Kimimaro and Sasuke's Techniques!
Sasuke frowned as he watched the runes of the Cursed Seal gradually spread all over Kimimaro's body.
"This is troublesome, he's gotten even stronger now..." Sasuke stared at Kimimaro with a grave expression. An opponent of this caliber was probably not much Zabuza, was he?
But this is not the end.
"This is State One, and next..." Kimimaro, "Is State Two, which is also my strongest state!"
Kimimaro's Chakra levels continued to surge, and his physique underwent a dramatic change in the process: his skin turned an eerie dark red, bone spurs and plates sprouted from all over his body, and a long tail grew out of his waist in a bizarre manner!
The power amplification from the Cursed Seal was incredibly strong! Sasuke was truly astonished.
To be honest, if he hadn't already embarked on the path of Lightning Release, Orochimaru's Cursed Seal might have actually bewitched him.
"This is the power the Cursed Seal gave me, Sasuke. You also have a Cursed Seal of the same level, a gift from Orochimaru, but you foolishly sealed it away!"
Kimimaro pulled his spine out of his back while simultaneously generating a bone cone in his left hand.
Indeed, when that power emerged from Kimimaro, Sasuke even felt a momentary wavering in his heart—regret for choosing to seal it away.
However, he now trusts more the power he gained through solid training. The gift Orochimaru bestowed upon him? There's no such thing as a free lunch; Sasuke wouldn't dare touch such a gift lightly, who knows how much Orochimaru might have tampered with it!
Lightning Release also greatly enhanced his abilities! After acquiring Lightning Release, this level of power no longer held much appeal for him, nor could it tempt him to abandon everything and join Orochimaru.
Besides, this look is just too ugly...
"Hmph, you think you'd turn into this inhuman, ghost-like creature for this level of power? I'd rather not have this gift at all!"
"Tch, stubborn as a mule..." Kimimaro chuckled.
A moment later, he finally completed the transformation of the Curse Mark Stage Two and the Dance of the Clematis: Flower.
"Sorry to keep you waiting... This is my Dance of the Clematis: Flower, achieved by maximizing the hardening of my bones. It can break through any defense and defend against any attack!"
A huge, sharp bone cone was stuck diagonally into the ground.
Kimimaro's aura enveloped them like an abyss or a prison.
Sasuke, however, smiled calmly.
"No need. I should thank you for giving me a lot of time to prepare this Ninjutsu. I'm still a little unfamiliar with this new technique..."
Unbeknownst to him, the Lightning Release Chakra of the Lightning Blade had once again condensed in his hand.
No, it wasn't the Lightning Blade. Lightning Blade to the Lightning Blade's peaceful blue light, which flowed like a gentle stream, Sasuke's Chakra was emitting a violent, blinding, and intense blue light!
The terrifying power of the Lightning Release was even more ferocious than Kimimaro's terrifying aura.
The restless lightning, dazzling and sharp, leaped and growled restlessly in Sasuke, as if it might suddenly erupt and devour him at any moment!
"Taking Lightning Release Nature Transformation to its ultimate level, this is the next stage of Lightning Blade..."
Lightning Release: Lightning Blade Torrent!
"I hope your bones can still stop my Lightning Blade Torrent this time!"
Sasuke's lips curved into a proud smile.
Konoha, Hokage's office.
"Has it been confirmed that Orochimaru was behind this?" The Third Hokage looked at Tsunade with a solemn expression. Despite being crippled and no longer in uniform, the aura of a legendary Shinobi Hero was still evident at this moment.
Undoubtedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi's pain stemmed from his inability to kill Orochimaru during the Chunin Ninja Exams, which allowed Orochimaru to continue causing trouble.
He never expected that after only a few months of peace, Orochimaru would start making moves again, eyeing the last Sharingan bloodline of Konoha — Sasuke Uchiha!
"Master, you don't need to worry. I've already dispatched the Anbu. Kakashi and Guy have also just received my orders to go and provide support. With their assistance, Orochimaru won't succeed," Tsunade calmly, sitting at the Hokage's desk.
"However, there are also traces of 'Root' tampering with this, and Danzo was involved as well..."
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe and took a drag.
"Hoo--!" He exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "That Danzo guy... he's been too active lately, we need to find a way to keep him in line!"
"I've been gathering intelligence on him, Master. When necessary, find a way to teach him a lesson he won't forget!"
"Tsunade, this isn't so easy. Danzo is extremely cautious..." The Third Hokage tapped on the windowsill with his pipe, pondered for a moment, and continued, "In short, with Danzo involved, Orochimaru should have been intercepted by him. Given his style, he wouldn't do anything to aid the enemy. But we must keep the Anbu we sent out on guard; we can't give Danzo or even eliminate Sasuke!"
"Get rid of Sasuke? Why would Danzo do that?"
"Given Danzo's style, this approach is probably one of his options! Tsunade, haven't you finished reading the Uchiha's files yet?"
The Lord Fifth Hokage gave a wry smile, "I was so busy before, how could I have had time to pay attention to things that happened a few years ago?"
"You haven't been this busy lately, have you? Take this time to look through those top-secret documents. Don't rush through them, especially the information on Uchiha Itachi... This is extremely important. You'll understand once you've read it!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi solemnly.
The matter of Uchiha Itachi was a top secret, even Jiraiya didn't know the inside story. However, since Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, she was certainly qualified to know all the information about Konoha.
However, this feeling of having access to all the secrets isn't always pleasant, especially when Tsunade finds the sheer volume of information and reading through the files becomes a burden.
They assigned Sakura homework, and now it's her turn to be assigned homework by the Third Hokage. The tables have turned...
Tsunade was internally devastated.
However, she couldn't refuse. The other party was not only the former Hokage, but also her mentor who had inherited her legacy. Regardless of his identity, he was qualified to guide her.
"By the way, I also sent out the Anbu Squad Fourteen to support Sasuke. They should have made contact with the Sound Ninja by now! Since Orochimaru isn't around, Sasuke should be fine."
The Fifth Hokage quickly changed the subject, afraid that the Third Hokage would come up with another file that she needed to see.
"Is it Sakura's team?"
The Third smiled and said.
He had always been very concerned about Sakura Haruno.
Initially, he only wanted to set an example for other ninjas at the Ninja Academy to inspire them to study and train hard. Later, he gradually discovered her extraordinary talent in developing Ninjutsu and began to pay special attention to her.
The old man's enthusiasm and concern for Sakura probably stemmed from a deep-seated regret he felt for Orochimaru: it was the sorrow he felt for his most beloved disciple who had gone astray. As the girl's talents became more and more apparent, he seemed to see Orochimaru's shadow in Sakura.
However, Sakura Haruno is a more perfect Orochimaru —she did not experience the death of her parents, did not go astray due to mental trauma, did not clash with the Third Hokage, and did not even join the Root of her political enemy Danzo.
On the contrary, although she was just a girl, she mastered the Kekkei Genkai at the age of 12—something even Orochimaru had not achieved. Then she went on to develop Ninjutsu such as Cherry Blossom Impact and Ice Clone. Her amazing talent was undoubtedly that of a second Orochimaru.
So even though Sakura Haruno is now Tsunade's student, he still silently watches over the girl, helps her, and hopes that she won't go down the wrong path like Orochimaru...
It seems that in this old man's heart, Sakura Haruno's growth can make up for his regret over Orochimaru's failed education.
A regret he could never let go of.
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