Stepping Down

"Domain Expansion: Infinite Void!" Naruto's low, resolute chant rang out, and an invisible force seemed to envelop the entire battlefield.

A huge black sphere suddenly appeared, swallowing Orochimaru in his Eight-Branched Serpent form, along with the First and Second Hokage, whom he had controlled with Impure World Reincarnation.

From the outside, the domain looked like a pitch-black sphere, as if it had devoured all the light and color around it.

Inside, endless white light and nothingness intertwined for an instant. Then the entire space turned pitch-black.

In the depths of the darkness, an enormous eye, much like a black hole, silently appeared, radiating a terrifying aura that made one's heart tremble.

Everyone in the domain lost their former state.

Naruto alone stood firmly within the space. Orochimaru and the First and Second Hokage he controlled were suspended in midair, as if held aloft by an invisible force, unable to move.

Infinite Void, this mysterious and powerful domain, unleashed its fearsome power within Limitless.

Here, "perception" and "communication" were forcibly executed countless times in the name of "living," creating a mental assault that took the concrete form of infinite information being forced into one's mind.

Orochimaru felt as if he had been submerged in an ocean of information. He could see everything, yet do nothing. Countless waves of information surged over him, instantly shattering his soul and thoughts.

He tried to struggle, tried to fight back, but in this boundless void and white light, he found himself unable to do anything.

He knew everything. He had been given everything. Yet all he could do was watch helplessly as everything before him slowly slipped away.

The First and Second Hokage had also lost Orochimaru's instructions and floated blankly in place.

"Genjutsu?" Orochimaru struggled to force out the word. He couldn't help thinking of the name that terrified him most—Itachi Uchiha.

In an instant, all his desire to fight vanished, replaced by deep fear and helplessness.

Naruto was astonished to discover that Orochimaru could still speak, faintly but clearly, within Infinite Void. This sudden turn of events gave him a much deeper appreciation of the complexity and depth of the ninja world.

If no domain can counter mine, does that mean I'm invincible? Naruto immediately dismissed the thought.

The fact that Orochimaru could speak inside his domain was itself a warning.

Naruto couldn't help wondering: if Orochimaru's mental strength were a little greater, could he really break through the domain's restrictions and regain his freedom? The question weighed on his heart like a boulder, impossible to ignore.

He knew the ninja world was far more complicated than he had imagined, and every kind of power had its limits and weaknesses.

Even a domain that seemed invincible wasn't without flaws.

Naruto began to reassess his own abilities and place in the world. He realized that if he wanted to survive in a world full of unknowns and challenges, he would have to keep learning and growing.

Then he slowly approached Orochimaru, his steps steady and confident, each one seeming to proclaim his absolute control over the battle.

He gazed into Orochimaru's eyes, filled with complicated emotions, and curled his lips into a meaningful smile.

"You've always wanted me to join you," Naruto said, his voice ringing unusually clearly through the empty domain. "So, how about joining my ranks instead?"

The words struck Orochimaru like a bolt of lightning.

He had never imagined that at this life-or-death moment, a child like Naruto would make him such an offer.

That was nothing like something a child would do. But after considering Naruto's strength, Orochimaru gave a self-mocking smile inwardly.

Orochimaru had always been fascinated by Naruto.

This young man wasn't just powerful; his recovery ability was astonishing, too. He was the most interesting and promising ninja Orochimaru had ever encountered.

Orochimaru was shaken. He was currently in his Eight-Branched Serpent form, and transforming had consumed an enormous amount of Chakra, leaving him with very little regenerative ability.

On top of that, Naruto's Infinite Void had immobilized him. If Naruto wanted to finish him off, he was as good as dead.

Although fragments of his soul were still scattered across Mitaraishi Anko's body, that was merely a passive safeguard. Who knew how long it would take to come into play?

Yet the moment Orochimaru heard Naruto wanted him to join his ranks, excitement filled his eyes.

He realized this was a rare opportunity—a chance to get close to Naruto and observe the growth of this monster.