"Orochimaru, are you going to invade Konoha?"
Uchiha Shisui shouted, his eyes changing into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan as he cast an Illusionary Technique.
Orochimaru stood perfectly still, only sneering. "I've already seen through your technique!"
What was going on?!
Shisui stared at Orochimaru in confusion.
He was hailed as Konoha's strongest genjutsu ninja, and he was also a member of the Uchiha Clan. His techniques had long since surpassed the bounds of ordinary genjutsu.
He only needed to catch a distant glimpse of someone to ensnare them. Those Mist Ninja from earlier had fallen for it just like that.
But now Shisui and Orochimaru were looking directly at each other, and he had already cast his genjutsu. Why hadn't Orochimaru been affected?
Could it be an illusion?
The Tomoe in Shisui's Sharingan spun, and he immediately understood the reason.
Orochimaru's feet were planted on the great snake beneath him, and their Chakra had long since become connected.
Simply hypnotizing Orochimaru wouldn't have any effect.
So that was it!
Uchiha Shisui sneered.
In that case, he'd hypnotize the snake along with Orochimaru.
But when he looked into the snake's eyes, he couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath. For a moment, he was at a loss.
The great snake's eyes had been sealed. There was no doubt Orochimaru had done it.
"Hahahaha!"
Orochimaru laughed a few times. "It's been a long time since I've dealt with the Uchiha. This is bringing back memories. I'm one of the Konoha Sannin, after all. I know the Sharingan's characteristics very well. Uchiha Shisui, you'd better show me what you can really do, or I might just kill you!"
He'd made plenty of preparations to deal with Uchiha Shisui.
Not long ago, Orochimaru had attacked Ao and his group. Everyone except Ao had been captured alive.
Orochimaru used genjutsu to hypnotize several Mist Ninja and made them run toward Konoha, where they caused explosions and chaos. In the confusion, he summoned a great snake whose eyes had been sealed. That allowed him to take out the other two members of Shisui's squad in one fell swoop. As for the remaining Konoha Chunin, Orochimaru had deliberately left him alive.
Damn it!
Only then did Uchiha Shisui realize Orochimaru had come for him.
But his comrade was in Orochimaru's hands. He couldn't just leave.
Body Flicker Technique!
Shisui blurred and appeared on the great snake's back in an instant. Since genjutsu was useless, he'd use Nintaijutsu instead.
With the Sharingan enhancing it, his Nintaijutsu was powerful as well.
Even against one of the legendary Sannin, he, Body Flicker Shisui, had nothing to fear.
But Orochimaru had no intention of fighting him directly. He'd already seen how terrifying Shisui's ocular technique was. A mere distant glance could ensnare someone; he'd never heard of a genjutsu like it.
The only reason he was immune to Shisui's genjutsu now was the Blind Snake beneath his feet. The moment he left its back, Shisui might ensnare him. Even a single second could decide the outcome.
In truth, Orochimaru was also deeply wary of Shisui's genjutsu.
Summoning Technique!
Three Evil Ghosts appeared before Orochimaru. He calmly took out a flute.
"Since you're a genjutsu-type ninja too, let's settle this with genjutsu! We'll see whether your ocular genjutsu is stronger, or my sound genjutsu!"
Orochimaru put the flute to his lips and began to play a tune.
"Ninja Art: Phantom Dance Manipulation Song!"
The three Evil Ghosts had no eyes, but guided by Orochimaru's music, they charged toward Shisui.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The three Evil Ghosts were huge, but they moved with astonishing speed and worked together seamlessly.
But Shisui had the Body Flicker Technique. He could often dodge their attacks in an instant.
This kid's a handful!
A cold glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
They were at Konoha's border, after all. If this dragged on too long, it would attract the attention of those old geezers. Orochimaru wasn't afraid of them, but it would still be a nuisance.
"Demon Flute: Dream Sound Chain!"
Orochimaru changed his tune.
What was this...?
Uchiha Shisui immediately felt it too. His body was gradually growing stiff.
A genjutsu?
He used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge the three Evil Ghosts and escape the range of the genjutsu attack.
Behind a large tree, Shisui watched Orochimaru from a distance.
Orochimaru's sound genjutsu wasn't especially powerful, but it was impossible to guard against. Even if you plugged your ears, it could still reach you through the auditory nerves.
Did he run away?
Orochimaru sneered. "Since when did Konoha's ninja learn to abandon their comrades and run away alone? Heh. I suppose that fits the Uchiha personality."
"Aaah!"
The Chunin pinned beneath the Blind Snake screamed again.
There was no more time!
Uchiha Shisui took a deep breath and used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Orochimaru.
He would never abandon his comrade and run away alone.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Shisui quickly formed a few Hand Seals and attacked Orochimaru.
To shoot the horse, shoot its rider first; to catch bandits, capture their leader. Rather than get tangled up with several summons, he'd be better off taking out Orochimaru in one decisive move.
The Great Fireball Technique was the Uchiha's signature jutsu. Its power depended on the user's ability. Uchiha Shisui's Great Fireball had already surpassed Uchiha Fugaku's, making him the best in the Uchiha Clan.
A massive fireball engulfed Orochimaru and the great snake beneath him.
"Summoning Technique: Triple Rashomon!"
Orochimaru formed Hand Seals rapidly and summoned the Rashomon gates, blocking Shisui's Great Fireball.
The fire was blocked, and thick smoke billowed through the forest.
Now!
Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of the Konoha Chunin and pulled him out from beneath the great snake.
"Clever brat!"
Orochimaru sneered and raised the flute to his lips again.
"Ninja Art: Chaos of the Demon Realm!"
The three Evil Ghosts spat out vengeful spirits that devoured Chakra. The spirits could sense living beings, so they automatically chased after Shisui.
Uchiha Shisui checked the Chunin and found that one of his legs was broken. After giving him some basic treatment, he carried him to a safe distance, then turned and charged toward the three Evil Ghosts.
"Fire a signal, call for help, and report back to the village!"
Shisui left without looking back.
Orochimaru was powerful, but Shisui still had a trump card he hadn't played. For now, he needed to buy his comrade some time to escape.
Captain Shisui!
The Chunin understood the situation. This fight was beyond his abilities, and staying would only hold Shisui back.
Enduring the agony of his broken leg, the Chunin limped toward the village.
He hadn't gone even a kilometer when Hōzuki Mangetsu suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Sorry, but I can't let you go back."
He smiled at the Chunin, his gaze fixed on the heart of the battle.
It had taken a lot of effort to get Orochimaru and Shisui to fight. How could he let this Chunin ruin it?
Before you continue