Chapter 65

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Chapter 65: The Tragic Death of Ten Thousand Snakes, Did Orochimaru Escape?

The golden frame appeared on the screen, and the menacing Thunder Beast Qilin descended with a fury. Blue electric light flashed across the entire screen. 

Jiraiya exclaimed, "What a fearsome Lightning Style ninjutsu! Orochimaru is done for now, right?"

Orochimaru retorted, "I don't think I'll die that easily!"

Namikaze Minato observed, "In terms of principle and power, this ninjutsu is definitely S-level."

Senju Tobirama added, "Even among S-level ninjutsu, this one is exceptionally powerful! That troublesome kid is truly a genius to have conceived this technique."

Uchiha Fugaku declared, "That wretch Orochimaru must've been killed, just as expected of my Sasuke!"

Uchiha Mikoto hoped, "Sasuke should be safe now."

The golden frame reappeared on the screen, indicating that Sasuke stood on a tree, carefully observing the situation from a distance. The terror induced by the Thunder Beast Qilin was gradually subsiding. Intermittently, lingering lightning raged on the lake. Where the Thunder Beast Qilin landed, a mass of water turned instantly to steam, which was now thick and white, making it hard to see the interior.

Sasuke felt quite satisfied with his new ninjutsu's potency. He thought even Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, would at the very least have sustained a major blow from his new technique.

After a while, the white steam dissipated, revealing a huge, mangled corpse of a purple snake. Its body was torn apart, displaying wounds blackened and burnt. It had evidently suffered a direct hit from the Thunder Beast Qilin.

"Is this... the Summoning Beast?" Sasuke questioned, staring hard.

He had read about the Sannin of Konoha signing contracts with the three holy places of the ninja world, allowing each to summon giant creatures. Jiraiya could summon the toad from Mount Myōboku; Tsunade, the slug Katsuyu of Shishilin; and Orochimaru could invoke the snakes of Ryūchi Cave.

"Is this a colossal Summoning Beast from Ryūchi Cave?" Sasuke pondered, gradually piecing together Orochimaru's strategy. The Thunder Beast Qilin descending from the heavens was unavoidable, and no shield could withstand its strike, not even Orochimaru's earlier Rashomon defense.

Orochimaru chose to use a summoned beast as a shield...

Jiraiya recognized the creature, noting, "That's the Ten Thousand Snakes... Orochimaru summoned Ten Thousand Snakes as a defense..."

Toad Sage laughed raucously, "That Snake met a horrible end! He must've been obliterated immediately after being summoned!"

The Ten Thousand Snakes cursed Orochimaru with expletives.

Tsunade acknowledged, "It is indeed effective defense, and typical given Orochimaru's rapport with the Ten Thousand Snakes."

Orochimaru smugly said, "I told you I don't die easily."

Despite the sacrifice of the Snake, Orochimaru regarded it as expendable, a "snake" always prepared for the sacrifice.

Hatake Kakashi considered, "Only special types of ninjutsu stand a chance against such terror. It envelops a vast area, leaving no room to escape. Earth Style is the strongest defensive technique against most attacks, but it's weak against Lightning Style."

Ohnoki speculated about his own defensive strategy involving Dust Release, which although effective, would consume much chakra.

The Fourth Raikage confidently claimed he could resist the attack with his robust body, although it would be far from pleasant.

Terumi Mei lamented her unsuitability in facing such ninjutsu, as her skill set gravitated towards Bloodline techniques and Water Style. 

Rasa worriedly contemplated how his Magnet Style, typically formidable in defense, would be catastrophically ineffective against Lightning Style since gold dust conducts electricity.

Tobirama and Minato discussed the potential avoidance strategies involving the Flying Thunder God technique, while the Fourth Raikage cursed its effectiveness.

Sarutobi Hiruzen examined his arsenal of jutsus and realized, with frustration, none seemed fit to counter such a ninjutsu. Orochimaru mockingly noted Sarutobi's lack of a massive summoning beast to shield himself.

Uchiha Madara sneered at the current Kages, unimpressed by their apparent incompetence against a technique from a 12-year-old Uchiha.

The ninja masters and other peers of Sasuke felt a suffocating pressure realizing that their understanding had been shattered - this young Uchiha was already on the level of Kage.

Uzumaki Naruto remarked on Sasuke's rapid improvement. Inuzuka Kiba disappointedly noted the resurgence in Sasuke's strength, while Hyuga Neji felt a sense of hopelessness in trying to catch up.

Nara Shikamaru counseled against worrying, as Sasuke's prior strength was likely unsurpassable in their lifetimes, let alone mastering such a terrifying technique as the Lightning Style Kirin. This perspective left everyone in sober silence.

Yamanaka Ino tried to inspire optimism, and Rock Lee pondered if hard work could propel him to that level. Might Guy encouraged him, believing in the potential of the Eight Inner Gates.

Uzumaki Naruto: "Damn it! I will definitely learn stronger ninjutsu, ninjutsu that's even more amazing than that unicorn!"

Uchiha Sasuke: "Kakashi, that Lightning Style Kirin, I should be able to do it too, right?" You need to harness nature's lightning with your Lightning Style Chakra. He already understood the principle.

Hatake Kakashi: "Sasuke, you need the ability to create large thunderclouds. Didn't you see how many Fire Styles Double Sasuke played before?"

Uchiha Sasuke: "Chakra volume? How can I quickly increase it?"

Hatake Kakashi: "This problem, Double Sasuke over there can't solve it."

[Sasuke stands on the tree, observing carefully. The Orochimaru guy used the Summoning beast to defend against the Lightning Style. The main body's fate is unknown. After a long time, the huge snake corpse was still coiled there. Orochimaru hasn't appeared.

"Shouldn't I have escaped..." Sasuke doubts. If you escape, it's possible. After all, the Lightning Style Kirin movement was too loud. The entire death forest must have noticed. If Orochimaru doesn't want to be surrounded by Konoha Shinobi, he can only leave immediately.

Thinking this, Sasuke doesn't stay any longer. He goes to find Naruto and little Sakura on the other side, quickly kills the remaining giant pythons, and takes them away.]

Hatake Kakashi: "Orochimaru escaped..." He had worried that Double Sasuke might be kidnapped by Orochimaru. But the outcome was unexpected.

Uchiha Mikoto: "Great, Sasuke is finally safe!"

Jiraiya: "It's normal for him to escape. Double Sasuke and Orochimaru both used a lot of Chakra. It's impossible for him to stay."

Tsunade: "So, Orochimaru, you were beaten by a twelve-year-old boy, and all you got was a snake! Tsk tsk, what a disgrace to us Sannin!"

Orochimaru: "..."

Momochi no cut: "I think Orochimaru is going to overturn!"

Ohnoki: "Although Orochimaru ran because he feared Konoha Shinobi, Uchiha Sasuke did repel him in a frontal fight..."

Fourth Raikage: "He's twelve now. In a few years, he'll be like Uchiha Madara!"

Senju Tobirama: "The evil Uchiha are troublesome." Now he really feels a second Uchiha Madara might emerge. Uchiha Sasuke has the potential for Mangekyō, and his exterminated brother should too. Eyes transplanted by two people become eternal Mangekyō!

In the country of rain, Nagato frowned. Double Sasuke's talent in another world is strong. In that world, he could become an obstacle to Akatsuki's plans. Uchiha Obito is also worried. He was involved in the Uchiha genocide—a potential revenge target.

[The place where Sasuke and Orochimaru fought: Konoha Shinobi are shocked by the changed Death Forest, full of bewilderment. They have no idea what happened.

At the same time, Sasuke has taken Naruto and little Sakura far away.

"Let's stop here tonight and rest," Sasuke says, finding a hidden spot. Despite the Bingliang Pill, he can't recover his Chakra immediately.

There are dangerous people in this Chūnin exam. Orochimaru should have left the Death Forest. But the Sand Shinobi trio and the grey-haired, bespectacled man could threaten him. In his current state, it's better not to rush.

"Okay, I see," Naruto agrees, although unhappy. He feels stronger but was held back in the previous fight, unable to help Sasuke, feeling frustrated and wondering when he'll match Sasuke's strength.

At night, they hunt animals for food and rest in a hidden cave.

The next day, Sasuke's condition has improved. They could fight Orochimaru again and continue towards the central tower. Suddenly, three Otonin Forehead Protector wearers block their path, calling Sasuke's name.

"That's right, it matches what our lord described. Come on, kill him!" They attack.

Sasuke disappears, punches one in the abdomen, and he falls to the ground.

"Naruto, Sakura, the last two are yours," Sasuke says, giving his teammates a chance.

Orochimaru reflects on how, in his plan, he would have sent three to attack and force Sasuke to accept his power. But now, the three were defeated.

Naruto and small Sakura handle Toss and Double.

"Why did you attack me? Do you know me?" Sasuke, using his Sharingan, questions Toss.

"Master Orochimaru sent us to kill Uchiha Sasuke," Toss replies, under control.

"Orochimaru? Aren't you sound ninja? What's the relationship with Orochimaru?" Sasuke presses, sensing a conspiracy.

"Master Orochimaru leads Sound Village," Toss continues.

Sasuke's pupils shrink. Orochimaru, Konoha's S-rank missing-nin, has a ninja village and sends ninjas for the Chūnin exams?

"...Orochimaru sent you for the exams. Why?" Sasuke probes further.

"To ally with Sunagakure and execute the Konoha destruction plan." Toss, compelled by the Sharingan, reveals the plot.