Although the Jōnin was suffering from internal injuries—his internal organs slightly displaced from resisting Sarutobi's powerful ninjutsu—and his strength was reduced to only fifty percent, he was still a Jōnin trained by a great nation like the Land of Wind. The intensity of his taijutsu (body techniques), the speed of his movements, and his sheer will to fight made Orochimaru feel a subtle strain!
Clang! Clang! Clang!—
The two clashed their kunai repeatedly in mid-air. While Orochimaru felt the struggle, the Jōnin was also having a tough time. He used every ounce of skill he had, his sharp kunai constantly parrying Orochimaru's attacks and looking for an opening. However, the longer he fought, the more his heart seized up. He could sense the monstrous, prodigious talent of the child before him, who was not yet ten years old.
He wielded his kunai with textbook precision. His moves flowed tightly, showing few flaws—sometimes his attacks were continuous, like a mighty river, and other times his defense was as solid as a steep mountain wall.
Yet, Orochimaru's kunai style was unlike anything he had seen in all his years as a ninja, startling and baffling him!
Orochimaru's kunai switched between offense and defense with great speed. His attacks were like a free-roaming wild horse or a hanging antelope horn—unpredictable and impossible to guard against, making every strike a surprise. His defense, however, was like a loose yet flawless net, always appearing precisely where it needed to be to parry every potentially fatal blow.
In the Jōnin's view, Orochimaru's kunai style was agile yet insidious, bizarre yet cunning, like a viper constantly weaving around its prey—elusive and impossible to predict. However, the ever-present threat to the enemy's life forced constant vigilance, because a moment of relaxation could be met with the viper's lethal fangs!
Clang! Clang! Clang!—
The two exchanged several more blows before breaking apart. Hah! Hah!— They stood several meters apart, panting heavily, locking their murderous intent onto each other. Neither dared to launch a careless attack for fear of exposing a weakness.
This brief but dangerous skirmish left three several-centimeter-long cuts on Orochimaru's arm and chest.
The Jōnin, however, had twice as many. Orochimaru's agile, demonic kunai style had truly made him suffer. Already nursing internal injuries, he now had six more fresh cuts, worsening his condition. The scales of victory were beginning to tilt, and the Grim Reaper had already raised his scythe!
Hoo—
Taking a deep breath, Orochimaru tried his best to steady his breathing. He shook the kunai in his hand to ease the soreness in his right arm. The Jōnin's physical strength and power were still something he couldn't fully counter. Even with his internal injuries, this brief confrontation had left Orochimaru's wrist aching badly, almost cramping!
His eyes flashed as his mind raced. Orochimaru took out another kunai from his ninja pouch and placed it in his left hand. Two kunai now spun in his hands, circling like two turning light wheels in his pale, jade-like palms, flashing with cold, sharp light.
Watching Orochimaru's movements, the Jōnin's heart gradually sank. He had initially thought Orochimaru's choice to forgo ninjutsu and duel with taijutsu and kunai was the arrogance of a youth unaware of danger. But now, it was clear: this young boy was terrifyingly composed and powerful!
Holding the two kunai, Orochimaru gave the Jōnin a wicked smile. This smile, which would make every maiden in Konoha scream, was utterly cruel and cold in the Jōnin's eyes!
Springing forward, Orochimaru became a black shadow, instantly attacking the Jōnin.
In an urgent frenzy, the Jōnin quickly drew a second kunai, clumsily defending himself with two blades.
However, the second kunai, grabbed in haste, resulted in a dual-wielding technique that was clearly a step below his single-kunai skill. Not only did it fail to increase his fighting power, but it became a burden. Some of his single-kunai moves were used awkwardly, riddled with flaws!
Orochimaru, on the other hand, executed a dual-kunai assassination technique that he had created and mastered in his past life.
The two kunai in his hands—sometimes stabbing straight, sometimes flipping over for a horizontal slash, and instantly changing grip from forward to reverse—allowed his attack methods to transform in the blink of an eye.
The two kunai were like two poisonous snakes. In the span of ten-plus breaths, they had already opened five more cuts on the Jōnin's body. One cut, over ten centimeters long, missed his heart by only an inch. If the Jōnin hadn't reacted in time, he would already be a corpse!
Stumbling backward, the Jōnin increased the safe distance, looking at Orochimaru with horror and disbelief. His single-kunai technique was as proficient as an assassin immersed in bloodshed for years, and now his dual-kunai technique was equally skillful. This was beyond what the word "genius" could describe!
By now, the battle between the Chūnin on the other side was over. Six elite Konoha Chūnin, flanking three demoralized Suna Chūnin, had eliminated the remaining enemies without suspense.
After finishing the battle, the six elite Konoha Chūnin dispersed, forming a loose circle outside the ongoing duel between Orochimaru and the Jōnin. They maintained a lookout to prevent the Jōnin's escape while observing Orochimaru's combat skills. The dual-kunai assassination technique he had just displayed truly amazed and impressed all six.
Orochimaru's eerie dark-golden snake eyes calmly looked at the Jōnin opposite him. He smiled sinisterly: "Heh heh, old man, can you still offer me any fun? If not, you can go on your way."
Hah! Hah!— The Jōnin panted heavily. He was nearing his limit. Not only was his chakra low, but his physical strength and endurance had also been severely depleted during the frantic battle.
He ignored Orochimaru's provocation. As a Jōnin from a major nation, he undoubtedly possessed a tenacious, battle-hardened will.
His gaze swept over the circle of elite Konoha Chūnin surrounding him. He knew he wouldn't be leaving this place alive today!
His eyes narrowed, seeming to come to some quiet decision!
Swoosh! Swoosh!—
The Jōnin threw down the two kunai in his hands. Thud! Thud!— The kunai struck the muddy earth with a dull sound.
The Jōnin fixed his gaze on Orochimaru. His aura abruptly surged, and his hands began to weave hand seals rapidly.
Orochimaru loosely held the two kunai in his hands, watching the Jōnin's movements with interest. Sensing the chakra fluctuation around the Jōnin growing increasingly violent, the excitement in Orochimaru's dark-golden snake eyes deepened. As an uncrowned king who knew virtually every ninjutsu recorded in Konoha, he clearly recognized that this must be a self-created jutsu by the Jōnin!
Orochimaru trembled, excited and curious. What could be more intriguing to him than witnessing an entirely new ninjutsu?
He widened his eyes, eagerly anticipating the effect of this technique!
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