Orochimaru vs. Shamon! Konoha's Stretched Battlefront

Orochimaru shook his head slightly, a mysterious smile touching his lips like moonlight through mist. "Teacher, don't worry. I have a plan. I won't go down easily. Lead everyone—

Seizing the opportunity, Orochimaru slammed both hands onto the ground. "Wind Release: Wind Serpent!" A powerful current surged from the earth and gathered into several enormous serpents. Made of wind yet possessing solid force, they lunged at Shamon with gaping jaws, as though black flames burned inside their mouths. They looked like demons from hell. Surprise flashed in Shamon's eyes. "I didn't expect you to have a move like that." He swiftly formed hand seals. "Sand Release: Sand Waterfall Funeral!" Sand swept around the serpents, hardened like steel, then tightened. Under its crushing pressure, the serpents gradually dissolved and vanished like bubbles.

"—away. Don't let what's happening here hold us up."

Kagami Uchiha studied Orochimaru for a moment. Knowing he would not change his mind, Kagami patted him on the shoulder. "Be careful. If you can't beat him, don't keep fighting. We'll wait for you at the camp." With that, he led the main force onward, their figures fading into the windblown sand.

Orochimaru turned to face Shamon, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes like the sun. "Shamon, let's see what you've got." Shamon answered with a cold laugh. "Hmph. You don't know your place, boy. Come on, then."

A fierce wind howled between them, whipping sand and stones from the ground. They clattered against one another in the gusts, as restless as spectators awaiting the outcome of a lopsided fight.

Orochimaru struck first. He flashed toward Shamon like a specter, as swift as lightning across the night sky. His hands flew through seals. "Wind Release: Wind Blade Dance!" Countless wind blades, sharp as willow leaves, formed around him. They glinted