Chapter 50: Battle Ends
Tsushima's face tensed, feeling uneasy. He knew that Tobirama and Kagami must be watching the battle somewhere. Orochimaru really couldn't defeat him head-on, but what if he keeps depleting his chakra reserves?
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Spear Formation!" Tsushima utilized Orochimaru's momentary evasion to execute an intricate ninjutsu. However, Orochimaru was unable to stop it in time.
Violent chakra fluctuations emanated from the ground, as if the very earth had come to life.
"No, this must be a wide-range ninjutsu!" Orochimaru was shocked and hurried to a relatively open area.
"Boom!" A sharp earth spear emerged from the ground without a sound. One of Orochimaru's legs suffered a large, gaping wound, and blood flowed!
"Damn it, I was careless!" The entire ground was saturated with chakra fluctuations, making it difficult for Orochimaru to fully anticipate the Spear's attack, a situation he had never encountered before.
"Hehe, how fast can you be with an injured leg?" Tsushima maintained hand seals to control the ninjutsu, and two earth spears stabbed at Orochimaru from both sides.
"Brush!" Orochimaru arched his waist into an astonishing arc, narrowly avoiding the two earth spears grazing past his chest.
However, in front of Orochimaru, another chakra surged, and several dangerous fluctuations appeared around him.
"This is too much! Do you intend to kill me?" Orochimaru was also enraged. He condensed chakra in his hand, forming a bright white halo that circled around him, and unleashed a chakra energy reminiscent of a secluded orchid.
"Chakra Scalpel!" Orochimaru slammed his feet hard. The Chakra Scalpel not only possessed tremendous cutting force, but also could destroy tissues and muscles from within. Since the earth spear was formed by chakra, Orochimaru directly disrupted its flow and structure, causing the earth spear to halt immediately after breaking through the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Orochimaru dashed out from the opening, and several earth spears behind him pierced through the previous locations, but all in vain.
"How much longer can you last?" Tsushima taunted Orochimaru with a playful look. In truth, the Earth Spear's attack wasn't aimed at fatal positions. Orochimaru could regenerate from severed limbs. At most, it would incapacitate him temporarily.
"I can't keep this up for much longer!" Orochimaru had already used multiple Body Replacement Techniques in a row to avoid the earth spears.
"Summoning Art: Rashomon Gate!"
"Crash!" A colossal gate, over 20 metres high, emerged from the ground. Countless earth spears impaled it and exploded into pieces. Rashomon trembled, bearing countless dents, yet it remained incredibly robust.
"Hu-hu-" Orochimaru crouched atop Rashomon, staring coldly at Tsushima . Like a trapped dog, he had been pursued by Tsushima for a long time, and now it was time for Orochimaru to retaliate.
"Rashomon? I really missed you." Tsushima gazed at the enormous gate, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes, while his attack slowed down.
He quickly used the Mystical Palm Technique to tend to his wounds, ensuring that it wouldn't hinder his movement temporarily. Then, Orochimaru formed seals with both hands, slammed them under his feet, and violently increased his chakra output.
"Thousand Snake Burial!"
"Hey—!"
Countless snakes surged out from Orochimaru's side, from his sleeves, and even from his mouth, coalescing into an indescribably terrifying wave that cascaded from the top of Rashomon, like a massive black waterfall materializing out of thin air. The sight was both breathtaking and eerie!
"Is he fighting back?" Tsushima smiled excitedly.
"Explode!" Orochimaru roared, and the explosive tags entwined within the torrent of snakes burst into countless flames. Earth and rocks were sent flying, smoke billowed, and the surrounding earth spears were practically wiped out. The prolonged ninjutsu had reached its climactic end.
With the obstacle cleared, Orochimaru emerged from the smoke and made his move on the earth again, this time wielding a cyan-bladed sword!
"That sword seems very sharp!" Tsushima recalled the wound on Kaguya Hiro's chest from before, but he remained undeterred.
"I am not a waste of the Kaguya clan. If you can cut me, it will only lead to your defeat!"
Tsushima was quite confident in his defense. He was superior to Kaguya, possessing extensive combat experience, and didn't underestimate Orochimaru.
Orochimaru charged toward Tsushima with the sword in hand. His dark golden snake eyes exuded a blood-red aura, and every move of Tsushima was under Orochimaru's watchful eye.
"You'll only end the battle early!" Tsushima stood his ground and employed another ninjutsu. When Orochimaru drew near, the ground suddenly turned into a malleable liquid, causing Orochimaru's feet to sink into the ground.
"Earth Release: Ant's Nest!"
The ground transformed into a vortex, relentlessly pulling and compressing Orochimaru , making it challenging for him to break free below his calf.
"It's over!" Tsushima lunged forward, looking at Orochimaru without any reservations, and reached for his face with his dark palm!
Simultaneously, on both sides of Orochimaru , two earth clones, prepared well in advance, charged forward. Their forms were also darkened as they extended their hands to seize Orochimaru!
The Ant's Nest was specifically designed to counter ninjas' Earth Release techniques. It not only ensnared the opponent but also exerted a strong squeezing force. If it were a clone, it would have dispersed by now, so this undoubtedly was Orochimaru's real body!
Three figures blocked Orochimaru's retreat. Even if he resorted to illusions, the other two clones would subdue him!
Orochimaru appeared to be in dire straits, yet there was no panic on his face, as if everything had unfolded as he had foreseen.
In his eyes, scarlet rays of light flickered, and a massive mental wave surged out. Time seemed to freeze for a second, and a potent mental impact created a 360-degree fan-shaped ripple that swept across all three figures at once!
"Mental Pulse!"
This was no illusion. It was a powerful mental shock. Orochimaru's control over it had become increasingly refined, using a skill similar to group disorientation. Anyone with weaker mental power than him would be momentarily stunned at close range! Though Tsushima possessed a formidable spirit, indomitable will, and strength far exceeding Orochimaru , he couldn't avoid being affected for that one second!
"Stab!" Orochimaru's restrained figure was suddenly torn apart, and a "new" body, wielding the Kusanagi sword, dashed forth from the shed body and stabbed at the ground with the blade!
"Don't even think about it!" Tsushima persisted, his pitch-black arm still trying to grab Orochimaru , determined not to let the sword pierce him directly!
The Kusanagi sword clashed with Tsushima's arm, creating a shower of sparks. Tsushima's arm wavered, and a shallow scratch appeared on it.
Before he could swing the sword again, Orochimaru had already passed him in a blur. At that moment, Orochimaru's other hand ignited a fierce orchid glow, and he unleashed the Chakra Scalpel with all his might, slashing across Tsushima's waist!
Gasping violently as he rushed by, Orochimaru turned to look at Tsushima and made no further moves.
Tsushima's expression froze, and he slowly turned around. The two clones were released simultaneously, dispersing into smoke and fading away.
The advantages of the Chakra Scalpel were fully evident. Even with Tsushima's impressive surface defense, this ninjutsu could penetrate the interior and inflict sinister damage on muscles and meridians.
Tsushima winced at the ache in his waist, and he gazed at Orochimaru with extremely mixed emotions. Though not severe, he had been injured in the head-to-head confrontation!
After a brief silence, Tsushima sighed, "You've won, young one."
"Huh—" Orochimaru was also physically and mentally exhausted. If the battle continued, he would undoubtedly lose. Sheathing the Kusanagi sword, Orochimaru slightly bowed.
"I accept it."
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