Orochimaru, I'd Call You the Strongest Wind Release User

In the clearing.

Manda's enormous body surged forward.

But...

Under Orochimaru's disbelieving gaze, Shinji threw a straight punch!

"Hiss—!"

A shriek rang out amid a violent explosion. Blood sprayed into the sky, and scales shattered and scattered everywhere!

Manda's body snapped backward.

With a thud, he crashed to the ground.

The earth shook violently, kicking up a thick cloud of dust!

Shinji shook out his aching hand.

He gazed at Manda with open envy. "Come to think of it, having a Summoning beast would be pretty fun... It looks so cool!"

Manda raised his head again, but blood streamed down it. Great swathes of scales had fallen away, and the rest were riddled with cracks.

He glared at Shinji with hatred and roared, "Orochimaru! You tricked me again—!"

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

The instant Manda finished speaking, the amusement vanished from Shinji's eyes.

He raised one hand.

A searing mass of flame burst from his mouth!

"Aaargh—!"

The flames washed over Manda like burning oil. There was no violent explosion.

Instead, they clung to him and burned fiercely!

Crackle! Pop!

From within the flames came the intermittent sound of scales bursting, like beans popping in a pan.

Orochimaru stared at the terrifying Fire Release, dumbfounded. In the few breaths it took him to react, Manda's skin had nearly charred!

He quickly unfurled a massive Scroll.

"Fire Sealing Method: Flame Seal!"

Hiss—

The raging flames were drawn into the scroll.

At the same time, Orochimaru vanished.

A moment later, the towering flames before Shinji collapsed. Manda's body shriveled, leaving only an empty husk behind. Manda's Original Body was already gone.

"As expected of you, Orochimaru."

Shinji rested a hand on his hip, looking entirely at ease.

"But what did you come to see me for? Still not going to tell