Master and Disciple Cross Blades

Warm sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, falling over Uchiha Kyohaku. The strange, almost sickly pallor he had borne after merging with White Zetsu had faded, replaced by a healthy flush, as though endless vitality flowed through his body. His short, spiky black hair had grown considerably, now reaching his shoulders and neck, astonishingly thick. If Jiraiya saw it, he would surely marvel at how perfectly suited it was for his Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

Deep within the Forest of Death lay an open clearing. Orochimaru studied his disciple with great interest, his golden vertical pupils gleaming with both curiosity and satisfaction.

"It seems Kyohaku-kun has made some gains lately." Orochimaru laughed hoarsely, his voice carrying its distinctive magnetism. "Not only has your chakra increased, but your physical vitality has reached a new level as well. What... wonderful evolution."

"It is thanks to my teacher's guidance and resources." Kyohaku gave a slight bow, respectful without being servile. His three-tomoe Sharingan slowly spun as he entered a combat stance. "This power still needs to be tempered through real combat."

"Hehehe... quite right." Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked the corner of his mouth. "Then let your teacher see just how far you have come."

Before his words had even faded, Kyohaku made the first move! His hands flashed through seals so quickly that only afterimages remained.

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

A massive fire dragon roared forth, its scorching heat instantly igniting the surrounding air. Faced with his disciple's "greeting," Orochimaru neither dodged nor retreated, rapidly forming hand seals as well.

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

Boom!

A towering wall of water surged up from the ground and collided violently with the fire dragon. Steam instantly filled the area, obscuring all vision. In the instant the white mist rose, several kunai wrapped in explosive tags shot from different angles toward where Orochimaru had been standing.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions rang out in rapid succession.

Yet from within the smoke, a black figure slithered out like a snake. It was Orochimaru, completely unharmed. The Kusanagi Sword in his hand flashed with icy light as it thrust straight for Kyohaku's throat. Kyohaku reacted instantly, drawing his own ninja blade in a backhand grip to block.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The clash of metal rang without end. Their taijutsu exchange was lightning-fast, swordsmanship colliding with blade techniques, mixed with the Sharingan's predictive insight and the bizarre changes in direction granted by Orochimaru's Soft Physique Modification. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Kyohaku stomped the ground, and the solid earth beneath Orochimaru's feet instantly turned into a muddy swamp. Orochimaru gave a faint sound of surprise, but his body leaped lightly as though weightless. At the same time, countless venomous snakes shot from his sleeves, hissing as they lunged at Kyohaku.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Red!"

Shuriken wrapped in flames precisely struck down and incinerated every venomous snake in midair.

The battle rapidly escalated. They traded blows, using traps, Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and all manner of B-rank and A-rank ninjutsu with effortless ease. The forest clearing suffered terribly; the ground was blasted full of craters, while trees were charred black and toppled over.

Orochimaru's attacks grew increasingly fierce. The immense chakra and abundant experience of a Kage-level powerhouse gave him an overwhelming advantage. Kyohaku began relying more heavily on the Sharingan's perception and chakra reserves far beyond those of an ordinary jonin to defend and counterattack. He often made up for subtle gaps in technique with sheer volume, his chakra seeming inexhaustible as he lavishly unleashed one ninjutsu after another, drawing repeated flashes of amazement from Orochimaru's eyes.

"Such astonishing chakra reserves... then how about this?" Orochimaru clapped his hands together, gathering an enormous amount of chakra.

"Summoning Technique: Ten Thousand Snake Formation!"

Countless hideous venomous snakes poured from the summoning array, forming a tidal wave that surged toward Kyohaku with terrifying force.

Kyohaku's pupils contracted slightly. He took a deep breath and slammed both hands onto the ground!

"Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags!"

An explosive tag was summoned in an instant. Then, it began endlessly summoning thousands upon thousands of smaller explosive tags in an infinite cycle, clinging to the incoming tide of snakes like parasites attached to bone!

BOOMMMMM--!!!

The continuous, deafening explosions instantly swallowed everything! Flames shot into the sky, smoke and dust filled the air, and the immense shockwaves flattened every surrounding tree! This was a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage. Kyohaku had learned it from Orochimaru's files, and now, supported by his vast chakra reserves, it displayed horrifying power.

The violent explosions continued for more than ten seconds before gradually subsiding. The smoke and dust slowly cleared, revealing the scene within.

Orochimaru was still standing where he had been, but before him stood a massive, hideous Rashomon carved with a demon's face! The incomparably sturdy gate had completely blocked the devastating chain of explosions, bearing only a few scorched marks.

The clearing fell silent for a moment.

Looking at his slightly panting but bright-eyed disciple, then at the completely devastated forest, Orochimaru slowly lowered his hands. The Rashomon turned into white smoke and vanished.

"Heh... hehehe..." Orochimaru laughed deeply, his voice filled with pleasure and praise. "That is enough, Kyohaku-kun."

Kyohaku also relaxed his combat stance, calming the chakra surging through his body. He knew his teacher had not come close to using his full strength, but in this first spar, he had already displayed all of his growth.

"Your growth has exceeded my expectations." Orochimaru stepped forward and patted Kyohaku on the shoulder. "Whether it is your chakra reserves, your use of ninjutsu, or your decisiveness... you already possess what it takes to survive the coming turmoil and seize what you desire."

"It is all because of your cultivation, Teacher," Kyohaku said sincerely. Without Orochimaru's wholehearted instruction and the resources he had provided, Kyohaku could never have come this far.

Orochimaru looked at him meaningfully. "Keep walking forward, Kyohaku-kun, along the path you have chosen. I am very eager to see... what form you will ultimately take."

With that, he turned around, and his figure slowly sank into the ground before disappearing.

Kyohaku was left alone in the center of the wrecked battlefield. His black hair stirred gently in the breeze, his three tomoe slowly turning as his gaze settled in Konoha's direction. Facing the coming storm, his heart held an unprecedented calmness and anticipation.