Is combat experience useful?
Of course!
When people debate who is stronger, Madara or Kaguya—the core argument often revolves around combat experience.
One was an Uchiha genius who had survived countless battles during the Warring States Period.
The other was a naïve princess, someone who had barely fought and had been sealed away for thousands of years.
Based purely on combat experience, Kaguya shouldn't be a match for Madara.
But as stated before, there was an essential difference between them.
One was a god, the other a human.
Humans cannot kill gods.
But gods can easily kill humans.
This was a gap that combat experience alone could never bridge—which was why Madara could never defeat Kaguya.
And now, a similar gap in combat experience existed between the two sides.
On one side were the Ōtsutsuki, beings who had lived in peace for millennia, obsessed only with the pursuit of power.
On the other was Orochimaru, a man who had survived endless wars.
When both sides possessed the same power, when they were capable of killing each other at any moment.
Combat experience became the deciding factor.
The Ōtsutsuki's combat style was primitive.
They relied entirely on overwhelming force to crush their opponents.
Even in hand-to-hand combat, they depended solely on absolute speed and strength.
There was no strategy involved, nothing but brute force.
And because of that.
With one White Rage Technique and Kaguya's All-Killing Ash Bones, Orochimaru had already wiped out most of Momoshiki's subordinates.
At this moment, Orochimaru's gaze fell upon Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki standing before him.
And his lips curled into a smile.
Without hesitation, he launched his black sword forward, aiming straight for Kinshiki!
At the same time.
He drew the Kusanagi Sword, preparing for close-quarters combat!
Whoosh!
Almost simultaneously, Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki raised his hands.
The chakra orbs forming in his palms launched toward Orochimaru in rapid succession!
Momoshiki—his red Rinnegan embedded in both palms—possessed infinite power.
His right palm absorbed all ninjutsu.
His left palm amplified the absorbed energy and fired it back with devastating force.
Even without absorbing attacks, he could still fire chakra cannons as powerful as Tailed Beast Bombs.
These chakra blasts were like solid steel spheres, utterly indestructible!
Seeing the incoming attack.
Orochimaru reacted instantly.
As he retreated midair, he commanded his Truth-Seeking Orbs to intercept the chakra orbs!
Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Truth-Seeking Orbs collided with the chakra blasts, causing violent tremors but no explosions.
Orochimaru's Truth-Seeking Orbs were formed from his own power—they were essentially limitless.
Because of that—
He had no fear of being drained.
Deflecting Momoshiki's attacks, Orochimaru suddenly reversed course.
Instead of retreating, he rushed forward!
His body spun midair, and his sword slashed downward with unstoppable momentum!
Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki immediately moved to protect Momoshiki!
Clang!
A sharp metallic clash rang out!
Buzz!
A wave of invisible energy pulsed outward—
Space confinement had activated again!
If swordsmanship wasn't enough, pupil power would compensate.
Orochimaru's Six Paths-enhanced space confinement made him nearly invincible in a one-on-one fight.
Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki was one of the last remaining warriors of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
A guardian, a caretaker to Momoshiki.
His weapon—a red ring—could transform into various deadly forms.
His raw power was immense, capable of shattering the earth and ripping through anything.
However—
His control over space-time abilities was inferior even to Ōtsutsuki Takeshi.
And Orochimaru was not the type of ninja who would engage in a pure contest of raw power.
The moment space confinement took hold—
Multiple sword slashes cut through the air.
Blood splattered.
Bang! Bang!
The instant Kinshiki regained movement, Orochimaru kicked him with both feet, launching him violently backward!
"This guy…!"
Watching from a distance, Momoshiki frowned deeply.
Kinshiki's raw strength was undeniably monstrous.
And yet, this man had disarmed him within seconds?!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… So much for being 'higher beings.' You're really not that impressive."
Orochimaru's voice was mocking.
Yes—having more chakra granted an advantage in battle.
But at Six Paths-level combat, chakra was rarely depleted.
Against someone like Momoshiki, Orochimaru knew how to turn chakra into a weapon rather than a resource to be drained.
Hearing Orochimaru's words.
Momoshiki's expression turned ice cold.
He called himself a god.
He was arrogant, seeing humans as nothing but insects.
Even Kaguya—to him—was a mere rat who had fled in disgrace.
But now.
Orochimaru had annihilated his subordinates and humiliated Kinshiki in mere moments.
This was an insult.
And Momoshiki would not tolerate it.
"Momoshiki-sama is invincible! Die, insect!"
Kinshiki—wielding his red battle-axe lunged at Orochimaru once more!
So fast!
And—
There were two axes this time?!
Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki was certain that Orochimaru couldn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique here.
If his attack connected.
He was confident that Orochimaru would be split in two.
Even with Truth-Seeking Orbs, Orochimaru wouldn't be able to stop the sheer force of the strike!
His giant axe, blazing with red light, carried the power to cleave mountains.
And it swung straight for Orochimaru!
But—
Would Orochimaru really lower his guard just because he was speaking?
Of course not.
He had survived countless battles, never once did he let his vigilance slip.
Just before the axe struck.
Orochimaru twisted sideways, narrowly avoiding the blow.
And then.
A white skeletal hand materialized out of thin air.
And grabbed Kinshiki's entire body!
"Damn it… it's you!"
(To be continued.)