Chapter 98: Five Chakra Nature

The Cloud shinobi launched a fierce assault. The ninja in the front line drew short knives and kunai, aiming to stab their opponents, while those at the rear unleashed a barrage of kunai intermixed with explosive tags.

Explosions echoed continuously. Konoha's Anbu, who were at a clear disadvantage in ninjutsu, found themselves overwhelmed. Several of the brave comrades who charged forward returned with scars, and some didn't return at all.

The forest terrain of Battle Peak, riddled with rocky ravines, played to the advantage of the Anbu as they managed to hold their ground despite the onslaught.

In a mere three minutes, less than 30 Anbu members were besieged. A Cloud Jōnin, leading the charge with two flashing lightning kunai, left a trail of bloodshed as the ninja known as Wasp was split in two, alongside his sluggish companion.

"The Hidden Shadow Snake Hand!"

Without hesitation, Orochimaru swiftly executed his technique. Countless venomous serpents extended their menacing jaws, striking down the ninja in their path.

"What in the world?!"

Cloud shinobi had never witnessed such a bizarre ninjutsu before. Startled, one of their Jōnin slashed through the snakes with a lightning-infused strike, while more snakes coiled and entwined, determined to constrict him.

After an initial moment of chaos, the Anbu members managed to regain their footing and counterattack. Their prowess reflected the genius that Konoha had nurtured, even among the Chunin and Anbu ranks.

Many of Cloud's forces were made up of less experienced scouts, which momentarily slowed their advance due to the Anbu's resistance.

However, Cloud forces boasted three Jōnin. Witnessing their comrade struggling against Orochimaru, the other two Jōnin rushed to his aid. Anbu members in their path faced a united front.

"How about… using defensive scrolls?"

The Anbu carrying scrolls hesitated, fearing their scrolls might be destroyed at any moment.

"Absolutely not. Even if it means our entire unit falls, we must endure until reinforcements arrive! It's our duty as Anbu!"

A seemingly unassuming Anbu suddenly voiced his opinion.

"Even if we perish, we must stand strong until the last person remains! That's the responsibility we bear as Anbu!"

This individual unleashed a formidable water style ninjutsu, forming water waves into a colossal water dragon that crashed into the enemy, claiming numerous Genin lives as they were slammed into the rock walls, their screams piercing the air.

This Anbu was panting after using all his strength, but it was the strength of an elite chunin which dealt considerable damage.

Gasping for breath, the Anbu pushed themselves to their limits. Yet, despite their relentless efforts, Orochimaru felt the strain. Even though he lacked the defensive fortitude of a Lightning Release armour, he reduced the surrounding snakes as defensive wall using his Thousand Snake Wall technique. Then, he swiftly employed Body Flicker to engage the sword-wielding Jōnin face-to-face.

"Pfft—!"

Slightly distracted, Orochimaru received a gash on his left shoulder, his scales rolling up beneath his skin, leaving him partially paralyzed.

"So swift!"

Orochimaru's blood-red snake-like eyes locked onto the Jōnin, momentarily entrancing him.

"Die, you little demon!"

The other two Jōnin charged forward, resembling humanoid titans. Their roars rang out, jolting the first Jōnin from his stupor, who then slashed at Orochimaru with two blades.

"We must find a way to eliminate this foe quickly and then deal with the other two. Otherwise, these Anbu will crumble under the pressure."

Orochimaru observed the Jonin, who was dangerously close. Unwavering, Orochimaru weighed his options.

"I could escape, but doing so would inevitably betray my comrades. The team I've assembled would be torn apart, and all my efforts in Konoha would be in vain."

Orochimaru's eyes blazed crimson, his powerful chakra surging into the Jōnin's mind. Concurrently, he bit his finger, forming hand seals at lightning speed.

The Jōnin's expression shifted drastically, but he gritted his teeth, mustering a final desperate assault with his ninja blade.

"Maybe I'll betray Konoha in the future, but today is not that day!"

"Emotion Stimulation Illusion!"

A wave of despair washed over the Cloud Jōnin, his expression contorted in horror. Yet, his determination to continue his ninjutsu attack remained strong. Despite his lack of control over his body, he stubbornly drove himself to launch a final strike.

"Lightning Style : Lightning Sword's Thrust!"

"Snake Giant Soldier: Evil Snake Bind!"

Both attacks erupted simultaneously. As Orochimaru's hands met the ground for summoning the snake, brilliant arcs of electricity surged through him.

"Boom-!"

Blood sprayed into the air, evaporating before it could even touch the ground.

The wounded Orochimaru was sent hurtling through the air by the combined force of the two Jōnin, a gaping hole torn through his chest, abdomen, and back, lightning crackling outward.

Nightingale and the others saw this scene and were horrified.

Simultaneously, Orochimaru unleashed his most potent summoning jutsu. Two colossal serpents, each spanning 30 meters, erupted from the earth, seizing the other two Jōnin and swallowing them whole.

"Cough...!"

Bleeding profusely, Orochimaru struggled to speak. Yet, his determination remained unwavering. Though severely wounded, his unique constitution prevented him from succumbing to death. However, his physical strength waned, his chakra evaporating through his grievous wounds.

Orochimaru was no immortal serpent. To mend his injuries, he needed to expend a substantial amount of chakra.

"Too slow!"

Impatience surged within Orochimaru. Desperately channelling chakra, he invoked Mystical Palm Technique to treat his wounds. He also consumed medicinal pills like candy, hoping to restore some semblance of vitality.

Fear flickered in the eyes of surrounding Cloud ninjas, while the Anbu instinctively drew closer to Orochimaru.

"Black Snake... Captain, are you alright?!"

Hyuga Kazuki unleashed a palm strike, dispatching a Cloud ninja. His voice resounded lowly, laden with concern.

Nightingale rushed forward, her eyes a mix of worry and anxiety.

"Don't approach. I'm not dying just yet."

Orochimaru's gaze remained fixed on the distant battle between the two Jōnin and the summoned snake. He showed no interest in those nearby.

Injured severely, Orochimaru's unique constitution kept him from death's embrace, but his physical condition continued to deteriorate. His exceptional regenerative powers required a substantial chakra expenditure.

"That's it!"

Orochimaru's patience dwindled. Pushing his chakra to it's limits, he performed an advanced version of Mystical Palm Technique, consuming jelly bean-like pills to hasten his recovery.

Cloud Jonin's lifeless body lay sprawled upon Orochimaru, an eerie crimson energy seeping into him. Orochimaru's chakra and mental power surged, his strength returning in a rush.

"How sweet, as if all their talent and strength have been bestowed upon me!"

Despite his pallor, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. Activating his Devouring power, he absorbed the remnants of Cloud Jonin's energy, causing the lifeless body to wither and pale further before disintegrating in Orochimaru's grip.

"Your life ends here!"

The two Jōnin seethed with rage, rallying their strength and unleashing their most potent snake-based ninjutsu, converging on Orochimaru.

A bloodthirsty grin curled Orochimaru's lips as a subtle surge of electricity flickered in his crimson eyes.

At last, he had acquired the Lightning Release. Though weakened, Orochimaru now possessed all five elemental affinities.

A peculiar sensation washed over him. His mental strength felt fortified, his control over ninjutsu becoming second nature. His power hadn't necessarily grown; rather, he had forged a deeper connection to the chakra that bound heaven and earth.

"Come forth, let us engage in battle! Only through such dire combat can I seize the chance to vanquish the powerful and claim their strength for myself!"

Orochimaru extended his hands, his gaze fixed on the two Jōnin. An overwhelming aura enveloped him, causing even the distant combatants, Yaksha and Tazun, to momentarily shift their focus.

"What a formidable talent! This individual is precisely as Gen-sama and Danzo-sama described—a future reckoning, a calamity that must be addressed."

Yaksha and Tazun continued their intense struggle. The battlefield bore the scars of their clash, ravaged by their fierce engagement. Smoothly hewn trees and rocky walls bore testament to the raw might they wielded.

"With mastery over all five chakras, I might even learn Sarutobi-sensei's techniques. My strength has grown, no longer constrained by elemental limitations."

Orochimaru's wounds throbbed as he glanced at the two Jōnin who were leaping towards him. A swift series of hand seals later, his hands rose skyward, chakra surging forth and giving rise to a torrent of vicious serpents that swarmed forth.

"Ninjutsu: Serpent Torrent Burial!"

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