"You're quick to react!"
Seeing this, Uchiha Ye couldn't help but marvel.
The gash on his neck healed rapidly.
"He seems much stronger than an ordinary Reanimated Body!"
Watching Tobirama Senju land and prepare to attack again, Uchiha Ye stomped the ground and launched an attack. "Lava Scorch Shot!"
The sudden attack caught Tobirama Senju off guard. He had no choice but to evade it with a Water Clone.
"But is Orochimaru already able to create an enhanced Reanimation Body on his own?"
Uchiha Ye was certain of it!
Tobirama Senju's strength was far greater than it had been during the Konoha Crush Plan in the original story.
This Kage Level aura was something he had absolutely never displayed in the original story.
"And the Flying Thunder God Technique is a real nuisance, too!"
Actually, even though he was countered by the Second Hokage's Water Release, Uchiha Ye didn't think that was too bad.
After so many days of training underwater, he'd developed at least some resistance to water.
But with Flying Thunder God added to the mix, along with Water Release's advantage over him, he wasn't so sure anymore.
Could his body withstand the speed of his reactions?
If it couldn't keep up, Flying Thunder God could kill him several times over in an instant.
"But that's all right. This is what makes it a challenge!"
His Observation Haki immediately picked up the Second Hokage as he reappeared. Uchiha Ye's body turned into scorching magma, and he lunged forward. "Dog-Biting Crimson Lotus!"
Roar!
The moment Tobirama Senju appeared, he sensed a terrifying danger.
As the Flame Dog lunged at him with its scorching jaws wide open, he flung a barrage of Explosive Tags and formed Hand Seals at incredible speed. "Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags!"
After a single Explosive Tag was attached to a vital point on the target, this technique summoned an endless supply of tags to blow it apart.
As long as the target remained intact, the explosions would continue.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Flame Dog was blown to pieces in an instant. The terrible blasts echoed in every direction, leaving the ground strewn with jagged rocks.
From the billowing dust, a barrage of deadly Shuriken and Kunai suddenly shot out. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
One became two, two became four!
In the blink of an eye, the air was filled with ninja tools.
A closer look would have revealed that several of the Kunai were unusual!
They were Flying Thunder God Formula Kunai!
"Warriors who grew up in battle really do have extraordinary combat experience!"
Before one attack had even ended, the next was already underway.
He'd used the advantage of his first move to create an opening for the next, and hidden an even deeper, second threat within that follow-up. How could anyone react in time?
"Under normal circumstances, dodging this dense barrage of Shuriken and Kunai would already take your full attention..."
Uchiha Ye elementalized his body to help evade the deadly attack. "But if you've mixed Flying Thunder God Kunai in with them..."
He raised his eyes. Tobirama Senju, who had been far away just moments before, used a Flying Thunder God Kunai that had just grazed Uchiha Ye's face as a marker and teleported right in front of him. "Then there's simply no way to counter it!"
Gripping the Kunai, Tobirama Senju swept it toward Uchiha Ye's neck.
Splurt!
Magma sprayed through the air.
They'd been fighting for barely half a minute, and Uchiha Ye had already suffered two "fatal wounds"!
But!
With a smile tugging at his lips, Uchiha Ye turned and drove a scorching fist toward Tobirama Senju's chest. "Hellhound!"
Hiss!
Tobirama Senju hadn't expected the reversal.
As a result!
Even though he dodged in time, the fragments drifting through the air showed that the attack had still badly wounded him.
Just as expected!
When Tobirama Senju appeared again, a shocking fist-sized hole gaped in his chest.
The blow had nearly punched straight through him.
The nature of the Reanimated Body allowed Tobirama Senju's wounds to begin healing immediately.
But!
It had also made him fully aware of just how dangerous Uchiha Ye was.
"Evil Uchiha..."
Tobirama Senju looked furious. He was the Second Hokage, and yet a mere youngster had reduced him to such a sorry state.
And that youngster was an Uchiha, the clan he hated most!
Unforgivable!
"I won't be so careless next time!"
Hearing Tobirama Senju say that, Uchiha Ye couldn't help but grin with excitement. "I wouldn't have it any other way!"
Meanwhile, not far away!
"Our fight should start now, too!"
Orochimaru bit his finger again, formed Hand Seals, then slammed his palm against the ground. "Summoning Technique!"
Boom!
A cloud of smoke billowed, and a massive, long-bodied purple snake with a horn appeared in front of Sasori of the Red Sands.
It was Orochimaru's Summoned Beast—Manda!
"Orochimaru, you summoned me without warning. Do you have the sacrifices I asked for?"
Unlike other Summoned Beasts, who were friendly, Orochimaru's Manda was more like a tyrant. He showed no respect at all for the man who had summoned him.
"Don't worry. I know the drill."
Orochimaru seemed entirely used to it. He looked at Sasori of the Red Sands and said, "Well, come on, Sasori! Let's see if you can get rid of me today!"
Sasori of the Red Sands gave a cold snort. "You think adding a giant snake will give you the advantage?"
He laughed coldly. Hiruko's back suddenly opened, and Sasori's real body stepped out, pulling the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet scroll from behind him.
"Perfect. I'll use you to test out the strength of my improved Human Puppet!"
A cold smile crossed Sasori's handsome face.
"Iron Sand... Shigure!"
The Iron Sand projectiles were denser and more numerous than when he'd fought Uchiha Ye earlier. They shot forward with ferocious force. Manda's enormous body had no time to react before crimson blood mist burst from it.
"Argh!!!"
Manda roared in pain and swung his terrifying tail. The air exploded under the force of the blow.
"Iron Sand Needle!"
Sasori of the Red Sands gave a cold snort as Manda charged at him.
Dealing with a creature this huge was simplicity itself for him.
Splurt!
The Iron Sand that had just entered Manda's body spread at once to the nerve pathways, blocking the transmission of signals through his body and bringing his movements to an immediate halt.
"Iron Sand Great Burial!"
The Third Kazekage unleashed his power again. Iron Sand surged up from the earth beneath Manda, swallowing him like a quagmire.
Manda struggled desperately to break free and tried to use his serpentine speed, but nothing worked. He was buried inch by inch, nearly crushed out of existence.
"Orochimaru, you bastard! Hurry up and save me!"
Manda shouted for help, feeling thoroughly humiliated.
"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!"
Orochimaru appeared beside Manda, formed Hand Seals, and spewed out a massive torrent of water. The Iron Sand immediately clumped together, making it several times harder to control and disrupting its ability to hold its shape. Manda used his immense strength to break free of the restraint.
"You bastard!!!"
The first thing Manda did after escaping was lunge at Sasori of the Red Sands. "Die!"
Sasori of the Red Sands raised a hand impassively. "Iron Sand... Thrust!"
Before you continue