We're the Same Type of Ability User

Uchiha Sora didn't know Muzan, the progenitor of demons, but he was familiar with the Three Admirals of the Navy.

Rayquaza was the same. It was a being he'd known about long before coming to the Shinobi World.

That gave him another idea about the platform.

If I initiate a loan, will only people I know about appear?

"Admiral..."

That distinctive title immediately made Orochimaru associate the little giant who had appeared with the Land of Iron.

According to the information he'd gathered, Uchiha Sora and his companion had indeed visited the Land of Iron not long ago.

Impossible. I've been to the Land of Iron. Even Mifune couldn't be stronger than this guy, who calls himself a Vice Admiral!

A lava-like blast of heat ruffled Orochimaru's hair. His expression was grave.

Sakazuki, codenamed Akainu.

Just from his stance, you could tell he was terrifyingly strong!

Unlike the sinister air most shinobi gave off, this man felt like an enraged volcano!

"The Land of Iron... has someone like him?"

Sasori knew little about that mysterious neutral country, but, like Orochimaru, it was the first place that came to mind.

Orochimaru formed Hand Seals and prepared himself, his voice low. "Probably not. Either way, that guy called him here to help."

"I set up a barrier nearby to block Summoning Techniques... The way he brought him here wasn't a Summoning Technique!"

If that was the case...

Then he could still summon that green dragon beast!

Orochimaru had already decided that the moment Rayquaza appeared, he'd run for his life. As for his teammate, Sasori of the Red Sands...

Aren't teammates there to be sold out?

"This guy looks pretty good. I'll take him. Those two Uchiha are yours."

He wanted everything. Wasn't he afraid he'd choke?

Orochimaru looked down on Sasori, and the two couldn't stand each other.

But at least he bore the title of one of the legendary Sannin. He wasn't about to run without putting up a fight.

"Here it comes."

Boom!!

Akainu drew his greatsword and gave it a casual swing. A huge, flaming crescent-shaped slash surged out with tremendous force!

It wasn't merely a Flying Slash. It carried the power of the Magma-Magma Fruit, too!

At this point in time, Akainu hadn't fully developed the power of his Devil Fruit. He preferred fighting with a combination of Taijutsu and his fruit abilities.

As for his swordsmanship...

It was good enough to come up whenever people discussed the World's Strongest swordsmen!

Bang!

Orochimaru slammed both palms into the sand, and several thick Earth Release walls rose in succession.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!!

The flaming slash smashed through the earthen walls like they were nothing.

Beyond a long stretch of scorched earth, Akainu looked at Orochimaru, his brow furrowing slightly.

"An earth-type Logia user?"

Shinobi used a different power system.

Even with Observation Haki, Akainu couldn't tell how Orochimaru had changed the terrain. If it was a Devil Fruit ability, it didn't quite seem like one.

It seemed as though he'd converted the energy within his body to achieve an effect similar to that of an ability user...

Uchiha Sora walked over to him. Beside Akainu's three-meter-tall frame, he looked like a kitten.

"It'd be hard to explain in a short time. Anyway, with your elemental body, you shouldn't have to worry about getting bitten by a poisonous snake."

"Leave that guy to you. We'll take on the puppeteer."

Seeing the flames ignite around Uchiha Sora, Akainu raised an eyebrow. "You and..."

"That's right. You and I are the same type of ability user."

Uchiha Sora cut him off before he could finish. He called out to Shisui, then charged at Sasori of the Red Sands.

For a kid this young to have such power... This world can't be underestimated.

Akainu kept his attention fixed on Orochimaru, his Observation Haki fully active.

--

Orochimaru sensed an unusual presence covering his body... A Sensory Ninjutsu? A very high level one!

He spread his arms and spoke slowly. "May I ask your name, friend? There's no reason we have to fight, is there?"

Akainu snorted and stepped forward. In an instant, he appeared in front of Orochimaru and cut him in half at the waist with his greatsword!

"I could smell the evil on you from a mile away..."

"As a Marine, I bear the burden of upholding justice in the world!"

"And now..."

"It's time to carry it out!!"

A violent eruption of volcanic magma swallowed Orochimaru's bisected body whole!!

"That guy... Why does he give me the impression of what you'd look like when you grow up?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm the handsome-and-charming type. I'm not going to grow up looking like that."

"That's not what I meant..." Shisui clicked his tongue, then asked, "Who is he? Did you summon him? Is he a Summoning Beast that looks more human?"

"Why do you have so many questions?"

Uchiha Sora pointed to his eyes and said casually, "If you can't figure something out, just assume it's one of my Sharingan abilities."

"Is that so..."

Shisui actually accepted the explanation.

As they spoke, the two of them closed in on Sasori of the Red Sands, leaping forward and swinging their blades.

Sasori sneered, completely unruffled. "You little brats don't know your place. Instead of running, you're coming straight at me?"

"Shisui, his real body is hidden beneath that puppet."

"And there's another puppet underneath it. He turned himself into a Human Puppet. Find his core and destroy it!"

"Oh, and don't give him time to unseal his scroll. He has a Human Puppet made from a Magnet Release shinobi. If you can't stop him from releasing it, don't use iron weapons. Keep your Ninja Blade covered in chakra at all times."

"Got it! Your Sharingan is amazing!"

He must've seen the information with his eyes—information from the future.

You're incredible. Maybe you're the true wielder of the Sharingan!

Uchiha Sora had spoken loudly, and Sasori had heard him, too.

What the...

Is he crazy? Does he think I don't know how the Sharingan works?

Don't pretend you can see the future or read minds!

Damn it! Who leaked my information?

Orochimaru?!

No... He doesn't know about the Third Kazekage. Only two people know I have that puppet.

Konan and the Leader...

If I ruled out every possibility, no matter how unwilling Sasori was to believe it...

The organization had sold him out!

Could this be a trap targeting me?!

Those few words had thrown Sasori's thoughts into disarray.

The core was also his heart.

Clang!!

Hiruko's Iron Tail blocked Shisui's blade. Sasori's voice was cold. "Did Konan tell you?"

"What did she promise you? That you could join the Akatsuki if you killed me?"

Uchiha Sora grinned. "Since you've figured it out, why don't you just accept your death? Don't make Konan come and do it herself."

In the distance, Orochimaru escaped the magma and shouted, "Are you an idiot?! He's bluffing! Don't go blabbing the organization's secrets!"

He seemed about to say more, but a huge hand grabbed his head and dragged him away.

Shisui noticed Orochimaru's condition and couldn't help thinking to himself:

As expected of Lord Orochimaru. He'd been cut into several pieces and was still so full of energy.

Sasori was in turmoil now, unsure which side to believe.

But there was one thing he could be certain of...

He had to kill the two brats in front of him!

Shhhhhh—

Countless Poison Senbon shot from the Iron Tail, raining down like arrows.

Shisui hurriedly dodged. As he and Uchiha Sora crossed paths, a blazing slash surged out.

Fire Style Chakra Mode...

Flowing Blade Flame Slash!!

The essence of a loan was to borrow power, not simply to bring someone over to help.

Although he and Akainu weren't in the same place now, the power of their contract connected them.

Just as it had with Rayquaza's energy, Uchiha Sora could sense the way Akainu's energy flowed.

He simply hadn't chosen to draw on Akainu's energy.

So...

Sakazuki, we're the same type.

You're the perfect person for this!!

Thought after thought sprang up in Uchiha Sora's mind. The flames swirling around him gradually deepened in color, and their temperature climbed higher and higher.

Whoosh!!

The slash fell like a burning new moon, engulfing Sasori of the Red Sands!

Boom!!!!

--