As the tension escalated, a palpable sense of unease settled over the forest. Every eye turned to Orochimaru, searching his face for answers
As the tension escalated, a palpable sense of unease settled over the forest.
Every eye turned to Orochimaru, searching his face for answers.
"Hmph, Hiruko, if you want to die, that's your problem, but I'm not dying with you!"
Orochimaru sneered, his face grim. "You know Pakura is a defector, but did you know she's now under Uchiha Kai's command?"
"If he learns you killed his subordinate, what do you think his reaction will be?"
Hiruko's face went pale.
The astonishing battle from earlier was still vivid in his memory.
If this woman was truly connected to Uchiha Kai, and he'd just attacked her...Kai's fury would be unimaginable.
A chill ran down Hiruko's spine. His gaze darted nervously towards Pakura.
After several seconds of internal conflict, Hiruko finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Little girl, so you know Uchiha Kai. It was a misunderstanding. Please don't hold it against me!" Hiruko forced a strained, almost grotesque smile.
Pakura and Ebizō were momentarily stunned, unable to immediately process this rapid shift in demeanor.
However, before that thought could fully solidify, Hiruko's voice erupted in a frenzy.
"Little girl, do you really think I'm as cowardly as Orochimaru? I can kill you now; Uchiha Kai won't even know where I am!"
"Once I absorb your Kekkei Genkai and lay low for a while, that brat won't be able to touch me!"
His hysterical roar echoed, and Hiruko raised his right hand.
The sky, seemingly clear moments before, was now filled with ominous storm clouds that instantly unleashed their fury.
Storm Release: Lightning Cloud Wave!
Lightning, like writhing serpents, surged from the storm clouds.
The next moment, it descended like a torrential downpour, a dense and ferocious assault that instantly enveloped the surrounding forest for hundreds of meters.
The sudden attack caused Orochimaru's expression to change drastically.
For someone renowned in the original timeline for their mastery of forbidden techniques, this attack wouldn't be fatal.
But for Pakura and Ebizō, surviving this onslaught in such a short timeframe would be nearly impossible.
Lightning was simply too fast.
Seeing Pakura and Ebizō seemingly frozen in shock, unable to react, a triumphant grin spread across Hiruko's face.
However, that grin was quickly wiped away by a playful voice that shattered his confidence.
"That lightning is impressive, but it's a bit…lacking."
"Black Spot Difference: Raging Tiger!"
ROAR!
A tiger's roar shook the earth as black lightning appeared above Pakura with blinding speed.
Hiruko's seemingly ferocious lightning was torn to shreds like paper before the black tiger.
The black lightning soared, piercing the storm clouds above.
BOOM!
The black tiger exploded, the resulting shockwave scattering the storm clouds.
The sudden display stunned everyone present.
Black lightning was exceptionally rare in the ninja world.
Yet, the power unleashed in that brief moment far surpassed ordinary lightning techniques.
"Someone from Kumogakure has inherited the Black Lightning? That's a significant mark of succession for the Raikage," Ebizō stated gravely.
As a Sunagakure advisor, he was well aware of the technique's origins.
However, before his words fully registered, everyone's eyes widened as a figure appeared before them.
"Uchiha Kai!" Orochimaru's face paled, instinctively taking a step back.
He now desperately wished he could grab Hiruko, beat him senseless, and silence his ill-omened words.
Who would have known that mentioning the young prodigy would actually summon him?
Remembering Kai's recent battle with Madara Uchiha, Orochimaru deeply regretted his earlier greed.
If he had known the target was Pakura, he would have never gotten involved.
"Hehe, Orochimaru, I happened to be looking for you. What a coincidence!" Kai said with a warm, disarming smile.
However, that smile sent a chill down everyone's spines.
It felt like a death knell.
Orochimaru forced a stiff smile. "You wouldn't still be dwelling on our last encounter, would you? While I'm no match for you, it doesn't mean I can't escape."
Kai was fully aware of Orochimaru's abilities.
In the original storyline, he was arguably harder to kill than Kaguya Ōtsutsuki herself.
As long as his cursed seal remained, it could serve as a catalyst for his resurrection.
Of course, this resurrection required external assistance.
Orochimaru alone would struggle to awaken the will residing within his cursed seal.
In the original story, after being sealed by Itachi Uchiha's Totsuka Blade, Orochimaru was revived by Sasuke after the latter released the cursed seal from Anko Mitarashi.
"How did you find us?!" Hiruko shouted, his expression shifting drastically. "Orochimaru, don't forget our agreement! If we work together, we can…"
"We can what?" Orochimaru licked his crimson tongue. "Work together to defeat Madara Uchiha?"
Hiruko froze.
He had witnessed Madara's power firsthand—the Susanoo and the devastating fire release techniques were far beyond the capabilities of ordinary shinobi.
He wouldn't last more than a few attacks against him.
Seeing Orochimaru's sudden betrayal, Hiruko's face darkened.
"Uchiha Kai, state your intentions clearly. Or perhaps you also desire the Chimera Technique?"
In Hiruko's eyes, the Chimera Technique was something even Orochimaru coveted—the ability to absorb Kekkei Genkai and achieve immortality was considered monstrous in the ninja world.
If Kai was willing to trade, Hiruko might be able to use him to acquire other Kekkei Genkai users.
With such a powerful ally, he could finally operate without fear.
The thought filled Hiruko with excitement, his gaze fixated on Kai with newfound eagerness.
But Kai's next words instantly tightened his nerves.
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my patreon
patreon.com/kane45
Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - 20+ Advance Chapter
20$ Intermediate Reader - 40+ Advance Chapter
40$ Expert Reader - 80+ Advance Chapter
Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"
"Saturday and Sunday - Off"