Orochimaru looked at the two brothers in front of him… his eyes narrowing slightly.Even his cold heart—one forged through countless battles—stood shaken.After all, he knew the second brother. It was common knowledge among all high-ranking Leaf shinobi.
The sunglasses, the white hair—the attire. Yet, in the end, Orochimaru didn't even need those details. The pressure radiating off the man told him everything.
His fingers twitched, and for a fleeting moment, a traitorous thought crossed his mind—Should I… can I leave this battlefield?
But he crushed the whisper instantly. He hadn't completely lost to A, and no matter how powerful the Jinchūriki of the Land of Lightning was, Orochimaru still trusted in his own strength.
His hands clenched. If I had true power… something real, tangible—something that made me immortal, undying—then perhaps I could make a difference here.However, reality had a cruel way of slapping one across the face. Seeing the two brothers united, Orochimaru felt his hair stand on end.
And then—it happened.
It started as a feeling, a wave… not of power, but of something primal.Fear.
Hatred.
Orochimaru's eyes tracked the source of that energy until they landed on B—the newcomer—already cloaked in what appeared to be a sizzling red aura.
It wasn't like chakra. No, chakra was smooth, flowing, gentle when one willed it to be. Chakra felt like a glove molded perfectly for your hand, like water encasing your form.
B's was the opposite. It was red—feral, violent, sizzling with volatility. Orochimaru's keen eyes noticed bubbles forming across the shroud, each popping with faint distortion.
This feels more like acid than chakra, he thought. Yet it didn't faze him. His life was never in danger. Had he wanted to, he could have left the battle at any time.
Still, his tongue involuntarily darted out, licking his lips. His heart picked up pace. A new emotion formed—greed.
If I could study that body… discover how he perfectly controls the Eight-Tails' chakra… I wonder…
And then, he moved.
Without warning—without even the faintest shift of air—Orochimaru's chakra flared to life. His hands blurred, his energy twisting and taking the form of wind—sharp and deadly.
Multiple wind slashes erupted toward the fearsome duo. Yet both responded in kind.
A spoke, his voice brash and confident. "Haven't learned anything, you snake? Such slow jutsu won't work on me."B followed up immediately, his tone rhythmic and cocky. "Bakayaro, konayaro! Was the Sannin always this weak, bro?" A smirk dangled from his lips.
Yet despite their taunts, Orochimaru was already on his next step. The jutsu wasn't meant to hurt them—it was meant to separate them.
Now, both B and A stood apart. And that was enough for the snake.
His hands blurred again—multiple earth bullets shot toward A. I only need to distract you for a moment. Only then can I pick apart this duo.
Orochimaru moved like a shadow, his kunai flashing toward the Jinchūriki's neck.
TING.CLANG.
They clashed in a brief, vicious exchange. Their bodies twisted, dodged, and countered in perfect rhythm. B used only a single sword, his expression almost bored.
Despite Orochimaru's precision, his kunai technique wasn't nearly enough to impress the master swordsman.
Yet Orochimaru's intent was never to win, but to learn. His golden eyes flickered with analytical greed. Such swordsmanship and physicality… judging by the eight scabbards on his back, he must use some hybrid sword style.His gaze shifted toward the violent, corrosive chakra surrounding B. Just being near it made Orochimaru feel its hatred gnaw at his skin.
So… a physical-type shinobi. Judging by their lack of ninjutsu and their monstrous speed, he must be channeling the Eight-Tails' chakra to amplify his strength.
A bead of sweat trickled down Orochimaru's temple. His instincts screamed as he caught a blur to his right—a man shrouded in lightning had already reached his flank.
BOOM.
A's punch landed squarely on Orochimaru—only for the Sannin to burst into a shower of snakes.A's eyes widened. A snake clone?!
In the next instant, the hairs on his neck rose, his muscles locking tight. His instincts howled—danger.
He spun around just in time to see a roaring typhoon racing toward him.
SWISH.
Orochimaru, perched high upon a tree branch, watched calmly as the jutsu completed. His hands dropped to his sides, their purpose fulfilled. He had gathered all the information he needed—speed, power, reaction time—and now unleashed an area-wide strike.
The wind tore apart the ground and air alike. Countless blades of wind ripped through everything in their path, each slash powerful enough to match an A-rank jutsu.
Something that should even wound that lightning brat…
The jutsu struck with a deafening impact. The sound of shredding and rending earth echoed across the field. Soon, red mist filled the air as the typhoon's hue darkened.
Soft waves of wind brushed against Orochimaru's face. His expression stayed neutral—anticipating.
But when the dust cleared, what emerged wasn't a pair of broken bodies. It was a tail—maroon in color, covered in small bubble-like pores.
Orochimaru's eyes immediately caught the razor-thin cuts across it. That tentacle had shielded the brothers completely, rendering his assault useless.
The tail retracted with a violent shake, revealing both brothers—furious, their eyes locked on the true Orochimaru.
A's heart thundered. The man had been deceiving them from the start. His usual brute tactics barely fazed this opponent. And now, because of his failure, Kumo's greatest secret was exposed.
That they had a perfect Jinchūriki.
A clenched his jaw. While it may have only been rumors before… now everyone will know. His gaze sharpened, dangerous. Unless… we silence everyone on this battlefield.
He turned toward his brother. "Since it's come to this, B… show him the might of our village."
B's heart trembled—not from fear, but from excitement. I've been waiting for this moment for so long.A whisper stirred deep within him. Yo, Gyūki—you ready for this?
From within, a deep rumble answered. Yeah. I'd rather see this man die.