+1000 Shock Points!+5000 Shock Points!+700 Shock Points!+1057 Shock Points!
In the illusory void of the ink painting world, the system's notification tones were endless in Su Mu's ears.
All around him, guests were frozen with fear. Their minds were already numb—there was no word to describe what they felt.
Jiraiya staggered forward, helping Tsunade to her feet.
"Hang in there…"
But even in such a situation, he couldn't help muttering,
"That Gonggong's physique is kinda interesting, though…"
The two turned, startled by a familiar voice.
Orochimaru had stepped forward, pulling off his black cloak, licking his lips as he stared up at Gonggong's body with greedy eyes.
"Orochimaru?! You're here too?!"
Tsunade was shocked. Jiraiya grabbed her and backed away instinctively.
"Keep your distance! He's the one who killed the Third!"
Orochimaru gave a sly, mocking smile.
"Must we really meet with such hostility, Jiraiya?"
Suddenly, Uchiha Itachi stepped forward.
"If this were genjutsu, I should've sensed it.""But even my Mangekyō Sharingan can't see through this world."
Two streaks of blood ran down his cheeks as his eyes burned.
A black flame suddenly ignited on Gonggong's chest.
"Amaterasu."
"Black flames—it's Amaterasu!"
Kisame's grin returned. He thought it was over.
But then—
**Gonggong simply raised a hand—**and with a casual slap, the divine flames were extinguished.
"What?!"
For the first time, Itachi felt true fear.
Amaterasu, the flame that devours everything, snuffed out by a wave of the hand?
"He has a physical body—but can't be harmed. Then this… this isn't genjutsu…"
The words had barely left his mouth when Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the others tried one countermeasure after another.
Dispel illusions. Chakra disruption. Reversal seals.
Nothing worked.
Their surroundings didn't shift by even an inch.
This really is… the ancient, desolate world Su Mu spoke of.
A cold wave of realization swept through their hearts.
Kisame felt a deep and bitter regret.
Even dying in a regular shinobi battle would've been better than… this.
The apocalyptic scene around him, and the godlike being standing before him, had already crushed his spirit.
"Kabuto!"
Orochimaru suddenly reached down and yanked the unconscious Kabuto to his feet.
"Let's see if I can test the limits of this body…"
With Kabuto's help, a puff of smoke rose from the ruined battlefield—
Orochimaru's summoning: Manda, the giant snake.
"Orochimaru… why did you summon me—"
Manda looked around—and froze.
The moment it laid eyes on Gonggong, its enormous body trembled.
"Wh-What is this place?! How can anyone radiate such pressure?!"
Nearby, Jiraiya and Tsunade moved into action. They bit their thumbs and slammed their palms onto the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu-Summoning Technique!"
Twin pillars of white smoke exploded—
Gamabunta and Katsuyu appeared on the battlefield.
"The Three Legendary Sannin… they've all summoned their beasts!"
"They're really fighting together again?!"
Tales of the Three Sannin were famous throughout the ninja world. The onlookers immediately recognized what was happening.
"Never thought we'd reunite like this,"Orochimaru sneered."To fight side by side again…"
"Don't think this means I've forgiven you,"Jiraiya growled."After this, we settle the Third's death—but for now, let's stop that thing!"
Back on the ground, Su Mu chuckled softly.
"Are they insane?"
Behind Gonggong, a flock of divine birds soared into the sky, crashing waves roared beneath him, and a red sun cast gold across his broad, muscular frame.
He stood like a god descending upon mortals—his divine energy swelling.
Tsunade's face turned pale.
"What kind of monster is this…?"
She immediately activated her Strength of a Hundred Seal, the mark on her forehead glowing.
Jiraiya was stunned.
"Even you can't take a direct hit from him?"
Tsunade nodded solemnly.
"His strength… can destroy the heavens."
"Manda—go!"
Orochimaru gave the order, and the great snake lunged forward.
Jiraiya and Tsunade followed suit with their summons.
The Three Sannin and their beasts charged in full force at Gonggong.
Just then—
The Water God Gonggong raised his head.
His body radiated divine brilliance.
In the next instant—
He raised his right arm.
A thunderclap split the sky.
From the heavens descended a colossal hand, tearing through the clouds and crashing down toward Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
BOOM!
A deafening rumble echoed from above.
Everyone instinctively flinched—then blinked.
They were back.
Still seated in the tavern.
The servers were still pouring tea. The room was quiet.
There was no Gonggong. No apocalypse. No ruined battlefield.
They… had never left their seats.
Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru all gasped at once.
"What… what just happened…?"
"Was it… a dream?"
Everyone looked at each other in stunned silence.
Itachi and Kisame were still standing by the door—exactly where they had been.
But now, Kisame looked at Su Mu with absolute reverence in his eyes.
"That was genjutsu?"Tsunade hesitated, voice uncertain.
"No,"Jiraiya muttered, running a hand through his hair."It didn't feel like genjutsu. It felt real."
BOOM!
A loud crash echoed from outside.
Everyone rushed to the door.
Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru stepped into the open—
And their expressions completely collapsed.
There, on a patch of land near Duanshan Street—
Gamabunta, Katsuyu, and Manda stood in a daze.
"Jiraiya! What the hell?! Just now—weren't we fighting that shirtless god guy?!"
One sentence from Gamabunta was all it took.
Jiraiya knew it then.
"It wasn't an illusion…"
"It was real. Too real…"
"That Su guy… he's not human…"
Back inside the tavern—
Su Mu raised his teacup and finished the last sip.
"Everyone, that concludes today's story."
"If you haven't had enough, come back in two days."
"See you then."
He snapped his fan shut and turned to leave.
Behind him, the crowd sat frozen in silence.
Only a tea cup, an incense burner, and a still-smoldering ink painting remained on the table.
After a long pause—
thunderous applause erupted in the tavern.
"What a story! Truly a masterpiece!"