Battle Against Orochimaru! Terrifying Keigo

Last night, the Rookies feasted to their hearts' content.

It was past nine o'clock before they finally returned to their respective homes.

The next morning.

The Rookies had already reappeared in the classroom, their faces filled with reverence; today... was the day they would be assigned their teachers!

They were about to have their very own Jonin instructors!

"Yo, everyone. When your name is called, please come with me. I am your Jonin instructor, along with Shinnosuke Sarutobi, Yabu Gekko, and Shimotsuki Kurama!"

A young man with white hair walked in with a smile.

He carried a short blade on his back, and even though his smile was gentle, his sharp, piercing aura made one's heart tremble involuntarily!

"It's the White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake!"

Keigo Uchiha narrowed his eyes. In the original story, Sakumo Hatake, already a Kage-level powerhouse, abandoned a mission to save his comrades. He was reviled by everyone in the Leaf and eventually committed suicide!

He could say he had a deep memory of this plot point.

He just hadn't expected to encounter this legendary powerhouse so soon.

Having the White Fang of the Leaf teach Shinnosuke Sarutobi.

The intention of Hiruzen Sarutobi to win him over was clear to see!

"Let's go, Keigo! Let's become even stronger from here on out!"

Shinnosuke Sarutobi grinned, revealing a brilliant smile.

That sunny, handsome face made him easy to get close to.

"Keigo, I will keep moving toward you! Sooner or later, my swordsmanship will definitely surpass yours!"

Yabu Gekko stood up right after, following them out with a laugh.

"And me. Of course, my perspective is different from theirs; we will only drift further and further away from you. Keigo, you are a true genius!"

Shimotsuki Kurama's pretty face showed a complex expression, but she soon sighed with relief. "Stay safe."

Her voice was incredibly gentle.

She turned and left.

It was a tone she had never used in the past three years.

The Second Shinobi World War had made them realize the cruelty of war; they might soon be heading to the battlefield, and that "stay safe" made everyone's heart sink.

"Of course, the same goes for you all."

Keigo Uchiha paused, his face turning serious. "Strength is the only thing that can protect you on the battlefield. Do not rely on any aid, do not count on any reinforcements—everything depends on yourself!"

Everyone nodded heavily.

Their gazes were solemn!

"Truly a genius youth. Even though he is just a boy, he already understands the cruelty of the battlefield, and what's more... has he already forged the entire class into one?"

Sakumo Hatake's eyes lit up, as if he had seen something interesting.

"Keigo Uchiha, is it? You have a group of very good friends. I hope to see the day you grow into a towering tree."

A smile played on his lips.

The unity, cohesion, and bonds between the companions in this class caught his attention.

And Keigo Uchiha was like a stabilizing force; everyone was gathered around him!

It was as if, as long as he was there, the others felt at ease and relaxed!

Following the departure of Sakumo Hatake and the others.

Soon, a sturdy young man walked in; his robust physique was practically a carbon copy of Lie Akimichi!

"Dad!?"

Lie Akimichi was stunned.

He stood up abruptly, feeling as though his whole world had gone wrong!

"Dad, why are you here? You wouldn't happen to... be our instructor, would you!"

"Shut up! I am your Jonin instructor now. You, Asagao, and Kano, come out!"

Torifu Akimichi's expression turned stern.

He led the three of them straight out. The trio looked as embarrassed as elementary school students caught in the act; there was no helping it, they were too familiar with each other!

The three of them bid a silent farewell to Keigo.

They didn't dare to speak a word out loud!

"The Ino-Shika-Cho families are the best combination. There aren't many who can teach the three of them, and since the Second Shinobi World War just ended, the three great families are being cautious. It makes sense to have Torifu Akimichi, whose strength is his forte, serve as the instructor."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled softly.

Although the Shinobi World War had ended.

However, local friction remained frequent, and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans were naturally uneasy about these three gifted youths.

Shortly after, a Jonin with a helpless expression walked in and said listlessly, "Senju Nawaki, Aburame Shiku, and Yuhi Kixia, I am your supervising Jonin. Please, step forward!"

"Teacher, you're way too slow!"

Senju Nawaki couldn't help but retort.

The three of them followed him out.

Keigo Uchiha's eyes narrowed instantly, his voice flat, "Has the Third Hokage's counterattack against the Senju Clan... already begun? Assigning a background character Jonin as Senju Nawaki's mentor—even after ten years, Senju Nawaki won't learn a thing."

This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's targeted suppression of the Senju Clan!

There was no way Senju Nawaki would ever be assigned a competent mentor!

"In the original story, Senju Nawaki was led by Orochimaru. Perhaps that was because, in the original timeline, the Uchiha Clan didn't support Sarutobi Hiruzen, forcing him to bow to the Senju Clan and remain under their control for a time."

His gaze flickered as he speculated on the progression of events.

"But once Sarutobi Hiruzen's wings were fully grown, he immediately began sanctioning the Senju Clan! At the same time, he began targeting the Uchiha Clan, who hadn't helped him back then! Carrying on the will of Senju Tobirama!"

"But now, because I needed Water Release, the Great Elder and Sarutobi Hiruzen reached a favorable cooperation, and Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer needs to be held in check by the Senju Clan."

"Therefore... the sanctions against the Senju Clan began much earlier!"

This was the method of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He didn't just learn the art of political maneuvering in his old age.

Even in his youth, Sarutobi Hiruzen possessed a natural talent for such things!

"Then... who will my supervising teacher be?"

Keigo Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly; given Sarutobi Hiruzen's cunning, he would certainly not let him slip through the cracks.

The highest probability was one of the Sannin!

He would be branded with the Hokage lineage and subjected to constant brainwashing!

"Great, I... I'm in the same squad as Keigo-kun!"

Inuzuka Mi's pretty face flushed red.

Now, only the three of them remained in the classroom.

Aside from her, there was Hyuga Ruri and Keigo Uchiha; it was a foregone conclusion that the three of them would form a team.

"Hmph! Being on a team with me is what's truly worth being happy about. With me here, you won't suffer any harm!"

Hyuga Ruri gave a delicate huff, "Although Keigo Uchiha is strong, his strength is only his own, whereas I can use Rotation to protect you!"

"Thank you, Ruri, I will work even harder!"

Inuzuka Mi's face turned serious as she clenched her small hands.

Keigo Uchiha shook his head helplessly.

He raised an eyebrow.

Do you have any idea how many defensive ninjutsu I have?

But just then, a hoarse voice suddenly echoed.

"So, the last ones remaining... are you my students?"

A pale-faced young man walked in, his eyes carrying a cold, detached quality, as if nothing in the world could move him.

Around his eye sockets were purple shadows.

He carried a hint of wicked charm.

He was a naturally charismatic, sinister-looking man!

"Orochimaru?"

Keigo Uchiha was stunned, then a smile curled at the corner of his mouth, "I didn't expect you to be our supervising teacher."

Given his and Hyuga Ruri's talents.

It was only natural that Sarutobi Hiruzen would want to bring him into the Hokage lineage, so the person assigned to mentor him had to be one of the Sannin, and it could only be Jiraiya or Orochimaru!

And Orochimaru, as Sarutobi Hiruzen's most prized disciple.

It wasn't hard to understand why he would be the one sent to take him on as a student.

"You know me?"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity flickering in those amber pupils, "The genius of the Uchiha Clan, Keigo Uchiha; the granddaughter of Hyuga Tenjin, Hyuga Ruri; and Inuzuka Mi, who possesses keen control over chakra."

"From now on, I am your supervising teacher. Until you grow up, I will be the one leading you."

As he spoke.

His eyes looked at Keigo Uchiha with curiosity.

This youth... gave him the feeling of being seen through, which made him feel very uncomfortable, and... he could sense that they were the same kind of person!

Both were absolute geniuses!

"Of course, there is no one who does not know the Cold Lord Orochimaru, who made a name for himself during the Second Shinobi World War."

Keigo Uchiha said indifferently.

A hint of interest flickered in his eyes.

If he were to take Jiraiya as his teacher, things would be a bit dull; furthermore, Jiraiya was better suited for guided instruction, which was more appropriate for teaching geniuses like Uzumaki Naruto.

As for himself and Uchiha Sasuke, they were better suited for a teacher like Orochimaru.

Although the future Orochimaru becomes unscrupulous, seeking immortality and conducting human experiments, the current Orochimaru is still a young man who possesses bonds.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

His eyes were lost in thought, as if he were contemplating something interesting.

"It seems you know a lot about me, so come with me."

Orochimaru's voice was raspy, and a trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes.

To tell the truth, he did not want to become a team leader.

After all, this would waste his cultivation time.

But his teacher had insisted, so he had no other choice. As a disciple, it was only right to obey his teacher's words; the years of instruction and the grace of being raised had long since made him view Sarutobi Hiruzen as a father figure.

"I never expected that the Cold Lord Orochimaru would become our teacher. Of course, only a teacher like this is worthy of instructing me!"

Hyuga Ruri's beautiful eyes were haughty.

Her pretty face was full of excitement.

Currently, the Hyuga Clan no longer possessed top-tier combat power due to the passing of Tennin.

Even the current clan head was only at the strength of an Elite Jonin.

Therefore, being able to be taught by Orochimaru, who was a Quasi-Kage, was the best possible outcome!

"That's great... being able to be in the same squad as Keigo-kun..."

Inuzuka Mi looked at Keigo Uchiha with a blushing face, then shyly lowered her head.

Soon, the group arrived at Forest No. 8.

Although it was called a forest, it was actually a place specifically used for combat and trials, featuring designated cleared-out areas.

"I already have a basic understanding of your personal information, so there is no need for any self-introductions."

Orochimaru said slowly in a raspy voice.

He disliked these kinds of clichés the most.

"But just because you passed the exam does not mean you can become my disciples. To become a disciple of mine, Orochimaru... you must undergo a test!"

A smile curled the corners of Orochimaru's mouth.

He looked at the three of them with an ambiguous expression.

He pulled two bells from his pocket.

Originally, he had no interest in this bell-snatching trick and had already considered canceling this segment, but seeing the genius aura radiating from Keigo Uchiha, he suddenly became interested.

Isn't this just like himself when he was a boy?

"The three of you must snatch these two bells from my hands. Only those who obtain a bell can become my disciples and truly graduate from the Ninja Academy."

Orochimaru's mouth lifted slightly, carrying a playful smile.

For young people.

Graduation was the most important thing; no one could be spared from that pressure!

"But there are only two bells here."

Hyuga Ruri frowned slightly, asking with some confusion: "Teacher Orochimaru, did you bring the wrong amount?"

Beside her, Inuzuka Mi's delicate face suddenly changed, as if she had realized something. "Could it be... the reason there are only two bells is... that only two people can pass the exam?"

Keigo Uchiha's gaze flickered, landing on Inuzuka Mi.

It had to be said.

Although Inuzuka Mi was introverted, she was very clever and had a clear mind, able to grasp the crux of the problem immediately.

"What a clever little girl. That is correct. Among the three of you, one is destined to return to the Ninja Academy to study anew. If no one can snatch the bells from my hands, then all three of you... will return to the Ninja Academy!"

Orochimaru's voice was calm, but those amber pupils carried a chilling coldness!

It was as if... he were a cold-blooded executioner.

Looking at his enemies!

"Hey, hey, hey, it can't be like this, right? It turns out that drawing a powerful mentor... might not necessarily be a good thing!"

Hyuga Ruri's voice trembled.

But the next moment, her beautiful eyes became determined.

"No matter what, we will not lose!"

Her breathing was ragged, yet she erupted with an even stronger will.

Orochimaru was taken aback, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

Not bad at all.

To be able to maintain her composure and fighting spirit while facing his aura.

She was stronger than some Chunin.

"Then let us begin. Let me see exactly what kind of mettle you possess."

Orochimaru grinned, revealing a set of brilliant teeth.

Those amber pupils, resembling a snake's, radiated a chilling light that made one's blood run cold.

"I will absolutely not lose!"

Hyuga Ruri shouted sharply.

In an instant, she assumed the starting stance of the Hyuga Gentle Fist!

She took a deep breath, staring solemnly at Orochimaru, while Inuzuka Mi beside her earnestly summoned her ninja cat.

At this moment, Keigo Uchiha stepped forward. A sudden breeze rose, ruffling his hair and revealing his handsome profile. "Ruri, Mi-chan, stand back!"

He grinned, his eyes suddenly flashing with a scarlet light!

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan was eerie and bewitching.

"An opportunity to cross blades with a Quasi-Kage like Orochimaru is rare. This time... I want to fight him one-on-one!"

"I've been holding back for too many years at the Ninja Academy!"

Hyuga Ruri: "???"

She had already set her Gentle Fist stance.

And you're telling me to stand down?

"Are you sure you want to challenge Lord Orochimaru one-on-one? You have to realize he is a Quasi-Kage level powerhouse, and was even granted the title of Sannin during the Second Shinobi World War. He is not someone we, who have just graduated from the Ninja Academy, can challenge!"

Hyuga Ruri cried out.

Her beautiful eyes were filled with reprimand.

She was stating a fact!

Although Keigo Uchiha was very strong back at the Ninja Academy.

He had only faced other students, none of whom had any real combat experience.

But now, they were facing the Cold Lord Orochimaru—a man who had survived countless battles, killed without mercy, and possessed the most ruthless methods among the Sannin!

"That's you."

Keigo Uchiha spoke indifferently, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan not even glancing at Hyuga Ruri. "If you lack the spirit to challenge the strong, you will be nothing but a weakling for the rest of your life!"

"What a powerhouse must possess is the heart of the strong!"

"Ruri, do you know what you lack the most right now? It is exactly this mindset! So what if he is a powerhouse? One can still challenge him."

Hyuga Ruri's pretty face stiffened.

Looking at Keigo Uchiha, who was vibrant and shining brilliantly under the sunlight.

She suddenly realized something.

The gap between her and Keigo Uchiha over these years was not just in strength.

It was also this confidence of an absolute powerhouse!

This determination to believe in victory regardless of who he faced!

And now, facing a powerhouse like Orochimaru, Keigo Uchiha's first thought was to test the distance between himself and a Quasi-Kage level fighter; he wanted to surpass the Quasi-Kage level!

"I understand. I will watch obediently."

Hyuga Ruri took a deep breath and stepped aside.

Inuzuka Mi also retreated from the battlefield obediently.

On the field, only Keigo Uchiha and Orochimaru remained, facing each other from a distance.

"You are certainly confident, Keigo-kun."

Orochimaru was slightly stunned, but soon, his amber pupils swirled with light. A terrifying aura coalesced, and his gaze turned cold, devoid of any warmth.

It was like an ice cellar!

It was as if... he were staring at a dead man!

One had to remember that during Sarutobi Hiruzen's bell test back in the day.

None of the three of them had ever been this arrogant!

"But do you know? Hubris... can invite a fatal disaster!"

"Only the weak fear the consequences."

Keigo Uchiha's lips curled upward as a gentle breeze ruffled their robes.

The two stared at each other from a distance.

One gaze was scrutinizing.

The other gaze was high-spirited.

"A true powerhouse never fears any challenge, let alone a stronger opponent!"

The image of Might Guy from the original Naruto series flashed through Keigo Uchiha's mind.

Even when facing Madara at the Six Paths level, he had shown no fear, burning his very life force to defeat him—that was the heart of a true powerhouse!

"Then, let me see what you are made of!"

Orochimaru smiled; he had originally thought taking on a disciple would be a dreadfully boring affair.

But now, it seemed... not bad at all!

The kunai in Orochimaru's hand shot out like a bullet!

The air erupted with a sonic boom.

Even though it was just a kunai, the speed at which Orochimaru launched it was something an ordinary Chunin could never hope to withstand. This was a test of Keigo Uchiha's strength; if Keigo Uchiha could not dodge it, or if he showed even the slightest sign of distress, then Keigo Uchiha's... previous words would have been nothing but arrogance!

"It seems I've been underestimated."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled softly.

The next moment, he enunciated each word clearly: "Storm Release: Laser Sword!"

A long sword instantly manifested in his hand.

His movements were sharp and devoid of any unnecessary flair, deflecting all the kunai in the blink of an eye.

With this single move, a flicker of surprise appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.

"To be able to deflect all my kunai, and with such ease, means you already possess the strength of a Jonin, Keigo."

He never held back, and had Keigo Uchiha failed to block his attack, while he wouldn't have died, he certainly would have been injured!

"Since you are unwilling to launch the first attack, then allow me to begin."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled.

After all, Orochimaru was a Quasi-Kage level powerhouse with his own pride; forcing Orochimaru to use his strongest methods was his goal for today!

At the same time, he simply wanted to have a hearty, exhilarating battle!

The ground cracked!

Countless fissures appeared beneath his feet as Keigo Uchiha shot forward like a cannonball!

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Keigo Uchiha formed the hand seals with one hand.

In just one second, the seals were complete, and five fireballs erupted instantly!

They wrapped around Orochimaru from all sides.

The only path left open was directly in front of Keigo Uchiha.

If he wanted to dodge the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, he would have to face Keigo Uchiha head-on!

And the Laser Sword in Keigo Uchiha's hand thrust forward violently, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning as if to capture every one of Orochimaru's movements.

"One-handed seals!"

"And such meticulous tactics—are you truly just a fresh graduate from the Ninja Academy, Keigo-kun?"

Orochimaru's amber pupils constricted.

His teacher had told him many times about Keigo Uchiha's brilliance, but only now, seeing it for himself, did he realize just how monstrous Keigo Uchiha truly was!

Even an elite Chunin might meet their end under this attack!

Moreover... one-handed seals required a speed of six seals per second to achieve!

Could Keigo Uchiha already reach six seals per second?

What a brilliant talent this was!

"And such a ruthless attack—hardly suitable for a student."

Orochimaru's eyes scanned Keigo Uchiha.

The next moment.

A long sword appeared in his hand in an instant!

It shimmered with a cold, biting light!

He charged straight ahead!

Five fireballs exploded behind the two of them, sending dust and smoke flying!

The blades in their hands clashed rapidly, and surprisingly... they were evenly matched!

The offensive methods were fierce.

Sparks erupted from the blades as they struck the air!

Every move was lethal!

"Does Lord Orochimaru still care about such things as ruthlessness? Furthermore, I have never considered myself a student. From the moment I stepped out of the Ninja Academy, I have been a ninja."

Keigo Uchiha said, enunciating every word: "These matters, surely Lord Orochimaru knows better than I do, right?"

The blades collided!

Leveraging this force, Keigo Uchiha recoiled sharply.

The Laser Sword in his hand vanished in an instant!

A hand cannon suddenly appeared in his right hand!

"Storm Release: Kunai Electromagnetic Cannon!"

Biu!

The sound was minuscule, almost impossible to detect!

Yet, a thunder-infused kunai erupted from the muzzle of the hand cannon!

It tore through the air with terrifying lightning, as if it would set the very atmosphere ablaze. Orochimaru's body suddenly turned cold, his hair stood on end, and his pupils constricted violently!

He looked at Keigo Uchiha in terror and retreated abruptly!

This attack... was too terrifying.

It was too fast!

Was this truly the strength a twelve-year-old boy could display?

He threw the Kusanagi Sword in his hand without hesitation.

It collided with the lightning kunai in mid-air.

Sparks flew everywhere!

The next moment, the Kusanagi Sword was sent flying.

Although it hadn't completely blocked the lightning kunai, it had stalled it for an instant, giving him enough time to retreat to safety!

A whistling sound pierced the air.

Orochimaru's figure shifted instantly, dodging the erupting lightning kunai, which grazed his cheek!

Lightning flickered in the air!

And those amber pupils of his turned incomparably cold!

He did not pause for even a second, lunging toward Keigo Uchiha with explosive speed!

"What truly brilliant talent. The power of your ninjutsu just now... it is a genuine A-rank ninjutsu, and with the augmentation of Storm Release, its power is even approaching that of an S-rank ninjutsu!"

Orochimaru's gaze was cold.

Where was the playfulness from the beginning?

He knew very well that Keigo Uchiha was now an enemy who required serious attention; otherwise, even he might lose if he were careless!

"But your greatest talent is not your ability to develop ninjutsu, but that terrifying control. On the battlefield, you are like a precise, meticulous machine, capable of every ambush, deception, and concealment!"

"This is something many ninjas don't achieve even as Jonin. It requires immense computational power, and even more so, raw talent!"

"Keigo Uchiha... you are a true genius."

Orochimaru's gaze was filled with admiration, "Whether it was using the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique at the start to seal my escape route, or later, using line-of-sight obstruction to perform one-handed seals behind your back to unleash that terrifying lightning kunai, catching a Quasi-Kage level powerhouse like me off guard."

"All of it is enough to prove your talent!"

Obstructing his vision.

Using one-handed seals to cast ninjutsu and catching him off guard—this was truly... enough to make even him break into a cold sweat!

The two figures collided, engaging in basic taijutsu.

Yet, they were so fast that the two people watching from the side couldn't even see their forms!

"I can't even see their movements; I can only observe them by activating my Byakugan. Just how terrifying have these two become! No... it is only natural for Lord Orochimaru to possess such strength."

Hyuga Ruri activated her Byakugan, the veins around her eyes bulging.

She couldn't help but swallow hard.

Terror filled her eyes.

"But Keigo Uchiha... he is only twelve years old, having just graduated from the Ninja Academy, yet he can actually match Lord Orochimaru in swordsmanship, taijutsu, and ninjutsu!"

"Could it be... that he has already become at least an Elite Jonin?"

Hyuga Ruri took a step back, her pretty face etched with disbelief.

She had originally believed that she possessed the strength of a Special Jonin.

And that she had mastered even more powerful ninjutsu.

It was enough to be considered astonishing!

But she never expected... Keigo Uchiha had long since become an Elite Jonin, and the gap between them had already reached an insurmountable level; the taijutsu Keigo Uchiha was currently displaying... was something she could not possibly withstand!

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Orochimaru launched a fierce punch, and the moment Keigo Uchiha dodged past his profile, he let out a sharp cry.

His right arm suddenly transformed into over a dozen pythons!

The speed was so immense that it instantly bound Keigo Uchiha's entire body!

"Keigo-kun, your experience still needs improvement; for instance, in a situation like this, you had absolutely no time to react!"

The snakes' pupils stared fixedly at Keigo Uchiha.

They flicked their tongues.

It looked as if they might swallow him whole at any moment.

"Now... you have lost, Keigo-kun."

Orochimaru chuckled softly.

Although Keigo Uchiha's strength was formidable, his experience was still lacking.

Compared to himself, who had faced death countless times on the battlefield.

The difference in experience between the two was like heaven and earth.

"You are right."

Keigo Uchiha said slowly, his dark eyes shining with an unusual brilliance. The corners of his mouth curled upward as he continued: "Two years ago, I realized that while my talent was great, my experience was ultimately lacking."

"Therefore, I invented quite a few ninjutsu to compensate for my lack of experience. Aside from the Uchiha experts who observed me at the time, you are the first to see this."

The next moment.

Keigo Uchiha's entire body erupted with a cyan-blue light like flames!

Thunder enveloped his body!

At this moment.

Keigo Uchiha looked like a god of thunder descended upon the world!

"Storm Release: Storm Armor Technique!"

He shouted sharply.

Under Orochimaru's shocked gaze, all the pythons were instantly pierced through by lightning, turning into severed segments of flesh that hissed and struggled in agony on the ground.

The scene was deeply shocking.

Even Orochimaru was stunned by it!

Meanwhile, a terrifying aura erupted from Keigo Uchiha's body, and cyan-blue Storm Release chakra dissipated into the air.

Water vapor and lightning swirled around him, making him look like a deity!

"Is this a ninjutsu you developed to compensate for your lack of experience? No, this technique... why is it so similar to Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode? Or rather... it is exactly the same!"

"This is a Storm Release version of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode!"

Orochimaru's pupils constricted as he instantly realized something.

How could Kumogakure's ninjutsu be leaked?

Yet Keigo Uchiha possessed this very technique.

Then there was only one possibility.

The Uchiha Clan once possessed Kumogakure's Lightning Release ninjutsu, or... the Uchiha Clan had once broken into Kumogakure for the sake of Keigo Uchiha!

His mind raced, cycling through countless possibilities in an instant.

But his expression remained calm; he did not care.

To him, these were all trivial matters.

"A sharp eye. This is a technique developed from ninjutsu provided by my elders at home. In this mode, both my durability and speed are rapidly enhanced. This... is my current strongest form!"

Keigo Uchiha had no intention of hiding it.

Sarutobi Hiruzen might care about such things.

But Orochimaru couldn't be bothered to pay them any mind.

He himself often stole ninjutsu from other nations for the sake of his own repertoire, so he was naturally accustomed to such practices.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen were to truly investigate.

He would simply claim that it was something obtained by Uchiha Madara back in the day.

"Then let us have a hearty, exhilarating battle; I have already begun to feel excited now."

The smile at the corners of Orochimaru's mouth grew increasingly intense.

It was brimming with excitement!

He had not felt this excited in a very long time!

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Orochimaru suddenly formed hand seals, and a fire dragon roared forth.

Keigo Uchiha slammed his hands together and shouted sharply: "Storm Release: Storm Dragon Bullet Technique!"

In an instant.

A storm dragon roared in response.

The two collided mid-air with a thunderous boom!

An incredibly terrifying explosion of flames erupted across the sky, deafening to the ears!

"What on earth is happening?"

At this moment.

The other Rookies in the vicinity were drawn by the commotion and hurried over, following their teachers.

They were either in the middle of their bell-snatching tests.

Or had already finished.

Watching the scene of ninjutsu colliding before them, they widened their eyes in shock.

"This... is this even human? Is this really the Keigo who fought us at the Ninja Academy?"

Yamanaka Asagao opened her mouth wide in disbelief.

"It seems now... this is Keigo's true strength. Back at the Ninja Academy, Keigo was always holding back and letting us win, yet we... we actually thought... we could defeat Keigo soon. How laughable."

Nara Kano gave a bitter smile.

How could this possibly be something they could contend with?

They couldn't even see the figures clearly!