novelraw Chapter 38 Battle with Orochimaru
Chapter 38 Battle with Orochimaru
Sasuke initially couldn't believe it, but after seeing Reikawa Uzumaki actually fight two opponents at once and hold on, as if waiting for his support, a thought inexplicably arose in his mind: maybe he really could do it!
Orochimaru, however, grew increasingly alarmed as the battle progressed. Just who was this person?! The Vajra Sealing Gate for the main clan? Wasn't the Uzumaki clan already wiped out?
And it seems he hasn't even used his full strength yet. Does he really want to use himself as a whetstone for Sasuke? Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. This time, he misjudged the strength. It seems he won't be able to take Sasuke away.
Not only did they fail to gain an advantage, but what's even more regrettable is that their strength is no longer enough to attract Sasuke, so they'll have to forcibly take them away in the future.
Orochimaru, realizing this, began to understand that something was wrong with him lately. Various events had thrown him into a mental state of flux, and his recent actions had become somewhat irrational—uncharacteristic of him. He used his soft-body modification to contort his body and dodge a charging chain.
The chains struck the ground, creating a large crater and sending up a pile of rubble.
Seeing that Orochimaru wasn't planning to attack and was just stalling, Reikawa Uzumaki frowned slightly. His chakra was running low; he needed a quick victory! "Sasuke! Listen to my command! Ignore Kabuto, bottom left corner, 7 o'clock, kunai consumption!"
Sasuke saw that there was nothing there, but he didn't care and instinctively threw the kunai out.
Orochimaru frowned. If he were to hide in the location this guy suggested, it would undoubtedly cause his prestige to plummet. He tried to dodge by jumping to the side, but his back was also blocked by chains.
However, if you don't dodge in that direction, you will be pierced directly by the chains. Kunai is undoubtedly easier to deal with than chains with a sealing effect.
Compared to the thoughts in his mind, his body's instincts had already made the decision. Orochimaru landed at the same spot as the kunai arrived, but because of Uzumaki Reikawa's voice, he threw out a kunai in advance to block it.
Seeing this, Uzumaki Reikawa suddenly smiled, thinking that Orochimaru would risk taking a chain blow instead of jumping to the place he had suggested: "Use your Sharingan to carefully observe his attack angle and trajectory, and try your best to make predictions, or use genjutsu to guide his movements. I will create an opportunity for you next."
Compared to Orochimaru, Kabuto, due to the limitations of his ninjutsu and his significantly weaker strength compared to his later stages, seemed helpless against attacks at long range. Any attempt to close the distance was blocked and interrupted by the chains. At this moment, he only had two chains, while Orochimaru had a full six.
For Reikawa Uzumaki, although Orochimaru might only be slightly stronger than Kabuto in direct combat if he didn't use summoning beasts, the main reason was that he was Orochimaru, and who knew what kind of insidious tricks he might have up his sleeve. This alone was enough to make Reikawa Uzumaki take him seriously.
Haikou has already boasted, so it would be too embarrassing if he failed to show off in front of Sasuke.
Sasuke was also in great distress, trying desperately to see Orochimaru's movements, but he was too fast, and Orochimaru had undergone software modifications, allowing him to dodge attacks in ways that defied common sense. How could he possibly see him? What should he do?!
Seeing Sasuke's somewhat bewildered expression, Reikawa Uzumaki looked at him with the same gaze one would give a fool. Since his primary concern was Naruto, he said, "Do you think you can't do it? Naruto Uzumaki has already surpassed you. You were stronger than him before. If the loser can do it, why can't you?!"
Naruto?! —Thinking of Naruto, Sasuke's previously aimless gaze, completely out of sync with Orochimaru's rhythm, gradually hardened. His focus returned; this battle was the most precious opportunity! His twin tomoe spun wildly! Eyes! Eyes!
Since I can't keep up with Orochimaru's movements, I'll have to anticipate them. Only by anticipating can I keep up. If even a loser can do it, why can't I, who's called a genius, do it?
With no one interfering, Sasuke's emotions continued to surge. That man! And Uchiha Gen! Get stronger! Seek revenge and find the truth!!!
As Reikawa Uzumaki watched the three tomoe slowly forming in Sasuke's eyes, he thought, "Hmm, it seems that best friends are the real motivation, if I'm not mistaken..."
What most stimulated Sasuke's Sharingan was probably the intense desire for recognition from those he cared about (including himself). The death of Itachi in the original world, the achievement of his long-held goal, and the subsequent regret upon learning the truth—all these caused an emotional explosion, triggering the Mangekyou Sharingan. (The above is based on personal opinion.)
When the three tomoe were fully formed, Sasuke was finally able to see them, his eyes following Orochimaru's rapid movements!
Next stop...
"Directly above 12 o'clock!"
"Directly above 12 o'clock!"
Sasuke and Reikawa Uzumaki spoke at the same time! Suddenly, they both laughed.
Upon hearing the voice, Orochimaru's expression changed, because this time it wasn't a pre-announced call like before; rather, it happened right before the words were even finished, and the next moment he jumped up as if following instructions.
Another kunai shot towards him, but although it posed no threat to Orochimaru, he still parried and deflected it. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Sasuke and suddenly saw the three tomoe in Sasuke's eyes. This kid could truly pose a threat to him now! But as Sasuke's strength increased, Orochimaru's greed also grew.
Such a nice container...
Having achieved his goal, Uzumaki Reikawa decided to stop playing along: "Sasuke!"
At that moment, Sasuke seemed to know what to do, and with perfect coordination, he used his Sharingan to cast a genjutsu on Orochimaru.
After discovering that Sasuke had transformed into a three-tomoe genjutsu, Orochimaru, who was prepared, did not look into Sasuke's eyes, which greatly reduced the power of the genjutsu. However, Uzumaki Reikawa took advantage of Sasuke's cover, his eyes slightly lowered, suddenly turned red, and then changed back.
Orochimaru's movements stopped abruptly! Kabuto, seeing this, was startled and, disregarding the chains in front of him, tried to rush to Orochimaru's aid. However, he was only halfway through his movement when he suddenly retreated and fled.
What remained before Reikawa and Sasuke was a mud clone, pierced through by Sasuke's Lightning Blade and draped in human skin.
"..."
Seeing this, Uzumaki Reikawa felt somewhat helpless. If he could openly activate his Sharingan, Orochimaru wouldn't have escaped. However, even though he hadn't activated his Sharingan, since he could keep it a secret from him, this clone should also have some of his spiritual essence.
Just as I was thinking of this, I suddenly sensed a message from my clone left behind with the Akatsuki.
My chakra is almost depleted, so I need to find a place to dispel the clones. Besides, I've already achieved my goal.
Retracting the Vajra Seal, Uzumaki Reikawa approached Sasuke, only to be speechless upon seeing the regretful expression on his face. Good heavens, this kid actually wanted to kill Orochimaru. Sasuke, you think you're so capable now?
"I hope you won't tell them what happened today."
"Why?"
Sasuke was very puzzled by this, and even more puzzled as to why Uzumaki Reikawa would hide his strength.
"You'll find out later. Go back now. I can guarantee I can escape, but I can't guarantee your safety." Uzumaki Reikawa smiled mysteriously and used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.