Bab 50: 50. The Serpents Struggle
Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock as Sasuke's blade pierced his defenses. The cold steel glowed with the power of the Chidori, enhanced by the purified energy of the Curse Mark. The air around them sizzled with tension as Sasuke's strike drove deeper into Orochimaru's body, sending waves of energy crashing through the room.
For the first time in their battle, Orochimaru's composure cracked. His usually calm, sinister smile twisted into a grimace of pain as he staggered backward, blood dripping from the wound on his side. His hand shot out instinctively, summoning a series of snakes from his sleeves to wrap around Sasuke's arm and pull him back, but Sasuke's speed was relentless.
Without missing a beat, Sasuke twisted his body, his Sharingan spinning as he dodged the serpent's attack, the blade cutting through the snakes with ease. Orochimaru hissed in frustration, his voice rasping as he spoke. "You're stronger than I expected, Sasuke… but you still don't understand the true nature of power."
Orochimaru's body convulsed, his form rippling as he began to shed his skin like a snake. His old body crumpled to the ground, and from the grotesque remains emerged a new Orochimaru, unscathed by the damage Sasuke had inflicted. His eyes gleamed with renewed vigor, the smile returning to his face.
"You see, Sasuke… I am eternal," Orochimaru said, his voice dripping with malice. "You can wound me, but I will always return. You cannot defeat what cannot die."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his sword. He could feel the power of the Curse Mark thrumming beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed in full. "I'm not the same boy you once knew, Orochimaru. I've faced death, and I've overcome it. You're not immortal. You're just running from your own weakness."
With that, Sasuke charged again, his blade moving like lightning as he unleashed a barrage of strikes. Orochimaru slithered back, his movements unnaturally fluid as he dodged the attacks. His laughter echoed through the room, but Sasuke wasn't deterred.
The room around them was a blur of motion as Sasuke pressed his advantage, his strikes becoming faster and more precise. Orochimaru's defenses began to falter, his once-untouchable form struggling to keep up with the relentless assault. Each clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the hideout, cracks forming in the walls and ceiling as the building itself began to tremble.
Naruto stood over the bodies of his fallen opponents, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. The battlefield around him was littered with the remnants of Orochimaru's forces, their bodies lying motionless as the last of their strength faded.
"You good, Naruto?" Sakura called out, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes. She had just finished off her own group of enemies, her fists still glowing faintly with chakra.
Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead, grinning as he looked over at her. "Yeah, I'm fine. But man, these guys didn't go down easy."
Anon appeared beside them, his presence as silent as ever. His blade was still drawn, and his eyes were sharp as he scanned the area for any remaining threats. "We need to move. Orochimaru is stalling for time, and Sasuke will need backup."
Naruto nodded, his expression turning serious. "Right. Let's go. Sasuke can't take that snake freak down alone."
The three of them moved swiftly toward the inner chambers of Orochimaru's hideout, their senses on high alert as they prepared for the next phase of the battle. They knew that Orochimaru's strongest followers were still lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Sasuke's blade clashed with Orochimaru's body again and again, each strike sending sparks of energy into the air. The room was filled with the sounds of battle, the ground beneath their feet cracking under the force of their fight.
"You think you can kill me, Sasuke?" Orochimaru's voice was mocking as he dodged another strike. "I've transcended death. You'll never be able to keep up."
Sasuke didn't respond. His mind was focused, his movements precise. The Curse Mark's power coursed through him, amplifying his speed and strength beyond anything Orochimaru had ever seen. His Sharingan tracked every movement, every shift in Orochimaru's body, allowing him to predict and counter with deadly accuracy.
But Orochimaru wasn't finished. With a twisted smile, he raised his hand, summoning a dark jutsu that filled the room with a thick, poisonous mist. The air became heavy, choking, and Sasuke's vision began to blur as the poison took hold.
Orochimaru's laughter echoed through the mist. "This is the end, Sasuke. You can't defeat me."
Sasuke's hand tightened on his blade, his breathing ragged as he fought to stay conscious. The poison was strong, but he wasn't about to give up. Not now. Not when he was so close.
"I'm not done yet," Sasuke growled, his voice filled with determination.
With a surge of willpower, Sasuke activated the full power of the Curse Mark. His body glowed with dark energy, the markings spreading across his skin as his strength surged to new heights. The poison in the air dissipated, burned away by the sheer force of Sasuke's chakra.
Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock as Sasuke's form reappeared through the mist, his power radiating like a dark sun. "Impossible…"
Sasuke's eyes glinted with fury. "This is where it ends."
He charged forward, his blade crackling with the power of the Chidori as he drove it toward Orochimaru's heart. The force of the attack shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves through the entire hideout.
Orochimaru tried to dodge, but Sasuke was too fast. The blade pierced through his chest, the electricity surging through his body with a deadly force. Orochimaru's eyes widened in disbelief as his body began to disintegrate under the power of Sasuke's attack.
But even as his body faded, Orochimaru's twisted smile remained. "You… think you've won? This is only… the beginning…"
Sasuke's expression remained cold as he twisted the blade, sending one final surge of chakra through Orochimaru's body. The last remnants of the snake's form dissolved into nothingness, leaving only silence in the room.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone