Chapter 234: Chapter 235
Now, the Senju clan had faded into mediocrity, with only Tsunade remaining to carry its name. The Uchiha clan, nearly annihilated, was left with only two brothers; though their numbers had increased slightly, like the Hagoromo clan, they remained out of the public eye.
Beyond these three great families, other historically significant clans had either vanished or were difficult to approach.
The Uzumaki clan had long since ceased to exist; the Hyuga clan was bound by the Caged Bird Seal, with only a few members of the main family confined to the Leaf Village; and since the death of Kimimaro, the Kaguya clan had fallen completely silent.
Orochimaru surveyed the entire shinobi world. The ancient clans either no longer existed, or they were out of reach.
No, there was one exception in his own ranks: Karin.
Her vibrant red hair, the natural mastery of the Kagura Mind's Eye, and her unique regenerative abilities made it clear she was an excellent surviving member of the Uzumaki clan.
Previously, Orochimaru had focused too much on Sasuke and his Sharingan, neglecting Karin, whose training he had somewhat disregarded, leaving much of her potential untapped.
But now, with Sasuke having awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and his own soul fragmented, he realized he could no longer control him.
And after witnessing this incredible battle between Hashirama and Gensou, Orochimaru understood the true power of bloodline inheritance.
He decided that his next Living Corpse Reincarnation would not involve his backup candidate, Guren, the wielder of Crystal Release, but Karin, with her inherited Uzumaki talents.
But all of this hinged on whether he could escape alive.
Casting a glance at Gensou and Hashirama, who were still fiercely engaged in battle with no sign of fatigue, Orochimaru continued to watch the fight on the surface.
Meanwhile, a white snake slipped silently out from his clothing and slithered away undetected.
However, it hadn't gone far when a beam of Storm Release laser shot from the battlefield, piercing through the empty shell Orochimaru had left behind and continued toward the white snake.
The snake's pupils shrank.
Realizing it couldn't dodge the laser's speed and tracking ability, it opened its mouth, and Orochimaru's true body quickly slid out.
Moments later, the white snake disintegrated into ashes from the impact of the laser.
Rising once more, Orochimaru grimaced and looked back at the battlefield, just in time to catch Gensou casting him a warning glance, one full of deadly intent.
Orochimaru muttered, his tone dark, "Engaged in such an intense battle with the First Hokage, and still keeping an eye on me… truly at ease."
He began to realize that his estimation of Gensou's power might have been vastly understated.
But the stronger Gensou appeared, the more Orochimaru knew he had to escape.
Orochimaru was not easily intimidated.
He quickly began making his next move.
And all of it was observed by the Rinnegan-controlled summoned creatures lurking nearby.
Naturally, Gensou noticed it as well.
"It's time to end this."
Having made up his mind, Gensou raised his power against Hashirama.
Boom! Boom!
After a few more exchanges, Hashirama was forced to retreat a few steps.
Suddenly, Gensou teleported behind Hashirama and grabbed his shoulder.
Unconcerned about the loss of his arm, Hashirama prepared to counterattack.
But Gensou's Rinnegan activated.
Chakra Absorption.
Instantly, the Sage Chakra within Hashirama began flowing into Gensou.
Also proficient in Sage Mode, Gensou had no fear of natural energy rampaging within him and absorbed it without restraint.
Quickly, Hashirama's chakra drained faster than it could replenish, and his energy waned.
Sensing the difference in his own Sage Chakra compared to Hashirama's, Gensou's aura intensified as he directed his hand toward Hashirama.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Black rods shot from his palm, piercing Hashirama's limbs, head, and chest, pinning him to the ground.
Having accomplished this, Gensou stepped over Hashirama's prone form and strode purposefully toward Orochimaru.
"Damn it!" Orochimaru fled desperately.
He could never have predicted that the previously unstoppable Hashirama would fall so quickly.
Realizing Gensou had now set his sights on him, Orochimaru, knowing he was no match, used every possible method to escape.
Yet no matter what technique or secret method he employed, Gensou could effortlessly see through it, unable to delay him for even a second.
Before long, Orochimaru felt an overwhelming force of attraction seize him.
Knowing what would happen next, his eyes filled with resolve.
"Eight-Headed Serpent Technique!"
A massive roar shook the air, and Orochimaru's form vanished, replaced by a colossal eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent, larger than even an incomplete Susanoo.
This was Orochimaru's ultimate technique.
Clearly, he was going all out.
"Interesting," Gensou muttered, slowly lowering his hand as he clenched his fingers.
He looked at the legendary eight-headed serpent curiously, but then shook his head indifferently.
As the serpent lunged toward him, Gensou vanished, reappearing atop one of the serpent's heads.
"Cutting off each head like Susanoo did? Too much trouble. Let's be direct."
Murmuring to himself, Gensou extended his fingers, pressing them against the serpent's head.
Rinnegan Human Path: Soul Extraction.
With a firm grasp, he began forcibly pulling Orochimaru's soul from within the eight-headed serpent.
"How can this be?!"
Orochimaru was horrified. His prized Eight-Headed Serpent Technique was utterly useless against Gensou, as his soul was being wrenched away.
This was far more brutal than the Reaper Death Seal.
Roaring in defiance, Orochimaru struggled against the Human Path's power, trying to manipulate the serpent to hurl Gensou off.
But it was too late.
Gensou intensified his focus, and with one final pull, Orochimaru's soul was completely extracted.
Instantly, the massive eight-tailed serpent froze, its remaining heads and tails poised to strike, but paralyzed.
As Gensou crushed Orochimaru's soul in his grasp, the serpent's form disintegrated, melting away like a statue made of wax.
At that moment, a tiny white snake slithered unnoticed from the remains of the serpent, burrowing into the ground in a desperate attempt to escape.
A single Scorch Release fireball descended from above.
Despite its struggle, the little white snake was reduced to ashes.
The hunt was successful.
Orochimaru perished on the spot.
When Gensou returned to where he had left Hashirama, he found that the Edo Tensei technique had unraveled due to Orochimaru's death, releasing Hashirama's soul.
There was no time for a farewell this time.
Now, everything was truly over.
Or was it?
There was still one last little pest.
(End of Chapter)
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