Orochimaru's Fury

"Intermediate Hand-to-Hand Combat!"

Su Bai eagerly checked his status panel:

[Host]: Su Bai

[Fused Character]: Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto

[Zanpakuto]: Ryujin Jakka

[Current Fusion Rate]: 7% (7000/10000000)

[Shikai]: None

[Bankai]: None

[Hand-to-Hand Combat]: Shin'ō Academy Intermediate Hand-to-Hand Combat

[Kido]: Hado No. 4 "White Lightning" (can be used without chanting)

[Movement Technique]: Shin'ō Academy Intermediate Flash Step

[Swordsmanship]: Mao Spiritual Arts Academy Basic Swordsmanship

When Su Bai saw that the "Hand-to-Hand Combat" entry had changed from "Basic" to "Intermediate," he immediately understood what that meant.

Hand-to-hand combat was the basic physical combat art of Seireitei Bleach.

Mastering intermediate hand-to-hand combat meant his close-quarters fighting ability had risen to a new level.

Not only would his moves become sharper and fiercer, but he would also be able to incorporate more advanced techniques and tactics.

The next time those ungrateful bastards came to snatch the scrolls, he could teach them a proper lesson.

More importantly, intermediate hand-to-hand combat demanded greater control and application of chakra.

Mastering this level of physical combat would undoubtedly deepen his understanding and insight into chakra, laying a solid foundation for learning more advanced ninjutsu in the future.

But could intermediate hand-to-hand combat allow him to stand against Orochimaru?

Unfortunately, no.

Su Bai calmly assessed the difference in strength between them.

Orochimaru was far too strong.

So he still had to avoid the edge of his blade.

Seeing Sasuke still trembling with no will to fight, Su Bai could not help frowning.

Naruto had already given it everything he had, yet Sasuke still could not summon the courage to fight.

Although Naruto had lost, he had grown.

If Sasuke could not overcome his fear of Orochimaru today, then from this day onward, he would no longer be Naruto's match.

The gap between them would only grow wider.

What else can I do to provoke Sasuke? Su Bai pondered.

He recalled what Sasuke had said about his dream on the Ninja Academy rooftop when Team 7 was first formed.

"I have no dream, but I do have an ambition—to kill that man!"

"Right."

Su Bai had found what Sasuke cared about most.

His older brother, Itachi Uchiha.

"Sasuke! Wake up!"

Su Bai's voice echoed through the forest. "Are you really going to surrender here? Didn't you swear to take revenge? The chance is right in front of you now—are you going to just watch it slip away?"

Sasuke shuddered violently and raised his head, a trace of confusion flashing through his eyes.

"That's right. You became a ninja to kill Itachi Uchiha and avenge your clan! If you don't even dare face an enemy like Orochimaru, how will you ever contend with Itachi in the future?"

Su Bai's words were like sharp arrows, piercing straight into Sasuke's heart.

He clenched his fists, his nails nearly digging into his palms.

"Do you remember? You once swore to sever every bond, that no matter what it took, you would gain power and complete your revenge. Yet now you're shrinking back here. Are you worthy of the Uchiha name?"

Su Bai's questions struck Sasuke again and again, every word cutting to the bone.

Sasuke's entire body trembled. His face was deathly pale, yet a flame gradually ignited in his eyes.

"I... I..."

Sasuke muttered to himself as images of his parents lying in pools of blood surfaced in his mind, along with Itachi's cold, merciless back.

For years, he had endured immense pain and loneliness, gritting his teeth and holding on until today. Wasn't it all for this very day?

"Aaaaaah!"

Sasuke threw back his head and roared like a wounded beast.

His eyes turned crimson as his Sharingan abruptly opened, three tomoe spinning rapidly within his pupils.

It was the pride of the Uchiha Clan, a dojutsu condensed from the blood and will of countless ancestors.

Sasuke could feel an immense power surging through his bloodline. It was as though something deep within his soul had broken free of its cocoon, bursting forth with dazzling light.

"Itachi Uchiha, just you wait! I'll defeat you—I'll tear you apart with my own hands!"

Sasuke roared and charged at Orochimaru without hesitation.

He punched, kicked, and swung his kunai. Every strike was vicious, every move sharp.

The Sharingan granted him extraordinary perception and reaction speed, allowing him to fight Orochimaru evenly.

Su Bai smiled knowingly from the shadows.

He knew Sasuke had finally awakened.

Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary people, Sasuke's desire for revenge was an obsession, a taboo.

But to Sasuke, that obsession was the force driving him forward—the key to breaking free in despair and emerging transformed.

"That's it, Sasuke. Go fight! Grow through battle, transform through wounds. One day, you'll obtain everything you desire!"

Su Bai silently cheered Sasuke on, while secretly looking forward to what was to come.

This life-and-death battle would surely bring even greater rewards for both Sasuke and himself!

Sasuke lunged at Orochimaru like a starving wolf.

Every punch and every kick carried the force and speed of a killing blow.

The Sharingan made his movements incredibly nimble, as though he could foresee Orochimaru's every move.

Though Orochimaru was powerful, Sasuke's fierce assault still left him somewhat flustered.

"Hehe, interesting. As expected of a descendant of the Uchiha Clan. That bloodline truly is extraordinary."

Orochimaru parried while praising him mockingly.

He extended his long tongue and licked the corner of his mouth, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

Sasuke paid him no heed. There was only one thought in his mind now: defeat Orochimaru and become stronger!

His hands flashed through seals as he chanted, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball erupted forth and flew straight at Orochimaru. Surprised, Orochimaru swiftly formed hand seals as well. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

An earthen wall surged up from the ground, blocking the fireball.

But Sasuke had already appeared behind the wall, the kunai in his hand glinting coldly as it stabbed toward Orochimaru's throat.

Orochimaru twisted aside, and the kunai barely grazed his neck, leaving behind a thin streak of blood.

"Worthy of being a genius of the Uchiha Clan. To possess such strength at such a young age... you truly are the most suitable vessel!"

Orochimaru licked the blood from his neck, his gaze growing ever more feverish.

He stopped holding back. His chakra surged as violet-black currents of energy swirled around him.

Sasuke felt an enormous pressure crash down on him, making even breathing difficult.

But he clenched his teeth, his red eyes filled with unyielding fighting spirit.

The two tangled in battle once more, their moves becoming fiercer and their speed increasing further.

Kunai clashed, flames soared into the sky, and the entire battlefield trembled beneath the storm of their chakra.

At last, Sasuke caught an opening. A shuriken shot from his hand and struck Orochimaru directly in the left shoulder.

"Agh!"

Orochimaru cried out in pain, his left arm hanging limply at his side.

Blood dripped down his arm, gathering into a small crimson pool on the ground.

"Well done, Sasuke!"

As the battle between the two grew increasingly intense, the rate at which Su Bai picked up experience points also became faster and faster.

[Ding! Ninja battle detected nearby. Obtained 20000 experience points.]

[Ding! Ninja battle detected nearby. Obtained 21000 experience points.]

[Ding! Ninja battle detected nearby. Obtained 22000 experience points.]

His fusion rate had only just risen to 7%, and now it was already approaching 8%!