Jinin Akebino's corpse lay on the sand, his pupils unfocused, his eyes still open in death.
Orochimaru withdrew his hand. Several gray-scaled snakes slid off the corpse, burrowed into the sand, and vanished completely.
Without sparing the corpse another glance, he turned and headed deeper into the salt fields, leaving only a few indifferent words behind.
Elsewhere, Suikazan Fuguki and Jiraiya were locked in a fierce battle.
Samehada had fully unfurled, its wrappings torn to shreds. Its dark blue scales stood on end as it ravenously devoured the chakra scattered around it.
Most of the power behind Jiraiya's Fire Release was swallowed outright by Samehada.
Fine beads of cold sweat already covered Jiraiya's forehead.
Volleys of shuriken, repeated Fire Release Ninjutsu, Toad Oil Bullets bursting in midair-without exception, every attack was completely devoured by Samehada.
The harder he pushed his chakra output, the more energy Samehada consumed, leaving him increasingly on the defensive.
"Jiraiya, you certainly have an enormous amount of chakra."
"But the stronger your chakra, the fuller Samehada gets."
"This blade specifically counters ninja like you, who rely on overwhelming chakra reserves to crush their opponents head-on. How much longer can you last?"
Jiraiya said nothing. His hands rapidly formed hand seals as he gathered strength for his next assault.
He swept his peripheral vision across the battlefield and suddenly realized that the situation in the center of the salt fields had changed.
Jinin Akebino, who had been fighting just moments earlier, was gone. All that remained was a cold corpse lying faceup on the ground.
Suikazan Fuguki's hands abruptly paused.
Jinin Akebino, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was dead.
His expression barely changed. Only a fleeting, icy glint flashed through his eyes.
"All forces, retreat!"
Suikazan Fuguki raised Samehada high and swept it