"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A cold, low voice echoed through the forest. Before Chen Xing could react, a violent gale roared toward him, tearing through the trees. The air itself howled—leaves and debris spiraled into a storm of slicing wind blades.
Boom!
Chen Xing was hurled backward as countless fine cuts appeared across his body, stinging and numbing from the chakra-infused wind. His form burst apart—only for the fragments to reveal shattered wood.
"A substitution?" Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. His hands flashed through seals.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
With a deep inhale, Orochimaru exhaled a torrent of scorching flames. The fire dragon twisted through the night sky, setting the forest ablaze for hundreds of meters.
But from within the sea of fire—another roar erupted.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
Chen Xing's counterattack burst from the inferno, colliding with Orochimaru's flames in midair. The explosion sent shockwaves through the trees.
"Summoning Jutsu: Rashōmon!"
With a thundering crash, a massive demonic gate materialized from the ground before Orochimaru. Its grotesque face and iron-like frame stood firm against the torrent of fire.
BOOM!
The explosion consumed the clearing. When the flames finally died, Rashōmon still stood—blackened but unbroken.
"Rashōmon…" Chen Xing muttered, shielding his eyes from the heat. "So this is the same defense that blocked Naruto's Rasengan and Gamabunta's attacks… incredible durability."
Before he could act again, his senses flared. A massive serpent lunged from behind—its scaly body easily several meters thick, fangs glinting in the dim firelight.
"!"
Chen Xing's hand crackled with lightning. "Chidori!"
The piercing cry of a thousand birds filled the air as his lightning blade struck upward, piercing straight through the snake's skull. The creature collapsed instantly with a thunderous crash.
From the shadows, Orochimaru emerged once more—calm, smiling, voice hoarse and low. "Heh… not bad. You're more resourceful than I expected. That only makes you more fascinating."
Chen Xing didn't reply. His expression hardened as he began forming seals again.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm Barrage!"
Dozens of razor-sharp wind blades erupted around him, slicing through the air toward Orochimaru with terrifying speed.
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly. "Such advanced Wind Release at your age…" He bit his thumb, slammed his hand to the ground, and hissed:
"Summoning Jutsu!"
BOOM!
Smoke exploded outward, and a massive shadow rose—its purple-scaled body towering above the trees, eyes burning with fury.
"Manda…" Chen Xing muttered. "The boss summon of the Snake Clan."
The ground trembled as the giant serpent coiled around them, its scales glinting like armor. The wind blades crashed against its body, throwing up sparks but barely leaving marks.
"Ugh… that stings!" Manda hissed, his massive head lowering toward Orochimaru. "You dare summon me again, Orochimaru? You'd better have prepared a hundred human sacrifices for this."
Even from a distance, Zabuza and the others were speechless.
"That thing's massive…" Songdao whispered.
"It's Manda—the strongest snake in Ryūchi Cave," Zabuza muttered. "So he's calling out that monster…"
Chen Xing clenched his jaw. No wonder he's one of the Sannin.
"Stop complaining, Manda," Orochimaru replied smoothly, standing atop the serpent's head. "Crush this boy for me. His body might prove useful."
"Hmph. Such arrogance." Manda's tongue flicked, his slitted eyes narrowing on Chen Xing. "A mere brat? You think I'll dirty my fangs for this? You'd better make it worth my while, Orochimaru."
Chen Xing sighed lightly. "Your summon doesn't seem to respect you much."
Orochimaru's smile faltered, if only slightly.
"Watch your tongue, boy," Manda roared, rearing up, his voice booming across the clearing. "I'll devour you whole for that!"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Heh. Let's see you survive this, Chen Xing."
Chen Xing grinned faintly. "You think only you can summon, Orochimaru?"
He bit his thumb, slammed his hands into seals, and pressed his palm to the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Smoke burst forth, shaking the trees. From within it, a massive crimson-scaled creature emerged—muscular, horned, and sharp-clawed, with wings that flickered faintly like heated steel.
Its eyes locked instantly onto Manda. "Hmph. Still alive, are you, Manda?"
"Red…?" Manda hissed, his voice deepening with anger. "That annoying lizard from Mount Ryuun! Don't tell me this brat signed a contract with your clan!"
The crimson beast snorted, claws gouging the earth. "Still as foul-mouthed as ever, you overgrown worm. Let's see if you've improved since the last time I beat you."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "So you've contracted with the Ryuun Clan… Interesting. Truly interesting, Chen Xing."
"Save your compliments," Chen Xing said, stepping onto Red's shoulder. "You're about to see how far I've come."
Red lowered his head slightly, eyes flashing. "I've wanted to crush that snake for a while. Time for a rematch."
"You'll regret that, lizard!" Manda roared, launching himself forward with startling speed, tearing through the ground as his massive body surged toward Red.
"Bring it!" Red roared back, slashing with his claw. The two titans collided midair with a deafening impact, shockwaves rippling through the entire forest.
BOOM!
Trees snapped like twigs. The ground quaked. Manda's tail whipped forward, slamming into Red's chest, forcing him back several meters. But Red's claws glowed red-hot as he countered, slashing deep into Manda's armored scales, sparks flying.
Orochimaru stood on Manda's head, smirking down at Chen Xing. "Let's see which summon lasts longer, shall we?"
Chen Xing met his gaze, lightning gathering once again in his hand. "I'm counting on mine."