'There's actually such an ability? What a terrifying opponent.' Nagato took a deep breath and formed hand seals again, "Summoning Amplification: Frenzied Beast Awakening!"
The eyes of all the summoned creatures simultaneously glowed with a crimson light, finally breaking free from the influence of the demonic phantom.
The Ox roared and charged once more. Setsuna didn't dodge or evade. As the Ox charged before him, he lightly tapped: "Knocking: Nerve Severance."
Boom!
The Ox's massive body collapsed heavily. No matter how frenzied it was, it couldn't stand up.
At that moment, the Rhinoceros had already appeared behind Setsuna, blocking the sunlight, lifting its leg to stomp down.
Setsuna didn't even turn his head, calmly raising his right hand to lift the Rhinoceros's heavily descending front leg, then forcefully flipped it, sending the Rhinoceros flying into the sky like a spinning windmill.
The Giant Crab seized the opportunity to clamp onto Setsuna. But before it could feel joy, it saw Setsuna use both hands to pry open its massive pincer, then casually tossed it, hitting the falling Rhinoceros square on.
In just a few seconds, only the Hellhound and the Chameleon remained from the summons Nagato had called forth.
"Although I guessed it was unlikely to defeat you with these summons, what I didn't expect was..." Nagato let out a long sigh, "...that these summons wouldn't even be able to hinder you."
"These summons aren't even worthy of being a side dish with drinks," Setsuna said, "Stop dawdling. That three-headed dog should be your trump card, right?"
"As you wish. Amplification Summoning Technique!" While forming hand seals, Nagato also had the Chameleon swallow him into its stomach, then disappeared along with the Chameleon.
The moment the Chameleon turned invisible, the Hellhound pounced madly. Setsuna shattered their heads with three consecutive punches, but the shattered flesh rapidly proliferated.
One became two, two became four... In the blink of an eye, the entire arena was surrounded by dozens of Hellhounds.
Witnessing this scene, the audience in the stands was utterly shocked.
"Are you kidding? Can this summon split infinitely?"
"Thinking logically, the only option is to defeat the summoner, but that guy called Pain disappeared along with the chameleon."
"This ability is just too cheap."
Putting themselves in Setsuna's shoes, they felt the situation was utterly hopeless.
However, Setsuna was seriously contemplating: "Can this thing really split infinitely? If that's truly the case, then that's actually a good thing."
Infinite splitting means infinite food. Wouldn't that solve the Titan's food supply?
"Let me test your limits. Crane Hermit School: One Thousand Strikes in an Instant!"
Setsuna's fists began vibrating at super high speed, tearing through the air and emitting a piercing shriek.
The Hellhound kept splitting, but its splitting speed couldn't even keep up with Setsuna's punching speed.
Almost every moment, Hellhounds were turning into smoke and dissipating.
In just five seconds, the Hellhound lay exhausted on the ground, foaming at the mouth. It had been completely drained.
Nagato, still invisible, stared blankly at this scene. He had imagined many ways the Hellhound could be defeated, but he never expected Setsuna would directly punch through the Hellhound's splitting upper limit. This was just too exaggerated.
"Not only is it not infinite, but it doesn't even have a real body?" Setsuna sighed, rather regretful.
'There's still a chance. He's not a sensory Ninja, he probably can't detect me.' Nagato was still considering his next move.
"Hiding is useless." Setsuna raised his right hand high, forming a fist like a hammer, and struck the earth heavily.
"Vast Knocking!"
He released a shockwave centered on himself, covering the entire arena.
Boom!
The ground cracked, the air trembled, and the entire arena began to shake violently.
Amidst the screams of the live audience, the arena's ground completely shattered into ruins.
With another loud crash, the Chameleon revealed its form, falling to the ground with its legs in the air.
"Sigh." On the main platform, Onoki sighed, 'That boy called Pain was already very strong, but unfortunately, the boy called Chiaki Setsuna was even more of a monster.'
'To shake the entire arena with pure physical strength alone... in the Ninja World, perhaps only that brute, the Third Raikage, could accomplish such a feat.'
"What a pity, it was just a little bit short. If not for the venue restrictions, Setsuna might not have necessarily won." The Third Hokage smiled cheerfully, gesturing with his hands, his face showing no trace of regret.
"Hmph, he who laughs first doesn't always laugh last." Onoki didn't want to see the Third Hokage's detestable face. He left his seat with a dark expression.
…
That night, Rasa and Chiyo appeared in Onoki's room.
"Tsuchikage-dono, have you decided to accept our proposal from last time?" Rasa asked.
"The Konoha's conspiracy to harm the Kazekage-sama... such an act is truly despicable. I absolutely cannot condone it." Onoki declared righteously.
"Excellent. With Tsuchikage-dono upholding justice, we feel much more confident." Rasa flattered, "However, regarding the timing of the action, we would like to move it up slightly."
"To when do you want to move it?" Onoki asked.
"For example, to around the halfway point of the match between Chiaki Setsuna and Hiruko," Rasa said, "This way, the Third Hokage will be preoccupied, and when we question him, he might slip up in his words."
"Is that so? I feel like you want to affect that little Ninja called Chiaki Setsuna, so your man can secure victory?" Onoki smiled mockingly, 'With the Third Hokage's temperament, how could he be affected by something like this?'
"That's not important." Chiyo's face was cold, filled with indignation.
If it weren't for Sasori being unable to go all out, they wouldn't need to go to such lengths.
"By the way, didn't you also want the Daimyo of the Land of Wind to concede on the issue of reducing military spending?" Onoki asked further.
"That is no longer something for Tsuchikage-dono to worry about." Rasa's expression was quite vivid. That problem no longer needed worrying about, all thanks to Sasori.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind wanted Sasori, so he decisively sold Sasori out. At most, they could have Sasori fake his death and escape later.
Onoki didn't press the issue, merely saying with a chuckle: "Anyway, this time I'll just follow behind you Sunagakure folks, cheering you on. You tell me what to do, and I'll do it."
'Old fox.' Rasa cursed inwardly. He knew perfectly well that Onoki was trying to shirk responsibility. If the Third Hokage died here, Sunagakure would bear the brunt of the blame.
"Since Tsuchikage-dono says so, then we won't stand on ceremony when giving orders." Chiyo said coldly. "We trouble Tsuchikage-dono to use your Dust Release to ambush Chiaki Setsuna."
"Eh? Me? Ambush him?" Onoki was very resistant.
"You've seen his potential. If we don't eliminate him early, once he grows up, he'll most likely become another Third Raikage. For a physical powerhouse like him, poison and Genjutsu might indeed have some effect, but it's not guaranteed. Only your Dust Release, Tsuchikage-dono, can ensure his instant death." Chiyo analyzed.
Onoki frowned deeply. Although he didn't care about methods, for someone of his status as Tsuchikage to ambush a Genin was, no matter how you looked at it, too disgraceful.
Onoki shook his head: "There's no need to target him too much. Given the Konoha's habits, they will eventually drive their own geniuses into a corner. Like that Konoha's White Fang, for example."
Hearing the Tsuchikage mention the name Konoha's White Fang, Chiyo's face turned much uglier. She said very displeased: "I admit that bastard was very strong, but for him to choose suicide because of some rumors... such a weak-willed nature meant he simply couldn't shoulder the burden of Hokage. I actually wish he had become Hokage, so I could have personally watched him lead Konoha to decline."
'What a petty woman.' Onoki knew about Chiyo's grudge with the White Fang. He just chuckled and then continued: "Fortresses are often breached from within. We just need to kill the Third Hokage. Leave the rest to Danzo. I believe with that Darkness of the Ninja World's ability, he can definitely lead the Konoha to true ruin."