Chapter 70

Gazing at the blood-soaked ground, Orochimaru's eyes were as cold as a viper's.

Even though he had always disliked the disobedient summoning beast, Manda, that giant serpent had been with him since his youth—summoned from Ryūchi Cave and his comrade for decades through countless battles.

Yet now, that old companion had died so absurdly at the hands of a golden-haired youth.

As this thought passed, Orochimaru's figure darted like a venomous snake toward Naruto, his right hand launching outward as several serpents shot from it:

"Sen'ei Tajashu!" (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)

The venomous snakes were lightning fast, lunging at Naruto in an instant.

Their purple venomous fangs snapped downward—

But before they could sink in, Naruto's body ignited in fierce flames, and the snakes were instantly reduced to ash.

Not waiting for Orochimaru to react, Naruto's flaming fist came crashing down:

"Hi Ken!!" (Fire Fist)

A torrent of searing flames surged forth like the right arm of a giant. The sheer heat nearly ignited Orochimaru's hair.

His expression shifted drastically. He retreated rapidly and slammed his palm to the ground:

"Sanju Rashōmon!!" (Triple Rashōmon)

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Three massive demonic gates, each etched with the snarling visage of the King of Hell, rose from the earth.

Their gaping mouths seemed to mock the futility of any attack.

Otogakure's shinobi perked up, watching eagerly as Orochimaru squared off against the golden-haired youth.

Before everyone's eyes—

Naruto's fire fist slammed into the first gate.

BOOM!

The first Rashōmon was obliterated.

The second began to warp and crack under the pressure of the blazing flames—eventually collapsing.

The third gate withstood the blow, but the demonic face was scorched and grotesquely distorted.

Orochimaru's heart pounded.

"Even Triple Rashōmon was nearly destroyed… This guy…"

He dared not face Naruto head-on any longer.

Instead, he activated his Soft Physique Modification, slithering across the ground like a serpent with tremendous speed, winding toward Naruto.

As he approached, his neck stretched unnaturally long—

But—

"I told you already… It's useless."

Naruto's eyes gleamed coldly. His body erupted into raging flames, turning completely elemental.

The elongated neck of Orochimaru twisted around, yet failed to find a single spot to bite.

As he recoiled, Naruto delivered a flaming punch right into Orochimaru's gut.

The blow sent him flying, engulfed in fire.

Burning pain wracked his body—forcing Orochimaru to retch and vomit out a slimy figure.

A new Orochimaru, soaked in mucus, crawled from the mess.

Great Snake Shedding Technique—a method of rebirth that heals all physical injuries.

Naruto narrowed his eyes but didn't let his guard down.

Compared to the One Piece world, battles in the shinobi world were far more treacherous.

Here, a single misstep meant death.

Like Asuma's death at the hands of Hidan, or Jiraiya's defeat against the Six Paths of Pain—

All due to lack of information.

And Orochimaru… the true undying shinobi—even Naruto couldn't predict how many techniques he possessed.

"Hehehe… What a terrifying opponent," Orochimaru rasped, smiling wickedly.

"I've never seen any of your abilities before, but… I've learned a lot already."

With that, he split into several shadow clones.

The clones immediately formed hand seals.

Within two seconds, they simultaneously unleashed torrents of water from their gaping mouths:

"Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!" (Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique)

Water surged like a tsunami, massive and unstoppable.

"Water?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow—clearly, Orochimaru had identified a potential weakness.

Indeed, water was one of the few natural counters to the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit).

Just like the Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit), getting hit with water could negate his elemental form.

"As expected of the madman who wants to collect every jutsu… You lost your arms in the original timeline, so I never saw your full power."

Naruto murmured in admiration, then took a deep breath and slammed both palms to the ground:

"Dai Enkai!!" (Great Flame Ring)

A circle of violent fire spun outward like a rotating ring.

Water and fire clashed violently—

The roar was deafening, and scorching steam filled the air.

Yakumo, Karin, Guren—all were forced to back away, shielding their faces from the heat.

Even the Otogakure shinobi took several steps back, watching nervously.

"Can Orochimaru-sama win…?"

"It's fine—water beats fire. Orochimaru-sama's water jutsu will overpower him…"

"He's an S-rank rogue ninja, after all!"

With renewed hope, they cheered for Orochimaru.

The man himself chuckled darkly:

"You arrogant brat… You're still too green. Using Katon against Suiton? You think you're a Jinchūriki or something?"

Katon was unique among nature releases.

Even low-rank fire jutsu could achieve the power of an S-rank if mastered and fueled by enough chakra.

But even in the Uchiha clan, no one had ever taken it that far.

Relaxing slightly, Orochimaru began to prepare a sneak attack—

Only to freeze in place, staring in disbelief at the thick steam.

It was glowing—

Fiery orange light began to shine from within the mist.

And it only grew stronger.

The entire cloud of steam was now tinged with a sunset hue.

Moments later, the steam evaporated, revealing a blazing sphere of flame.

A blazing sun, burning fiercely in the golden-haired youth's hands.

Standing amid a sea of fire, he appeared divine.

Naruto, like a Fire God, raised the sun aloft—

And with a voice echoing like a deity, he spoke:

"Katon: Entei!!" (Fire Style: Flame Emperor)

As the words left his lips—

The fireball descended.

Wherever it passed, everything was consumed in an inferno.

(End of Chapter)

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