This Kid is Like Me

Hearing the other party's second question, Natsuhiko couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth slightly. 

He felt that this guy might not actually be Orochimaru but rather Jiraiya in disguise.

That's right, the guy who suddenly appeared before him was none other than Orochimaru, the Cold Lord, who is ranked alongside Tsunade and Jiraiya as one of the Three Legendary Ninja!

However, unlike the original portrayal of a genderless, half-human, half-snake creature, the current Orochimaru was still just a somewhat effeminate, handsome young man.

Moreover, due to his significant contributions during the Second Shinobi World War and the recent Cloud Village battlefield, Orochimaru is now highly respected and considered the top candidate for the next Hokage.

But Natsuhiko knew that ever since Rope Tree died a few years ago, Orochimaru had once again realised the fragility of life. His obsession with immortality deepened, causing his thoughts to gradually deviate from the right path.

This is why, within just a few years, he lost all his public support and was defeated by the younger Minato in the struggle for the Hokage position.

In the end, he was discovered by the Third Hokage and forced to leave the village after conducting human experiments on villagers.

However, there were still several years before his defection, and the current Orochimaru wasn't as extreme, so Natsuhiko didn't have to worry too much for now.

As for how he saw through the other party's disguise?

It was actually straightforward.

When he approached the other party earlier, the system triggered an alert indicating a high-energy reaction ahead.

Although Natsuhiko had turned off the mini-map program, the system would still automatically pop up a reminder when it detected a powerful and unmarked chakra entity nearby.

So Natsuhiko immediately knew that this wasn't Kushina!

Natsuhiko even knew from the mini-map that the marked Kushina was still behind that big tree.

But obviously, Natsuhiko couldn't reveal his abilities to Orochimaru.

So, in response to the other's question, he shrugged and casually replied, "Maybe it's what they call intuition?"

"After all, I've spent quite a bit of time with Kushina, so I can tell if it's her or not, Lord Orochimaru."

"Is this another one of those so-called bonds?"

Orochimaru murmured, not showing much reaction.

Then he looked at Natsuhiko with great interest, "It seems you know me, Natsuhiko-kun. Have we met before?"

"I've only seen you from a distance, but with someone as outstanding as you, Lord Orochimaru, it's hard not to know you."

After a casual compliment, Natsuhiko continued, "If there's nothing else, I should go check on Kushina."

After saying that, he started walking towards the tree.

Since Kushina hadn't shown herself until now, she was probably restrained by Orochimaru.

But for now, Natsuhiko felt that Orochimaru had no malicious intent; he was probably just curious after hearing Natsuhiko's name from somewhere and came to test him.

However, Natsuhiko had only taken a few steps when he heard Orochimaru chuckle:

"Don't be in such a hurry; our little sparring session isn't over yet, is it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru's right hand suddenly elongated and shot towards Natsuhiko at an incredible speed!

"Is this the Soft Physique Modification...?"

Natsuhiko frowned slightly at the sight, realising that their earlier exchange hadn't satisfied Orochimaru's curiosity.

He felt a bit helpless but didn't hesitate as he quickly extended his right hand as well.

"Flower Clone Technique: Thirty-Two Petal Flower, White Snake!"

In the next moment, the wind howled as a series of linked arm shadow clones emerged from Natsuhiko's right palm. Their combined force formed a white snake that shot forward to counter the incoming "white snake."

Boom!

The two snakes clashed!

Sure enough, Orochimaru's one-piece "white snake" was much fiercer than Natsuhiko's stitched-together version. As soon as they collided, it shattered each segment of the arm shadow clones with overwhelming force!

A series of white smoke bursts exploded in midair!

Fortunately, after being blocked by the segmented arms, the force of Orochimaru's right hand was exhausted, and it began to retract after breaking through over twenty segments.

So this round of Flower Clone Technique vs. Soft Physique Modification...

No, it should be Flower Clone Technique vs Soft Physique Modification, which ended in a draw.

"This is...?"

Orochimaru's golden slit pupils contracted instantly. At the moment Natsuhiko unleashed his technique, Orochimaru almost thought the other party had undergone the same Soft Physique Modification as himself!

But from the gradually disappearing white smoke and the sensation from his right hand, Orochimaru quickly deduced that Natsuhiko's technique worked on a different principle.

"Is this a new technique developed from the Shadow Clone Technique?"

"Using a completely different approach to achieve a similar effect to my technique, how interesting."

Orochimaru subconsciously licked his lips with his long tongue, looking at Natsuhiko with great interest.

"This time, the person recommended by Sensei is finally someone worthwhile."

"Perhaps you could really become a good assistant."

"But, the test isn't over yet..."

"Let's see how many more surprises you can give me, Natsuhiko-kun."

At this point, Natsuhiko dismissed the remaining arm shadow clones and shook his right hand, which was injured from the recoil, with a helpless expression:

"Lord Orochimaru, are you satisfied now?"

In response, he was met with four rapidly approaching shuriken.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

"Damn it, when will this end!"

Natsuhiko felt a bit irritated, and so as not to be outdone, he quickly threw four shurikens in return to intercept them.

However, Orochimaru's assault wasn't over yet!

As soon as he threw the shuriken, his hands blurred as he rapidly formed seals.

Ox, Dog, Dragon, Rat, Dog, Boar, Snake, Tiger!

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

In an instant, the four shuriken multiplied into hundreds and thousands, forming a rain of shuriken that surged towards Natsuhiko.

Natsuhiko also mimicked this technique, clapping his hands together.

"Shuriken Clone Technique!"

His shuriken quickly multiplied as well, colliding with Orochimaru's shuriken in mid-air!

Then...

Aside from a few faint clinking sounds, all the shuriken passed through each other.

Well, since most of Natsuhiko's shuriken were generated through projection, they naturally wouldn't collide with the real ones.

But Natsuhiko's move was merely a diversion.

Soon, Orochimaru's shuriken shadow clones reached the unresponsive Natsuhiko standing still on the ground and passed right through him again!

It turned out that not only the shuriken but even Natsuhiko, who was standing still, had somehow turned into a projection.

Meanwhile, one of Natsuhiko's shurikens, who had luckily avoided being struck, now flew towards Orochimaru.

However, Orochimaru seemed to ignore it, allowing the shuriken to embed itself in his forehead...

Only for his body to crumble like soil, sliding down as it turned to mud...

It turned out Orochimaru had also used the Earth Substitution Technique to replace his natural body.

In the next moment, a muffled sound erupted from the ground between where the two had stood.

Both Natsuhiko and Orochimaru burst out from the ground, staring at each other in exasperation.

"Why is this guy copying my tactics again?"

Both of them thought the same thing.

This time, they had the same idea again—using the shuriken (shadow) clone technique to lure the other while digging underground for a sneak attack.

Heaven knows how awkward it was when they encountered each other digging tunnels underground!

While still in mid-air, Orochimaru, seeing that Natsuhiko not only used similar techniques but also fought in a style very similar to his own, found his interest growing even stronger.

Orochimaru even had to admit, "This kid is like me!"

No wonder Sensei recommended him so strongly.

"Now let me see the level of your Five Elements Ninjutsu, Natsuhiko-kun!"

This time, Orochimaru said it directly, forming a single seal with one hand and then suddenly exhaling a powerful gust of wind from his mouth!

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

(End of Chapter)

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