Chapter 22: The Serpent's Evaluation
Blasted away by Orochimaru's critique of his poor improvisation and missed opportunities, Kagenori activated his Sharingan to better track the Sannin's movements.
Orochimaru charged directly at him, kunai in hand.
"Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Thunder Swarm!"
Kagenori initiated the attack, circling Orochimaru at high velocity while leaving trailing arcs of blue lightning. But he soon noticed something wrong—when Orochimaru's body contacted the electrical waves, it gradually turned earthen before dissolving into mud.
Earth Clone?!
When had he formed the seals? Kagenori had been watching him intently.
Suddenly realizing—Orochimaru's hands had moved during his commentary when Kagenori's attention wavered.
Abruptly, hands seized his ankles. Looking down, horror gripped him—Orochimaru had emerged from underground, attempting to drag him down.
Reacting instantly, "Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit!" Five lightning-shaped strikes carved gaps in the earth, but Orochimaru vanished underground again.
Escaping, Kagenori stood ready, awaiting combat. Not knowing Orochimaru's location made active searching risky—better to defend and counter.
Though Orochimaru held back significantly, the pressure remained immense, keeping Kagenori intensely focused. Victory was impossible; his goal was identifying weaknesses and gaining experience.
Orochimaru's voice echoed from all directions, disorienting him. "Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Countless snakes materialized, surrounding and advancing toward him.
Gripping his sword tighter, "Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Thunder Swarm!" Again he moved at blinding speeds, electrical waves electrocuting snakes while his Sharingan scanned for Orochimaru.
Finally, he spotted him—arms crossed, observing calmly beyond the right snake group.
Braking abruptly, Kagenori exhaled deeply, channeling maximum chakra. The blade's blue lightning intensified, crackling loudly. "Thunder Breathing, Fifth Form: Heat Lightning!"
A searing lightning slash erupted toward Orochimaru.
Seeing it, Orochimaru's eyes sharpened—he instantly Body Flickered away.
The Heat Lightning struck a giant tree, severing it instantly. High temperatures ignited raging flames while residual electricity cratered the ground.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly at the technique's power—surpassing all Kagenori's previous moves combined, with remarkable speed. But... the chakra cost appeared substantial.
Kagenori stood panting, hand on thigh. Though his reserves had grown significantly—the system now rated him at three-fifths of Kakashi's Sharingan-state level—Heat Lightning's consumption remained overwhelming. Normally, he could manage only three or four uses.
Moreover, Heat Lightning's power scaled with chakra output. Seeing Orochimaru exposed beyond the snakes, he'd channeled extra chakra, enhancing both speed and potency.
He'd identified an opportunity but lacked strength to capitalize—Orochimaru had escaped with Body Flicker.
Approaching, Orochimaru asked, "Is this your limit?"
Kagenori couldn't read his expression—was this qualification or failure?
Drawing deep breaths, he straightened. "I have chakra left—enough for one final technique."
"Really? I'll wait."
Orochimaru stood motionless, awaiting the attack.
Sheathing his sword, Kagenori crouched low.
Recognizing the stance, Orochimaru remarked, "Thunder Breathing's first form? You know its flaw makes it useless against me."
Lightning enveloping his limbs, Kagenori replied, "This is different."
"Oh? Show me."
Orochimaru had studied the Thunder Breathing scroll Kagenori contributed—an excellent system. Among the seven forms, only the first utilized this stance.
Yet Konoha's lightning-ninja practitioners—all chūnin or higher—couldn't match Kagenori's speed or presence, despite their superior power.
Sarutobi had initially judged the first five forms B-rank, but facing Kagenori, Orochimaru recognized they reached A-rank in his hands—especially Heat Lightning. Either Kagenori was a lightning-prodigy, uniquely compatible with these techniques, or his contribution was incomplete.
Now Orochimaru watched intently—the stance mirrored Thunderclap and Flash, yet Kagenori claimed otherwise.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash—"
Kagenori erupted forward. Orochimaru frowned—still the same technique?
As he prepared to Body Flicker away, Kagenori's Sharingan locked onto him.
"Sixfold!"
Planting feet against a tree trunk, Kagenori altered his trajectory mid-charge, slashing at Orochimaru again.