"That was fast!" Anko was slightly startled. By the time she saw Ueno Kei again, he had already closed in on Orochimaru, his entire body wrapped in blue chakra like crackling lightning.
With a faint buzzing sound, Ueno Kei's aura within the lightning grew ever more powerful. A flash of surprise crossed Orochimaru's face, but he was nowhere near as shocked by Ueno Kei's speed as Anko had been.
Just as Ueno Kei drew infinitely close to Orochimaru—
Orochimaru bent slightly, barely evading the edge of the Lingyu Blade in Ueno Kei's hand. At the same time, his hands rapidly formed seals. "Ninja Art! Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
More than ten thick green snakes lunged at Ueno Kei like lightning. His pupils contracted slightly as he swiftly mobilized the chakra throughout his body. The lightning around him flashed brightly, and every green snake that struck him was hit by the lightning on his body, falling to the ground while their bodies continued to convulse.
This was the Lightning Armor Ueno Kei had developed after studying the Cloud ninja's techniques. He used his lightning-nature chakra to coat his body, creating all-around protection. Moreover, its defensive power would grow stronger as his own strength increased and his chakra became purer and more condensed.
In an instant, Ueno Kei swung the Lingyu Blade at extreme speed. As their paths crossed, he spun and slashed back. With a clang, Ueno Kei's expression tightened. Orochimaru held a long sword engraved with ancient patterns, effortlessly blocking the Lingyu Blade. Even more so, though Ueno Kei did not want to admit it, he clearly felt the Lingyu Blade—
Tremble once as though it were letting out a mournful cry when it touched that sword.
Before Ueno Kei could react, Orochimaru had already finished forming seals. "Ninja Art,