Battle Against Orochimaru

When Orochimaru used a Body Flicker technique to rush before Feng Yao, he was immediately drawn in by the aura radiating from the man.

He felt an inexplicable sense of kinship with Feng Yao, but his will was firm, and he naturally would not allow it to influence him during battle.

He formed hand seals and let out a low shout.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

This was a B-rank ninjutsu of Orochimaru's, a technique with considerable versatility. Multiple large snakes could be summoned instantly to perform tasks such as intimidation, restraint, and capture, achieving the effect of a multi-layered combo.

Often, enemies were bound before they could even react.

Dozens of brown snakes with black markings lunged toward Feng Yao's limbs and vital points.

Off to the side, Tayuya couldn't help but feel worried for Feng Yao—a sensation she found incredible even to herself.

But clearly, her worry was unnecessary. Feng Yao stomped his feet and used "Geppo" to dodge with ease under the pursuit and restraint of the dozen snakes. Orochimaru only retracted the technique after chasing him for over ten meters.

Orochimaru's expression turned grave; not only was the number of snakes in his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands immense, but their speed was so great that even a Kage-level powerhouse would be caught if they were the least bit careless. Yet, at such close range, the opponent had dodged them all.

In his experience, only one situation allowed for such a feat: the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan.

The Sharingan could copy ninjutsu, see through ninjutsu and taijutsu, and perceive an opponent's movements, yet the man's eyes were clearly not Sharingan.

Feng Yao's ability to dodge the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands without entering Sage Mode was actually due to the changes in his physique.

His understanding of ninjutsu now exceeded anything Orochimaru could have imagined.

The moment the opponent launched the attack, he had simulated the various trajectories of the technique in his mind, allowing him to evade it.

"Yao-kun, your secrets are even more interesting than I imagined. However, if you only know how to run, I won't be able to acknowledge your strength~"

Orochimaru wore a cold sneer, radiating a mature, gloomy aura as he attempted to provoke Feng Yao.

Feng Yao pressed his palms together, thinking silently that this should be the last time he would need to use Sage Mode.

Following this, eyeshadow appeared around his eyes, and his pupils shifted.

This did not mean Feng Yao could enter Sage Mode instantly, but rather it was a manifestation of his ability to multitask; he had been opening Sage Mode while simultaneously tangling with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, standing opposite him, clearly felt the change in Feng Yao's strength—it was now more than ten times more terrifying than before.

He even had the feeling of facing that man, Itachi Uchiha, once more—that sense of being unable to overcome him.

He snorted coldly; the humiliation of that day would not repeat itself. Although the opponent had defeated the Third Hokage, the old man had been frail and not at his peak, while he himself was undoubtedly one of the Sannin.

Orochimaru pressed his entire body against the ground and opened his mouth wide.

"Many Snake Array!"

This technique allowed him to summon countless snakes from his mouth to attack the enemy, burying the opponent alive in a sea of serpents before detonating the mass.

Watching Orochimaru continuously spit things out of his mouth, Feng Yao frowned, silently thinking that some grilled snake meat might actually be nice.

He quickly formed hand seals, his speed so fast that it created trails of afterimages.

Standing in the distance, Kimimaro widened his eyes in shock, for he discovered that the man was forming three different sets of seals simultaneously.

Feng Yao took a deep breath, his cheeks slightly puffed.

"Sage Art: Goemon!"

Feng Yao simultaneously unleashed Wind Release, Fire Release, and toad oil to create a massive, high-temperature inferno that ruthlessly devoured the pythons summoned by Orochimaru.

The reason Feng Yao hadn't used this move before was that while he knew it, he couldn't perform three ninjutsu at once—but now, he could.

Not only that, he could even release four ninjutsu at a single time.

Seeing this, Orochimaru hurriedly retreated; even he could not withstand being hit by a Fire Release of this caliber.

At the same time, he bit his finger and slammed his hand into the ground.

"Triple Rashomon!"

Three massive gates with demonic faces—red, blue, and black—rose from the earth, as if to absorb every attack.

These three gates represented the absolute defensive prison of Receiving, Extinguishing, and Expanding, possessing the property of absorbing all attacks.

Not only could they protect him, but they could also serve to shatter the opponent's spirit.

The first gate absorbed the attack.

The second gate reduced the power.

The third gate dispersed the force.

By the time the burning oil struck the third gate, it had already lost its momentum and could not harm Orochimaru behind it.

"To think it was this technique... that was close."

Just as Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief, Feng Yao suddenly appeared behind him, his cold voice ringing out.

"Mr. Orochimaru, the battle isn't over yet."

Feng Yao pressed his hands together and whispered.

"Sage Art: Myojinmon."

Several red torii gates descended from the heavens.

Crushing down upon Orochimaru, this technique could briefly seal an opponent's chakra.

He even knows Sealing Technique! Orochimaru felt the chakra within his body being suppressed; he was now effectively at the mercy of his opponent.

Feng Yao did not pause, his hands continuing to weave seals as if he intended to take Orochimaru's life right then and there.

Orochimaru finally lost his composure, roaring in terror.

"Why aren't you coming to help yet..."

Kimimaro, standing to the side, had long wanted to intervene upon seeing Orochimaru fall into a disadvantageous position, but he had been waiting for the order. The moment he heard it, he lunged forward.

Everyone except Tayuya attacked instantly.

They all activated their Cursed Seal Level 2 forms, their skin turning dark and hardened, their hair changing color and growing longer, and sharp claws sprouting from their limbs.

Tayuya struggled in place for a moment before finally following suit.

"Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Clematis."

"Secret Technique: Spider Sticky Gold."

"Earth Style: Earth Mausoleum Dumpling."

"Multi-Punch."

Everyone unleashed their signature ninjutsu.

The strength of the Sound Four was not to be underestimated; each possessed unique abilities, secret techniques, genjutsu, or Kekkei Genkai.

Watching the various attacks incoming from behind, Feng Yao turned his head, his hand seals shifting. His stomach swelled up, and he spat out an illusory white dragon.

"Sage Art: White Fury Technique."

The white dragon, clutching a purple dragon orb, flew rapidly toward the Sound Four.

This technique utilized air vibrations to make enemies feel as though their bones were grinding against one another, while simultaneously emitting a blinding light that damaged the enemies' vision and hearing.

In the past, Feng Yao had accidentally blinded himself due to the technique's severe side effects.

Because of this, he hadn't used it for a long time. Now, however, his eyes glowed, protected by a thin film, and his body's resilience allowed him to withstand the air vibrations.

The Sound Four, caught within the range, closed their eyes in agony and clutched their ears. They couldn't even maintain their ninjutsu, let alone their Cursed Seals, which were flickering on the verge of collapse.

Feng Yao seized the opportunity to step into the blinding light, knocking them aside with a single punch each.

Only Tayuya, who had been a step behind, remained outside the technique's range, making her the only one left standing on the field besides Feng Yao.

Damn it, he's actually this strong.

In that split second, the thought had barely crossed Orochimaru's mind.

The next moment, he was struck hard in the chest by a Rankyaku from Feng Yao.

His vision went black, and a wave of intense dizziness caused him to lose his balance, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

He lay there for a full breath or two before recovering. As his vision cleared, he saw Feng Yao's two feet standing right in front of him.

"Damn you." Orochimaru prepared to scramble up.

Feng Yao raised his right foot and stomped down directly.

Orochimaru's head was pinned by Feng Yao, slamming into the ground like a stone with a heavy thud.

"Feng Yao!" Orochimaru roared in fury, attempting to rise again.

Feng Yao watched coldly and stomped down once more.

Orochimaru's head struck the ground violently, his scalp splitting open and blood flowing freely.

This guy... I will find a way to kill you. Orochimaru gritted his teeth until they nearly shattered, the rage in his chest threatening to consume him.

He lifted his head, his serpent-like eyes locked onto Feng Yao, and spoke in a low, gloomy voice.

"Yao-kun, I was rude just now. I acknowledge your strength. Shall we call it a draw?"

Seeing Orochimaru concede, Feng Yao dispelled the Myojinmon and familiarly helped Orochimaru up, looking for all the world like an old friend he hadn't seen in years.

"Come, come, Mr. Orochimaru, get up. The ground is cold. The two of us were just sparring casually; don't take it to heart, Mr. Orochimaru."

The Sound Four standing nearby were stunned. Was this really the same ruthless person who had attacked so viciously just moments ago? His mood swings were far too rapid.

Orochimaru was also bewildered. Sparring casually? You were just about to butcher me.

However, as he stood near Feng Yao, he felt his own killing intent and anger toward the man fading away. While surprised, he felt an even greater sense of greed.

His constitution seems extremely unique; he can alter the thoughts of those around him. And looking at his state, he must have mastered Sage Mode. Such a body... it truly is a perfect vessel.

Thinking this, Orochimaru licked his lips. If he weren't currently unable to defeat Feng Yao, he would have likely sliced him open for study right then and there.