The moment Orochimaru's fangs sank into Sasuke's neck, a surge of dark chakra exploded.
"AHHHH!"
Sasuke screamed as a searing heat raced through every nerve of his body. The curse mark ignited like molten fire, spreading from his neck across his skin in jagged magatama-like lines.
The forest shook with the raw force of Orochimaru's chakra. His golden eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"If you seek true power… and vengeance against Itachi… then come find me, Sasuke-kun."
With that chilling whisper, Orochimaru straightened, his tongue flicking out like a serpent's, and vanished into the trees — leaving behind two unconscious boys sprawled on the forest floor.
Menma emerged from the shadows moments later. His golden eyes flicked toward Naruto and Sasuke's limp bodies.
So, this is the power of one of the Sannin…
He could already sense Sakura's chakra signature racing toward them. Without hesitation, he shifted his attention toward the retreating trace of Orochimaru's chakra — faint, but distinct.
"Got you," Menma murmured. With his enhanced sensory perception, every fluctuation within ten kilometers was as clear as daylight. He leapt into pursuit, his movement silent and precise.
But Orochimaru had already noticed.
From several kilometers away, a sinister chuckle drifted through the trees.
"Hehehe… a little mouse following me? Since when did Konoha's children grow so bold?"
Menma halted instantly, his eyes narrowing. Orochimaru's chakra had stopped moving — and now, it was directed straight at him.
"Tch… so that's how it is." Menma stepped from concealment and landed calmly in a clearing. "I thought I'd stayed far enough to avoid detection. I underestimated you, Orochimaru-senpai."
Orochimaru's piercing gaze locked onto him, snake-like pupils contracting.
"Oh? You know my name, and yet you approach me so boldly. That's unusual for a Leaf genin."
Menma smiled faintly. "I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Uzumaki Menma — Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails and shinobi of Konohagakure."
The air thickened.
Orochimaru's grin widened, though his tone remained curious. "Heh… so it's you. I've heard about the other child of the Fourth Hokage. I didn't expect you'd come to me willingly, Menma-kun. I must admit, I'm intrigued."
He studied the boy carefully. Even before defecting from the village, Orochimaru had access to every classified file — including the truth about Konoha's Jinchūriki. His golden eyes glinted with growing interest.
Menma's gaze remained cold and steady. "What I know isn't important, Orochimaru. What matters is why I'm here — and what I can offer you. I believe we can make a deal that benefits us both."
Orochimaru let out a slow, hissing laugh. "A deal? Hmph… Menma-kun, I think you're mistaken. Whatever I want to know, I can extract from you… after I take you apart."
He released his killing intent like a suffocating fog.
"Boom!"
The ground cracked under the weight of his chakra. With a flicker, Orochimaru vanished from sight, his speed beyond human.
Menma's eyes sharpened. Of course… words won't reach someone like him. Power is the only language Orochimaru understands.
He exhaled deeply. "Then I'll show him."
Kurama! he called inwardly.
A low growl echoed from deep within his consciousness. Hmph. Don't die too easily, brat.
Menma's chakra erupted in a crimson explosion.
"WRAAAHHH!"
The swirling red aura tore through the trees, forming a bubbling chakra cloak. Three tails lashed out behind him, each one dripping with power. The earth trembled beneath his feet.
Orochimaru's eyes widened, impressed. "The Nine-Tails' chakra… and he's already manifesting three tails?"
The air distorted from the sheer intensity. Orochimaru's earlier arrogance vanished, replaced with serious focus.
At that moment, Menma's figure blurred forward — his speed now matching elite jōnin levels.
Their clash came instantly.
THUD!
Menma's heel came crashing down, forcing Orochimaru to raise his arms in defense. The ground beneath them cratered, dust blasting outward.
'Such force…!' Orochimaru thought, his eyes flashing cold.
"Shadow Snake Hand!"
From his sleeves, countless serpents burst forth, hissing and snapping. Each snake's fangs glistened with venom.
Menma only smirked. "Tch. Too slow."
He clapped his hands, and the chakra cloak roared to life — its tails spinning and smashing through the incoming serpents like whips of raw destruction. The forest erupted with shockwaves.
Orochimaru's eyelids twitched. "Impressive… truly impressive."
But the grin returned to his lips. "Still, you're not the only one with a few tricks."
He leapt backward, weaving hand signs in a blur.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Blood splattered from his bitten thumb as he slammed his palm into the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
A massive burst of smoke filled the clearing. When it cleared, the ground trembled under the weight of a colossal serpent — Manda's lesser kin, its violet scales glinting in the fading light.
The snake's eyes gleamed with hunger as it hissed toward Menma.
Menma's gaze hardened, red chakra flaring even brighter. "So, this is the power of one of the Sannin…"
The forest roared as both forces clashed again — the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails and the serpent sage of the Hidden Leaf, locked in a battle that would shake the Forest of Death to its roots.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ 35+ CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE FOR LIFETIME ACCESS!
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 125 ON PATREON.
Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD