Chapter 96: Orochimaru Gets Cornered!
Although Pakura might be considered a quasi-Kage, her combat power is undoubtedly at the Kage level due to her kekkei genkai.
Having a kekkei genkai versus not having one makes a world of difference in terms of combat power.
Otherwise, kekkei genkai wouldn't be held in such high regard.
After the explosion subsided.
Manda's tail was left torn and battered, but Pakura's figure was nowhere to be seen.
No one would believe that a Kage-level ninja would be killed by their own jutsu.
And indeed, that was the case.
Pakura, who had vanished in the explosion, was now positioned at Manda's side, near its underbelly.
Due to the size difference between them, Manda hadn't noticed her immediately.
It's fair to say that the massive size of a large summoning beast has both advantages and disadvantages in battle.
The advantages have been mentioned before, but the disadvantage is evident now.
When facing a strong opponent of the same level, it's like being a sitting duck.
However... Manda is not just any beast; it's a summoning beast!
A summoning beast implies the presence of a summoner.
Just as Pakura was about to strike Manda, a figure appeared behind her.
It was Orochimaru!
He extended his right hand.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Numerous snakes, as thick as eggs, slithered out from his sleeve, lunging fiercely at Pakura.
If they managed to bite her, they could not only bind the target but also inject various toxins, making them extremely troublesome.
However, to use this technique, one must first sign a summoning contract with Ryuchi Cave.
This is because the secret technique includes summoning jutsu.
Even though Pakura didn't see the movement behind her, her sharp combat instincts as a Kage-level ninja allowed her to react instinctively.
Without even turning her head, she flung several shuriken backward, piercing the heads of the nearest snakes, and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to distance herself.
Ambush, counter-ambush!
The two Kage-level ninjas delivered a high-stakes exchange.
"As expected of 'Scorch Release' Pakura!"
Orochimaru praised in his raspy voice, not rushing to pursue.
Having missed the first strike, the chance for a critical hit was slim.
Once at the Kage level, the chances of killing an opponent are low; at most, one can inflict severe injuries or force a retreat.
"Orochimaru!"
Pakura's face was extremely serious.
She was well aware of the strength of 'Cold Lord' Orochimaru and didn't dare to let her guard down for a moment.
However, this time, their target was precisely him.
Swoosh, swoosh!
The sound of countless projectiles cutting through the air filled the scene.
A barrage of senbon needles, like a torrential rain, shot towards Orochimaru, turning him into a pincushion.
But after Orochimaru's body was pierced, it suddenly transformed into mud, and he emerged from the ground nearby.
Earth Substitution! It's also one of his life-saving techniques.
After being improved, it can be activated almost instantaneously and is incredibly deceptive.
And those senbon needles!
They were fired from a bizarrely shaped puppet.
The focus wasn't on the senbon themselves but the green glow they emitted.
Poison! They were coated with a toxin that even Orochimaru feared.
And that's saying something, considering he's an expert in poisons.
If even he is wary, there's only one possibility.
"Chiyo!"
Orochimaru's gaze shifted to behind the puppet.
There, an elderly woman in oversized clothing, wrapped in a scarf, approached.
Granny Chiyo!
She was also the advisor elder of Sunagakure, a Kage-level ninja, and a master of puppet and medical ninjutsu/poisons.
If it were just her, Orochimaru was confident he could suppress her, given his age advantage.
But with Pakura and Chiyo teaming up, he was the one being suppressed.
Moreover, if Chiyo was here, then another person who was always by her side should be arriving too.
Step, step!
An elderly man with a hunched back and long eyebrows, dressed in ordinary clothes, slowly entered the battlefield.
Ebizo!
He was also Chiyo's younger brother and an advisor elder of Sunagakure.
Chapter 96: Orochimaru Under Siege!
The opponent in charge of intelligence and diplomacy may not be as strong as Chiyo, but they are definitely not weak. Most importantly, they belong to the 'intellectual strategist' type, much like Chiyo's shadow. Together, they form a formidable duo.
It's no wonder that Sunagakure can stand firm despite various disadvantages, thanks to the Chiyo siblings, these seasoned elder advisors.
Looking at their advisors and then at our own, it's clear that comparison only brings pain.
If the villagers of Konoha knew the truth, they would surely be envious and resentful, wishing they could pack up their own Konoha F4 and trade them for Sunagakure's two elder advisors.
Although Ebizō is not at Kage level, his expertise in Wind Release and sealing techniques makes him an incredibly tough opponent.
Facing the three who were subtly surrounding him, Orochimaru spoke with a playful tone.
"It seems this is a trap set just for me?"
Even in such a perilous situation, he showed no sign of unease, fully displaying the confidence of a Kage-level powerhouse.
"Orochimaru, today you will stay here!"
Chiyo wasted no words, pulling out a scroll and spreading it open. After forming hand seals, she pressed her palm onto it.
Bang, bang...! Clouds of white smoke exploded around her.
Ten masked, white-robed humanoid puppets appeared.
"White Secret Technique: The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!"
Chiyo spread her hands, and a chakra thread extended from each finger, piercing into the puppets.
While an ordinary puppeteer can control only one puppet, she could manipulate ten with her secret technique, increasing her combat power tenfold.
Chiyo had once used this secret technique to conquer an entire city.
It's simply overwhelming!
Now you understand how extraordinary her Kage-level strength is.
Seeing this, Orochimaru bent down, his mouth level with the ground.
"Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Countless snakes poured from his mouth, spreading rapidly like a tidal wave, creating a terrifying spectacle.
This was a secret technique he developed himself.
Yes, although Orochimaru mastered countless jutsu, he preferred using his own secret techniques in battle.
They not only consumed less chakra but also packed a powerful punch.
"Let me handle this!"
Pakura charged into the snake tide.
Because dealing with this type of enemy wasn't the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets' specialty.
"I'll take on Manda!"
Ebizō lunged towards the giant snake.
With his expertise in Wind Release and sealing techniques, he was indeed more suited to handle such large summoning beasts than the other two.
As for Granny Chiyo, she stayed in the center, ready to deliver a fatal blow when the opportunity arose.
Surrounded by a ring of fireballs, Pakura emitted an incredibly intense heat, turning the surrounding snake tide into dried snakes.
If they were larger snakes, they wouldn't die so easily.
But the Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes focused on quantity and venom, with the thickest being no more than the size of a thigh, unable to withstand Pakura's full firepower.
Ordinary snakes can't use chakra to protect themselves from high temperatures.
However, a summoning beast like Manda could use chakra to shield itself from such scorching heat.
Moreover, in this state, Pakura could also gain an advantage in taijutsu clashes.
Orochimaru had no choice but to enhance his body with chakra to avoid being affected by the high temperature.
Scorch Release is too powerful! No, it's more accurate to say Pakura is too powerful to have developed such a terrifying kekkei genkai.
After several exchanges.
Even though Orochimaru's taijutsu wasn't weak, he was perfectly countered, and with Granny Chiyo watching for an opportunity, he found himself at a disadvantage.
"No, I can't continue like this!"
Orochimaru realized the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable, so he began to shift the battlefield, preparing to find someone to assist him.
If it were a one-on-one fight, as a Kage-level powerhouse, he would naturally disdain teaming up.
But since he was being ganged up on, he wouldn't face it alone.
However, finding someone to help also required careful consideration.
Ordinary ninjas naturally had no place in such a Kage-level battle; getting involved would be a death sentence.
Mitokado Shihiro could certainly help, but he wasn't present, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio was tied up, so...
Orochimaru's eyes glanced towards a certain direction.
Over there!
Uchiha Takashi was leading Team 404 in an easy battle.
Because their opponents were a Sand Ninja squad led by a jonin.
Yamakawa Koji was the main force, fiercely battling the enemy jonin captain, while Uchiha Takashi and Hyuga Aotsuki were engaged in a 'chicken pecking' fight with two Sand Ninja chunin, looking completely natural.
This wasn't just holding back; it was holding back an ocean.
But it didn't give anyone a reason to criticize.
After all, you can't say that a chunin and two genin fighting an enemy jonin and two chunin is holding back, can you?
However, this easy battle was soon disrupted.
(End of Chapter)