"Pfft!" A sharp crack of wood resounded as Orochimaru's fangs sank into Ebizō's neck. However, the instant they made contact, Orochimaru's e
"Pfft!"
A sharp crack of wood resounded as Orochimaru's fangs sank into Ebizō's neck.
However, the instant they made contact, Orochimaru's expression faltered. He saw Ebizō's head rotate a full 180 degrees.
The puppet's outer layer of skin peeled away like thin sand, revealing the wooden features of the puppet beneath.
A series of clicking sounds emanated from the point of contact.
A puppet clone?
Orochimaru's brow furrowed, but he quickly saw the puppet's outer layer of skin completely shed.
Six arms, like chains, instantly wrapped around Orochimaru.
"Black Secret Technique Machine: One Shot!"
Ebizō's voice echoed from behind a nearby tree.
With a sudden shift in the chakra threads connecting him to the puppet, the puppet's body opened, revealing a gaping maw that lunged towards Orochimaru.
Bang!
At such close range, Orochimaru had no chance to evade. Before he could react, the six arms had forced him inside the puppet.
The gaping maw snapped shut.
"Kill!"
Ebizō, having landed a successful blow, moved his fingers rapidly. The six arms of the Black Ant puppet detached.
With a series of clicking sounds, poisoned blades hidden within the arms sprang forth.
Without hesitation, they plunged into the Black Ant's body.
Splat!
The blades sank deeply, crimson blood spurting forth, instantly staining the puppet's surface.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Ebizō's face.
But before his elation could fully bloom, a sharp cry pierced the air beside him.
"Careful! Kai warned us that Orochimaru is the hardest person in this world to kill!"
What?
Ebizō's expression froze, his gaze darting to the Black Ant puppet.
The next instant, he saw the puppet's torso rapidly expanding.
Bang!
The Black Ant puppet exploded, and a blood-soaked white snake, moving with lightning speed, shot towards Ebizō.
"Black Secret Technique: Puppet Shield!"
Ebizō's face paled. Without hesitation, he produced a scroll and summoned a puppet.
Bang!
The summoned puppet instantly activated a chakra shield hidden within its body.
A blue light bloomed, forming a shield reputedly capable of withstanding dozens of tons of force.
"So, it's one of Sunagakure's 'immortals.' No wonder your skills are so formidable," Orochimaru remarked, his eyes gleaming, his crimson tongue darting out.
A white light shot from his mouth—the Kusanagi sword—rapidly extending.
With a sharp, piercing sound, it struck the chakra shield.
Pfft!
The seemingly indestructible shield emitted a sharp, high-pitched whine.
The next moment, it was pierced as easily as paper, the white blade heading straight for Ebizō's throat.
Ebizō was completely caught off guard.
The Kusanagi sword was renowned as the sharpest and most durable weapon in existence.
Against this hastily erected defense, it was clearly unmatched.
At such close range, all he could do was watch helplessly as the attack approached.
"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!"
Pakura arrived, forming fireballs in her hands that transformed into streaks of light, striking the puppet.
Boom!
A dull explosion echoed, the resulting shockwave sending the puppet flying.
The force of the explosion also altered the trajectory of the Kusanagi sword.
Ebizō, recovering his senses, used the blast wave to quickly retreat.
"Pakura, the Sunagakure defector?" Orochimaru's expression shifted dramatically upon seeing Pakura's sudden intervention, thwarting his attack.
Before he could retract his attack, a figure appeared behind Pakura like a phantom.
"Got you!" Hiruko's face contorted in a mixture of savagery and eagerness as he formed hand seals, aiming to subdue Pakura.
Pakura's expression changed instantly.
In her haste to rescue Ebizō, she hadn't maintained vigilance at her rear, giving Hiruko an opening.
At such close range, evasion was impossible. Her only option was to use Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder, using the resulting blast wave to create distance.
However, using Extremely Steaming Murder at this range was a high-risk, high-reward gamble.
A slight miscalculation could result in severe injury.
Various thoughts raced through Pakura's mind.
Then, a flash of white light grazed her side, striking Hiruko in the chest.
Clang!
A sharp metallic collision resounded.
Thanks to Steel Release, Hiruko's chest was pierced.
The immense force sent the airborne Hiruko flying backward.
Landing several meters away, Hiruko, glaring at the wound in his chest, roared in fury.
"Orochimaru, what in the blazes are you doing?!"
He had chosen his moment perfectly to subdue Pakura.
He hadn't anticipated Orochimaru's interference.
Witnessing the sudden conflict between Orochimaru and Hiruko, Pakura's expression froze.
She looked at Orochimaru, who had retracted the Kusanagi sword, his face grim, a wave of confusion washing over her.
As far as Pakura could recall, she and Orochimaru had minimal interaction.
This was their first encounter, and there was certainly no prior bond between them.
Furthermore, Konoha and Sunagakure had been locked in a prolonged state of conflict.
The Third Great Ninja War had even seen them clashing first.
Orochimaru had every reason to attack her, but his sudden intervention in her defense was utterly perplexing.
Under the weight of everyone's questioning gazes, Orochimaru's expression soured.
He looked at Pakura once more before stating, "You cannot touch her. The deal is over."
Hiruko's expression hardened at Orochimaru's inexplicable statement. He lost his composure first.
"Orochimaru, this will damage your reputation. Without sufficient justification, no one will dare collaborate with you in the future."
"If you don't explain this immediately, don't blame me for resorting to less amicable methods."
His chilling words altered the atmosphere once more.
Ebizō, seizing this brief respite, hurried to Pakura's side.
He remained uncertain about Orochimaru's motives in saving Pakura, but in this tense situation, maintaining a cautious distance from Orochimaru was paramount.
Otherwise, a repeat of his earlier carelessness could lead to his utter destruction at the hands of the former Konoha Sannin.
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