Half-Tailed Beast Mode

Chapter 40: Half-Tailed Beast Mode [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

"Get lost!"

The python's fangs, like needles, bit down on Toneri's arm without hesitation.

But the moment it bit down, a powerful surge of Chakra erupted from Toneri's body. The python, which had seemed ferocious, almost instantly released its grip.

As if encountering its natural predator, it even disregarded Orochimaru's command and scurried away to a corner of the laboratory.

In Toneri's mind, the Two-Tails' lazy voice echoed, "Little guy, you can't even handle something like this?"

The powerful Chakra that had just surged out came from the Two-Tails within Toneri.

The python had sensed the Two-Tails' monstrous aura. As a wild beast, its instincts recognized the fear of a superior being it couldn't face, and it obediently released Toneri.

Toneri actually wanted to say something to the Two-Tails.

Am I afraid of this snake? I'm afraid of the person who plays with snakes. If I anger him later, even your true form appearing wouldn't be enough for you to handle.

Seeing his snake so terrified, Orochimaru put down the experimental vessel in his hand.

He sensed the residual Chakra aura of the Two-Tails in the air.

In the recent Great Ninja War, on the battlefield against the Sand Village, they had deployed a Jinchūriki, a monk named Bunpuku, who used the False Sleep Technique to summon the complete One-Tail, Shukaku, and wreak havoc on the battlefield.

Orochimaru had clashed with Shukaku at that time. Although Shukaku couldn't defeat him, he also couldn't eliminate Shukaku in a short period.

That was his first encounter with a creature called a Tailed Beast, and it left a deep impression on him. That's why he became so interested when he learned that Toneri harbored the Two-Tails.

His signature tongue-flicking gesture reappeared on his face.

"Is this the power of the Two-Tails? While I can't quite gauge its true strength like this, your control over it seems far greater than that of Monk Bunpuku," Orochimaru's hoarse voice echoed in the laboratory.

As his words fell, from all around the laboratory, from every corner, snakes of various colors began to emerge, slithering and crawling.

Anyone with trypophobia would probably break out in goosebumps instantly.

Looking at Orochimaru's intensely interested face and the countless snakes, Toneri had to admit...

This is very Orochimaru.

"Come on, Toneri-kun, let me see the Two-Tails' abilities, let me see what the Two-Tails looks like!

Oh, and a friendly warning, many of these snakes carry potent venom."

Orochimaru was truly unpredictable.

Toneri knew that if he didn't show some strength now, Orochimaru, given his personality, might actually have the snakes bite him.

He would be the one suffering, and he might not be valued by Orochimaru in the future.

Although he was very wary of Orochimaru, for him right now, the benefits Orochimaru provided clearly outweighed the drawbacks.

As for what would happen if Orochimaru defected later, heh, he'd worry about that after surviving the Third Great Ninja War.

Before he had the strength to protect himself, Orochimaru could clearly provide the necessary shelter.

Soon, Toneri found that his body could move again.

He drew a short blade from his waist with his right hand and assumed an attacking stance.

Since a fight was inevitable, he had to strike first. Otherwise, being surrounded by so many snakes would severely limit his movement space, putting him at a disadvantage.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Poof—Poof—

Two Shadow Clones appeared, holding two Kunai, and charged into the swarm of snakes.

If he were in his morning state, Toneri wouldn't be too worried about these snakes, no matter how many there were. But not long ago, he had suffered considerable mental strain, physical fatigue, and massive Chakra depletion from dispelling five Shadow Clones.

Now, two Shadow Clones were his limit.

Dragging his exhausted body, he charged forward with his blade.

One snake per slash. Every time his blade struck a snake, it dissolved into smoke and disappeared.

Orochimaru leaned against a laboratory table with his arms crossed, watching Toneri's efforts. He smirked, revealing his signature smile, "Taijutsu that's passable for a Genin, a large amount of Chakra that's completely unused, and... abysmal swordsmanship. Tsk, tsk, tsk—the old man really found a 'good seedling'."

Toneri's face flushed slightly at Orochimaru's words.

His swordsmanship was indeed undisciplined. In fact, if you gave him another Kunai, it would serve the same purpose.

"Toneri-kun, if this is your only skill level, you might end up being devoured by snakes today," Orochimaru's voice held a hint of mockery, but there was no joking in his tone.

His hands shifted rapidly.

As his voice faded, he brought his pale right thumb to his mouth, bit down, and let a few drops of crimson blood seep out.

He slammed his palm onto the ground.

"Summoning Technique!"

Poof—

The smoke dissipated, revealing a giant python in the laboratory.

Fortunately, Orochimaru's laboratory was large enough. Otherwise, if such a massive python, several people thick, appeared here, it would likely collapse the laboratory before the fight even began.

Orochimaru casually pointed, and a giant python rushed towards Toneri.

Seeing the snake whose head alone was bigger than him, Toneri's face turned green.

Brother, sister, aunt, uncle... you guys aren't playing fair...

Unfortunately, Toneri didn't voice his thoughts. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be a snake. If Manda was actually summoned, what would he do?

His two shadow clones exchanged a look and charged towards the giant snake first.

Toneri stood in place, hesitated for a second, and immediately made a decision.

Screw it, so what if I'm not human? Who's afraid of who?!

I won't be human either!

If you want to see the Two-Tails, I'll show you!

"Big Beauty! Lend me your power!" Toneri appeared in the sealing space, quickly rushed to the fence, and shouted at the Two-Tails.

The lazy Two-Tails stretched and looked at the anxious Toneri, saying, "I'll lend you power, but no more touching me randomly from now on!"

Toneri: "..."

"Okay!"

Petting cats is impossible to give up. I'll never give it up in this lifetime. I'll just get through this hurdle first.

Forced by the situation, he had no choice but to agree to the Two-Tails' "unequal treaty."

Toneri's fist collided with the Two-Tails' cat paw through the fence once more.

BOOM--

A surge of violent Chakra instantly coiled around Toneri's body. The smaller snakes were blown away almost immediately.

Even the giant python paused its movements after dealing with Toneri's two shadow clones.

Orochimaru, standing behind, watched with gradually brightening eyes.

Putting aside the amount and intensity of the Chakra, the aura of hatred contained within it was no less than that of the One-Tail.

As the Chakra slowly returned to normal, Toneri's appearance also changed.

Light blue cat ears, a black magatama on his chest, and the Two-Tails' Chakra wrapped around his arms and legs, forming a virtual Tailed Beast outer coat.

Half-Tailed Beast Transformation!

His aura had indeed strengthened considerably, but a hint of disappointment flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

"If it's not a complete Tailed Beast Transformation, is this all there is?

Is the Two-Tails controlling its Chakra output to prevent him from losing his mind, and also to allow him to control his body better?

It's just as the old man said, he's a kid who can coexist peacefully with a Tailed Beast.

In this regard, Bunpuku is not as good as him.

But this strength... tsk.

He looks quite cute, though... too bad it's useless..."

Although this transformation significantly enhanced Toneri's strength, for Orochimaru, who didn't fear the Two-Tails' original body, it was indeed not enough.

Toneri didn't know Orochimaru's thoughts.

Otherwise, he would definitely give Orochimaru a thumbs-up...

Amazing! Snake-aunt, amazing!

Grasping the short blade in a reverse grip, his figure flashed, disappearing from his original spot. In contrast, a bloody gash appeared on the giant python summoned by Orochimaru.

"His speed is quite good."

Rarely, Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and the words he spoke were words of praise.