Darkness surged in like a tide.
Within Mitaraishi Anko's mindscape, countless phantom snakes writhed and twisted. They coiled around and tore at the faint ball of light in the center—that was the last remaining core of Anko's consciousness. Amid the snakes, a pale humanoid outline gradually condensed. Snake-like hair spilled loose around it, and golden slit pupils lit up with an eerie glow in the darkness.
"Such tenacious will, Anko."
Orochimaru's voice carried its distinct hoarse magnetism as it echoed through the mindscape. He extended a hand formed from countless tiny venomous snakes, slowly reaching toward the ball of light.
"But it should end now. I'll take your body."
Just as the snake hand was about to touch the light—
A brilliant azure radiance tore through the darkness.
Hyuga Xiao appeared within the mindscape, his Byakugan blooming with an unprecedentedly pure brilliance in the darkness. A thin cloak of chakra enveloped him—the remaining energy of the system's "Tenseigan Chakra Mode Trial Card." Though only a few minutes remained, it was enough to enter the mindscape.
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's fragmentary consciousness turned around, surprise flashing through his golden slit pupils.
"A little brat from the Hyuga Clan... actually able to enter this place." His voice was thick with interest. "And those eyes... their purity is terrifyingly abnormal. Branch House? No, the Branch House could never possess eyes like those."
Xiao did not answer.
He took a step forward, and the darkness beneath his feet rippled like water. The phantom snakes that tried to approach let out silent hisses the instant they touched the blue light around him, dissolving into black smoke.
"Anko is my subordinate." Xiao's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable pressure. "Her body is not yours to defile."
"Subordinate?" Orochimaru laughed, his laughter full of amusement. "A Branch