The mountains of the Land of Rice Fields were covered in thick snow, and the wind howled, carrying shards of ice.
Seven figures moved swiftly through the blizzard, their steps so light that they left almost no trace on the snow.
Hizashi suddenly raised his hand, the veins around his Byakugan bulging. "Stop, five kilometers ahead, there's a huge Chakra reaction underground. There are many tunnels and secret rooms beneath the surface."
Kisame bared his shark-like teeth. "Looks like we've found the snake's nest. This weather is perfect for stewing a few snakes for soup."
Mangetsu wiped the snow from his Shibuki and said, "Be careful, Orochimaru isn't an ordinary venomous snake."
Suddenly, countless white snakes burst out from the snow. Their scales blended with the snow, and they were only discovered when they were almost upon them.
"Scatter!" Raiga roared, Kiba erupting with dazzling electric light, instantly charring the attacking snake swarm.
A chilling voice echoed through the wind and snow, as if coming from all directions. "Hizashi, Choza, the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, what a rare combination."
Orochimaru's figure slowly rose from the snow, like a venomous snake awakening from hibernation.
Jūzō, with Kubikiribōchō on his shoulder, said, "Orochimaru-sama, Shun-sama would like to invite you as a guest to the Land of Water."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Oh? What if I refuse?"
Raiga's Kiba once again erupted with electric light. "Shun-sama specifically instructed us to spar with you."
The battle erupted instantly.
Choza's body suddenly expanded, and Kabutowari sliced down with a sound that tore through the air.
The earth trembled, and the snow was shaken several meters high, revealing the black frozen soil beneath.
But Orochimaru slid away as if boneless, bringing his head close to the ground.
Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes.
A large number of venomous snakes crawled out of Orochimaru's mouth, surging towards the seven in waves.
Hizashi's Byakugan spun rapidly. "Be careful of these venomous snakes, and the poisonous mist!"
Mangetsu's Shibuki arced, and explosive tags detonated among the snake swarm, sending snow mixed with snake blood and shredded flesh flying.
Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!
A giant water shark burst through the snow curtain, tearing apart dozens of venomous snakes.
Orochimaru, however, smiled. "Now this is getting interesting."
His body suddenly split, transforming into countless white snakes that lunged at the seven.
Ameyuri, with Nuibari, set up wire traps. Raiga's Kiba wove an electric net, and electric light danced in the snow, charring the snake swarm.
Orochimaru's true body, hidden by the blizzard, had silently appeared behind Hizashi.
"The Byakugan's blind spot..."
A cold kunai shot towards Hizashi.
Hizashi, wielding Hiramekarei, dodged the fatal blow at an incredible angle.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? It seems the Hyuga clan's little tricks have improved."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen worked in perfect sync, their seven ninja swords unleashing astonishing power in their hands. But Orochimaru was as slippery as a true snake, often twisting at various unnatural angles to evade fatal attacks. When occasionally hit, he would dissolve into mud or white snakes.
Seeing himself at a disadvantage, Orochimaru began to use his trump card.
He formed hand seals. "Game time is over, Summoning Technique!"
The massive Manda burst through the snow curtain, its scales gleaming purple in the snow, its vertical pupils filled with savagery.
"Kill them first." Orochimaru said casually.
Manda opened its massive mouth, and venom poured out like a waterfall.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen quickly retreated. Wherever the venom touched, the snow melted and rocks corroded.
Raiga summoned lightning, striking Manda. The lightning hit Manda, but it only roared in pain.
Manda's tail swept, and the immense force kicked up a blizzard, making everyone stumble.
At this moment, Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals again, summoning more venomous snakes to surround the group.
Hizashi, wielding Hiramekarei, activated Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven, forming an ever-expanding hemispherical Chakra shield. He repelled the surrounding venomous snakes and all the snowflakes far away.
Choza's body quietly transformed, his muscles bulging like rocks.
Partial Multi-Size Technique: Super Heavy Hammer!
The massive hammer, infused with Chakra, instantly expanded dozens of times, becoming a terrifying weapon the size of a house, smashing down with a roar that tore through the air.
Manda's vertical pupils sharply contracted, its massive body had no time to dodge.
Boom!
The hammer struck the snake's head, creating a deafening roar as if mountains were collapsing and the earth was splitting. Manda's enormous body was sent flying backward, collapsing half a hillside.
"Damn Orochimaru. These bastards, they're really tough to deal with." Manda shook its dazed head, immediately contemplating retreat.
"This kind of tough opponent... I'll leave it to Orochimaru to handle himself."
Manda hissed, and without hesitation, voluntarily dispelled the summoning, disappearing into the valley with a poof of white smoke.
Orochimaru stood in the ruins, his golden snake eyes slightly narrowed, surprised that Manda had fled so decisively.
"It seems I need to get serious."
His body suddenly softened, transforming into countless white snakes that scattered and burrowed into the snow.
Hizashi's Byakugan spun rapidly. "Orochimaru wants to escape? Thirty meters southwest, five meters underground, his true body is there!"
Hiramekarei suddenly glowed with a dazzling blue light, and Hizashi shot out, his twin swords crossing as he slashed down.
The snow exploded, and a white snake attempting to escape was cut in two. But more white snakes surged from all directions, hindering the pursuit.
Hizashi's Byakugan locked onto the rapidly moving Chakra underground. "It's no use, Orochimaru, I can see you."
"Damn Byakugan."
Orochimaru secretly cursed and accelerated his escape deeper into the laboratory.
Just as he reached the laboratory entrance, a figure appeared in the shadows in front of him.
Shisui, with his Mangekyo Sharingan activated, whispered, "Orochimaru, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Kotoamatsukami."
There were no hand seals, no warning, not even a Chakra fluctuation.
Orochimaru felt his consciousness suddenly waver for a moment, as if something fundamental had been quietly rewritten.
He said respectfully, "As per Shun-sama's will, I am willing to go to the Land of Water to serve as the Sixth Hokage."
Shisui's Mangekyo slowly stopped spinning. "Then, Orochimaru-sama, please clean up your base. Bring all the necessary supplies and reliable personnel with us back to the Land of Water."
Hizashi and the other six quickly gathered around, watching Orochimaru warily.
He activated his Byakugan and asked cautiously, "Shisui, Orochimaru, what happened?"
Shisui waved his hand and said, "It's fine. Orochimaru-sama has already agreed to go to the Land of Water."