#15

Jirobo could absorb an enemy's chakra, while Ukon had the ability to destroy a body from the inside out. With one attacking externally and the other internally, Mufasa was undoubtedly facing death.

Just as Mufasa was enjoying pushing everyone away with his bootleg Shinra Tensei, Jirobo suddenly seized his left shoulder with both hands.

Jirobo was already a formidable ninja, but after activating his curse mark, his strength increased exponentially. Right now, he carried the force of a monster.

He shoved Mufasa with all his might.

Mufasa didn't budge.

Jirobo's expression twisted. He lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and pushed harder, summoning every ounce of brute force he had.

His skin turned dark red, radiating heat as his curse mark surged with power.

He kept pushing.

Still, Mufasa remained motionless.

Panic crept into Jirobo's eyes. He glanced down and saw Mufasa's feet—hovering just above the water's surface. Not touching, not sinking, just suspended there, defying all logic.

That meant Mufasa wasn't using the water to anchor himself at all.

Jirobo's scarred face flushed red with rage and frustration.

"AAAH!" he roared, activating his chakra absorption technique. His palms released an intense suction force, aiming to drain Mufasa's chakra.

For a moment, he expected resistance. Any normal ninja would have struggled, fought back.

But Mufasa?

He simply stood there, hands still behind his back, his posture as casual as ever.

As if he didn't even notice what was happening.

Jirobo's frustration turned to fury.

"AAAAHHHHH!!" He yelled, increasing his chakra absorption, doubling, tripling his efforts.

Finally, he felt it—Mufasa's chakra breaking past its defense, flowing into his own body.

A slow, deliberate movement.

Mufasa turned his head to look at Jirobo, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"You know," he said lightly, "stealing chakra from people so recklessly is dangerous."

Jirobo sneered. "Hah! Dangerous? I've drained countless ninjas before you, and none of them posed any threat! And don't think I don't know what's happening—you can't move because Ukon is tearing you apart from the inside!"

Mufasa raised an eyebrow.

"Ukon?"

"Stop pretending! Ukon, do it!" Jirobo gripped Mufasa tightly, ensuring he couldn't escape.

From within Mufasa's body, Ukon's cells spread, breaking apart and merging into him. It was supposed to be the perfect technique—molecular infiltration, breaking an opponent from within.

Except the moment he entered—

Something was wrong.

Mufasa's body was unlike anything he had encountered.

Inside, a storm of electricity raged.

It wasn't just chakra—it was an entire world of thunder and lightning. Every single cell was connected by powerful bioelectric currents, crackling violently. Lightning arced between them like an intricate web, a vast and unpredictable storm.

Thunder rumbled in every direction.

There was no safe place for foreign cells here.

Ukon's presence was instantly detected.

In mere seconds, the overwhelming current struck.

A blinding flash.

A sharp, searing pain.

Ukon's invading cells were shredded, obliterated by the sheer force of Mufasa's electric field. His body was violently ejected, his form practically disintegrating before reforming outside, smoking and twitching uncontrollably.

Mufasa barely reacted. The only sign of effort on his part was a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Jirobo was yelling in frustration, but Mufasa remained composed. He had no interest in killing Jirobo outright—he was more intrigued by the chakra absorption technique.

It was a fascinating ability. One that could be useful in the future.

The chakra kept flowing from his body to Jirobo's, the sensation akin to water being siphoned by a pump.

Was it a cellular mechanism? Or purely a ninja technique?

For a moment, he pondered. Then shrugged.

"Whatever," he muttered. "I'm an engineer, not a biologist."

This was Orochimaru's field of expertise.

Orochimaru, watching from the sidelines alongside Tayuya, had been on edge, waiting for an opening. Seeing Jirobo and Ukon seemingly in control, he exhaled in amusement.

He licked his lips, a wicked grin forming.

"You got too cocky, boy. Now you're mine."

"Jirobo, don't kill him," Orochimaru commanded. "He's far too valuable for research."

Jirobo grinned. "Understood, Lord Orochimaru."

With all his strength, he maximized his chakra absorption, determined to drain Mufasa dry.

By now, any normal ninja would be on the brink of collapse.

But Mufasa just… laughed.

A low chuckle at first, then a full, amused laugh.

His golden eyes gleamed with a mocking glint.

"Hah… I didn't think you'd be my prey." He tilted his head. "Guess I haven't shown you enough yet."

A sudden sound filled the air—

A deep, resonating crackle of thunder.

Orochimaru and Tayuya froze, eyes widening at the sight before them.

Even Orochimaru, usually composed, had his tongue hanging out in shock, forgetting to reel it back in.

And Jirobo?

Pure fear gripped him.

Electricity surged through Mufasa's body, illuminating his form.

Like a living conduit of lightning, his entire being radiated with energy, turning him into a humanoid beacon of raw power.

The sheer intensity of the light forced everyone to shield their eyes.

If Sasuke's Chidori was like a thousand birds chirping in harmony—

Then Mufasa's lightning release was a sun of a hundred million birds, a storm incarnate.

Jirobo didn't even have time to react.

His eardrums shattered from the soundwave alone. His vision went black as the flash of lightning stole his sight.

And before he could comprehend what was happening, the current reached him.

In an instant, his body was consumed by electricity.

A mere second later, he was no longer Jirobo.

He was a human-shaped lightning bolt.

Zzzzt!

The sharp crackle of electricity echoed through the forest, splitting the silence like a blade.

A sudden shockwave rippled through the air. Birds erupted from the treetops, their frantic cries piercing the night. Beasts in the shadows scrambled for cover as a blinding light swallowed the world.

Orochimaru and Tayuya flinched, their vision stolen by the violent burst of lightning.

Then, just as quickly as it came, the light faded. The crackling energy dissipated, leaving behind a dim glow that slowly died out.

Orochimaru blinked rapidly, his vision blurred, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes. As his sight returned, he saw the impossible—Mufasa stood in the middle of the river, completely unscathed.

Jirobo, on the other hand, was nothing more than a smoldering, charred mass plummeting from the sky. Blue sparks danced along his burned body as he crashed into the water with a heavy splash, sending arcs of electricity surging across the surface.

A few unlucky fish floated to the top, lifeless.

Orochimaru stared in disbelief. "What kind of Lightning Release is this?!"

His mind reeled. He had seen countless jutsu in his lifetime, but never anything like this. Was Mufasa really just another ninja from the Sand Village? Was this some unknown Kekkei Genkai? Or was he… something else entirely?

A monster.

Orochimaru's thoughts twisted into chaos as he tried to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

Mufasa met his gaze and smirked. "Admit defeat."

His voice was calm, casual—like a teacher correcting a student.

"If you surrender, I'll let you work for me."

Orochimaru tensed. That smile—he had seen it before, in his own reflection. A predator's grin. The kind that concealed fangs.

He glanced at Tayuya. She stood frozen, eyes wide and unfocused. Blind.

Mufasa stepped forward, walking across the surface of the river like it was solid ground. Each step rippled through the water.

"I know you enjoy studying jutsu," Mufasa said smoothly. "Coincidentally, so do I. I think we'll have a lot to talk about."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He wasn't about to be toyed with.

Without hesitation, he unhinged his jaw, his mouth stretching to an unnatural width. From deep within, a small white snake shot forward, its jaws parting to reveal a gleaming blade—the Kusanagi Sword.

With a sudden snap, Orochimaru's neck extended like a slingshot, propelling the legendary weapon straight at Mufasa's heart.

Mufasa sighed. "This is your last move? How disappointing."

He lifted a single finger.

"Stop."

The sword froze mid-air.

Orochimaru's breath hitched. Impossible.

Mufasa smiled. "Metal manipulation. I can control all metallic objects within two kilometers. The Kusanagi Sword is no exception."

The legendary blade hung suspended in the air, motionless. Orochimaru wasted no time—he immediately severed the connection, letting the snake drop, and flicked his tongue forward, revealing a summoning scroll.

If brute force wouldn't work, then he had only one option left—Summoning: Ten Thousand Snakes.

With a loud bang, a massive purple-scaled serpent exploded onto the battlefield, towering over the trees like a living mountain. It coiled in place, lifting its enormous head, its slit-pupiled eyes narrowing at the scene below.

"Orochimaru… why have you summoned me?" the massive serpent growled, irritation clear in its voice.

Orochimaru pointed at Mufasa. "Him."

The giant snake turned its gaze towards Mufasa, who floated effortlessly before it, arms crossed.

Mufasa tilted his head. "Oh? You're pretty big."

The giant snake bristled. That gaze—it was like he was some pet being appraised.

"Insolent little worm!" it roared. "I'll swallow you whole!"

It lunged, jaws wide enough to swallow a house.

Mufasa casually flicked a coin between his fingers. "Hmm… Manda, what do you think of this?"

The serpent's eyes locked onto the small, round object spinning in his grasp.

"A single ryo coin," Mufasa mused. "Since you went through the trouble of showing up, I figured I'd give you a little parting gift."

Manda's eyes narrowed. "Are you mocking me?!"

Mufasa grinned. "Electromagnetic Release: Railgun."

With a spark of energy, the coin launched from his fingertips.

The air exploded.

A two-meter-wide pillar of lightning erupted, tearing through the sky like a divine spear. The sheer force of the blast ripped apart the landscape, carving a deep trench into the earth. The shockwave flattened trees and sent rocks flying like shrapnel.

When the light finally faded, the battlefield was silent.

Manda trembled. The scales on its side still burned hot from where the attack had barely grazed it.

Orochimaru stood frozen.

There was no winning this fight.

He clenched his fists. "Manda, take me away."

The serpent hesitated, eyeing Mufasa warily.

Mufasa smirked and flipped another coin into the air. "Think carefully, big guy. The next shot goes straight into that big mouth of yours."

Manda gulped. "Orochimaru… this is your problem. Handle it yourself."

With a thunderous bang, it vanished in a puff of smoke.

Orochimaru stared at the empty space where his summon had been.

His escape route—gone.

Manda vanished in a flash, slipping away so fast that Orochimaru barely had time to react.

He dropped from mid-air, landing unceremoniously on the muddy ground. His once-pristine robes were smeared with dirt, but he barely noticed. Right now, none of that mattered.

His mind raced. There was no way out.

He knew all too well—trusting his summoned snakes never ended well.

And this one wasn't giving him any time to think.

Mufasa descended gracefully in front of him, his movements as effortless as the wind.

Mufasa chuckled. "Now… where were we?"

"I've wasted enough time on you," Mufasa muttered, his voice calm but laced with quiet menace. "If you delay me any further, I won't be happy."

There was no need for shouting. The sheer weight of his words carried an unmistakable threat.

Orochimaru let out a breath, accepting his predicament. Escape wasn't an option.

So, he did what he did best—he adapted.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" he asked, his golden eyes narrowing.

Mufasa smirked. "We'll discuss that later. For now, let's settle this first—do you admit your loss?"

Orochimaru's lips curled slightly. The four Sound ninja had risked their lives against him and didn't even make him move a step. The answer was obvious.

"I acknowledge my defeat."

"Good. Since you've admitted it, you'll owe me three favors."

Mufasa turned, his body levitating slightly as he prepared to leave.

Orochimaru blinked. "You're just… leaving?"

This wasn't how he operated. When he took someone under his command, he ensured control—through seals, jutsu, or fear. Letting someone go without a leash? That was reckless.

Mufasa paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Do you think I should bind you with a curse mark or something?"

Orochimaru gave a slow nod.

Mufasa chuckled. "That would be pointless."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.

"From a scientific perspective," Mufasa continued, "force only breeds resistance. If I wanted to ensure your loyalty, I'd need to make sure you believed in what you were doing. People only commit fully when they agree with their purpose."

Orochimaru was silent for a moment. The logic was sound.

Kabuto had followed him because he believed in his vision. That kind of loyalty was stronger than any seal.

"Interesting… but what makes you think I'll agree?" Orochimaru challenged.

Mufasa touched down, crossing his arms. "Because your goal is to master all jutsu, isn't it?"

Orochimaru's thin lips curled. "You seem to know a lot about me."

"I've been paying attention to you," Mufasa admitted. "You're different from most shinobi. They use techniques handed down from predecessors, content to repeat what's already been created. But you? You search for truth. You develop. You push forward. That's commendable."

For the first time in this entire battle, Orochimaru smiled—just slightly. "You have a way with words."

"Then let's call it what it is." Mufasa sat cross-legged before him. "You and I share a goal. I create jutsu as well. Everything you saw just now was my own invention."

Orochimaru's pupils dilated slightly. "That explains why I've never seen anything like it."

"And what I need you for is related to jutsu research," Mufasa continued. "My specialization is mechanical ninjutsu. But some problems require biological expertise. You're a master of the human body. I need your help."

Orochimaru's interest was piqued. "Will you teach me your jutsu in return?"

Mufasa let out a short laugh. "I can try, but I doubt you'll be able to grasp it. So far, no one else has."

Orochimaru's tongue flicked out to wet his lips—a habit of his when he was intrigued. "We'll see about that. I'm a fast learner."

"I don't doubt it," Mufasa said with a knowing smirk. "And if you prove useful, I might even let you study a sample of my cells."

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "You know exactly how to get my attention."

Mufasa wasn't fooled. He knew what the snake wanted—to experiment, to probe, to dissect.

"Achieve satisfactory results," Mufasa mused, "and we'll talk."

Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Then we have a deal. I'll do what you need."

"Not so fast," Mufasa interrupted. "Remember—three tasks. If you want something in return, you'll have to offer more. Equivalent exchange."

Orochimaru sighed but relented. "Fine. I'll do my best to satisfy you."

Mufasa nodded approvingly. "Good attitude. Consider this your first employee benefit."

With a flick of his wrist, he pulled an iron ingot from his summoning space. Orochimaru watched as it floated between Mufasa's hands.

Then—

Lightning flashed.

The ingot disintegrated in an instant, reshaping itself midair. When the light faded, two sleek metallic arms hovered before them.

"These are neuron-controlled prosthetic arms," Mufasa explained. "They link directly to your nerves through chakra. With them, you'll regain full use of your hands."

Orochimaru's breath hitched as he stared at the creation.

Mufasa gestured. "Try them."

He pushed the metal arms toward Orochimaru, watching as the snake-like man reached out, his expression unreadable.

The deal was sealed.

—————

Word count = 2555

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