Ran wielded a kunai, blocking an attack from an Ame-nin.
His shadow clone pierced the Ame-nin's neck from behind with a blade.
Yet, the Ame-nin did not despair. With the last of his strength, he lunged forward, grabbing onto Ran's body.
"Let's die together!"
The Ame-nin's face twisted in a vicious grin, flames flickering beneath his clothing.
The light of an exploding tag ignited.
"Boom!!"
The explosion engulfed both of them.
However, only the torn remains of the Ame-nin flew out, while Ran dissipated into a puff of smoke.
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique).
From the distant wreckage, Ran's figure darted forward, hands forming seals continuously.
"Katon: Ryūenka!" (Fire Style: Flowing Flame)
"Fūton: Daitoppa!" (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough)
"Kumiawase Ninjutsu: Shakunetsu Kaze!" (Combined Ninjutsu: Scorching Wind)
Ran straightened his chest and opened his mouth, unleashing a violent wind. As the wind swept forward, it created smoke as if it were igniting flames.
An Ame-nin charged toward him.
The violent wind scorched the Ame-nin's body as if it were aflame, leaving severe burns that quickly turned him black and charred. He collapsed to the ground.
The exploding tag on his body ignited.
"Boom!"
A massive explosion echoed.
Behind Ran, emotionless Konoha-nin charged forward.
The Nara clan members stood at the rear.
"Kagemane no Jutsu!" (Shadow Imitation Technique)
Countless shadows moved ahead of the group, seizing the Ame-nin, allowing the passing Konoha-nin to swiftly take their lives with a kunai.
Hidden Ame-nin were also quickly discovered by the Hyūga clan using their Byakugan, subjected to countless blows of Jūken (Gentle Fist).
"Katon: Gōenka!" (Fire Style: Great Flame) Sarutobi clan members unleashed massive bursts of fire.
However, the Ame-nin didn't go down without a fight.
"Suiton: Mizurappa!" (Water Style: Wild Water Wave) ×n.
A group of Ame-nin spat out enormous torrents of water, instantly submerging the surroundings. Many Konoha-nin were caught off guard and drowned by the deluge.
The water also disrupted many Konoha-nin's ninjutsu.
The area turned into something resembling an ocean.
Ame-nin swam like fish through the water.
The once-dominant Konoha-nin found themselves struggling to keep up.
But there were also those adept at water-style ninjutsu, who could contend with the Ame-nin in the water.
A green figure, in particular, moved swiftly through the water, seemingly unaffected by its resistance. He drove back Ame-nin with ease.
Carrying an immobilized Konoha-nin on his back, he swam toward the edge of the flooded zone.
Once out of the water's reach, he laid down the rescued Konoha-nin.
Then, he turned back and dove into the water again.
"Might Duy!!" an Ame-nin roared in fury.
Their advantage in the water had been completely undermined by the Green Beast's tireless efforts.
However, Might Duy paid no attention to his enemies' taunts.
Even when Ame-nin attempted to surround him, he remained focused solely on rescuing his comrades.
Though the water should have favored the Ame-nin, none could catch up to Might Duy's speed.
Meanwhile, the battle on the surface intensified.
Many Konoha-nin quickly stepped onto the water's surface to engage the Ame-nin.
The Ame-nin fought with their lives on the line, but Konoha's elite warriors were numerous.
The battle reached a stalemate.
...
At the same time...
In the battle further ahead...
Orochimaru walked alone down a desolate city street.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed shadows darting about.
An Ame-nin jōnin appeared not far from Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, you're quite bold."
The Ame-nin jōnin's expression was grim as he watched Orochimaru approach.
"Of course," Orochimaru licked his lips, "I have confidence in my abilities."
If it were before he knew Uchiha Gin, he might have struggled on this battlefield. Perhaps even Tsunade and Jiraiya would have been sent here to help.
But now...
Orochimaru was no longer his former self.
Besides his confidence in his own strength, there was another reason he ventured alone: he had far too few subordinates.
Even now, Orochimaru had no idea how many Ame-nin he was up against.
But he was certain there were far more than the few hundred under his command.
To avoid any surprises, he left Might Duy behind and decided to test the strength of the Ame-nin himself.
"You'll die here," the Ame-nin jōnin declared coldly.
Other than Hanzo, he couldn't believe anyone could single-handedly challenge an entire shinobi village.
Even someone like Orochimaru, who had long been Hanzo's equal, could not possibly do so.
He was convinced.
From the wreckage, more Ame-nin emerged, their eyes gleaming coldly.
In the shadows, other Ame-nin wielding weapons stepped out.
Orochimaru was surrounded on all sides. His eyes flicked around, taking in the sheer number of enemies.
Quite a large force.
"Don't underestimate me," Orochimaru murmured, pressing his hand to the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu." (Summoning Technique)
A thick smoke billowed out, obscuring everyone's vision.
In the center of the encirclement appeared a massive purple snake, so enormous that many Ame-nin were nearly pressed against it.
Standing atop the snake's head, Orochimaru smiled.
But the sheer size alone wasn't enough to intimidate the Ame-nin.
"Kill!!" the Ame-nin jōnin roared.
The Ame-nin charged at the enormous snake, hurling kunai, shuriken, jutsu, and exploding tags at it. Yet, the snake's purple scales were incredibly tough, leaving no marks despite the barrage of attacks.
Manda, however, was not one to merely endure attacks. Opening its massive jaws, the snake devoured several unlucky Ame-nin in one bite.
It rampaged through the crowd with its massive body.
Orochimaru, too, did not stand idly by.
He hurled a snake-shaped shuriken.
"Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)
One shuriken quickly multiplied into countless others, raining down on the Ame-nin below.
Many were instantly impaled and killed, while others suffered only minor injuries. But the shuriken lodged deep in their bodies.
Before they could pull them out...
The shuriken came to life, transforming into venomous snakes that bit down on their hosts.
A large number of Ame-nin began to die.
But not all were crushed by Orochimaru.
The jōnin from earlier charged forward.
Suddenly, countless white snakes burst from Orochimaru's sleeve, swiftly entangling the Ame-nin.
At that moment, the Ame-nin felt his chakra being rapidly drained, while the snakes coiled around him grew larger.
"Mugen Daija! Sen'ei Jashu!" (Infinite Snakes! Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!)
The Ame-nin's chakra was swiftly drained, his body shriveling as life faded from him.
Several enormous white snakes broke free from Orochimaru's sleeve, slithering toward the remaining Ame-nin below Manda.
The battle had become one-sided.
Hidden figures could no longer hold back.
A poisonous mist began to spread through the area.
It was as if the Ame-nin had received a signal and began to retreat.
A gigantic salamander appeared before Orochimaru.
"Hanzo, you finally show yourself."
"Orochimaru," Hanzo replied, glaring at Orochimaru from atop Manda's head. His face was grim.
(End of Chapter)
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