Orochimaru's demeanor had shifted dramatically. If earlier he had intended only to test Raiden's strength, now he regarded the young man before him as an equal, a formidable opponent worthy of respect.
In battles between the strong, a single exchange is often enough to gauge one's opponent. From that initial clash, Orochimaru understood that, in terms of physical prowess alone, Uzumaki Raiden was exceptional, even among Jonin.
Suddenly, Orochimaru extended his right arm, holding a kunai. His pale arm transformed into countless brown pythons, which lunged at Raiden. The short distance between them gave the snakes the advantage, reaching Raiden almost instantly.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Orochimaru whispered. Simultaneously, he hurled a few shuriken into the air with his left hand, blocking any chance of Raiden leaping to evade the attack.
"This level of ninjutsu won't work on me anymore," Raiden said calmly.
Without moving, Raiden conjured a lightning net that materialized before him. The pythons were charred upon contact, their lifeless bodies falling limp. Furthermore, bolts of visible lightning traveled along the serpents' bodies, racing back toward Orochimaru.
Seeing this, Orochimaru quickly severed his connection to the snakes and leaped backward, forming seals with incredible speed. Raiden, having neutralized the attack, sensed the surging chakra from Orochimaru. Activating his Kagura's Mind Eye, he gripped his sword, Totsuka Blade, with both hands and charged forward.
The sheer force of Raiden's step cracked the ground beneath him like a spiderweb. His figure shot forward like a cannonball, leaving bursts of sound in his wake.
"So fast! My ninjutsu can't keep up with him!" Orochimaru thought, his eyes widening.
Realizing his seals wouldn't complete in time, Orochimaru abandoned them. He raised his kunai just as Raiden's blade was about to strike.
"Clang!"
A sharp metallic sound echoed through the field as Raiden's blade sheared off the tip of Orochimaru's kunai. The sword's momentum continued toward Orochimaru's face, but his combat instincts kicked in. Orochimaru retreated mid-block, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike.
Even so, Raiden's blade sliced through the fabric of Orochimaru's chest, exposing his pale skin.
"So strong!"
The spectators, all skilled ninjas, couldn't hide their astonishment at Raiden's prowess. Those unfamiliar with him marveled at this rising star, while those who knew him were unnerved by his rapid growth. At just thirteen years old, Uzumaki Raiden was not only holding his own but dominating against Orochimaru.
Orochimaru glanced at his torn clothing, not with anger but with a faint smile. His gaze locked onto the Totsuka Blade in Raiden's hand.
"So, that weapon is in your possession," he said, excitement flashing in his eyes. Sticking out his tongue, he licked his lips, clearly recognizing the blade's significance.
"Apologies, Brother. Using such a weapon feels a bit unfair," Raiden said with a grin, seemingly oblivious to Orochimaru's fascination.
"I don't mind. In fact, it's better this way," Orochimaru replied hoarsely. From within his robes, he pulled out a scroll, unfurling it for all to see. A burst of white smoke enveloped him.
When the smoke cleared, Orochimaru stood holding a double-edged sword.
"That's the Kusanagi Sword," Raiden said, his pupils narrowing.
"Ah, so you recognize it," Orochimaru said, his grin widening. "Now, let's have a real fight!"
The spectators, unaware of the significance of the weapons, could only sense the incredible power radiating from both the Totsuka Blade and the Kusanagi Sword.
"Thunder Blade!" Raiden whispered, channeling purple lightning chakra along the Totsuka Blade. The blade crackled with violent energy.
Seeing this, Orochimaru frowned and infused his own chakra into the Kusanagi Sword. The blade began to glow ominously.
"Chakra nature and shape transformation… Raiden has already mastered them to this level?" Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered, his expression serious as he observed the two combatants.
"Boom!"
The sound of two explosive movements echoed simultaneously as Orochimaru and Raiden clashed in the center of the field. Sparks flew as their blades met, and lightning chakra erupted, gouging craters into the ground.
Despite not specializing in taijutsu, Orochimaru's skills were leagues beyond ordinary ninjas, his combat prowess one of the highest in Konoha. Raiden, though much younger and less experienced, made up for it with exceptional speed and reflexes, wielding his blade with unmatched precision.
The fight grew fiercer, with each exchange sending chakra storms rippling outward. Initially, Orochimaru's combat experience allowed him to hold an edge, but Raiden quickly adapted. His strikes became more fluid, his movements more calculated. Soon, the tide shifted in Raiden's favor.
Raiden's relentless attacks left shallow wounds across Orochimaru's body.
"Raiden's talent is terrifying," Hatake Sakumo remarked, watching intently. "He's learning and correcting his mistakes mid-battle. If Orochimaru doesn't change his approach, he'll lose."
"Indeed," Sarutobi agreed, smiling proudly. "Raiden's weaknesses are vanishing before our eyes. His potential is boundless."
In the arena, Orochimaru's attacks grew increasingly reckless as the wounds on his body multiplied. His usual taciturn demeanor gave way to a wild grin, his excitement palpable. Ignoring some of Raiden's strikes, he counterattacked ferociously, landing several blows on Raiden.
Both fighters bore the marks of their duel, but Raiden remained composed, his breathing steady. In contrast, Orochimaru's movements slowed. The glow of the Kusanagi Sword dimmed, and his grip trembled.
Seeing an opening, Raiden slashed horizontally. Orochimaru, realizing he couldn't counter, retreated rapidly, widening the gap between them.
The fight came to a halt. Orochimaru stood panting, his body covered in shallow wounds, the Kusanagi Sword flickering faintly. Raiden, meanwhile, exuded an aura of increasing intensity, the lightning chakra around the Totsuka Blade crackling violently.
"Looks like I outlasted you, Brother," Raiden said with a smirk.
(End of this chapter)