The terrifying Conqueror's Haki from Whitebeard surged outward like a tsunami.
Even the clouds were disrupted by the overwhelming force.
The surrounding trees swayed as if hit by a hurricane, with leaves falling like rain and slender branches snapping off.
Dust and rubble at his feet were swept away by the force.
In the air, visible black lightning crackled.
Standing before Whitebeard were Orochimaru and Sasori.
They both felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on them instantly.
The wind blew against them, making their cloaks flutter and their hair dance wildly. Pebbles and leaves struck their bodies.
This time, Whitebeard did not hold back his Conqueror's Haki, releasing it fully.
Naruto immediately fainted.
Not far away, Kushina and Karin, the mother-daughter duo, experienced the same.
They felt a loud "buzz" in their heads as if struck by a powerful blow, and their eyes rolled back as they collapsed.
"Whoa, this is a bit too much!" Kakashi hurriedly supported Naruto, who was about to fall face-first. His knees suddenly went weak. The overwhelming aura from Whitebeard affected even him, an elite Anbu from Konoha.
Having experienced one of the great shinobi wars and the deaths of countless friends and comrades, Kakashi thought he was no longer afraid of anything.
But at this moment, he felt a sliver of fear rising within him from Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki!
Kakashi was intimidated by Whitebeard's presence!
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Seeing the crackling lightning in the air, Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat, struggling to support himself and Naruto.
"So this is what he mentioned as Conqueror's Haki?"
Kakashi was utterly shocked!
If this terrifying aura were released in Konoha, it would likely knock out the entire village!
Anyone below the level of an elite jonin...
Would probably be affected without exception!
"It seems I've said something to provoke a truly formidable being." Sweat dripped from Orochimaru's forehead as Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki weighed on his heart like a boulder.
Orochimaru, who considered himself one of the strongest in the shinobi world, acknowledged Whitebeard's overwhelming power.
Such a presence.
Unmatched!
"Damn it... disgusting guy! It's all your fault for talking so much!" Sasori glared fiercely at Orochimaru. But as he looked back at Whitebeard, his excitement only grew.
"What a terrifying aura, one that affects the physical world and even a person's spirit."
Like Orochimaru, Sasori felt the oppressive presence even more intensely.
If he hadn't modified his body into a puppet, his limbs might have been paralyzed by fear.
Puppet masters are inherently different from regular shinobi.
There is a vast difference in their physical constitution.
Sasori didn't deny his weakness but believed he had resolved it with his modifications.
"Two little ninja brats..." Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri, grinning viciously. "Since the formation of the Whitebeard Pirates, you're the first to try recruiting me! Let's see if you have what it takes!"
Whitebeard switched to holding Murakumogiri with both hands.
Without hesitation, he slashed out!
"So fast! Such a large body isn't slowing him down at all?" Orochimaru's vertical pupils narrowed as he swiftly moved like a snake to dodge.
Sasori immediately wrapped his body with Hiruko's tail, forming a protective cocoon similar to a turtle shell.
Hiruko's tail was made of special alloy, even chakra-infused blades couldn't cut through it.
Sasori believed he wouldn't have to dodge as frantically as Orochimaru.
However...
In the next moment!
"What?!" Sasori's puppet eyes widened as he saw a sliver of light. Hiruko's tail had been sliced open, allowing a beam of moonlight to shine through.
"Not good!" His reaction was too slow. Whitebeard's strike was imbued with Armament Haki!
Hiruko was split in two on the spot!
Sasori's "true" body hidden within Hiruko...
Met the same fate!
Swish!!!!
The giant blade sliced through the puppet, sounding like paper being cut. Hiruko's and Sasori's upper bodies were flung into the air simultaneously.
His delicate face showed confusion and disbelief.
Meanwhile.
Orochimaru, who had barely dodged the strike, had just steadied himself when he saw Sasori bisected. He also saw Sasori's "true" body within Hiruko.
"...This is troublesome." Orochimaru knew Sasori's strength, and though he believed Sasori wasn't his match.
But he had to admit.
If he wanted to assassinate someone like Sasori, it would be a tedious and time-consuming process.
Yet, Whitebeard's single strike...
Had bisected Sasori?
"Gurararara! Long-haired brat, you dodged pretty fast!" Whitebeard twirled his blade, slashing towards Orochimaru again. The intense sense of danger made Orochimaru's hair stand on end.
Click—
Murakumogiri's blade pierced through Orochimaru's body with ease.
His pupils trembled violently.
"Hah... hah..." Orochimaru clutched Murakumogiri. "Truly... an unbelievably strong man..."
He was lifted into the air, impaled by Whitebeard.
"Hah... hah!" Orochimaru suddenly smiled wickedly. "But didn't you notice I haven't bled at all?"
His mouth opened wide.
A new "Orochimaru" emerged from his mouth, standing on Murakumogiri's blade, staring at Whitebeard.
"Ninjutsu: Twin Snakes!"
The "dummy" Orochimaru's arms transformed into two giant snakes, lunging towards Whitebeard.
In an instant, they wrapped around Whitebeard's hands, wrists, and arms, biting down without hesitation.
Crunch—
The sharp fangs shattered, unable to pierce Whitebeard's skin, let alone inject venom.
"Such an enticing body..."
Orochimaru's "true" body opened its mouth wide.
"Ninjutsu: Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Countless venomous snakes spewed from his mouth.
The sight was enough to make one's scalp tingle.
"Hehehe... Your skin is as tough as steel, but what about your vulnerable spots? Your eyes? Nose? Ears?"
Orochimaru's grin widened, his intentions unclear. "I can't let you go without bringing you back to the organization!"
...
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