As I Am Now, I'm the Strongest!

Late at night.

Just like countless times before, a Tailed Beast Bomb tore through the sky from an extreme distance.

Orochimaru, who had long been waiting in formation, suddenly slammed both hands onto the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu: Triple Rashomon!"

Three enormous, grim-faced Rashomon Gates rose from the earth, shielding the Konoha Ninja behind them.

The Tailed Beast Bomb crashed into the Rashomon Gates at tremendous speed. The first two gates were pierced straight through, while the third shook violently from the impact.

But after being blocked by the Rashomon Gates, the Tailed Beast Bomb was completely knocked off its original course and flew in another direction.

"Everyone..."

Orochimaru stood atop a Rashomon Gate, the hem of his clothes snapping in the frigid wind.

Watching the Kumogakure Ninja charging toward them, Orochimaru raised a hand and swept it forward. "Kill!"

As Orochimaru's command fell, the Konoha Ninja let out a furious roar and charged forward with savage expressions.

The two sides clashed at close range.

Countless Kunai tied with Explosive Tags detonated amid both camps, sending blood and flesh flying.

Then a streak of blue lightning darted rapidly through the darkness, ruthlessly sending every ninja in its path flying.

Suddenly, a sharp glint of cold light flashed, stopping that lightning-fast figure.

Hatake Sakumo gripped his short blade, his gaze icy. "Your opponent is me."

Upon seeing that Hatake Sakumo, renowned throughout the Shinobi World, stood before him, A was not afraid in the slightest. Instead, he laughed excitedly.

"Konoha White Fang, I've wanted to fight you for a long time..."

"Don't disappoint me like those other Konoha Ninja."

In an instant, Hatake Sakumo and A became locked in combat.

White and blue light intertwined continuously, moving so fast that it was impossible to follow with the naked eye.

Elsewhere.

Killer B charged and crashed through the crowd, seven blades dancing endlessly in his hands.

Though he had already been surrounded by Konoha Ninja, the red translucent Chakra Cloak blocked most of their attacks.

Before long, however, the crowd parted, and a white-haired man wearing a forehead protector marked with the character for "oil" stepped out.

"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo!"

As Jiraiya formed hand seals, his long white hair instantly transformed into countless Senbon that shot toward Killer B.

Killer B stood in place as a massive octopus tail blocked every attack.

"So this is the power of the Eight-Tails..."

Jiraiya's expression turned grave.

Even though he was confident in his own strength, he absolutely could not let his guard down against a Jinchuriki capable of freely wielding a Tailed Beast's power.

"Toad Oil Bullet!"

A huge amount of Toad Oil engulfed Killer B. Jiraiya then formed hand seals again. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"

Massive flames surged toward Killer B from three directions.

The next second, fire shot into the sky.

Amid the scorching heat, Killer B raised both hands and let out a long howl.

Then the Eight-Tails' enormous body appeared, swinging a massive palm down at Jiraiya.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Jiraiya leaped back to evade the Eight-Tails' attack, bit his finger, and slammed a palm onto the ground.

The next second, Gamabunta appeared. His enormous size was no less imposing than the Eight-Tails'.

With a pipe in his mouth, he drew the massive blade at his waist. "Jiraiya, this enemy won't be easy to deal with."

Jiraiya jumped onto Gamabunta's head. "That's why I need your help."

"Let's go!"

"Fine!"

The Eight-Tails and Gamabunta began fighting, and no one dared approach within a thousand meters.

On the eastern side of the battlefield.

Uchiha Fugaku slit the throat of the Konoha Ninja before him, who had been dragged into an illusionary world. He then abruptly turned around. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

The massive fireball swallowed dozens of venomous snakes, and the air filled with the scorched smell of roasted flesh.

"Orochimaru?"

Seeing the pale, effeminate man appear before him, Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed.

"Fugaku, your growth is astonishing. But the wind you've stirred is destined to end here."

"Before that, though, I truly want to know how your Uchiha Clan escaped from Konoha to the Land of Fields overnight."

Facing Orochimaru's curious gaze, Uchiha Fugaku did not answer. The three-tomoe Sharingan in his eyes merely began spinning frantically.

Orochimaru smiled indifferently at that and spat a longsword from his mouth.

The two began an intense exchange, every strike aimed directly at a vital point.

Before long, Orochimaru took the initiative to create distance.

He swallowed the sword in his hand back into his mouth, his gaze somewhat deranged. "As expected of the Sharingan. Its ultimate perception is indeed perfectly suited for swordsmanship..."

Yet Uchiha Fugaku showed no pleasure at Orochimaru's praise.

In their fight just now, even with the perception of his three-tomoe Sharingan, he had not gained the slightest advantage.

The legendary Sannin truly possessed terrifying strength.

Tonight was going to be troublesome...

Before Uchiha Fugaku could decide on his next strategy, Orochimaru launched another attack.

"Many Snakes Formation!"

Orochimaru dropped directly onto the ground and opened his mouth to a degree incomprehensible for a human being.

Countless venomous snakes crawled endlessly from Orochimaru's mouth. In an instant, they piled into a small hill and swallowed Uchiha Fugaku.

Just as Orochimaru thought victory was assured, a figure emerged from the mass of snakes with Uchiha Fugaku slung over his shoulder.

Seeing those extraordinary eyes, a gleam of excitement flashed through Orochimaru's gaze. "Uchiha... Yuzuru."

"Orochimaru, choosing Uchiha Fugaku as your opponent was meant to lure me out, wasn't it?"

"Now... I'm here."

Uchiha Yuzuru's Dojutsu Power surged as he threw Uchiha Fugaku into the Kamui Dimension.

At the sight, Orochimaru extended his long tongue and circled it around his face to wash it before speaking. "You saw through my purpose, yet still chose to appear before me..."

"Yuzuru-kun, you're quite confident in your own strength."

Uchiha Yuzuru stood tall, as though stating something self-evident. "As I am now, I am the strongest person in this world!"

"Is that so?"

The smile on Orochimaru's face gradually faded, replaced by an incomparably terrifying killing intent. "Have you truly prepared yourself to face a fear as deep as an abyss?"

"Orochimaru, put away your boring tricks."

Uchiha Yuzuru's voice remained calm, utterly unaffected.

Though Orochimaru's killing intent carried an intense oppressive force.

In the original story, it had even made Kakashi Hatake, already a Jonin at the time, break out in a cold sweat and lose the courage to attack.

But it had no effect whatsoever on him now.

After awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, his spiritual power had already far surpassed that of ordinary people.

If Orochimaru thought he could use killing intent to make him reveal an opening, he was thinking far too much.