Chapter 200: You’ll find out soon enough

His words were dripping with arrogance, full of self-satisfaction and certainty, like he held the world's truth in his hands.

Orochimaru looked at him with a hint of pity. "Hiruko, your perspective has become so narrow."

Hiruko squinted.

Narrow?

He couldn't believe that word was being used to describe him.

"Should I take that to mean..." His voice wavered, growing hoarse and sharp, "That you're jealous of me?"

"The fool you once knew is now standing above you."

Orochimaru let out a dismissive chuckle, not even bothering to respond. His gaze shifted to Naruto.

Once upon a time, these were the things he had sought after. But now...

His horizons had broadened, thanks to this young man.

"Chakra" as a power source seemed unreliable.

"Parasitism..."

What a fitting metaphor.

"Orochimaru, who is this person?" Sasuke called out from above, looking down at the scene below.

Orochimaru smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "This is Hiruko, a former Konoha ninja and once a friend of the Three Sannin."

"His talent was mediocre, a man with no real ability."

Hiruko's emotions flared.

"But he was never content with that," Orochimaru continued. "He always tried hard to catch up with the three of us."

"While he lacked talent in ninjutsu, he was a genius in research."

"Back then, he secretly conducted human experiments and developed a forbidden technique called the 'Chimera Technique,' which allowed him to merge the kekkei genkai—bloodline limits—of others."

Hiruko interrupted, his tone defensive. "It wasn't just about merging kekkei genkai. It was a technique leading to immortality and the pinnacle of ninja power."

"I now possess five types of kekkei genkai..."

"I've already tasted that forbidden fruit."

He extended his hands, forming seals.

"Orochimaru. And Naruto Uzumaki as well. Witness the fruits of my efforts."

As he finished speaking, his hands formed seals.

"Storm Release: Thunder Cloud Inner Wave."

Chakra surged, and dark clouds began to envelope his body, crackling with electricity and flickering with lightning.

In the next moment, the clouds around him started to influence the weather itself.

Even larger storm clouds gathered above.

Sasuke looked up, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "This is..."

This technique felt similar to "Sage Art: Kirin."

A technique that manipulates the weather.

With a thunderous roar, a bolt of lightning struck down, heading straight for the purple figure in the sky.

The Mangekyō Sharingan spun, capturing that moment of shock.

Sasuke dodged.

"Not bad, kid," Hiruko grinned. "Mangekyō Sharingan, huh?"

He continued to manipulate the weather.

But Sasuke wasn't one to be easily cornered. He formed seals, not even needing to enter "Sage Mode," and used only ordinary Lightning Release.

"Lightning Release: Kirin."

Under the dark clouds, lightning twisted, forming the phantom of a "Kirin" that charged at Hiruko.

This caught Hiruko off guard.

Without possessing the "Storm Release" kekkei genkai, Sasuke could still manipulate lightning?

But Hiruko didn't flinch; he simply stood his ground.

The lightning struck him, coursed over his body, but did no harm.

Like a lightning rod, the electricity was conducted into the ground, dissipating in an instant.

This is...

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, analyzing.

"It's useless," Hiruko spread his arms wide, shouting confidently, "I possess multiple kekkei genkai."

"This is Steel Release."

"Lightning Release is ineffective against me."

Since conventional ninjutsu was ineffective, then...

Sasuke rushed forward, opting for close combat.

But Hiruko wasn't an easy opponent. He had mastered several kekkei genkai.

His body was as hard as steel, capable of absorbing chakra during battle, and he also possessed a kekkei genkai called "Swift Release," making his speed comparable to Sasuke's.

And with the Sharingan compensating for his final flaw—dynamic vision.

"As expected of a Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan," Hiruko said greedily, his eyes locked on Sasuke's. "Just thinking about how powerful I'll become in the future..."

"I can't help but feel excited."

Sasuke frowned, pulling back, preparing to activate "Sage Mode."

"This ends here," Naruto's calm voice cut through the tension.

Sasuke turned back.

Naruto's tone remained steady: "He talked so arrogantly earlier, I thought he might actually have something interesting."

"But..."

"After all this fighting, all he's shown are a few kekkei genkai."

Hiruko's eyes narrowed.

"He's just patched together other people's abilities and stitched them into his own body," Naruto continued. "A crude and simplistic technique."

"Orochimaru, is this really that difficult to achieve?"

Hiruko sneered. "Organs? Is that all you understand?"

Orochimaru grinned, licking his lips. "A year ago, I might have praised the 'Chimera Technique' as a great jutsu."

"But now..."

"It's not that impressive."

Over time, his understanding of "Chakra" had far surpassed what he had learned in the past decades.

Referring to chakra, which possesses consciousness, as an "organ" was indeed fitting.

"There's no need to watch any further."

"This ends now."

Naruto waved his hand dismissively.

Hiruko quickly formed seals. "Arrogant words."

"How do you plan to defeat me as I am now?"

"Even the Mangekyō Sharingan can't..."

He didn't get to finish his sentence.

A sword pierced through his chest, severing his windpipe.

Hiruko looked down, eyes wide with shock.

When?

How had his Sharingan failed to detect it?

Such speed...

And what was this sword? He was clearly maintaining "Steel Release," which should have been indestructible, yet it had been pierced so easily.

"Do you know why Orochimaru called you narrow-minded?" Naruto asked softly.

Hiruko tried to speak, but no words came out.

"When you look up, what do you see?" Naruto asked him.

Hiruko tilted his head upward.

What did he see?

In his pupils, he saw the sky, the sun, birds, clouds, and the wind.

Could it be...

Do they see something different from what I do?

"In Orochimaru's eyes, the sun is just a star," Naruto continued with a smile, "It has a lifespan of billions of years."

"And your so-called immortality..."

"How long can it last?"

Hiruko stared at the sun, his pupils dilating in disbelief.

This wasn't just a simple statement.

It was a glimpse into the vast difference in their levels.

So...

He was being killed by someone whose level and understanding far surpassed his own, using powers he couldn't even comprehend?

Naruto lifted his sword, slicing Hiruko in two.

The Allied Shinobi Forces fell silent, staring at the blonde figure in horror.

Even though...

This was the first time he had made a move in front of them.

The sense of oppression he brought far exceeded that of Uchiha Sasuke.

The city lay in ruins.

The ninja surrounded them, but they didn't dare to attack.

They merely followed from a distance, pretending to surround them, until they watched them enter the daimyo's mansion. Only about ten ninja dared to launch an attack, but the strongest among them wasn't even on par with a jōnin and couldn't even get past Karin.

Inside the mansion.

Naruto sensed the strongest chakra, walking into the room.

The daimyo were huddled together inside.

This was the idea they had after learning of their "defeat": if "Madara Uchiha" wouldn't come to them, they would go to him instead.

In the center of the room sat a man.

His black hair was spiked like a hedgehog, covering half of his face. He wore red armor and his expression was one of arrogant disdain.

"Are you Naruto Uzumaki?" he asked, his tone imperious.

Naruto looked at him, meeting his Rinnegan eyes.

With Nagato's example in mind, Naruto certainly wouldn't foolishly ask, "Where did you get your Rinnegan?"

In fact...

With just that one glance, some of the questions in his mind were answered.

"So, you're Madara Uchiha," he said softly, thoughtfully, "The true owner of the Rinnegan..."

"So, Nagato's Rinnegan belonged to you?"

Madara Uchiha was slightly surprised. "You've figured it out already. Seems you're quite perceptive."

Naruto didn't deny it.

He never thought of himself as particularly smart.

The only reason he could piece it together so quickly was that he had already suspected it, and with some experience and techniques he'd learned from the Soul Society, he was able to arrive at this conclusion.

"You're also a product of Edo Tensei," Naruto continued, "But your treatment is very different from others."

"As expected, the mastermind behind the Akatsuki was really you."

"After all that effort to collect the Tailed Beasts, what is your true goal?"

Madara Uchiha's tone remained calm: "You'll find out soon enough."

"The Nine-Tails is with me," Naruto extended his hand. "Do you think you have the ability to take it from me?"

Two Nine-Tails leapt onto his shoulders, baring their teeth at the black-haired man.

This was the man they despised the most.

Madara Uchiha didn't respond, only repeating calmly: "You'll find out soon enough."

Sasuke and Karin exchanged confused glances with Naruto.

Why bother talking to him?

Just attack him and extract his chakra.

"This is just a Shadow Clone," Naruto said, sensing their emotions and smiling. "Even Senju Hashirama fell to me."

"He was also brought back by the same Edo Tensei technique."

"And I have the ability to extract the chakra parasitizing in souls."

"The real him doesn't dare face me now."

"After spending decades hiding like a coward, he's just continuing to hide."

Madara Uchiha also smiled. "Naruto Uzumaki, I must commend you."

"You possess Hashirama's abilities."

"And Tobirama's intellect."

"Well then."

"Until we meet again."

He raised his hand, and with a snap of his fingers, the body vanished in a puff of smoke.

"He got away, huh," Orochimaru chuckled slyly.

Naruto turned his head and smiled at him. "But we still have you, Orochimaru."

"Why don't you tell me his location?"

Orochimaru said nothing, remaining silent.

Karin tilted her head, scrutinizing Orochimaru thoughtfully.

Is this... a warning for him?

Naruto then ignored him and looked up at the daimyo.

~~~

This Madara…