At first, Sasuke could hardly believe it. But when he saw that Uzumaki Reikawa could truly hold off two opponents by himself, seemingly waiting for Sasuke's support, an inexplicable thought arose in his heart. Maybe he really could do it!!
Orochimaru, meanwhile, grew more alarmed as the battle continued. Just who was this person?! From the main family of Adamantine Sealing Chains? Hadn't the Uzumaki Clan already been wiped out?
And he did not even seem to be going all out. Was he actually trying to use Orochimaru as a whetstone for Sasuke? Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. He had misjudged their strength this time. It seemed he would not be taking Sasuke away.
Not only had he failed to steal the chicken and lost the rice as well, but more regrettably, he likely could no longer attract Sasuke with his strength. From now on, he could only take Sasuke away by force.
This also made Orochimaru realize that something had been wrong with him lately. Too many things had shattered his composure, and his recent actions had been somewhat irrational. This was not his style. He twisted his body with Soft Physique Modification, dodging a chain that came hurtling toward him.
The chain smashed into the ground, blasting out a huge crater and sending shattered stones flying.
Seeing that Orochimaru had no intention of attacking and was simply dragging things out, Uzumaki Reikawa frowned slightly. His chakra was running low. He had to finish this quickly! "Sasuke! Follow my instructions! Ignore Kabuto. Seven o'clock, lower left! Use a kunai!"
Sasuke saw that there was nothing at that spot, but he did not question it. On instinct, he threw out a kunai.
Orochimaru's brow furrowed deeply. If he dodged toward the position this guy had called out, his prestige would undoubtedly take a serious hit. He continuously leaped sideways to evade, only to find the chains had sealed off his rear as well.
But if he did not dodge in that direction, the chains would pierce straight through him. Compared to chains with sealing effects, a kunai was undoubtedly easier to deal with.
Before his thoughts could finish, his body's instincts had already made the decision. Orochimaru landed at that location just as the kunai arrived, but because Uzumaki Reikawa had called it out, Sasuke had thrown the kunai in advance and blocked him.
Uzumaki Reikawa suddenly smiled. He had thought Orochimaru would endure a strike from the chains rather than jump where he had directed him. "Use the Sharingan to carefully observe his attack angles and trajectories. Do your best to predict his movements, or use genjutsu to guide them. Next, I'll create an opportunity for you."
Compared to Orochimaru, Kabuto was at a loss when faced with attacks from too far away, due to the limitations of his ninjutsu and strength far inferior to his future self. Every attempt he made to close the distance was intercepted and disrupted by the chains. There were only two chains around him, while Orochimaru had a full six.
For Uzumaki Reikawa, although Orochimaru without summoning beasts might only be a little stronger than Kabuto in direct combat at this point, the key was that he was Orochimaru. Who knew what vicious tricks he had up his sleeve? That alone was enough to make Uzumaki Reikawa take him seriously.
He had already made such a bold claim. If he failed to show off in front of Sasuke, that would be way too damn embarrassing.
Sasuke was also having a hard time. He tried desperately to see Orochimaru's movements clearly, but Orochimaru was too fast. With Soft Physique Modification, he could evade attacks in ways that completely defied common sense. How was Sasuke supposed to see him? What was he supposed to do?!!
Seeing Sasuke's somewhat bewildered expression, Uzumaki Reikawa looked at him as though he were a foolish child. Since Naruto was the person Sasuke cared about most, then... "Do you think you can't do it? Naruto has already surpassed you. You used to be stronger than him. If even the dead last can do it, what makes you think you can't?!"
Naruto?! Thinking of Naruto, Sasuke's eyes, which had been darting around chaotically without any clue and unable to keep up with Orochimaru's rhythm, gradually hardened. His state returned. This battle was a rare opportunity! His Two-Tomoe spun madly! Eyes! His eyes!
Since he could not keep up with Orochimaru's movements, then he would predict them. Only prediction would allow him to keep up. If even the dead last could do it, why couldn't he, the one called a genius?!
With no one interfering, Sasuke's emotional fluctuations continued to intensify. That man! And Uchiha Gen! Become stronger! Revenge and uncover the truth!!!
Uzumaki Reikawa watched the Three-Tomoe slowly take shape in Sasuke's eyes. Hmm, it seemed a close friend really was the driving force. If he had guessed correctly...
What stimulated Sasuke's Sharingan the most was probably the intense determination to be acknowledged by those he cared about, including himself. In the original world, Itachi's death meant that Sasuke had finally achieved the goal he had always pursued. Then came the regret after learning the truth—an utter emotional explosion that blasted out the Mangekyo. (That was just his personal opinion.)
When the Three-Tomoe fully formed, Sasuke was finally able to see. His eyes rapidly followed Orochimaru's movements!
The next landing point...
"Directly above, twelve o'clock!"
"Directly above, twelve o'clock!"
Sasuke and Uzumaki Reikawa spoke at the same time! Then they both suddenly smiled.
Hearing them, Orochimaru's expression changed. This time, it was not like before, when the position had been called out in advance. Before the words had even finished falling, he leaped as if he were following their instructions.
Another kunai shot toward him. Though it posed no threat to Orochimaru, he still knocked it away with a block. He glanced at Sasuke from the corner of his eye and suddenly saw the Three-Tomoe in Sasuke's eyes. This brat could truly threaten him now!! Yet as Sasuke's strength rose, Orochimaru's greed grew even stronger.
Such a perfect vessel...
Having achieved his goal, Uzumaki Reikawa had no intention of playing any longer. "Sasuke!"
At that moment, Sasuke seemed to know exactly what to do. With perfect coordination, he used the Sharingan to cast genjutsu on Orochimaru.
After noticing Sasuke's Three-Tomoe, Orochimaru had prepared himself and did not look into Sasuke's eyes, greatly weakening the genjutsu. However, using Sasuke as cover, Uzumaki Reikawa lowered his gaze slightly. His eyes suddenly turned red, then returned to normal.
Orochimaru's movements abruptly froze! Kabuto was startled and ignored the chains before him as he tried to rush over to support Orochimaru. Yet halfway through the motion, he suddenly retreated at high speed and fled.
What remained before Uzumaki Reikawa and Sasuke was a Mud Clone, pierced through by Sasuke's Lightning Blade and covered in human skin.
Uzumaki Reikawa felt somewhat helpless at the sight. If only he could openly activate his Sharingan, Orochimaru would not have escaped. Still, even though he had not activated it, since that clone had managed to deceive him, it probably contained a bit of Orochimaru's spiritual essence.
Just as he thought that, he suddenly received a message from the clone he had left with Akatsuki.
His chakra was nearly exhausted anyway. He needed to find a place to dispel the clone, and his objective had already been achieved.
Retracting the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Uzumaki Reikawa walked over to Sasuke, only to see the regretful look on his face. He was instantly speechless. Good grief, this kid had actually wanted to kill Orochimaru. Uchiha Sasuke, you really thought you were all that again.
"I hope you won't tell them about what happened today."
"?Why?"
Sasuke was deeply puzzled by this. What confused him even more was why Uzumaki Reikawa wanted to hide his strength.
"You'll understand someday. Go back now. Like I said, I can guarantee that I'll escape, but I can't guarantee your safety." Uzumaki Reikawa smiled mysteriously and used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
Before you continue