"Why don't we split up and try to escape? We might have a chance to save a few of us," Mucheng whispered, unsure of Orochimaru's combat abilities. However, he was well aware of the Kaguya ninja's violent chakra and the aura of bloodlust that surrounded him. Fear gripped Mucheng, causing him to feel cowardly in such a dire situation.
"Well...you can't do that!" Nanmu was on edge. As the most severely injured member of the squad, he knew he wouldn't be able to outrun their pursuers. Just a few hours ago, he had been the nominal leader of the team, and now he was being used as bait to buy time!
Nanmu inwardly cursed Mucheng, resenting him for his suggestion. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to say anything, realizing that their chances of victory were slim.
Suddenly, Tsunade stood up, speaking out, "Members of the Kaguya clan, the era of war is over. Can't we coexist peacefully now?"
"Oh? And what if I have to kill all of you?" The Kaguya ninja looked at Tsunade with a mischievous expression, but he didn't make any immediate moves.
"Humph! Let me tell you, lunatic. The person standing behind me is the princess of the Senju clan, and the three of us are apprentices of Konoha's Sarutobi. Have you heard of him? If you dare to touch us, Konoha won't let you go!"
"Jiraiya, shut up!" Tsunade and Mucheng exclaimed simultaneously, scolding him, "You idiot! You're getting us killed!" They chastised him under their breath.
"It's over...it's all over..." Mucheng lost all hope, discovering for the first time just how terrible it was to have such teammates.
Nanmu silently took a few steps backward.
Orochimaru's mind was filled with frustration. "Senju is already despised by most people, and he's a Kiri ninja aiming to kill us. And you're revealing our identities. Even if he wasn't planning to do it before, he'll definitely kill us now to silence us! Although I believe it was only a matter of time, why did you have to be so foolish?"
"Hahaha! I'll treat you little devil well. Such a big catch!" The Kaguya ninja paused for a moment, then clapped his hands, bursting into laughter that even brought tears to his eyes.
In that moment, Nanmu seized the opportunity and ran away. He had no desire to die.
"Oh, trying to escape, are you? I'm watching you!" The Kaguya ninja sneered, treating Nanmu like a rat. He extended his hand, mimicking a pistol gesture, and aimed it at Nanmu.
"BIU~" The single-shot bullet pierced through the air. This time, Orochimaru didn't intervene to block it.
"Pfft!" Nanmu's head was instantly pierced by the bullet, his skull and brain matter splattering in a gruesome display. His lifeless body fell to the ground.
Jiraiya also stood up and walked over to Orochimaru's side. "Orochimaru, I know you're incredibly powerful. Although that guy might be a Jōnin, together we might still have a chance."
"Oh, as expected of Jiraiya?" Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"No, this time let me handle it!" Orochimaru didn't say a word, rushing directly towards the Kaguya ninja. The wound on his foot had stopped bleeding earlier, but it reopened due to the intense movement.
The Kaguya ninja sought revenge on them for the past, but Orochimaru didn't want to risk his life just to strengthen his power.
Let's see who's stronger! Let's give it our all!
Orochimaru could feel the boiling blood coursing through his veins, his power surging frantically, almost overwhelming him.
A multitude of snakes emerged, mouths agape with sharp teeth, lunging at the Kaguya ninja from all directions. Some entangled his limbs, while others bit into his flesh. Some devoured his face!
"What the hell is this?" The Kaguya ninja angrily slashed at the snakes with his bone knife. But these elusive serpents proved difficult to fend off with his short knife and bone spurs. He sustained several bites, blood flowing from the areas where the bones offered no protection.
"Bone Spears!" The Kaguya ninja roared, causing additional bone spurs to grow on his body. With swift and precise movements, he slashed through the snakes coiling around him, causing countless fragments to scatter.
"Bone Veins: Ten Fingers Piercing Bullets!" The Kaguya ninja unleashed this technique, charging at Orochimaru like a hedgehog.
Using his mental power, Orochimaru traced the trajectory of the projectiles and deftly dodged them. This technique was potent due to its ability to assassinate with minimal chakra fluctuations, catching enemies off guard. However, with adequate preparation, it became easier to avoid.
"Boy, you're quite clever. As a reward, I'll dismember you!" The Kaguya ninja still had a few lifeless snakes hanging from his bone spurs as he rushed toward Orochimaru at an astonishing speed.
"Is that so?" A wicked smile formed on the corner of Orochimaru's mouth. He launched a projectile that embedded itself deeply into the ground between them.
An earth wall instantly materialized, separating the two combatants. However, the Kaguya ninja swiftly rolled over, slashing at the wall with his bone spurs, causing the clumps of earth to crumble like diced vegetables. The blades repeatedly sliced through the earth, creating a spectacle.
"Exploding Tags: Detonating Talisman!" Orochimaru had planted several explosive tags on the earth wall, awaiting this precise moment.
"It's useless," the Kaguya ninja sneered as he observed Orochimaru's strategy.
"Boom!" In an instant, the earth wall shattered into countless fragments, filling the air with smoke and debris.
"Did it work?" Mucheng clenched his teeth, desiring to escape as well, but knowing their identities now, he didn't dare to flee.
A grotesque figure emerged from the smoke, hurtling towards Orochimaru. "You think you can kill me with such a cheap trick?" The Kaguya ninja was disheveled, his arms charred black. However, what troubled Orochimaru was that these were only superficial wounds. The Kaguya clan's body was incredibly resilient!
The Kaguya ninja struck Orochimaru, who had been caught off guard while airborne, leaving him with no room to evade. But at the last moment, a layer of fine snake scales emerged under Orochimaru's clothing, absorbing the impact of the blow.
"Bang!" Orochimaru was sent flying but managed to regain control of his body. He landed on the ground, stumbling back several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"It hurts! I can barely breathe!" Orochimaru had suffered a significant blow for the first time. He felt as if his entire body had been shaken, and his reinforced body was unable to withstand such overwhelming force.
"Orochimaru, are you alright?" Tsunade expressed genuine concern, aware that she couldn't penetrate the Kaguya ninja's defense. She knew better than to recklessly jump into the fight.
Both Jiraiya and Mucheng were in shock. The Kaguya ninja's body was unbelievably resilient. And Orochimaru was managing to hold his ground against him. The two of them were like monsters! They had underestimated the task they undertook.
The two ninjas guarding Tsunade quietly moved closer behind her, their eyes filled with fear as they glanced between Orochimaru and the Kaguya ninja.
Blood had pooled on the ground from the Kaguya ninja's waist and abdomen. He retrieved a piece of gauze and tightly wrapped it around his waist. His eyes burned with an unwavering fighting spirit as he looked at Orochimaru.
"Not bad, kid. The warm-up is over. Let's get serious now!"
The Kaguya ninja tilted his head and pulled out a spine from his back!
*****
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