"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
A surging torrent of fire, manipulated by Sasuke, transformed into a fire dragon that accurately struck Orochimaru along a thin wire.
The high-temperature flames, with their powerful penetrative force, directly burned through the large tree, big enough for five people to hug.
Looking at the enemy again, their body was already burnt yellow and shriveled, leaving behind a puddle of what looked like either charred bones or mud.
Is he gone?
Just as he was about to catch his breath, a vicious punch suddenly came from the side.
Even though Sasuke had sensed it, and his mind was screaming a warning, by the time his body tried to dodge, it was too late.
Thud! A heavy, powerful punch landed squarely on his face.
The fist, as large and heavy as a sandbag, seemed to move in slow motion, allowing one to see Sasuke's face directly indent from the impact.
The punch left him disoriented. While still dazed, several more punches rapidly followed.
Orochimaru was indeed Orochimaru.
His fists were swift and brutal, like iron hammers.
Sasuke was forced into a state of no defense by these punches, only able to frantically raise his arms to parry and passively defend.
The punches hitting his arms were equally excruciating.
After a few exchanges, seeing that he couldn't escape the enemy's close-range combat or gain an advantage, Sasuke gathered chakra at his feet and suddenly burst backward, leaping away with the force.
As he leapt, fearing that the enemy might attack while he was vulnerable in mid-air, Sasuke instantly flung out three kunai in a backhand throw.
Swish~ Swish~ Swish~
The sharp kunai shot forth, and Orochimaru dodged them by shifting his body.
Stepping back two paces to create space, he kept his eyes fixed on Sasuke. As Sasuke landed and hadn't yet stabilized, Orochimaru directly threw a barrage of kunai.
These kunai were all incredibly tricky, each predicting Sasuke's landing spot and his next move.
Swish~ Swish~ Swish~
The fast-flying kunai, however, were all clearly visible under Sasuke's Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
As soon as he landed, he was forced to continuously backflip and leap backward. Fortunately, the large tree provided ample space.
Clang~
The last unavoidable kunai was precisely deflected by a shuriken he threw.
Hmph~
Taking a breath, Sasuke repositioned himself into a ready stance.
He sensed that he didn't have much chakra left.
His brain was rapidly calculating, analyzing information.
Not much chakra left for me. What about him?
He still looks to have plenty of chakra.
This person isn't a Genin, nor a Chunin; he's definitely a Jonin.
During the earlier fight, he kept sending clones, clones, and more clones, constantly draining and testing me.
My Three-Tomoe Sharingan can't even discern the real from fake among these solid clones; each requires full vigilance.
Moreover, the opponent's strength is not to be underestimated. I haven't found any obvious weaknesses in him yet.
Besides, he's in the shadows, and I'm in the light.
I must find his main body, then use that one move to finish the fight.
"Damn it, where is the enemy's main body hidden?"
Taking a No. 1 Blue Carefree Pill from his ninja pouch, Sasuke swallowed it.
At the same time, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, while wary of the enemy in front, quickly scanned the surroundings, searching for where the enemy's main body might be.
The Carefree Pill dissolved instantly upon entering his mouth. He could immediately feel more stamina and mental energy surging within his body, ready for chakra extraction.
"Carefree Pill, huh?"
Seeing the blue pill, Orochimaru became interested.
Ever since he learned of the existence of such unreasonable medicines in the ninja world, he, Orochimaru, had researched them.
The ingredients of this thing were incredibly ordinary, just pills made from common medicines.
For some unknown reason, they possessed the ability to restore health or chakra.
It was truly bizarre.
The day before yesterday, he had also secretly "visited" that Divine Doctor Xiong, wanting to investigate the manufacturing process of the secret medicine.
However,
He was instantly defeated by a single glance from the man.
That genjutsu, from that guy named Xiong Fengshan, was even more terrifying than Itachi Uchiha's.
Hidden Leaf has experts, huh!
Fortunately, that guy, like the shops run by Xiong-style sect disciples from other villages, only cared about money and wasn't truly affiliated with the Hidden Leaf.
After paying a fine of one million Ryo, he was released.
After detailed testing, Orochimaru was very clear about the effects of this Carefree Pill.
It only needed five minutes to take full effect.
He deliberately waited for about ten seconds, giving the Carefree Pill time to work.
So what if Sasuke replenished his chakra? I, Orochimaru, have nine ways to kill him, nine!
Moreover, he most enjoyed the process of his prey being in constant tension, constantly running, constantly struggling, constantly despairing!
"Sasuke-kun, your chakra should be almost recovered, right? If so, let me continue testing your strength."
This guy!
Sasuke couldn't figure out the enemy's objective.
His Heavenly Scroll? No, the Heavenly Scroll isn't even on him.
His life? Doesn't seem like it. He just wants to fight me and test me again and again.
What exactly is it?
Gritting his teeth, Sasuke stopped thinking. He just needed to defeat the enemy!
Thump thump thump~ He moved incredibly fast, charging towards the female Hidden Grass ninja opposite him. He leaped into the air, and while twisting his body, used the rotational force to throw three kunai, which Orochimaru easily dodged.
Kicking off the bottom of a tree branch, Sasuke's chakra burst from his feet. Using this force, he charged directly towards Orochimaru.
His taijutsu, refined by Master Leopard's teachings, was not bad either!
His attacking right fist went straight for the crown of the head but was easily blocked by Orochimaru. While suspended in the air, he used the force of gravity for a left front kick, which was blocked by Orochimaru's bent right arm.
Clang, clang, clang~
The two exchanged blows, fighting their way from one end of the large tree branch to the other.
Orochimaru's taijutsu, under the gaze of Sasuke's Three-Tomoe Sharingan, was all clearly visible!
The intense taijutsu confrontation ignited the scene for a moment!
Sasuke wanted to use genjutsu, but the opponent seemed to have extensive experience fighting the Sharingan and gave him no chance to make eye contact.
After another exchange, the two jumped apart.
Sasuke quickly formed hand signs, "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The surging flames formed a fireball, heading straight for the enemy, but the enemy didn't dodge, standing perfectly still.
Sasuke thought the enemy was disoriented. Although his flames weren't as terrifying as Naruto's, which could melt steel, they weren't something a body could withstand directly.
Hiss~
The sound of fire being extinguished by water rang out, followed by a dense mist of water vapor filling the air.
A water formation wall formed around him, blocking the Great Fireball's assault. The remaining small flames were simply extinguished by Orochimaru with one hand.
"Sasuke-kun, a decent ninjutsu."
Orochimaru curled his tongue, licking his lips, revealing an appreciative gaze, as if admiring a exquisite porcelain artifact.
Earth, Water, Wind... damn, how many more chakra natures does he have?
Boom boom boom~~~
Orochimaru's lower body transformed into a snake, gaining immense propulsion and extreme speed. He coiled along the branches, moving so fast he was a blur, charging towards Sasuke.
Swish~ Swish~ Swish~
Three kunai shot out, but Orochimaru easily dodged them with his incredible speed.
The enemy's speed was so fast that he left afterimages, but everything, under the gaze of the Sharingan, was in slow motion.
Getting close, a sharp kunai slashed towards Sasuke, but met no resistance.
Splash~
Hiss~~~
It was a lightning clone that was cut, and Orochimaru was momentarily paralyzed by the electricity, unable to move.
"Ha!"
From the base of the tree branch, Sasuke suddenly appeared, kicking Orochimaru away. He simultaneously jumped up, embracing Orochimaru from behind, and began to spin in the air.
"Front Lotus!"
Thud~
Orochimaru landed headfirst, slamming heavily onto the ground.
"This isn't the main body," Sasuke merely took a glance and then jumped away, continuing to search the surroundings.
As soon as he finished speaking, 'Orochimaru' softened into a puddle of mud.
"The main body is here!"
Chakra suddenly exploded from his feet, and Sasuke sprang up at an incredible speed, rapidly approaching his target.
"Found you! Chidori Sharp Spear!"
A terrifying lightning blade of light cut through the air, leaving an afterimage, and cleanly severed a large tree at its waist.
At that moment, a person, cut in half, fell out from inside.