Chapter 23: Teacher

Chapter 23: Teacher

Chiba used Thunder Breathing: First Form: Thunderclap and Flash - Sixfold for his final confrontation with Orochimaru.

The first strike, a Draw Slash, was dodged by Orochimaru.

Chiba used his feet to step on a tree trunk, utilizing the terrain to change his direction and slash at Orochimaru again.

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed slightly, "Oh? So you've compensated for the weakness of Thunderclap and Flash, which becomes almost powerless once its nature and trajectory are seen through? Quite the genius!"

Orochimaru didn't think this move was Chiba holding back.

Because it still fell within the realm of Thunderclap and Flash.

Although this move seemed to merely use the terrain to change the direction of the advance, Orochimaru could see how difficult it was.

Chiba pursued extreme speed.

The faster the speed, the greater the power.

By changing the direction of his advance using the terrain, Chiba applied the power brought by speed onto his body.

Just like earlier, when Chiba changed direction by stepping on a tree trunk, the power from the speed was applied to his legs.

One could see the immense power from the footprint that penetrated the tree trunk.

If not handled properly, leg injuries would be the least of his worries; the backlash from the lightning chakra could cause unpredictable damage.

Chiba's handling earlier was enough to prove that his chakra control had reached a meticulous level, with a very solid foundation.

"Let me see where your limits lie!"

Orochimaru formed hand seals.

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"

Orochimaru released a violent wind capable of slicing through an enemy's flesh and bones in an instant, aiming it at Chiba.

Chiba stepped on a protruding rock, changed direction, and dodged the wind aimed at him.

Then, leveraging a nearby tree, he changed direction again, continuing his charge towards Orochimaru.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

A wall of earth rose in Chiba's path.

Chiba sliced through the earth wall with one strike.

But after slicing through the wall, Orochimaru had already used the Body Flicker Technique to change his position.

The Sharingan detected Orochimaru's location, and Chiba changed direction again, continuing his assault on Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, watching the lightning flicker as Chiba charged at him, said, "Although you've compensated for the weakness of Thunderclap and Flash, which becomes almost powerless once its nature and trajectory are seen through, you're still attacking in a straight line during your assault.

Your speed is indeed fast, but not beyond my ability to react, so predicting your trajectory is very easy. If this is all you can do, no matter how many times you try, it won't have any result."

As he spoke, Orochimaru dodged Chiba's Thunderclap and Flash Draw Slash again.

Orochimaru continued, "You mentioned Sixfold earlier, right? By literal meaning, you can only change your advance direction six times using the surrounding terrain. You've already changed direction five times, so if I understand correctly, you only have one last chance."

Orochimaru was correct, and his analysis was spot on.

Chiba's legs were now in pain; Sixfold was Chiba's limit.

But if Orochimaru thought it was over, he underestimated him.

Orochimaru could react to Chiba's Thunderclap and Flash, so even using Sixfold, Eightfold, or Eighteenfold wouldn't work.

Chiba wasn't foolish enough to charge mindlessly, letting Orochimaru toy with him like a monkey.

This sixth strike was Chiba's "finishing move!"

Chiba finally stepped on a tree, changing his advance direction.

Gritting his teeth, he endured the pain in his legs and charged at Orochimaru again.

"Hmm?"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow slightly.

He noticed that when Chiba stepped on the tree, his left hand wavered.

Chiba hadn't made such unnecessary movements before.

Soon, Orochimaru understood why Chiba made that hand movement.

At the moment Chiba stepped off the tree, a rustling sound appeared around Orochimaru.

Suddenly, Orochimaru was instantly bound in place.

He glanced around and, under the illumination of the lightning on Chiba, saw what was binding him.

Steel wires!

Orochimaru immediately analyzed Chiba's strategy.

Chiba knew Thunder Breathing: First Form: Thunderclap and Flash - Sixfold posed no threat to Orochimaru, as he could react and use the Body Flicker Technique to evade.

So how could he ensure his attack hit?

By immobilizing him, preventing evasion.

Every time Chiba stepped on a tree during Thunderclap and Flash - Sixfold, he wrapped steel wires around the trees he stepped on.

Steel wires conduct electricity and wouldn't be burned by the high temperature of lightning. Plus, at night, steel wires on the ground were very hidden and hard to detect.

Chiba's hand movement earlier was to wrap the prepared steel wires around his hand, then use the speed of Thunderclap and Flash to pull the wires, instantly binding Orochimaru.

Orochimaru grew more impressed with Chiba.

To devise this strategy in such a short time and successfully execute it demonstrated Chiba's excellent combat intelligence and execution ability.

Then a flash of lightning passed, and Orochimaru was beheaded by Chiba.

Orochimaru's head fell to the ground.

Chiba, unable to bear the burden on his legs, collapsed to the ground.

He never imagined he could kill Orochimaru.

Everyone knew Orochimaru was a seasoned veteran of the ninja world, with countless life-saving techniques.

Orochimaru's decapitated body began to wriggle, and soon, a slimy Orochimaru emerged from within.

Orochimaru's signature technique, the Living Corpse Reincarnation.

No hand seals were needed, using an external body as a substitute to transfer the main body.

Orochimaru walked over to Chiba, looking down at him, and said, "Your strength surprises me. I take back what I said about your lack of adaptability. To come up with a method so quickly and put it into action, your decision-making and execution are quite excellent."

Chiba, enduring the pain in his legs, stood up, trembling, and looked at Orochimaru with hopeful eyes, "Lord Orochimaru, then I..."

Orochimaru placed a hand on Chiba's shoulder and said, "After the graduation exam in four days, I'll come for you. You can now call me teacher."

Chiba immediately ignored the pain in his legs and stood straight, "Yes, Orochimaru-sensei!"

Orochimaru released Chiba's shoulder, passed by him, and left the training ground.

Through the battle with Orochimaru, Chiba was convinced he could become stronger by staying by Orochimaru's side.

Chiba was sincerely grateful for the help sent by Hiruzen Sarutobi, feeling it was worth being humble in Konoha for so many years.