Chapter 119 - Sannin

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Behind Horyu, Orochimaru, with his serpentine grace, followed relentlessly. The sannin's chakra was oppressive, a dense fog that threatened to suffocate Horyu's own. Yet, Horyu refused to succumb to fear. His clones, spread out in a strategic pattern, were designed to mislead and delay, but he knew they wouldn't hold Orochimaru for long.

"Fuck, why now?" Horyu muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of irritation and adrenaline. The emergency signal he had sent was a beacon for Kurenai and the others, a call for backup in a situation that was rapidly spiraling out of control. Yet, he couldn't rely solely on their arrival; he needed to ensure he wasn't an easy target when they did.

With Orochimaru's presence looming ever closer, Horyu pushed Shadowmeld Tactics to its limit. He became a ghost, a specter that danced on the edge of perception. His clones, each one a mirror of his determination, engaged in their task with a fervor that belied their temporary nature.

As he maneuvered through the dense foliage, Horyu's mind was a whirlwind of strategy and survival instincts. 'If I can lead him away, create enough distance...' his thoughts trailed, the plan forming with each pulse of his heart. The terrain was both a hindrance and a boon, the dense underbrush and towering trees providing cover and obstacles in equal measure.

Suddenly, a clone burst into a cloud of smoke not far from him, a clear sign that Orochimaru was not fooled by his tactics. Horyu's heart skipped a beat, but his resolve did not waver. He doubled down on his efforts, weaving through the trees with an agility that belied his young age.

Feeling the sense of death behind him, Horyu didn't hesitate. He drew Chucky, his trusted Chakra Sword, from his back in a smooth, practiced motion, turning just in time to deflect the approaching sword aimed straight for his heart. The Kusanagi, extending from Orochimaru's mouth, was a mere inch away from piercing his chest. The air vibrated with the clash of metal, sparks flying as Chucky met the legendary blade.

"Fucking hell, talk about overkill," Horyu spat out, his voice laced with venomous sarcasm. His Sharingan, fully activated, caught every movement of the blade with unnatural precision, allowing him to parry the strike. But he knew well this was only the beginning of Orochimaru's assault.

Orochimaru, his features twisted into a macabre grin, didn't let up. "Impressive reflexes, young Uchiha. But how long can you keep this up, I wonder?" His voice was as smooth as silk and just as deceiving.

Horyu didn't bother with a verbal response. Words were useless against a foe like Orochimaru. Instead, he focused on his next move, retreating with a series of swift backflips to create some distance between them. He needed room to breathe, to think.

Drawing Chucky Horyu charged towards Orochimaru, his Sharingan capturing every serpentine movement of the Sannin. The clash of steel echoed through the forest as Horyu parried a vicious strike from Orochimaru's Kusanagi. Sparks flew, illuminating the dark underbrush. Horyu's grip on Chucky tightened, his mind racing to predict Orochimaru's next move. The battle was a high-stakes dance, with each combatant probing for weaknesses.

[Fluid Counter Style: Combines the fluidity and speed of Uchiha Intercepting Style taijutsu with the internal damage focus of Gentle Fist and the external power of Konoha Hard Fist. It's a style that prioritizes adaptability, allowing Horyu to switch between softly redirecting attacks to disable opponents or using brute force for direct combat. This technique also incorporates fast-paced hand seal formations, enabling Horyu to weave ninjutsu into his taijutsu, creating a hybrid fighting style that is difficult to counter.]

Orochimaru, with a speed that belied his calm demeanor, launched a series of rapid thrusts aimed at Horyu's vital points. Each attack was a deadly promise of pain, demanding an equally swift response. Horyu's body moved almost of its own accord, the Fluid Counter Style he had mastered allowing him to blend evasion and attack seamlessly. He sidestepped a thrust, then spun, bringing Chucky down in an arc aimed at Orochimaru's head. The Sannin deflected the blow at the last moment, hissing in amusement.

But Horyu was far from done. He tapped into the Fire Style: Blazing Edge Dance, infusing Chucky with fierce flames that added a scorching edge to his attacks. Orochimaru, recognizing the heightened threat, became more cautious, his movements a blend of grace and lethal intent.

The battle intensified as Horyu, wielding Chucky with both hands, channeled his chakra to amplify the sword's fiery aura. The dense forest around them became a backdrop to their deadly dance, the flames casting long, sinister shadows that flickered like specters in the night. Orochimaru's eyes, gleaming with a predatory light, followed Horyu's every move, his interest piqued by the young Uchiha's display of skill and tenacity.

With the Fire Style: Blazing Edge Dance in full effect, Horyu executed a series of complex maneuvers, each strike aimed not only to hit but to force Orochimaru into a defensive position. The air around them heated up, the temperature rising with the intensity of Horyu's attacks. He moved like a blaze across the battlefield, his sword strokes leaving trails of fire in their wake.

Orochimaru, however, was not one to be easily cornered. With a fluidity that seemed almost unnatural, he countered Horyu's fiery onslaught with precise, calculated movements. He summoned a swift, chilling wind with a flick of his wrist, attempting to quench the flames that danced along Chucky's blade. But Horyu was prepared; he had anticipated Orochimaru's counter and adjusted his tactics accordingly.

In a display of tactical acumen, Horyu shifted his approach, intertwining kenjutsu with ninjutsu. He feinted a direct attack, only to pivot at the last second, launching a barrage of fire-enhanced shuriken towards Orochimaru. The Sannin dodged effortlessly, but the diversion allowed Horyu to close the distance between them, his sword aimed at Orochimaru's side.

Orochimaru parried with Kusanagi, the sound of clashing metal resonating through the forest. The two were locked in a fierce contest of strength and will, their weapons a mere extension of their own formidable chakra. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the only movement being the flickering flames and the steady, determined gaze of Horyu's Sharingan.

The Sharingan played a crucial role in Horyu's strategy. With its ability to predict movements, Horyu could anticipate Orochimaru's counters, allowing him to adapt his attacks on the fly. However, Orochimaru's experience and skill meant that even with the Sharingan's foresight, Horyu was not guaranteed a clear advantage. Each of Orochimaru's strikes was a lesson in precision and power, pushing Horyu to the limits of his abilities.

Knowing that a direct taijutsu engagement would eventually favor Orochimaru, Horyu switched tactics. He created distance between them, launching into a series of hand seals at a speed only made possible by his Hand Seal Mastery. The air around him crackled as he summoned the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique, a massive orb of flame roaring towards Orochimaru.

Orochimaru countered with a Water Style jutsu, the clash of elements producing a thick cloud of steam. Horyu didn't pause, using the cover to summon Shadow Clones, each clone dispersing in different directions to confuse Orochimaru's senses.

Yet, Orochimaru's experience and power were on another level. With a mere sweep of his hand, he dispersed the clones, his gaze locking onto the real Horyu through the mist.

Emerging from the thick veil of steam, Horyu didn't miss a beat, his Sharingan whirling as he deciphered Orochimaru's next move. The mist served as both a cover and a catalyst for his next series of attacks. He transitioned fluidly from the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique to the Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu. Multiple fireballs, each smaller but more numerous, spiraled out from Horyu's mouth, their paths erratic and unpredictable as they homed in on Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, with a flick of his wrist folded tens of seals, summoned a water barrier, the fireballs exploding upon contact, creating a mesmerizing but deadly display of steam and embers. Horyu, however, was already moving, not allowing the sannin a moment to breathe. He wove through the forest, his chakra signature masked by the Shadow Clone Technique, creating four clones that spread out, each mimicking his chakra pattern perfectly.

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