The full Six Paths power enables one to wield all forms of Kekkei Genkai, including Kekkei Tota and Kekkei Mora. However, Naruto and Sasuke had only just begun to access Six Paths chakra, so they couldn't fully control it yet. At this stage, they could merely passively accept the physical changes granted by the power. They still had a long road ahead before mastering it.
Dissipating their Lightning attribute chakra, both dashed forward simultaneously, rushing toward Orochimaru. The kunai in Naruto's hand and the White Fang tanto in Sasuke's flowed together seamlessly as they continuously launched attacks at Orochimaru. The unceasing assault surrounded him like a violent storm.
However, Orochimaru was originally one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha—a renowned Kage-level expert. Although taijutsu wasn't his strongest specialty, he certainly wasn't weak in it either. While Naruto and Sasuke's assault appeared fierce, every time their attacks came near, Orochimaru managed to evade perfectly. When evasion wasn't possible, he deflected the attacks with a quick flick of his blade. For a while, not so much as a single thread on his robe was damaged.
"This sword technique feels strangely familiar... and that kunai too—I feel like I've seen it somewhere before!"
Even while locked in battle against Naruto and Sasuke, Orochimaru still found time to think. He found the design of Naruto's kunai vaguely recognizable, but didn't dwell on it much. After all, the Fourth Hokage had died many years ago, and his signature Flying Thunder God Kunai (specialized throwing weapons known for teleportation) were mostly forgotten by now. Besides, although there were minor differences between those kunai and standard ones, given how large the shinobi world was, people hardly noticed if different weapons looked similar—consider Samehada, a blade shaped like a fish.
Yet when it came to Sasuke's sword techniques, Orochimaru felt a stronger sense of familiarity. The Legend of the White Fang had gained fame even earlier than the Sannin, and in their younger days, he had personally witnessed that deadly sword style on the battlefield. Now, seeing Sasuke wield it stirred deep memories within Orochimaru.
Chapter 175: Naruto's Blood, Sakura's Outrage [Lower Part]
"I see now! So Kakashi Hatake passed down Sakumo Hatake's sword techniques to you. It seems he holds great expectations for you!"
Finally recalling where he'd seen Sasuke's swordplay before, Orochimaru suddenly wore an amused expression. He wondered how Kakashi would feel if Sasuke—who had inherited Sakumo Hatake's techniques—ended up defecting. Would his reaction be anything like how Sarutobi-sensei had felt about his own betrayal?!
"Distracted during combat is never a good habit, Orochimaru!"
Just as these thoughts churned inside Orochimaru, Sakura's voice rang out beside him. At the same time, Naruto and Sasuke launched a final coordinated strike, forcing Orochimaru back before retreating quickly.
[Water Release: Water Dragon Bite!]
Spiraling currents spread across the ground. Countless arrow-shaped streams of water shot up from the vortex, aiming directly at Orochimaru high above. With Sakura pouring a massive amount of chakra into it, dense waves of water formed an endless torrent of arrows that darkened the sky—an unprecedented sight as the rain of arrows surged straight upward.
"This is... the Second Hokage's Water Release technique!"
Orochimaru immediately recognized the jutsu. He had read about its existence before but had never learned how to master it himself. Never did he expect to experience it firsthand today.
The relentless streams slashed past him, carving countless wounds across his body. Then, the water that soared high into the sky quickly condensed into the shape of a dragon's head. Its massive jaws swung open wide and dove downward, aiming straight for Orochimaru beneath.
"Boom!"
Orochimaru's body slammed onto the ground, splashing water everywhere. It lay motionless, as if dead.
"Did we get him?" Sasuke frowned, uncertainly asking.
"There's no way he's dead," Sakura said tensely, still on high alert. Among Konoha's Sannin, Tsunade specialized in Medical Ninjutsu, mainly serving a supportive role, while Jiraiya was known for possessing the most powerful battle prowess. But when it came to survivability, no one could match Orochimaru.
Just like in the original storyline, Orochimaru had faced death countless times yet always managed to return from the brink. Even after being sealed by Itachi's Sword of Totsuka, he managed to revive through Anko's Cursed Seal. His persistence and resilience truly made him unmatched—the strongest survivor in the world. Someone like that wouldn't fall so easily to just one Water Release technique.
"I can't sense any life signs from him!" Naruto said, puzzled. Thanks to his own outrageously strong vitality, Naruto was especially sensitive to the life signs of others. Whether someone was alive or dead was easy for him to detect. "But my gut tells me—he isn't dead!"
"Stay sharp, everyone."
Sakura whispered a warning. The three turned back-to-back, forming a defensive formation ready for attack from any direction.
"Heheheh..."
A chilling laughter unique to Orochimaru echoed through the trees. The body lying on the ground suddenly began to dissolve, eventually collapsing into a pool of mud.
"I never expected I'd actually witness the legendary Water Release technique once developed by the Second Hokage! You've really surprised me—truly impressive!"
Second Hokage had created numerous ninjutsu techniques. Some even used to joke in Sakura's past life that he was the man of Kinjutsu techniques. Aside from those forbidden arts, his greatest skills were Flying Thunder God and Water Release. His mastery of Flying Thunder God earned him the title of "Fastest in the Shinobi World," while his Water Release techniques were said to be godlike — earning him the nickname the Water God. Water Release techniques fundamentally relied on Chakra Reserves Amount to unleash their power. As a member of the Senju Clan, Second Hokage certainly did not lack chakra. As a result, nearly all the Water Release techniques he developed were geared toward maximizing damage through massive chakra bursts. That's exactly why, despite how powerful the Water Release techniques crafted by the Second Hokage were, so few shinobi could ever master them — not just anyone could match the immense chakra reserves of the Senju Clan.
Orochimaru had believed that a [Water Dragon Blast], whose power depended heavily on the amount of chakra supplied, would never be seen again in his lifetime. Yet much to his surprise, Sakura — a mere Genin of Konoha — had just brought him such an astonishing revelation.
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