NoviceAuthor
patreon
[NTU] [ARC-16] Chapter : 201
🕑 Added 2024-11-08 18:52:30 +0000 UTC"The Uchiha and Senju clans both have long and storied histories. Our Uchiha clan, as a family gifted with doujutsu, naturally possesses records of the Rinnegan, which also belongs to the category of doujutsu."
"It’s not only us, Uchiha," Toshiro continued, as if sensing Orochimaru’s doubt. "I believe that even within the Senju clan, there must be records related to the Sage of Six Paths!"
"In fact, as far as I know, the Senju clan should have some record—or even a legacy—connected to the Sage of Six Paths."
He added thoughtfully, "The First Hokage recognized Madara's technique of controlling the tailed beasts instantly and mentioned the Six Paths, so it’s clear he knew."
'Senju!'
As soon as Toshiro mentioned the Senju, Orochimaru's thoughts went directly to Tsunade. Could her clan truly have such a legacy and knowledge?
“Well, it doesn’t matter now,” he said, brushing the thought aside.
Shifting his gaze to Toshiro, he added, "Your growth has been astounding, Toshiro-kun. I’m curious to see just how far you’ve come."
Orochimaru had been eager to test Toshiro’s strength for some time. Their last encounter had been interrupted by Sarutobi’s schemes, leaving Orochimaru less than prepared. This time, though, he was ready, and recent rumors only heightened his interest: Toshiro had supposedly captured both the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails jinchūriki on Konoha’s northern border and even defeated the formidable A and B duo.
Toshiro could see that Orochimaru was also intrigued by his Mangekyō Sharingan—yet another thing that piqued Orochimaru's obsessive curiosity.
“Uh…” Toshiro hesitated, "I don't think that's necessary!"
Battling a sly and seasoned fighter like Orochimaru didn’t appeal to him. He could already guess that Orochimaru’s methods would be full of tricks and deceit, completely different from the straightforward power of the Raikage.
But Orochimaru wasn’t one to be easily dissuaded. With a deliberate gesture, he pressed his hand against his abdomen, then tilted his head back, his neck stretching unnaturally straight.
Hiss! The sinister sound of a snake’s hiss escaped his throat.
“That’s just… twisted,” Toshiro muttered with unease.
Toshiro watched, cringing, as a thick, venomous snake slowly slithered out of Orochimaru’s open mouth, then uncoiled and spat out the slimy, gleaming Kusanagi sword. Toshiro could only hold his forehead in disbelief.
He couldn’t get past Orochimaru’s... unique taste.
“Well, then, Toshiro-kun,” Orochimaru hissed, his voice smooth and taunting. “Let’s see if you’re worthy of the strength you’ve acquired. Show me what you can do.”
Orochimaru caught the sword gracefully as it fell, twirling it effortlessly before locking his gaze on Toshiro. With each flick of the blade, a powerful wind whipped toward Toshiro, bending the few trees around them nearly to the ground.
Kabuto, who had been quietly observing from a distance, quickly sensed trouble and discreetly moved even farther away.
“Well, if my esteemed senpai insists...” Toshiro muttered, stretching his shoulder as he reached for the kunai he’d last used in his battle against the Raikage.
Whoosh!
The moment he unsheathed the kunai, Toshiro vanished from his original spot in a blur of movement, without even needing to activate his sharingan. Just as he disappeared, a massive snakehead burst from the ground, snapping its jaws around nothing but empty air.
“Your style really is as ruthless as the legends say,” Toshiro remarked, steadying himself and casting a wary glance at Orochimaru.
Without a word, Orochimaru initiated the attack, summoning a giant snake in a way that perfectly suited his reputation.
“Heh,” he chuckled, “just an appetizer!”
He directed the snake to burrow underground, intending for it to launch a surprise attack by swallowing his opponent from below—a technique he had mastered after watching Salamander Hanzo himself use it. Yet, this tactic had little effect on Uchiha Toshiro, who sensed the shift underground a step ahead.
“Then brace yourself!” Orochimaru warned as he flickered into an afterimage, vanishing from sight.
Clang! A sharp, metallic clash echoed as their weapons met.
“Tsk, tsk! So, this is the new bloodline technique of yours, Toshiro-kun? It’s as sharp as the rumors say,” Orochimaru commented, admiration laced with a hint of envy.
Observing the fluid, blue-hued blade in Toshiro’s hand, Orochimaru couldn’t help but marvel aloud.
Toshiro, without even activating his Sharingan, relied solely on his keen perception to anticipate Orochimaru’s movements. With a swift motion, he summoned his chakra blade, raising it effortlessly to deflect Orochimaru's piercing strike.
'To deflect even the edge of the Kusanagi sword... just as sharp as the reports claimed!'
“Your blade is impressive as well, Orochimaru,” he remarked with a hint of amusement. “I happen to be in need of a fine weapon—perhaps you’d be willing to part with yours?” he teased, finding time mid-battle to appreciate the legendary Kusanagi sword.
“You underestimate me, Toshiro,” Orochimaru muttered, visibly irked. “You haven’t even activated your Sharingan.”
Seeing that Toshiro had blocked his attack with his newly developed kekkei genkai alone, Orochimaru’s dissatisfaction simmered. “I was looking forward to witnessing the legendary power of the Mangekyo Sharingan,” he added, his voice laced with anticipation.
Just as his words hung in the air, several thick, black-spotted serpents emerged from the cuffs of Orochimaru’s yellow tunic, their fangs gleaming as they lunged at Toshiro. This was none other than his signature technique, the "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands."
“If you want to see the Mangekyo, you’ll have to earn it, Orochimaru,” Toshiro responded coolly. Before the snakes could even draw near, he unleashed an invisible wind blade from his sword, effortlessly dispelling the attack with a sharp, slicing gust.
The Hidden Shadow Snake Hands technique could handle ordinary shinobi, and at their level, it served more as a distraction than a threat.
“Such confidence!” Orochimaru remarked, observing Toshiro. It reminded him of Pain, who had also humbled him. These younger Shinobi never ceased to amaze.
As Orochimaru had initiated the first strike, Toshiro decided to return the favor. Without hesitation, he channeled more chakra into his wind-based jutsu. He tilted his head, directing the wind blade in a sweeping arc that extended beyond the now-dismembered snakes.
The blade didn’t dissipate; it followed the motion of Toshiro’s blade, widening its range to encompass Orochimaru. Slice! The sharp gust severed Orochimaru cleanly, his body separating as it fell to the ground.
Just as Kaboto, who was observing the fight, began to shout in shock, a massive python lunged directly at Toshiro, intending to engulf him whole.
Summoned by Orochimaru earlier, this python was poised to attack with deadly force. But instead of using Frost Sky to counter it, Toshiro gathered energy into his fist and delivered a powerful punch to intercept it. He wasn’t relying on brute strength by choice—he simply had no time to deal with the summoned snake fully, as Orochimaru’s follow-up attack was already closing in.
"A substitution with mud clone?" he muttered, recognizing Orochimaru's next move.
The Orochimaru that had been split in two by Toshiro's wind blade suddenly dissolved into a flow of brown mud on the ground. After a few moments, it reformed behind Toshiro, revealing Orochimaru’s figure as he thrust a sword toward Toshiro’s back.
In response, Toshiro countered with swift precision. With a powerful left-hand punch, he repelled the massive snake in front of him, utilizing raw strength to send it reeling. Simultaneously, he twisted his right wrist, extending the chakra blade in his hand. The sword stretched and swung backward, intercepting Orochimaru’s surprise attack and sweeping in a wide arc toward him with devastating force.
