This wasn't the most powerful serpent of Ryūchi Cave—merely one of Orochimaru's standard summons. Still, even an average serpent from that sacred den could easily overwhelm most jōnin-level shinobi. Facing Menma, who had only unleashed a fraction of the Nine-Tails' chakra—roughly equivalent to three tails—Orochimaru saw no need to summon the monstrous Manda.
After all, countless lesser serpents slithered in Ryūchi Cave—sacrificing a few meant nothing to the Snake Sannin.
Yet, the one he had summoned now was far stronger than the one that had toyed with Naruto and Sasuke earlier.
After all, the power radiating from Menma far surpassed anything either of the two genin had shown.
"Summoning Technique… huh? Looks really cool."
Menma's golden, fox-like eyes reflected the towering serpent beneath Orochimaru. A flicker of envy crossed his gaze.
Every boy wanted something cool like that.
'If I get the chance… I'll have one too.'
That thought barely finished when—
"Swoosh!"
The serpent lunged, fangs gleaming with venom, the sheer speed of its massive body rivaling that of high-speed jōnin.
Had it been the old Menma, he wouldn't have even reacted in time.
But now… he was cloaked in the Nine-Tails' chakra.
His reflexes, strength, and perception had all skyrocketed.
To any ordinary shinobi, this serpent was a nightmare—but to Menma, it was prey.
His expression didn't waver as he leapt effortlessly into the air.
"Rasengan!"
In his palm, a swirling sphere of chakra formed instantly—dense, pure, destructive.
"!?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
Menma had completed the technique instantly.
"Swoosh!"
He stepped forward midair, thrusting the Rasengan down.
Orochimaru's grin faltered. He vaulted backward, commanding the serpent to lunge up and swallow Menma whole—
—but Menma's speed was greater.
"Bang!"
He evaded the snapping jaws and slammed his palm down upon the serpent's head.
"Rasengan!"
A thunderous detonation followed.
"HUAHHH!"
Blood and scales exploded outward as the Rasengan's force shredded the serpent's skull, spraying crimson across the clearing.
'This brat…' Orochimaru's slit pupils narrowed dangerously. Rage flickered behind his calm smile.
"Boom."
Chakra surged around him. From his gaping mouth, Orochimaru drew a glinting blade—the Kusanagi Sword.
Menma's eyes widened.
A divine weapon—its sharpness capable of piercing even Susano'o.
This was no longer a test. Orochimaru was fighting seriously.
'A Kage-level monster… perfect. Let's see how far I can push this form!'
A fierce grin formed on Menma's lips as his chakra flared.
"Boom!"
Blood-red chakra cloaked him more intensely, the tails behind him shifting and writhing.
"Bang!"
He burst forward, shattering the ground beneath his feet.
Orochimaru smirked, tongue flicking.
"Hehehe…"
Their figures blurred, crashing into each other in a flash of steel and chakra.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Sparks lit the darkened forest.
The shockwaves rippled outward, toppling trees and scattering leaves.
"Boom!"
Steel met chakra. Snakes hissed. Explosions echoed through the trees.
Their clash far surpassed the earlier fight between Zabuza and Kakashi—this was a high-tier battle of monsters.
Menma's body adapted rapidly. The Nine-Tails' chakra synchronized with his movements; his strikes grew sharper, faster, more precise.
Even as Orochimaru's skill and the Kusanagi blade cut through his chakra cloak, Menma healed instantly—the Uzumaki bloodline's regenerative power fusing with the Nine-Tails' vitality.
The pain only fueled him further.
"Tch… this brat…" Orochimaru's amusement turned to irritation.
He had expected Menma to lose control or exhaust himself under the burden of three tails. The chakra of the Nine-Tails was too volatile for a child to manage.
What he didn't know was that Menma had already reached a fragile understanding with Kurama—the Nine-Tails' will supporting him just enough to stabilize his form.
The Uzumaki bloodline, combined with Kurama's grudging cooperation, made Menma's control formidable.
'Three tails? No… this isn't my limit.'
Menma's heartbeat thundered. His chakra surged higher.
'Kurama… more! I need more!'
A deep growl echoed within him as his eyes slit fully.
"Buzz…"
The blood-red aura thickened—menacing, suffocating.
A fourth tail sprouted.
Orochimaru's expression finally changed.
That oppressive power…
Even he, the Snake Sannin, felt danger gnawing at him.
The power of four tails could kill him outright.
And this was still within the Hidden Leaf Village—too risky to continue.
"Ninja Art: Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Orochimaru's hands weaved through seals as he spewed forth a storm of serpents, creating a living wall of scales and fangs between them.
By the time Menma's chakra claws shredded through the horde, Orochimaru had already retreated to a safe distance—his golden eyes gleaming with both intrigue and caution.