Late at night.
Just like countless times before, a Tailed Beast Ball streaked through the sky from the far distance.
Already standing ready, Orochimaru slammed both palms to the ground.
"Summoning Technique: Triple Rashōmon!"
Three enormous, grim-faced gates burst from the earth, shielding the Konoha shinobi behind them.
Boom!
The Tailed Beast Ball slammed into the gates at incredible speed. The first two Rashōmon were pierced clean through, while the third trembled violently under the impact.
But the force of the Rashōmon's defense diverted the Tailed Beast Ball's trajectory, sending it hurtling off in another direction.
"Everyone…"
Standing atop the Rashōmon, Orochimaru's robe fluttered in the cold wind.
As he looked toward the approaching Hidden Cloud ninja, he swung his arm forward. "Attack!"
At his command, the Konoha shinobi roared in unison and charged, faces twisted with fury.
The two sides clashed head-on.
Countless kunai laced with explosive tags detonated across the battlefield, flesh and blood scattering.
Then, a streak of blue lightning flashed through the darkness, striking down every enemy in its path.
Suddenly, a cold gleam of steel intercepted that lightning-fast figure.
Sakumo Hatake gripped his short blade, his gaze frigid. "Your opponent is me."
When A saw the famed White Fang of Konoha standing before him, he didn't shrink back—he burst out laughing with excitement.
"Konoha's White Fang! I've wanted to fight you for a long time…"
"Don't disappoint me like the others."
In an instant, Sakumo and A clashed.
White light and blue lightning intertwined, moving too fast for the eye to follow.
Elsewhere—
Killer B tore through the crowd, his seven blades dancing in his body.
Though surrounded by Konoha shinobi, the red, transparent chakra cloak around him deflected nearly every attack.
Soon, the crowd parted, revealing a white-haired man with a forehead protector bearing the kanji for "oil."
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizō!"
As Jiraiya formed hand seals, his long white hair transformed into countless piercing senbon that shot toward Killer B.
B stood his ground, an enormous octopus tail rising to block every strike.
"So this is the power of the Eight-Tails…"
Jiraiya's expression grew grave.
Even with his confidence, facing a jinchuriki who could freely wield his Tailed Beast's power was no small matter.
"Toad Oil Bullet!"
A torrent of oil engulfed Killer B. Jiraiya immediately followed up: "Fire Style: Flame Dragon Bullet!"
Massive flames surged from three directions, consuming Killer B.
A second later, firelight erupted into the sky.
Amid the scorching heat, Killer B threw back his arms and howled.
Then, the colossal form of the Eight-Tails appeared, swatting down toward Jiraiya with a massive tentacle.
"Summoning Technique!"
Jiraiya leapt back, dodging the blow, and slammed his palm to the ground after biting his thumb.
A moment later, Gamabunta appeared—his immense size rivaling that of the Eight-Tails.
With a pipe between his lips, he drew the giant blade from his waist. "Jiraiya, this one's no pushover."
Jiraiya landed on Gamabunta's head. "That's why I need your help."
"Let's go!"
"Right!"
The Eight-Tails and Gamabunta clashed, their battle so fierce that no one dared approach within a kilometer.
On the eastern front—
Fugaku Uchiha slit the throat of a Konoha shinobi trapped in his genjutsu world, then swiftly turned. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball devoured dozens of venomous snakes, the air filling with the acrid scent of scorched flesh.
"Orochimaru?"
Seeing the pale, serpentine man emerge, Fugaku's expression hardened.
"Fugaku, your growth is impressive. But the wind you've stirred ends here."
"Before that, though, I truly want to know—how did your Uchiha clan flee Konoha and reach the Land of Rice Fields overnight?"
Ignoring Orochimaru's curiosity, Fugaku's Sharingan spun wildly.
Orochimaru merely smiled, unbothered, and spat a long sword from his mouth.
Clang!
Steel clashed as the two engaged in a deadly duel, every strike aimed for the kill.
Before long, Orochimaru pulled back.
He swallowed the sword once more, his eyes gleaming with feverish admiration. "As expected of the Sharingan. That perfect perception truly complements swordsmanship…"
Despite the praise, Fugaku remained grim.
Even with his three-tomoe Sharingan, he hadn't gained the upper hand.
The strength of one of the Legendary Sannin was indeed terrifying.
Tonight would be troublesome…
Before Fugaku could decide his next move, Orochimaru struck again.
"Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Orochimaru dropped to the ground, opening his mouth to an inhuman extent.
Countless snakes poured from it, piling up into a writhing hill that swallowed Fugaku whole.
Just as Orochimaru thought victory was his, a figure emerged from the mass of serpents—carrying Fugaku on his shoulder.
Seeing those extraordinary eyes, excitement flickered in Orochimaru's gaze. "Uchiha Yuzuru."
"Orochimaru, you chose Fugaku as your opponent just to draw me out, didn't you?"
"Well… here I am."
Yuzuru's Dōjutsu Power surged as he cast Fugaku into the Kamui space.
At the sight, Orochimaru's tongue slithered out to lick his face in a twisted motion before speaking again. "So, you saw through my intent—and still came. You must have great confidence in yourself, Yuzuru-kun."
Standing tall, Yuzuru spoke as if stating an undeniable fact. "The me now is the strongest person in this world."
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru's grin faded, replaced by a killing intent as deep as an abyss. "Then are you ready to face the terror that lies within it?"
"Orochimaru, spare me your tedious tricks."
Yuzuru's voice remained calm, utterly unaffected.
Though Orochimaru's killing intent was suffocating—enough to make even an elite jōnin like Kakashi Hatake in the original timeline break into a sweat and lose the will to attack—
It had no effect on Yuzuru.
With his Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, his mental strength had already far surpassed that of ordinary men.
If Orochimaru thought he could break Yuzuru's composure through killing intent alone—he was gravely mistaken.
T/n:
If you like the novel so far, please leave me a 5-star review
I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a Review—Power Stones
patreon.com/Hard_Worker +50 chapters