Orochimaru vs. Blue B

Under the night sky, Orochimaru faced nine Kumo Ninja Jonin alone, including the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. Yet he wore a broad smile, showing no tension at the prospect of the coming battle.

Watching from nearby, Yemo was terrified and secretly worried for Orochimaru. He had no choice; he was in the same boat as Orochimaru now.

Although no one had noticed him yet, it was bound to happen sooner or later if the two sides fought. If a real battle broke out, it would be absolutely impossible for Yemo to remain hidden.

Without realizing it, Yemo and Orochimaru had become grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If Orochimaru was finished, so was he.

Unmoved by Blue B's threat, Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Do you really think you can finish me off with just the people you have? It seems you've forgotten one thing: you're right on the outskirts of Konoha."

The Kumo Ninja opposite him instantly changed expression. They were on the outskirts of Konoha, Orochimaru's home ground, and it took only half an hour to get here from the village.

"So you've already secretly informed Konoha of what's happening here!" Blue B said angrily through clenched teeth. He was furious at having fallen for Orochimaru's scheme.

Kuruda couldn't help taking half a step forward. "Big Brother Blue B, why waste words on him? Let's all rush him and kill Orochimaru. If we can kill one of the Sannin, it'll be worth it even if our mission fails."

"That's right, Big Brother Blue B. Let's do it!" Once Kuruda spoke up, the Kumo Ninja Jonin behind him couldn't help chiming in.

Unexpectedly, Blue B held Kuruda and the others back with an arm. "No. Kuruda, take everyone else and leave this forest now."

"What?!"

Hearing Big Brother Blue B tell them to leave, Kuruda and the others stared in shock and disbelief. Even Orochimaru's expression changed slightly.

Kuruda shouted, "Big Brother Blue B, how can we leave? This is a rare chance to kill Orochimaru!"

"What, are you going to defy my orders? Kuruda, obey your orders!" Blue B barked, his sharp gaze sweeping over Kuruda and the others.

Kuruda gritted his teeth, then waved his hand, his face full of reluctance. "Everyone, retreat!"

Though he desperately wanted to fight Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, he had to obey Big Brother Blue B's orders. The other Kumo Ninja's eyes were filled with reluctance.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

The reluctant Kuruda led the many Kumo Ninja Jonin into the forest toward their next agreed-upon rendezvous point, vanishing in an instant beneath the cover of night.

Seeing Kuruda and the others leave, Orochimaru suddenly smiled faintly. "It seems I underestimated you, Blue B!"

Blue B snorted, his face cold. "Orochimaru, don't think I don't know what you're planning."

Truth be told, Blue B wanted to kill Orochimaru more than anyone. The death of one of the Sannin would be a devastating blow that Konoha could scarcely bear, and it would greatly weaken the village's strength.

But reason told Blue B he couldn't do it. Orochimaru had already informed Konoha, and reinforcements were presumably on their way.

Though their side was powerful enough to overwhelm Orochimaru in battle, Orochimaru was one of the Sannin and could not be underestimated. They certainly couldn't finish him off in a short time.

Once the fight dragged on, Konoha's reinforcements would arrive, and they would be surrounded by Konoha's powerful fighters. Then, never mind finishing off Orochimaru, they would probably all die here.

Blue B wasn't afraid of dying in battle, but the Eight-Tails was sealed inside him. If Konoha obtained the Eight-Tails, it would be a loss Kumogakure could scarcely bear.

Orochimaru was waiting for Konoha's reinforcements. That was why, even when facing Kumo Ninja stronger than himself, he showed no tension at all. He was even hoping they would attack, but unfortunately, Blue B had seen through the scheme.

Orochimaru wasn't disappointed that his scheme had been exposed. Those were all minor players; the real major player was still here.

"You let your subordinates flee. It seems you're planning to stop me alone. I've always heard that the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is a powerful fighter no weaker than the Third Raikage. Today, let me see the power of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki for myself." As he spoke, Orochimaru lightly licked his lips with his long tongue, an alluring, sinister smile appearing on his face.

Orochimaru was brimming with fighting spirit. At the same time, a powerful surge of Chakra erupted from his body. The sheer volume left Yemo, hidden in the shadows, dumbstruck. It was truly terrifying, rising from the ground like an enormous dragon.

Blue B refused to be outdone. Chakra poured from his body like a tide and shot skyward in a pillar of light. The two powerful surges of Chakra collided fiercely in the air, throwing off sparks.

Gales of hurricane force arose out of nowhere in the silent forest. The fierce winds tore through the trees like invisible blades, thick trunks shaking violently as countless leaves were swept into the air.

So strong. Is this the power of the truly strong in Naruto? Feeling the gale rushing against him, Yemo was shaken beyond words.

Blue B attacked first. His hands moved at incredible speed, forming several seals in an instant.

Lightning crackled around Blue B's right hand. He raised it and slammed it against the ground, calling coldly, "Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"

In an instant, blinding lightning flashed. Bolt after bolt used the earth as a conductor, visible arcs racing toward Orochimaru.

The lightning was exceedingly fast, comparable to light itself. Orochimaru had no time to dodge before it struck him, reducing him to a charred heap amid the flashing arcs.

Yemo didn't believe Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, could be finished off in a single move, and neither did Blue B. Instead, Blue B grew even more vigilant as lightning flickered around his body.

The lightning faded, and Orochimaru's charred body fell to the ground, transforming into a block of wood with a puff.

A Substitution Technique? When did he use it? Yemo was astonished. Orochimaru truly lived up to his reputation; his use of Ninjutsu was masterful. Yemo had kept his eyes on him the whole time, yet hadn't even noticed him use it.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

A shout rang out through the air. The next moment, the hard ground twisted, and earthen spikes rose without warning. Sharp as spears, they seemed ready to pierce Blue B through.

Blue B had been on guard against Orochimaru's attack all along. Though the Earth Spear had appeared without warning, he dodged out of its range in a few swift movements.

His feet touched the ground, and he was about to retreat farther when he suddenly felt something bind them, leaving him unable to move. Blue B hurriedly looked down, but there was nothing on his feet. It was as if an invisible force had wrapped around him.

"Genjutsu!"

The battle-hardened Blue B instantly understood what was happening. Chakra surged from his body like a runaway horse, making the air ripple faintly like water disturbed by a stone. The scene before him abruptly changed. White snakes had appeared on the ground at some point, and it was these snakes that had coiled around his legs.

Bang!

Suddenly, with a tremendous bang, the ground burst apart. Orochimaru had used Earth Release and appeared beneath Blue B's feet at some unknown point. He shot out of the ground with a Kunai in his right hand, its sharp edge glinting coldly as he thrust it toward Blue B's head.

"Damn it!"

Having fallen for Orochimaru's schemes at every turn, Blue B cursed inwardly. His hands flashed through Hand Seals as he used Lightning Release Chakra Mode, concentrating Lightning Release Chakra throughout his body and covering himself in lightning to enhance his defense and attack power. It was a Lightning Release Nintaijutsu created by the Third Raikage.

Lightning flashed around Blue B, and its tremendous destructive power instantly reduced the white snakes coiled around his legs to a blackened heap.