"You know, Yun-kun… the ninjutsu of this world truly is magical."
Orochimaru's voice slithered across the dim chamber, heavy with fascination. His golden snake-like eyes gleamed with an unnatural hunger as he leaned closer to his experiment, hands twitching with excitement. His tongue, long and forked, slipped out from between his lips, wetting them as though the very thought of his own words was intoxicating.
"The energy of the body and the energy of the spirit," he continued, gesturing with delicate, bone-pale fingers, "combine to form what we call chakra. Through the weaving of hand seals, that chakra can be shaped into jutsu — into miracles that defy human limitations."
He let out a low chuckle, eyes narrowing with delight. "Think of it, Yun-kun. The first person who mixed blue and yellow named the result 'green'. If blue is chakra and yellow is the seal, then green is ninjutsu. So many combinations… so many colors. Countless hues waiting to be discovered. Just as there are thousands — tens of thousands — of jutsu in this world."
His gaze sharpened, drilling into Yun as though he wanted to peel him open and study the chakra flowing beneath his skin. "But to master all of them would take lifetimes. Decades upon decades… and for me, one human life is far too short."
He stepped forward, the tails of his robe whispering against the floor. "Even if one wears the title of Hokage, death will claim it all. Namikaze Minato, as bright as his flame burns, will be reduced to nothing more than dust. Power, prestige, authority — gone the instant the heart stops beating. But I… I am standing at the threshold of the ninjutsu of immortality. With me, you could walk that road, Yun-kun. Together, we could defy the very order of this world."
His lips curved into that unsettling smile again as his tongue slithered out, running across the edges of his mouth like a serpent tasting the air. "Fifty years from now, the name 'Hokage' will mean nothing. But we, Yun-kun… we will endure."
Uchiha Yun, standing opposite him with his mask tilted just slightly, stared with narrowed eyes. His chest rose and fell once, slow and steady, his mind racing with contempt. So this was the infamous serpent's silver tongue? This was the poison he whispered into the ears of those who followed him?
Pathetic. Disgusting. And yet… this revolting man somehow drew people to his side.
'It's outrageous.' Yun thought. 'And immortality? Please. Someone brings it up every two years like it's some special deal. Disgusting.'
He exhaled, fixing Orochimaru with a flat stare. "You know, Orochimaru… could you please keep that tongue of yours inside your mouth?" His tone was dry, sharp as a blade. "It's really disgusting."
*Swish!*
In the same breath, Yun vanished in a flicker, body propelled forward with an instantaneous burst of speed. His long sword arced down toward Orochimaru's head with lethal intent.
*Clang!*
Metal screamed as the legendary Kusanagi blade shot outward — not from Orochimaru's hand, but from his mouth. The sword clashed against Yun's Anbu blade, sparks exploding between the two edges.
Orochimaru's grin widened as he pulled the blade fully into his grip, his serpent tongue retreating. "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
*hissss…!*
From his sleeve burst serpents, fangs glistening, one lunging straight for Yun's throat.
*Buzz!*
The Sharingan spun to life — three crimson tomoe whirling within Yun's eyes, his vision splitting every detail into crystalline clarity. In that slowed world, he pivoted effortlessly, sidestepping the snake's strike. His blade snapped horizontally in one swift motion, severing the reptile's head cleanly.
The body recoiled, hissing as it retreated, and still Orochimaru only smiled, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Only three-tomoe? But I've read the reports. Your Sharingan has already surpassed this stage, hasn't it, Yun-kun? Or perhaps…" His grin grew unnervingly wide. "You don't think the Mangekyō is necessary against me?"
At his side, Kinoe tensed, hand tightening around his blade. "Yun, don't underestimate him." he warned, his voice heavy. "This is Orochimaru we're facing — one of the legendary Sannin."
Yun let out a short breath, feeling the tension coiled in his chest. 'He hasn't begun his body transfers yet. Which means… if I end this quickly enough, I could really kill him.'
His decision came sharp as steel.
*Buzz!!!*
The Mangekyō Sharingan unfurled in his eyes, black patterns blooming over the red. Power surged from him in a crushing wave, pressing against the walls of the chamber. Across from him, Orochimaru lowered his head, and chakra poured out of his body in an equally suffocating flood.
*Shatter! Shatter! Shatter!*
The laboratory's glassware shattered under the force, shards scattering across the floor.
A low chuckle escaped the Sannin. "Yes… yes, that's it. Only by testing Yun-kun at his peak can I know what treasures lie within you. Show me… show me everything!"
Yun's smirk was cold. "Then at least raise your head when you talk, old man."
Orochimaru tilted his chin up, that smile never leaving his face. "When dealing with the unknown, one must be cautious. Surely even a prodigy of the Uchiha understands that."
Yun's eyes hardened. "Then don't die too easily, Orochimaru."
*Swish!*
He was gone in a blur. In the next heartbeat, his sword came crashing down.
*Bang!*
The blades collided again — Kusanagi meeting steel — and with a sickening crack, Yun's Anbu sword splintered under the pressure.
Orochimaru peered down at the damage, amused. "It seems your weapon isn't up to the task."
Yun bared his teeth in a grin. "Then why don't you lend me that Kusanagi of yours?"
He didn't wait for an answer. His left hand snapped up, chakra spiraling violently.
Rasengan!
*BOOM!!*
The sphere detonated against Orochimaru's abdomen, sending the Sannin's body blasting backward. He hit the ground with a splash — his form dissolving into sludge.
Yun narrowed his eyes. "An Earth-style clone. As expected."
*Swish!*
From the darkness came a sudden slash of steel.
*Puff!*
Blood sprayed across the chamber walls. Orochimaru staggered, eyes wide with mock surprise as Yun's blade tore through him.
"Yun-kun… how did you—"
Another strike pierced his chest. The Uchiha twisted the blade before yanking it free, crimson dripping down the steel.
Orochimaru dropped to his knees, clutching at his chest. Yun studied him coolly. "No. Too easy. You're not dead yet. Playing possum to drop my guard, is that it? Stop pretending and stand up."
The silence hung for a breath before Orochimaru chuckled, low and hoarse. Slowly, his jaw unhinged — grotesquely wide.
*Guuuugh—*
From his gaping mouth slithered a new Orochimaru, glistening with saliva, peeling itself free of the discarded husk. He straightened, calm, almost pristine despite the grotesque rebirth.
Yun wrinkled his nose and stepped back. "I didn't finish you just now because… honestly, that's disgusting. Who else but you would crawl out of your own mouth covered in spit?"
Orochimaru laughed softly, brushing himself off as though nothing unusual had happened. "Don't worry about trivial details, Yun-kun. Compared to the immortality I pursue, what are a few unpleasant aesthetics?"
Before Yun could retort, Kinoe's hands slammed into seals.
Wood Style ∙ Four Pillar Prison Jutsu!
Massive wooden pillars erupted, forming a prison that locked tight around Orochimaru. The structure groaned as Kinoe pressed further, hands flashing again.
Wood Style ∙ Deep Forest Emergence!
Thick roots burst forth, entangling, constricting, crushing the prison from within. The pressure was immense — and yet, the wood only squeezed out another puddle of mud.
"Another Earth-style clone?!" Kinoe hissed, eyes darting around.
The ground ruptured beneath him. A colossal serpent burst upward, its body winding around him in a crushing coil.
The snake reared back, jaws wide, intent on swallowing him whole.
*Bang!!*
A flaming blade split its skull, cutting down through its length in one savage strike. Yun landed lightly beside his falling comrade, pulling him clear.
"Careless." Yun muttered.
Around them, the other Anbu of Team Six, finally freed from Orochimaru's suppressive aura, launched their counterattack.
Earth Style ∙ Earth Dragon Bullet!
Fire Style ∙ Great Fireball Jutsu!
Wind Style ∙ Divine Wind!
Explosions lit the chamber, smoke and flame engulfing Orochimaru's position. But Yun's eyes, spinning with Mangekyō clarity, saw the truth. These attacks wouldn't touch him.
*Swish!*
The Sannin's form blurred. In the next instant, he stood behind an Anbu operative, his gaze locking onto the man.
Demonic Illusion ∙ Hell Viewing Technique!
"Ahhhhhh!!"
*****
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