A snake—symbol of spiritual energy, with a peculiar form, able to hibernate, molt, and transform, its movements stealthy and swift.
As the inheritor of Ryūchi Cave, this was the first time Gekko Chizan officially invoked the Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave.
The natural energy around him surged into his body, merging with the energy of the three Snake Goddesses.
Sage Mode—fully activated.
Sage Art: Serpent Transformation Waltz—this technique constructs serpent avatars belonging solely to the user through the power of natural energy.
"You must not live!"
"Die!"
Hanzō would never just stand by and let Gekko Chizan complete his jutsu. His understanding was profound—he even knew a fair bit about Sage Arts.
Once, the man who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world, Senju Hashirama, had possessed this same ability.
Techniques that transcended the boundaries of ninjutsu—such power, and such danger. He would never allow himself to be caught in its range.
The scythe in his hand sliced toward Gekko Chizan, while a Water Dragon rose from the ground, a torrent of droplets soaking everything around them.
"Chizan..."
"Don't disturb him. He's already found his path."
Tagitsuhime was about to call out when Tagorihime stopped her.
At that moment, Gekko Chizan slowly closed his eyes.
Facing Hanzō's attack, he did not react at all.
"Clang!"
"Boom!"
The sharp metallic clang startled Hanzō. His powerful strike had been blocked—blocked by nothing but a shadowy mirage.
Even his Water Dragon was halted, its neck seemingly caught between the mirage's jaws, unable to advance an inch.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Manifested Serpent—Titan Python!"
Gekko Chizan opened his eyes once more, this time gleaming with a gray-blue light entirely different from before.
The glowing mirage around him solidified—a massive gray-blue python materialized.
The Water Dragon was still caught in its jaws, and as the python's body became more defined, its immense power crushed the dragon into a shower of glittering water.
Seeing this, Hanzō quickly retreated, his eyes narrowing on Gekko Chizan and the enormous python behind him.
"So this is Chizan's serpent form?"
"Looks fierce... even more brutal than Manda."
Tagitsuhime couldn't help but admire the enormous gray-blue serpent now fully formed—and gave Manda a light stomp for comparison.
Though not as large as the colossal serpents dwelling in Ryūchi Cave, this manifestation formed entirely from natural energy was easily ten meters long, its body radiating pure strength.
"The Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave can only be truly mastered once one achieves serpent transformation. Chizan, you've successfully grasped the true essence of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Arts."
Ichikishimahime didn't rebuke Tagitsuhime this time. She, too, looked at Gekko Chizan with satisfaction.
Titan Python—the largest of serpents, known for its immense physical strength and destructive power, a true apex predator.
"So this is one of the Three Great Sage Lands' arts, huh?"
"Hmph. Ibuse!"
Hanzō let out a cold snort.
From the earth erupted a gigantic salamander, spewing out a cloud of purple-black poison gas.
In an instant, the toxic miasma spread across the entire area. Screams echoed all around—not just from Konoha shinobi, but even from the Iwagakure troops who were caught in the sudden onslaught.
No one could complain—this was war, unpredictable and ruthless. Even if the Iwagakure forces were displeased, they could only flee from the poison's reach to survive.
As the toxic haze spread, the Titan Python behind Gekko Chizan opened its massive jaws and swallowed him whole.
Then the serpent began to move.
Inside its body stood Gekko Chizan, letting the Titan Python rampage freely.
"Old man! Your poison won't work on me!"
"You don't really think snakes fear poison, do you?!"
In Sage Mode, Gekko Chizan's entire being radiated an unrestrained, feral energy. The three Snake Goddesses stood beside him, sensing his madness—but made no move to stop it.
The Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave amplify certain emotions in the user. Normally, Gekko Chizan appeared calm and playful, even frivolous—but that didn't mean he lacked a wild side.
Now, under Sage Mode, that repressed frenzy burst forth.
"Old man! Come out and fight me!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The Titan Python tore through the toxic mist like a bulldozer, though not without direction.
Through his natural energy perception, Gekko Chizan had already locked onto Hanzō and his salamander's position—and was charging straight at them.
"What the hell is that thing?!"
"Everyone, fall back from that area! Let Hanzō handle it! The rest of you—press the attack forward!"
As battlefield commander, Tōshirō immediately noticed the situation in the poisonous zone. That colossal gray-blue serpent was too conspicuous—its movements shattered the trees in its path.
He quickly ordered everyone to withdraw from the area.
With the Tailed Beasts stalled and their hired reinforcements being chased down, Tōshirō's mood was utterly foul.
...
On another part of the battlefield, Tsunade was treating the wounded when a member of the Yamanaka clan gasped aloud.
"This is terrifying... so that's his true power..."
"Orochimaru-sama's disciple... his power is terrifying..."
Tsunade glanced at him briefly. Under her gaze, the Yamanaka shinobi hurriedly described what he'd seen.
A monstrous serpent, formed of overwhelming chakra, was rampaging through the battlefield—driving the so-called demi-god Hanzō before it.
Forced to resort to mass poison attacks that didn't even distinguish friend from foe, Hanzō still couldn't slow Gekko Chizan's pursuit.
The poison gas couldn't hinder him in the slightest. Chizan had already chased him out of the forest's center and deep into the rear lines.
"That kid... is that Sage Mode?"
"Tsunade-sama, his combat strength is incredible—but something seems off about him..."
The Yamanaka shinobi wiped the sweat from his brow—not from heat, but sheer fear.
He had sensed Gekko Chizan's chakra. It was overflowing with rage, coldness, and killing intent.
"The side effects of Sage Mode?"
"Doesn't matter. Let him fight however he wants. As long as he drives Hanzō off the battlefield, it's fine by me!"
"Tell the reinforcements to join the fray. Don't let a single Iwagakure ninja escape this forest—we must drive them all back!"
The forest was vast, its cliffs and terrain treacherous—specifically chosen by Tsunade as the battleground to hinder Iwagakure's advance.
After all, for a village with Tailed Beasts, open-field combat was out of the question.