After the Akatsuki members surrounded Neji and Orochimaru, they didn't attack right away. Instead, they held back nearby and left the stage to Beluhu.
Clearly, the Akatsuki wanted to see just how strong Beluhu was after absorbing five kekkei genkai.
You couldn't exactly pick a fight with your own people.
And these two suspicious, uninvited guests—Neji and Orochimaru—were the perfect whetstones.
Neji stared at Beluhu, whose body radiated an uncontrollable killing intent, his face full of surprise.
Beluhu surviving the final kekkei genkai fusion had already been beyond Neji's expectations. Somehow breaking free of the Curse Seal of the Mind's control had been even more unexpected.
Thinking it over, Neji soon understood.
It wasn't just Beluhu's body that had been shattered and reassembled just now. His soul had undergone the same process.
That was why the Curse Seal of the Mind Neji had placed in Beluhu's soul had been removed.
Gathering his thoughts, Neji studied Beluhu with keen interest.
The Akatsuki were curious about Beluhu's strength, and so was Neji.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru had recovered from his initial shock. His dark golden eyes studied Beluhu with an unprecedented thirst for knowledge.
Beluhu swooped down and looked at Neji. His pale face twisted almost grotesquely. "By now, your face should be showing fear."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at Beluhu, thinking that he had gotten arrogant.
Neji replied coldly, "Then let me see your true strength!"
"As you wish!"
As soon as he spoke, Beluhu slowly raised his hand and formed a hand seal.
Whoosh!
With a sharp sound as he cut through the air, Beluhu abruptly vanished.
"So fast!"
Orochimaru was startled.
The next moment, Beluhu appeared right in front of him.
"I'll deal with the nuisance first." Beluhu wore a cold smile.
Their eyes met. Orochimaru didn't have time to react