Chapter 133 : Kage-Level Battle

"Huh? What's this light!?"

The energy emanating from the destruction of Gelel's ore vein was spectacular. A brilliant blue-green beam of light was visible for hundreds of kilometers.

A group of Konoha ninjas stared solemnly in the direction of the phenomenon, hastening their steps.

"It doesn't matter who you are, but I'm afraid things are about to get lively around here. I must subdue you immediately."

Lord Gen tore off his tattered jacket and vest, revealing his still-intact black attire.

A green cyclone enveloped him once again. His azure eyes were intense, his hair stood on end, and a Kage-level aura emanated from him.

Though he had consumed a considerable amount of chakra, he remained uninjured. Lord Gen still retained about 60% of his combat power.

"This suits me perfectly."

Orochimaru glanced at the lingering green crystals, emitting an even more enigmatic aura.

Due to his limitations in strength and training time, Orochimaru's Sage Mode had barely altered its appearance, nor had he mastered the exclusive techniques of the Senjutsu. Not to mention, his level was not on par with that of Namikaze Minato from the future, let alone surpassing him.

His advantage lay in Takeshi, who continuously provided him with stronger true essence. The air was filled with escaping Senjutsu chakra, allowing him to maintain a state of low energy expenditure nearly all the time, akin to Jiraiya's summoning of the two mighty toads.

"Lightning Release: Chidori!"

Orochimaru struck first, a blue-green arc surging from his form as he struck the ground forcefully. These arcs, blessed by the might of Senjutsu arts, surged forth like a snake endowed with life, hurtling toward Lord Gen!

"What's this?!"

Lord Gen was taken aback. The electric arcs before him resembled the powerful Lightning Release technique, Lightning Release: Thunder Snake.

The speed was astonishing. Without delay, Lord Gen released a large Vacuum Palm.

"Boom!"

The Vacuum Palm nearly scraped off a layer of the earth's surface. Razor-like winds sliced through the air, slicing through the wind blades.

Mr. Gen utilized Wind Release chakra mode to hover in the air, preparing to employ ninjutsu, but surprisingly, the scattered arcs coalesced, forming a robust, blue-green electric serpent that leaped from the ground!

"Damn!"

The startled Lord Gen's ninjutsu was interrupted, and he barely evaded the assault. However, his left arm was grazed, the electricity leaving a blackened mark.

Lord Gen glared at Orochimaru, his expression dark. Once again, he dispersed the electric serpent and drew a kunai. Azure chakra enveloped it, forming a chakra sword. He shot toward Orochimaru at remarkable speed.

His opponent's ninjutsu was unconventional, making close-quarters combat difficult.

Orochimaru didn't hesitate. A faint red cyclone enshrouded him, his scarlet eyes locked onto Lord Gen's figure. He entered the Ghost Mode!

The Kusanagi sword, its true form concealed, rested in his hand. Lord Gen's speed was now entirely perceptible to Orochimaru. With a deft slash, he unleashed his Kenjutsu.

"Ye-!!"

The forceful impact sent Lord Gen flying. Yet Orochimaru, imbued with the power of the White Scaled Serpent and a trace of the Shikotsumyaku 's bloodline limit, was even mightier.

After sliding several meters on the ground, he immediately lunged, the Kusanagi blade akin to a venomous serpent striking at Lord Gen's vulnerable spot.

"Damn, he's strong!"

Lord Gen was astonished. Despite his Wind Release chakra mode, his enhanced speed and strength proved ineffective against Orochimaru's superior prowess, combined with his mastery of Kenjutsu.

Though Orochimaru's movements weren't as swift as Lord Gen's, he effectively parried each assault. The tremendous force unsettled Lord Gen, his blood roiling. Orochimaru's swift counterattacks added to his discomfort, inflicting additional wounds.

Orochimaru was also struggling. Master Gen possessed an intangible blade with every Wind Release chakra mode technique. Although Orochimaru continually defended, he still sustained damage from the air blades, his body marred by red streaks.

"It seems my Kenjutsu is lacking compared to those Shinobi from the Warring States era."

In close combat, Orochimaru couldn't employ the Snake Shedding Technique for direct immunity to harm. Additionally, his self-healing wasn't as potent as that of the later generations. Engaging in such combat was taxing.

Observing that he couldn't gain an advantage, Lord Gen executed a feint, retreating from Orochimaru. Cyan chakra amassed at his fingertips, forming a cyan light that shot towards Orochimaru.

"Wind Release: Wind Meteor Strike!"

Orochimaru exerted all effort to evade, yet the proximity was his downfall. The speed of the cyan light was incredible, piercing his thigh. Within the Wind Release chakra mode, he executed another Wind Release technique even more rapidly.

"Hahaha, you're finished."

Without words, Lord Gen distanced himself, ascending to a higher point. Potent chakra gathered in his palm, morphing into a tempestuous blue cyclone.

This was the mysterious move that had reduced the Sand Ninja Marza, shielded by sand armour, to dust in an instant.

Orochimaru regarded Lord Gen solemnly in the air. Although he anticipated surviving the injury, he likely couldn't evade the aerial attack due to his current condition.

Lord Gen's chakra shouldn't be abundant, making this his final attack.

But would it be lethal? Orochimaru sneered!

"Why the desperation? I initially intended to capture you, yet now it seems you might perish by this technique."

Lord Gen regarded Orochimaru playfully, embodying the wind monarch. Nonetheless, he inherited the ruthless, cunning spirit of the Shimura clan. Without awaiting Orochimaru's response, he unleashed his prepared technique.

"Wind Release: Wind of Sword Destruction!"

The wind mass raced toward Orochimaru, transforming into a colossal cyclone composed of countless minuscule wind blades. It engulfed Orochimaru, akin to a shredder, savagely cutting all within its reach.

"The principle of this technique resembles Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, albeit with slightly less power yet greater attack range. Lord Gen, you're truly a Wind Release prodigy!"

Orochimaru endured the onslaught. He absorbed Takeshi's true essence while relentlessly urging his own chakra.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Orochimaru unleashed his mightiest Earth Release technique, causing the ground to surge as if alive. Earth and stones erected before him, coalescing into a massive ring-shaped wall. It then twisted, forming a circular dome, enshrouding him. The true power of the Senjutsu Technique was displayed.

"This Uchiha's ninjutsu prowess is extraordinary. It's as if they possess life, be it the original Lightning Release or this Earth Release... When did the Uchiha become so versatile?"

Lord Gen wavered in the air. Prolonged combat, especially his confrontation with Troy, had depleted a significant portion of his chakra. He was nearing exhaustion. Engaging in a final round of slashing and shredding, he mustered confidence anew.

"It's futile. Fall to my technique!"

The enormous cyan cyclone ultimately reduced Orochimaru's Earth-Style Wall to debris, enveloping the area Orochimaru occupied without hesitation. A deafening slicing sound echoed as the cyclone viciously carved through everything, forming a deep pit several meters in diameter.

This assault seemed more potent than the one that killed the Sand Ninja.

Panting, Lord Gen landed on the ground, facing what remained of Orochimaru's partially destroyed form embedded in the ground.

"Is he dead?"

Lord Gen cautiously approached Orochimaru, remaining vigilant.

"It appears that his defensive ninjutsu failed."

Lord Gen was about to inspect the body when suddenly, the debris on the ground erupted. Orochimaru thrust at Lord Gen's vital point.

"What!"

Lord Gen evaded quickly, his shoulder still oozing blood. Had he not been alert, Orochimaru might have succeeded.

"What a pity." Orochimaru cloaked himself with Takeshi's true essence, yet he still failed.

Orochimaru eyed Lord Gen coldly. While his injuries vanished, his situation seemed dire. His chakra was depleted, and his complexion was pale.

Enduring such injuries necessitated significant chakra and repeated use of the Snake Shedding Technique. Orochimaru was nearly drained.

Fortunately, Wind Release: Wind of Sword Destruction inflicted continuous damage. Hence, Orochimaru was confident in withstanding it. Had it been an attack like Tailed Beast Ball, he would've been eradicated instantly.

"I didn't expect this technique would fail to kill you. Why can't I see any wounds on your body? And what about the body?"

Lord Gen's expression fluctuated, his demeanour uncertain. He slowly withdrew, seemingly considering retreat.

"That's merely a clone of mine, and it's very lifelike!" Orochimaru remarked with a smirk.

"Your chakra is depleted, isn't it? Behold my technique!"

Lord Gen quickly formed hand seals, his Wind Release and Wind Release Chakra Amplification jutsu launching him into the air. His hands moved rapidly, forming a new ninjutsu.

"Why aren't you using that chakra mode of yours? Seems like you can't utilize it either."

Orochimaru remained indifferent, and suddenly, the pile of rubble nearby exploded. Revealed beneath was an enormous chameleon head—it was the summoning beast he had concealed earlier.

"Descend!"

Shiromari opened its maw, its crimson tongue akin to a javelin, hurtling toward Lord Gen. It ensnared him and, with a powerful jerk, flung him, smashing him into a heap of rocks and causing debris to scatter.

"Secret Art: Chameleon Acid Bomb!"

Shiromari refused to allow the intrusion of this insect attempting to harm it. A massive acid mist cloaked the area, accompanied by faint cries—Lord Gen's screams!

"Perhaps you've truly finished him?" Takeshi, attached to Orochimaru, considered it uneasily, speaking aloud.

"Fire Style : Flame Extinguisher!"

Orochimaru wasted no words. He and Takeshi expended their remaining strength, conjuring an intense high-temperature flame.

The fire engulfed the vicinity, liquefying rocks and filling the air with fiery red hues.

"Hu-hu, that should have killed him, right? The Wind Release defense isn't that robust."

Orochimaru panted heavily, his gaze locked on the surrounding area, while Takeshi also remained cautious.

"Let's take a closer look."

After a while, the flames subsided. Both of them regained their breath, cautiously approaching the area.

"Wait, something's amiss!"

Takeshi's voice grew tense, abruptly revealing his form and opening his newly acquired white eyes.

"No! That old man escaped!"

Takeshi roared in fury. Lord Gen was nowhere to be found in the region he could perceive. His vision showed that Lord Gen had slipped away under the protection of Wind Release, dashing away with incredible speed and swiftly vanishing from detection.

"Dammit! Coward! A disgrace to the Shimura clan!"

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