Orochimaru and Hozuki Mangetsu seemed to have a tacit understanding, as they did not choose to fight on the ship.
When the two figures reappeared, they were already twenty or thirty meters away on the sea.
As soon as they clashed, Hozuki Mangetsu sensed Orochimaru's terrifying Chakra-Enhanced Strength. Both of them stood on the water, creating ripples beneath their feet.
The shockwave rippled outwards from the two of them, and after only two or three seconds of stalemate, Hozuki Mangetsu was sent flying by a single punch.
"How can this guy be so strong?"
Hozuki Mangetsu bounced up and down on the sea like a skipping stone, only stopping after flying more than twenty meters away, suffering a hidden loss in a single encounter.
"Looks like we've met a tough opponent today!"
Rubbing his slightly numb fists, Hozuki Mangetsu's expression turned serious. He had only ever felt this overwhelming aura from the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.
This scene was also witnessed by Guren on the ship, who was craning her neck to watch the battle between the two.
"How did they start fighting over nothing? That guy doesn't seem that strong!"
Guren glanced at Hozuki Mangetsu, a hint of contempt in her eyes. She had heard their conversation the whole time and also thought that this guy named Hozuki Mangetsu was a bit ungrateful.
"I thought they were so powerful, daring to refuse your invitation, sir!"
As she said this, Guren couldn't help but purse her lips. It wasn't that she looked down on people, nor was it that Hozuki Mangetsu was too weak, but rather that Orochimaru was too strong.
The enemies Guren encountered along the way were all easily defeated by Orochimaru, and very few could last twenty rounds against Orochimaru. This made Guren's standards rise.
Although Hozuki Mangetsu was a genius, no matter how strong he was, he could never reach the Kage Level. Otherwise, how could he have died in the Bloody Mist Graduation?
Not everyone is like Konoha's White Fang, so foolish as to seek their own death.
Only Guren, the only brave one on the entire cargo ship, looked up to watch the battle. The other boatmen had long since fled into the cabin, hoping that the fight between the two would not affect any innocent bystanders.
Sailing and riding horses are fraught with danger. They had already taken a great risk to travel to the Land of Water, and they would avoid this situation at all costs. They had no interest in watching the battle.
If someone accidentally causes a fire, and innocent bystanders are caught in the crossfire, they might not even know how they died.
"Water Gun Technique!"
Hozuki Mangetsu threw the Kunai in his hand at Orochimaru, and at the same time, with a flick of his five fingers, five water droplets like bullets attacked Orochimaru from above, middle and below at a speed that was difficult to detect with the naked eye.
The triangular attack formation instantly blocked Orochimaru's retreat, especially the two attacks in the middle, which left Orochimaru with no way to avoid them.
"Interesting!"
Orochimaru tilted his head to dodge the Kunai, but the Water Gun followed.
"Clap clap clap..."
It sounded like firecrackers exploding on Orochimaru. It wasn't that he couldn't dodge it, but rather that Orochimaru wanted to personally experience the power of this move.
Seeing that all the Water Gun hit their mark, Hozuki Mangetsu's face did not show any joy; instead, his brows furrowed tightly.
The ninjas of the Land of Water are quite skilled in Water Release. Although he survived his attack, he also noticed Orochimaru's unusual behavior.
If a normal person were attacked like this, they would at least be swaying, if not splattered with blood. But Orochimaru didn't retreat an inch, and there wasn't even a ripple under his feet.
These thoughts flashed through his mind only briefly before he lunged forward again, Hozuki Mangetsu Orochimaru more drawing a Kunai and slashing at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru dodged the Kunai but not the Ninjutsu, proving that melee weapons still have an effect on Orochimaru.
He was right, but Orochimaru's reluctance to engage in direct combat with cold weapons was merely an instinctive reaction. Although swords are sharp, can they have more kinetic energy than guns and cannons?
"Water Gun, that's not enough!"
The best way to subdue such an arrogant genius is to crush him with overwhelming force, let him feel the pain of the world, and experience how many floors a bag of rice can be carried up!
Hozuki Mangetsu gripped his Kunai in a backhand and swung it diagonally upwards at Orochimaru. Although the movement was fast, it was still too slow in front of Orochimaru's eyes.
Instead of dodging, Orochimaru's palm met his Kunai. To Hozuki Mangetsu, this scene appeared as Orochimaru trying to trade blows.
There was no bloodshed, no flashing swords; Orochimaru grabbed his Kunai with one hand, and made no move with his other hand.
Before Hozuki Mangetsu could even show a look of confusion and shock, Orochimaru Sonido Soni Ten, and the next moment his figure disappeared on the sea.
Along with him, Hozuki Mangetsu also disappeared, leaving Guren, who was watching nearby, completely bewildered. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she was seeing things.
Where has the gentleman gone?
As he spoke, he looked around, trying to find Orochimaru's figure, but he didn't pay attention to what was above him.
When the two figures reappeared, they were already fifty meters in the air. After a moment of disorientation, Hozuki Mangetsu also noticed the change in the surrounding scenery.
His body floated uncontrollably in mid-air. In an instant, Hozuki Mangetsu felt like a lamb to the slaughter, unable to resist.
Orochimaru, seeing his somewhat panicked expression, merely revealed a mocking smile before the two figures vanished once more.
What do you think would happen if I threw you down right now?
The two were three hundred meters in the air. Orochimaru released the Kunai he was holding and smiled as he spoke to Hozuki Mangetsu.
"You... you... this is Space-Time Ninjutsu and the Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique?"
Hozuki Mangetsu swallowed hard, looked at the ship beneath his feet that resembled an ant, then glanced at the nonchalant Orochimaru, and stammered.
At this height, even though there's sea below, falling from there is no different from crashing onto a concrete slab.
"Do you still think I'm not qualified to recruit you at this point?"
Human relationships and self-interest have existed since ancient times, but who recognizes a hero who is actually a commoner?
Orochimaru once again revealed his arrogant expression. When dealing with someone as equally arrogant as him, only the stronger one has the right to be arrogant.
Pain could overpower anyone with Talk no Jutsu force, so he didn't need any talk. He would beat anyone who didn't submit until they did. Orochimaru could totally learn from that.
"You won unfairly, by taking advantage of your Ninjutsu!"
Hozuki Mangetsu still stubbornly insisted that, in his view, he had not yet fully unleashed his power, and was being coerced by Orochimaru in this way.
"Oh? It seems you're still a little unconvinced?"
Orochimaru looked at him with a half-smile. Before suffering a major blow, even geniuses would try to convince themselves of their failure with all sorts of reasons.
This indomitable spirit allowed them to go further on the path of ninjas, but Orochimaru was clearly determined to completely destroy his confidence.
"Since you're not satisfied, what if we do this?"