Shiranui Riku used Thunder Breathing: First Form — Thunderbolt Flash: Six Consecutive Strikes in a final clash with Orochimaru.
Orochimaru dodged the first sword strike.
Riku planted both feet on a tree trunk, used the terrain to redirect his momentum, and slashed toward Orochimaru again.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "Oh? So this is your solution to the weakness of Thunderbolt Flash once its linear nature is exposed? Impressive."
He didn't believe this was some hidden trick. It was still part of Thunderbolt Flash. But he didn't underestimate it. Riku's execution proved otherwise.
Riku chased after ultimate speed.
The faster he moved, the more destructive the force behind it became.
He redirected his path using terrain, and the momentum from such speed put immense stress on his body.
Just now, the force transferred to his legs when he changed direction on a tree had left a crater large enough to pierce the trunk.
If not handled well, the resulting strain might cause minor leg injuries at best, and severe internal backlash from the lightning chakra at worst.
Yet Riku executed it with near-perfect chakra control. His precision and core foundation were solid.
"Let me see how far you can go!" Orochimaru formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
A violent gust of wind lashed toward Riku, sharp enough to slice flesh and bone.
Riku stepped onto a raised rock and shifted direction, narrowly avoiding the cutting wind.
He then used a nearby tree to redirect himself again and continued his pursuit.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
A stone wall shot up in his path.
Riku slashed through it with one clean strike.
But Orochimaru had already relocated using the Body Flicker Technique.
Riku's Sharingan locked on. He pivoted and gave chase again.
Orochimaru watched the lightning-clad Riku streak toward him.
"Even if you've compensated for your skill's predictability, you're still charging in straight lines. Your speed is fast, but not fast enough that I can't respond. That means I can still read your movements.
"You said six consecutive strikes, right? So far, you've redirected five times. That means you only have one more left."
He wasn't wrong.
Riku's legs were burning with pain. The sixth move would be his limit.
But if Orochimaru thought that was the end, he was gravely mistaken.
Riku wasn't some fool dashing forward just to be toyed with.
This sixth strike... was his finishing move.
He launched off a tree for the final directional shift.
Teeth clenched, ignoring the pain in his legs, Riku hurled himself toward Orochimaru.
"Hmm?"
Orochimaru's brows twitched.
He noticed Riku's left hand tremble unnaturally as he launched.
That was new. Riku hadn't made any unnecessary gestures before.
And then it clicked.
A rustling sound echoed around him.
In an instant, Orochimaru was immobilized.
Under the glow of the lightning encasing Riku's body, Orochimaru saw what bound him:
Steel wire.
He pieced it together quickly.
Riku knew Thunderbolt Flash: Six Consecutive Strikes wouldn't land on someone like him — not without locking him down.
So, Riku laid a trap.
Each time he redirected using a tree, he subtly anchored steel wire.
Steel wire conducts electricity, and its thin strands were practically invisible in the dark.
That hand twitch earlier? It was Riku wrapping the wires around his hands, pulling them taut as he lunged — using the speed of lightning to snap the trap closed.
Orochimaru couldn't move.
He was stunned, not just physically but mentally.
To think that Riku had conjured such a clever plan mid-battle — his tactical instincts and execution were outstanding.
A flash of lightning streaked past.
Orochimaru was beheaded.
Riku collapsed, his legs unable to bear the strain any longer.
He never truly expected to kill Orochimaru.
Everyone knew that the man was a legend of the ninja world, with more lives than a cat.
Sure enough, Orochimaru's headless body wriggled.
A new, slime-covered Orochimaru crawled out of the corpse.
His trademark: the Orochimaru-style Substitution Technique.
No hand seals needed. He could shed his old body like a snake.
He approached Riku and looked down at him.
"You've surprised me. I take back what I said about your inability to think on the fly. Your capacity to adapt and act under pressure is extraordinary."
Shaking from pain, Riku stood with effort, gazing at him with hope.
"Master Orochimaru... then does this mean—"
Orochimaru placed a hand on Riku's shoulder.
"I'll see you after the graduation exam in four days. You may call me sensei now."
Riku ignored the searing pain in his legs and stood tall.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sensei!"
With that, Orochimaru removed his hand, turned, and left the training ground.
Through this battle, Riku knew one thing for sure:
He would grow stronger under Orochimaru.
And in that moment, he silently thanked Sarutobi Hiruzen for the assist.
It had all been worth it. Even enduring years of anonymity in Konoha.
His time was coming.