Even at a distance, the power and heat from Daichi's right-hand Rasengan rippled across the air, warping the light around it.
Meanwhile, the swirling Wind Rasengan crackled with lethal cutting potential. Daichi's arms slightly shook, and the battered ground beneath him cracked from the chakra pressure.
Daichi internally grimaced as he held two extremely powerful techniques in his hands. 'If I didn't have the game's body or the Hundred healing seal, I'd be in big trouble right now.'
Up ahead, Orochimaru sensed the threat creeping ever higher. He kept shooting anxious glances from multiple serpent eyes, each pinned under that tri-ninjutsu combo. 'I have to do something… If even one of those spheres touches me, it could pierce my defenses and destroy most of my body from the inside out. But if those jutsus hit me together, I'm finished.'
The danger radiating from Daichi's dual Rasengans was palpable, setting Orochimaru's instincts on edge. Swallowing fear, he channeled more chakra through his monstrous body. 'I have to break free and attack him before he can launch those at me.'
Three of the Eight Serpent's heads aggressively struggled and managed to break free of the trap. Stone arms snapped under the sudden surge of power, and Orochimaru roared triumphantly. 'Finally! Time to cripple that brat. With his Regeneration seal, he should be able to recover by the time I capture him.'
The newly freed serpentine necks lunged forward, jaws wide, aiming to strike Daichi before he could launch his monstrous jutsu.
But in this heated battle Orochimaru made a small error. He ignored Jiraiya, Kakashi and Tobirama. He failed to take in the threat they posed and how quickly they could react.
The three Leaf ninjas sprang into action the moment they saw the large snake heads break free. The three shinobi appeared near the real Daichi and quickly spread out.
Tobirama's hands flew through a flurry of signs, and a fierce torrent of water materialized around his mouth.
"Water Style: Severing Waves!"
A high-pressure stream of water, so sharp it could carve through rock—sliced cleanly through one of the massive serpentine necks. The head hit the swamp with a thunderous impact, sending mud and blood splattering in all directions.
Kakashi dashed forward, lightning crackling from his palms. He shaped it into a long spear-like projection that extended several meters ahead, honing it into a lethal point. "Chidori Spear!"
He lunged, piercing through another of the hydra's attacking heads right through the long neck. The serpent's head was cut cleanly and arcs of electricity raced across the lifeless scales as it fell to the ground.
Jiraiya's hair expanded rapidly as he made his move. "Art of the Raging Lion's Mane!"
His white hair hardened into razor-sharp tendrils, lashing out with unstoppable force. They coiled around the third serpentine neck, constricting it violently until the scales tore, severing the monstrous head in a spray of dark blood.
All three heads collapsed, leaving the battered hydra pinned once more in the swamp, only five heads left to hiss and convulse.
Orochimaru, rage twisted across his features, howled in fury from the safety of one of the intact heads. "You… meddlesome fools! Getting in my way again and again."
"We did it," Kakashi muttered, breathing fast. The Chidori spear took a lot out of him.
"Yeah, but is it enough?" Jiraiya asked with doubt.
He and the other two turned to see if Daichi needed help and they quickly realized that the rest of the plan was already in motion.
—-
As Kakashi, Jiraiya and Tobirama were launching their strikes, at that very moment, the three Daichi shadow clones who had pinned Orochimaru's Eight headed serpent form with the triple-layer ninjutsu the Swamp of the Underworld, Gaia's Subjugation, and the Everbright Prism let go of their techniques and swiftly moved away.
All three clones, along with the fourth clone that had assisted Daichi in creating the wind Rasengan, quickly repositioned themselves.
They formed a large precise square around Orochimaru's enormous hydra form, standing equidistantly at perfect angles.
The movement of the clones drew the attention of everyone.
'They're moving in perfect synchronicity and formed a four-point formation around Orochimaru's trapped form… They're setting up some kind of barrier.' Jiraiya realized, eyes narrowing in fascination.
What Jiraiya could figure out, Orochimaru had also figured out. 'No! They're trying to corner me here and concentrate their attack. I have to break through.'
He immediately attacked the stone hands with renewed vigor. He tried to break free and move away from the swamped terrain.
Nearby, the real Daichi glanced back at Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tobirama. His voice cut through the roars and hisses coming from Orochimaru's large form. "Get behind me!"
There was such commanding authority in Daichi's tone that they didn't question it. Recognizing the urgency, the three shinobi obeyed the unexpected order. They swiftly moved behind Daichi and retreated a safe distance behind him.
'If I'm right those jutsus would have a high attack radius. We might not even be safe here… but I suppose I have no choice but to trust him.' Jiraiya looked towards the 4 clones and something suddenly clicked. 'I see. So that's what you're planning.'
BOOM! CRASH!
Orochimaru suddenly broke through the stone hands that held his body and tried to move towards the real Daichi.
But just then the 6th Shadow clone Daichi had created earlier silently and stealthy landed atop Orochimaru's serpent head.
'What the? What is that?' The Sannin was startled.
The 6th clone captured the enemy's attention and immediately went through hand seals and then placed his palms on the colossal serpent body. 'Got ya!'
Suddenly the four clones also activated their next technique. "Ninja Art: Four Flames Formation!" Their chakra flared, bright and focused, as they wove identical sequences of seals.
Flickers of deep purple energy burst from each clone, snaking across the battlefield to connect with the others in a perfect square. In a heartbeat, glowing, translucent walls shot up around Orochimaru's hydra form, boxing him in. The barrier extended deep beneath the swampy ground, ensuring there was no escape from even below.
Orochimaru growled furiously, struggling in vain against his confinement. 'So he studied barrier ninjutsu after all. The intelligence I received about him is all wrong.'
From the outside, Kakashi and the others saw tall, semi-transparent purple planes standing like fortress walls around the serpent. 'He can't burrow and he can't break through… It's a complete entrapment.'
Jiraiya's eyes slightly widened, recognizing the powerful barrier technique. "So you even mastered a high-level barrier ninjutsu like this? Is there anything you can't do?"
Kakashi, while impressed, internally sighed. 'This kid's tactical foresight and preparation are as thorough as always.'
The Leaf Jonin's thoughts went to the battle he had with Daichi more than half a year ago. 'At that time Daichi was at the level where he would have to run away if he encountered Orochimaru. Now less than a year later it's Orochimaru who has to run away after coming face to face with Daichi… Unbelievable. This kid's growth is far too strange.'
Within the safety of the barrier, Orochimaru's frustration grew into panic, his massive form thrashing violently but unable to penetrate the formidable walls.
Suddenly sealing lines began to spread all over his body stopping his movements. The next second massive amounts of Lightning spread from the seals.
"Aaarrrhhh….!"
The Shadow clone standing above Orochimaru had a sadistic grin. "Look at you. You have such a fearsome reputation but here you are. Overpowered and outsmarted. Since the moment our battle began, you couldn't even fight back against me. How pathetic, Orochimaru."
"You insolent… wretched boy! I'll… make sure… to teach you some proper manners." The Sannin said through gritted teeth as he endured the painful technique.
"Somehow I don't see that happening." Clone Daichi increased the strength of his technique and got serious.
"Do you even feel a bit of remorse for what you did? She was once your teammate. Your fellow villager." Daichi asked the man with an expressionless face.
Despite being trapped in a cage and being kept paralyzed with Lightning ninjutsu, Orochimaru couldn't help but have a mocking smile as he heard the question.
"I thought… you would have a question far more meaningful. I… misjudged you… brat. You might be strong. But you're no different… than the average waste… that takes up space and resources in this world… Just like… Your teacher. Like your Grandfather."
Daichi stayed silent for a few moments and Orochimaru considered that a small victory for him.
But then the Genin spoke. "I have to admit. You sure do know how to press people's buttons with just your words. Now granted… It's not your best work. I mean even Kakashi sensei could have come up with something more threatening or insulting that would have gotten me riled up a bit more. And that's not even his style." The Genin spoke, shrugging his shoulders.
The victorious feeling Orochimaru felt vanished hearing the Genin talk.
Suddenly massive killing intent and chakra flared from the boy even as he kept his calm expression. He instantly increased the power of his lightning jutsu multiple times and sent Orochimaru's massive body writhing in extreme agony.
"Still… Even if it was a poor attempt, it got the job done. You pissed me off even more. And I didn't even think that was possible." Daichi murmured the last part to himself.
—-
The same time the 6th clone appeared atop Orochimaru.
As the clones reinforced the barrier, and kept an eye on things inside, the real Daichi set about another intricate maneuver.
'Looks like he'll keep Orochimaru busy for a while. Now's my chance.'
He had formed two swirling orbs: the Fire Rasengan in his right hand, the Wind Rasengan in his left. Now, thin streams of chakra lines extended from each fingertip, latching onto the orbs like threads, turning each chakra orb into a dangerous, spinning weapon tethered like yoyos.
'I can't just throw them by hand, that'd be too cumbersome… but with these strings, I can control their movement at high speed.'
Daichi began spinning the Rasengans rapidly, increasing their momentum. Their intense elemental energies radiated outward with explosive force.
The raging Fire Rasengan pulsed with scorching heat, making the space around it blisteringly hot. The Wind Rasengan crackled with slicing currents, the air around it shimmering white.
Fire and wind surged all around and their combined force was nearly overwhelming.
"Let's get them spinning faster," Daichi muttered. The orbs whirled faster and faster, twin yoyos of destructive chakra dancing around him.
Gusts of burning wind pulsed outward, forcing Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Tobirama to leap back an additional dozen meters from the fiery chakra storm.
Splinters of rock rattled away from Daichi's feet under the intense pressure.
"He's controlling them like tethered projectiles." Jiraiya observed and gave his thoughts.
Kakashi shielded his face from the blasts of wind and flame, silently acknowledging how lethal Daichi's new technique was. "The mix of those two nature transformations… It's as if I'm standing near a volcano that's about to erupt."
Tobirama looked around and noted the changes. 'He's raising the ambient temperature drastically. The heat has warped the atmosphere all around this area. Once he launches that jutsu, it might start to affect the clouds.'
—-
Within the shimmering Four Flames barrier, Orochimaru's Hydra form roared in rage as he was trapped under the lightning jutsu. "This is… far from over, Daichi. You have no idea… What I can do."
"Those are words of the weak, Orochimaru. It doesn't matter what you can do. It won't change what's about to happen." The clone replied calmly.
Acid drool bubbled from its serpentine maws in anger but the barrier's reinforced edges held firm.
"You're quite arrogant… aren't you?"
"I'm twelve years old. And I have you, a shinobi who's dozens of years older than me, who fought in the third world war and competed for the position of fourth Hokage paralyzed under my feet ready to kill… So you tell me if I'm arrogant or simply confident in my skills."
Daichi's words were a sharp blow to the Snake Sannin's psyche.
'Now's the moment.' Outside the barrier the real Daichi exhaled, eyes narrowing in lethal focus.
He maintained perfect control, rapidly increasing their momentum until they became nearly blinding in speed. 'One final blow…'
He had prepared for this, planned with the clones for just such a scenario. Orochimaru was pinned, wounded and trapped, giving him the perfect opening.
"On my signal, open the front portion of the barrier!" Daichi commanded the clones through the message array jutsu. The clones, still channeling the barrier, nodded.
"5…" The real Daichi called out.
Shizune, still guarded by the fifth Daichi clone and tending to her unconscious teacher, clenched her trembling fists. Her eyes were locked on Daichi's distant form, her mind repeating a single fervent prayer. 'Please… end this battle. Get justice for Lady Tsunade.'
"4…"
Kakashi and Jiraiya were getting nervous as the chakra orbs increased in power. 'Come on kid. End this fight… For all of us.'
Far away in the Hidden Leaf village, Hiruzen Sarutobi was watching the battle through the eyes and ears of the Second Hokage. 'Since you want to avenge Tsunade… Don't hold back. Correct the mistake I once made… and finish it.'
"3…"
Seeing his real self getting ready with his attack, the shadow clone standing atop the fearsome missing ninja looked at him with a calm gaze.. "You can learn all the jutsus you want. You can take over any bloodline you want. But you will never stand at the summit of this era for one single reason." Daichi said those words with such strength and finality that it stunned the Sannin into stillness.
"2…"
"Because I am here."
"1…"
—----------------
Author's Note:-
In case it isn't obvious, the Kakashi in this timeline is stronger than the one in canon.
The 6th clone used a special ninjutsu. It combines certain effects of Danzo's curse mark (The one that paralyses people. The one he used on Sasuke) And lightning jutsu. Both keep him trapped and he won't be able to reverse summon himself to safety.
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