Chapter 306: Orochimaru and Sasuke
On the dark street, a flash of blue light.
Kabuto formed his fingers into a blade, concentrating a large amount of chakra in his hand, and struck directly at Sasuke's chest.
A-rank Medical Ninjutsu—Chakra Scalpel.
Although a medical technique, it could also be used as a sharp offensive tool, capable of severing muscles and tendons more effectively than a real scalpel.
Swish.
At such close range, Sasuke couldn't dodge Kabuto's sudden attack, and his muscles were easily sliced by Kabuto's hand.
Thud, thud, thud.
Sasuke staggered back a few steps, clutching his chest, feeling intense pain.
Kabuto smiled as he looked at Sasuke and said:
"Are you finding it hard to breathe, feeling weak, and unable to gather chakra? That's because I've cut your intercostal muscles.
Don't worry, I was precise. It's only temporary; you won't be permanently harmed.
After all, your body must remain intact for Lord Orochimaru."
With those words, a hint of jealousy appeared in Kabuto's eyes.
To him, offering his body to Orochimaru was a great honour, but he lacked the necessary potential.
"Heh."
Sasuke suddenly laughed and then mocked himself, "I never thought someone like you could get the better of me. I've really been underestimated."
As soon as he finished speaking, his crimson Mangekyo Sharingan appeared in his eyes.
The next moment.
Sizzle.
A vast amount of chakra surged from Sasuke's body, quickly forming a semi-transparent purple hand that grabbed Kabuto like a chicken.
Under Sasuke's control, the purple hand tightened, causing Kabuto's bones to creak, and he couldn't help but scream.
"You mentioned Orochimaru… is that snake still alive and daring enough to come to Konoha?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, questioning Kabuto.
In his memory, Orochimaru was a pathetic figure.
When Sasuke was a child, Orochimaru, as a member of the Akatsuki, infiltrated Konoha but was defeated by Shisui's genjutsu and fled in panic;
Later, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Orochimaru's Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields was wiped out by the Uchiha Clan, forcing him to flee again.
Orochimaru's life had been one of humiliation at the hands of the Uchiha.
So, in Sasuke's eyes, Orochimaru was contemptible despite his fame as one of the legendary Sannin.
Thinking this, he continued to question Kabuto:
"You, I remember you entered the Ninja Academy long ago. When did you become a traitor? Or were you Orochimaru's spy in Konoha from the beginning?"
Kabuto didn't answer Sasuke's question, instead giving a bitter smile and sighing:
"As expected of the Mangekyo Sharingan, truly formidable. I've failed… cough, cough…"
He coughed up blood, his face turning even paler.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and then he shook his head, "Forget it, I don't have time to interrogate someone like you. I'll hand you over to the Anbu; Konoha's intelligence department will take good care of you."
As he spoke.
A strong, fishy wind suddenly came from behind Sasuke. A giant snake shot out from the darkness, opening its mouth wide to swallow him.
Hmm?
Without turning his head, Sasuke's body erupted with tangible chakra, forming a half-body Susanoo around him, which repelled the giant snake.
Then, Sasuke slowly turned around, his gaze like two sharp swords piercing into the darkness.
Clomp, clomp, clomp.
With the sound of footsteps, Orochimaru, with his long black hair and sinister presence, emerged from the shadows.
"Those eyes are beautiful… and this youthful body, full of vitality, truly the perfect vessel."
Orochimaru stared at Sasuke, his greedy eyes unmasked.
Sasuke frowned and, without a word, met Orochimaru's gaze directly.
Genjutsu activated.
Orochimaru's body trembled, and he stood frozen like a statue.
"Foolish creature, with only this level of power, you dare to set your sights on me."
Sasuke sneered.
He knew Orochimaru's weakness—due to a certain reincarnation jutsu, Orochimaru's soul was weakened, making him highly susceptible to genjutsu.
The Sharingan was Orochimaru's nemesis.
Just the thought of this repulsive guy trying to take over his body made Sasuke shiver with disgust. Immediately, he controlled Susanoo to shoot a chakra arrow, aiming to deal with Orochimaru right then and there.
Whoosh.
The powerful arrow pierced through the air, striking Orochimaru's body on the spot. But in the next second, Orochimaru's body melted away, leaving only a puddle of mud on the ground.
Earth Substitution Jutsu.
Orochimaru had long experienced the prowess of the Sharingan, so he was naturally prepared.
At this moment, he used a substitute to draw Sasuke's attention successfully.
Meanwhile, his real body appeared a short distance away. Forming hand signs, he slammed his hands onto the ground and shouted:
"Ha!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Dozens of white snakes emerged from beneath Sasuke's feet, instantly wrapping around his body and restricting his movements.
As the snakes bit into him, injecting paralysing venom, Sasuke's body began to tremble, and his chakra became chaotic.
"You've just awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, so you can't fully use Susanoo yet. Your feet are your biggest weakness, right?"
Orochimaru walked towards Sasuke, laughing, "I had these venomous snakes lying in wait here, just for you to fall into this trap. Their attack was swift, wasn't it? Even you couldn't react in time."
The snakes attacking Sasuke were summoned by Orochimaru from Ryūchi Cave. Their intelligence and speed far surpassed ordinary venomous snakes.
Their venom, combined with Kabuto's Chakra Scalpel, was too much for Sasuke to handle.
Thud.
Sasuke was forced to deactivate Susanoo, dropping to one knee. Despite his fierce gaze, he was at his limit.
Got him.
Orochimaru's face lit up with joy as he rushed towards Sasuke, preparing to take him away.
This was, after all, the streets of Konoha. Their fight would soon attract the Konoha ninja, so Orochimaru needed to leave with Sasuke quickly.
Swoosh.
Just as Orochimaru was about to reach Sasuke.
Chirp, chirp chirp!
The sound of a thousand birds suddenly erupted, accompanied by a dazzling blue light that illuminated the dark street.
Suddenly.
A massive current of electricity burst from Sasuke, not only stunning the snakes wrapped around him but also forcing Orochimaru to retreat, unable to approach him for the moment.
"Still resisting? You have a strong will to survive."
Orochimaru licked his lips, becoming even more excited. Seeing Sasuke capable of using ninjutsu even after being poisoned and ambushed by Kabuto only confirmed his belief that Sasuke was a true genius.
This made Orochimaru even more determined to take Sasuke away.
Time was running out, and Orochimaru didn't want to delay any longer. He decided to go all out.
In the next second.
"Ha!"
With a strange cry, Orochimaru's entire body suddenly expanded, shedding his skin, and transforming into a gigantic snake.
This giant snake's body was composed of countless smaller white snakes wriggling together, with Orochimaru's face fused into the snake's head, creating a horrific sight.
Yamata no Orochi Jutsu.
This was the result of Orochimaru's years of soft-body modification on himself.
He was no longer human but a half-human, half-snake creature, possessing immense vitality and strength beyond that of a human.
Whoosh.
In his transformed state, Orochimaru exhaled a foul breath, causing Sasuke to feel dizzy, nearly collapsing on the spot.
What is this thing? So disgusting.
Sasuke's eyes widened in horror. He forcefully gathered his chakra, releasing a barrage of Chidori Senbon-like rain towards Orochimaru.
He wasn't aiming to defeat Orochimaru, just to buy time. Within a minute, Konoha's elite ninja would arrive to help.
Unexpectedly.
Orochimaru didn't even bother dodging Sasuke's Chidori Senbon; relying on his formidable defence, he charged straight ahead.
It's over.
Sasuke's face filled with despair. He was powerless to resist, watching as Orochimaru's massive jaws opened, ready to swallow him whole.
At the critical moment.
"Cousin, I'm here!"
A slightly childish voice called out. Marisa suddenly appeared from the side, her face showing surprise at the sight of the giant snake.
But seeing Sasuke in danger, she rushed forward without hesitation.
"Courting death!"
Orochimaru didn't have time for Marisa. With a casual flick, his giant tail swept towards her with immense force.
"Marisa, watch out!"
Sasuke's pupils contracted as he desperately tried to warn her.
Orochimaru was not someone to be compared with the opponents Marisa faced in the Chunin Exam arena.
Marisa knew this well.
So, she focused her gaze, summoned her tall Stand, Star Platinum, and shouted, "Za Warudo!"
Buzz.
Time stopped.
The snake tail sweeping towards Marisa halted right in front of her.
Swoosh.
Marisa stepped on the snake's tail, using the recoil to leap into the air.
By this time, two seconds had passed, and time resumed its flow.
"Huh?"
Orochimaru noticed Marisa's sudden disappearance from his sight. A moment later, he heard a fierce shout from above him.
"Up here!"
Marisa descended from the sky, and together with Star Platinum, their four fists rained down on Orochimaru's head like a storm.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA!"
Bam bam bam bam.
In just a few seconds, Orochimaru took over a hundred punches, his face deformed, and his large snake body lost balance, crashing to the ground.
Damn brat.
Orochimaru was furious, not just because Marisa ruined his plans but also because she hit his face.
Though Marisa's punches didn't cause significant damage, they were deeply insulting.
Was he now being humiliated by an eight-year-old Uchiha kid?
However, Orochimaru had to endure it.
Because more chakra signatures were approaching rapidly, forming an encirclement.
If he didn't leave now, he would never be able to escape.
Realising this.
Boom.
Orochimaru decisively burrowed into the ground, ready to flee.
"Trying to run?"
Marisa wouldn't let Orochimaru escape, immediately rushing forward to grab his snake tail. But with a "bang," the tail exploded into countless small snakes attacking Marisa.
Marisa struggled to deal with the small snakes, and by the time she managed to get rid of them, Orochimaru had already burrowed into the ground and disappeared.
However.
Another person wouldn't escape so easily.
Kabuto, enduring the pain, tried to stand and flee with Orochimaru but saw Marisa appear before him.
"Teacher, you really are a spy."
Marisa looked down at Kabuto with disappointment, as she had once liked this gentle and understanding teacher.
Stunned, Kabuto asked incredulously, "When did you discover my identity?"
As a spy in Konoha for eight years, he believed he hadn't shown any flaws, always maintaining a perfect disguise.
Yet he was seen through by an eight-year-old.
Marisa's answer further surprised Kabuto. She said:
"From the first day you became my teacher, my annoying dad told me. I just didn't believe him at first."
"..."
Kabuto was silent for a moment before showing a bitter smile, "So, everything I've done has been under the watchful eye of the Sixth Hokage. How laughable."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly lunged, aiming a Chakra Scalpel at Marisa in a sneak attack.
"Hmph!"
Without thinking, Marisa shouted angrily, instantly tensing her muscles.
Clang, like metal clashing.
Kabuto's Chakra Scalpel hit Marisa's arm like striking steel, unable to penetrate her defence. The powerful recoil sent pain throughout his body.
"Teacher, your strength... is too pathetic. ORA!"
Marisa said, punching Kabuto in the face, sending him flying and crashing into a tree.
Bam.
Kabuto fell to the ground, unconscious and unable to get up.
"Cousin Sasuke, are you okay?"
Marisa retracted her fists, walking towards Sasuke with concern.
"Thank you, Marisa. You arrived just in time."
Sasuke felt ashamed.
He had lost again. If not for Marisa, he would have been taken by Orochimaru with dire consequences.
"But..."
Still shaken, Sasuke thanked his cousin, then asked curiously, "How did you know I was in danger and arrive first?"
Marisa shrugged and spread her hands, answering:
"My dad told me. He said someone named Orochimaru came to Konoha to take your body. I rushed here as soon as I heard."
"So it was Uncle..."
Hearing this, Sasuke looked up at the night sky, which was dark and empty.
But he seemed to see a pair of giant Rinnegan floating above Konoha, silently watching everything.
(End of the chapter)