their figures vanished from the spot, barely dodging this fatal strike.

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, a distant mountain peak was split cleanly in two, the cross-section smooth as a mirror. Rubble flew, dust billowed, and the mountain collapsed with a thunderous roar.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped the Golden Cudgel tightly, a flash of determination crossing his eyes. He violently swung the weapon in his hand and shouted low: "Extend!"

The Golden Cudgel instantly extended, like a streak of golden lightning shooting straight toward Madara Uchiha's Susanoo. The air was torn apart, emitting a sharp scream.

"Boom!"

A deafening roar reverberated across the battlefield. The Golden Cudgel slammed heavily into Susanoo's chest, stirring up a violent tremor. Dust flew, rubble scattered.

However, when the smoke and dust cleared, Susanoo's massive blue skeleton still stood unmoving, not even a single crack left behind.

Madara stood in the center of Susanoo and let out a cold laugh: "Just this much force? It doesn't even count as an itch."

Susanoo violently swung its giant arm, swatting at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato. The two instantly separated, barely dodging this fatal blow. The air wave howled past, stirring up clouds of dust.

Hiruzen Sarutobi steadied his stance, retracted the Golden Cudgel, and frowned tightly. Sweat slid down his forehead; clearly that strike just now had already cost him a great deal of stamina.

Just then, Minato suddenly approached him, lowering his voice: "Third Hokage, I have an experimental ninjutsu that might be useful. But it needs a little time to prepare."

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. He nodded slightly, his voice low and firm: "Understood. I'll stall him. How long do you need?"

"10 seconds." Minato answered quickly.

"Good, I'll buy you time." Sarutobi finished speaking, raised the Golden Cudgel again, chakra surging through his whole body: "Transform! Diamond Firm Wall!"

In an instant, the Golden Cudgel erupted with dazzling golden light, as if melting. Immediately after, it split into countless strands of golden light, dancing in the air like living things.

The golden light rapidly wove a net around Susanoo, and in the blink of an eye formed a gigantic cage. The cage emitted powerful chakra fluctuations, completely enveloping Susanoo within.

His voice not yet fallen, Susanoo's arm suddenly swelled, veins bulging, blue chakra burning like raging flames. It violently swung its arm, with tremendous momentum and force.

"Crack!"

With a crisp sound, spider-web-like cracks appeared on the golden cage. Immediately after, the entire cage shattered with a crash, turning into specks of golden light that dissipated in the air.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face changed, cold sweat oozing on his forehead. He involuntarily retreated a step, murmuring: "Is this the power of Susanoo?"

(Chapter End)