Chapter 61: Unexpected, Yet Within Reason

"Shut up!" roared Manda. Arrogant as ever, how could he tolerate anyone criticizing him?

Perched atop Manda's head, Orochimaru pointed toward Neji and commanded, "Manda, forget about Tsunade. Take care of that white-eyed brat first."

"Huh? What did you just say?!" Manda's tone turned dangerous. With a sharp hiss, he snapped, "You summoned me here just to deal with this kid?!"

Even though Neji had managed to summon Katsuyu, in Manda's eyes he was nothing more than a low-ranking brat. For Orochimaru to call upon him just to handle a child it was insulting.

"Orochimaru, what's the meaning of this?! Are you toying with me?!" Manda hissed coldly.

From Manda's perspective, someone like Neji could probably be taken out by any ordinary snake. Yet Orochimaru had summoned him. He didn't take it as a sign of respect he saw it as mockery.

"..." Orochimaru was briefly speechless. He wanted to shout: Manda, are you stupid? If I could handle it myself, why would I bother summoning you? For show?!

But seeing Manda fuming with rage, he knew better. If he didn't offer a convincing explanation, the first thing Manda would devour might be him.

"I..." Orochimaru let out a dry laugh, caught between fury and frustration. A summoning beast rebelling against its summoner now that was a rare sight. Was Manda insane? Fighting among themselves at a time like this?

"Heh." At that moment, Neji let out a cold chuckle. "Manda, you should really shut up. If there's one thing I hate, it's judging others by appearances. Especially from someone who's not even human."

"Hahahahaha..." Manda burst into mocking laughter, as if he'd heard the funniest joke. "You think I'd want to be one of you weak little humans? I am a proud follower of the White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave! Humans are nothing more than food to us."

Neji sneered. Funny, for someone who sees humans as prey, you sure got played like a fool by them enslaved by genjutsu, then later blown to bits by Deidara.

"The very people you look down on are the ones who've been playing you like a fiddle," Neji said with a sharp glint in his eye, his words aimed as much at Orochimaru as at Manda.

"Hmm? What's that supposed to mean?" Manda growled.

Neji smiled. "Orochimaru's arms have been sealed by the Third Hokage. He can't perform hand seals anymore. He's basically a cripple. That means you're the one doing all the fighting here."

"What?!" Manda's eyes narrowed. Orochimaru's crippled? Then why summon him? Was he just here to play errand boy?

"Orochimaru, is this true?" Manda demanded, his gaze now dark with menace.

Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat. The very thing he feared had come to pass.

Manda didn't miss the subtle shift in Orochimaru's expression. That alone was all the confirmation he needed.

"Hmph! You dare deceive me, Orochimaru?! Do you have a death wish?!"

Boom!

Manda slammed his tail into the ground, sending up clouds of dust. The sheer force of the blow cracked the earth and shattered nearby boulders with razor-like gusts of wind.

Orochimaru broke into a cold sweat, instinctively stepping back. If Manda truly turned against him, he'd have no choice but to flee.

"Hmph. You owe me for this, Orochimaru," Manda hissed. "Once this is over, I expect proper compensation. Otherwise, don't blame me for finding a new contractor."

He had been used like a disposable pawn. Orochimaru had gone too far. This called for a reminder of who really held the power.

Still, Manda wasn't about to turn on Orochimaru just yet. As far as he was concerned, none of the people before him posed much of a threat. Tsunade was compromised. Neji and Katsuyu? Hardly a challenge.

Hearing Manda relent, Orochimaru relaxed slightly. Things might get messy later, but for now, at least, Manda was still on his side.

But Orochimaru's gaze toward Neji had grown colder and more murderous.

"In the end, it still comes down to strength," said Neji as he stepped forward. "Manda, I hope you're ready to face the consequences."

Manda scanned the battlefield with disdain. "You? What a joke."

Neji didn't reply. Katsuyu, despite not being a true fighter, was still part of the Slug Sage's body and uniquely effective against snakes like Manda.

And let's not forget Tsunade wasn't someone to be underestimated, either. Manda lacked the caution one would expect from a creature as serpentine as him. No wonder he got tricked and later killed by Sasuke.

"What's that look on your face?!" Manda roared. He had caught it a flicker of contempt and mockery in Neji's eyes.

This brat... is he mocking me?! A mere human? A child?!

His rage boiled over. He no longer cared about Orochimaru's orders. His eyes bulged with fury, glowing like twin blades ready to strike.

"You miserable little human insect!" Manda howled. "I'm going to devour you!"

With lightning speed, Manda lunged toward Neji. Katsuyu retaliated, launching a blast of corrosive acid but Manda dodged with snake-like agility.

In an instant, he was right in front of Neji. His massive tail wrapped tightly around Katsuyu, and he opened his jaws wide, fangs gleaming, ready to swallow Neji whole.

The impact shook Katsuyu violently. Neji, slightly thrown off balance, pressed a steadying hand to her head.

"Host has patted Katsuyu. Gained reward: Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid."

Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid: A powerful corrosive liquid expelled from the mouth, capable of dissolving nearly anything. Not a physical or spiritual attack, this is one of the few techniques Orochimaru considers fatal to himself.

Huh? Unexpected, but not unreasonable, Neji mused.

This jutsu couldn't have come at a better time. His eyes gleamed with confidence as he stared Manda down. Slug acid one of the few natural counters to serpent scales. This was the perfect weapon.

And best of all, thanks to the system reward, Neji could use it even without being Katsuyu's summoner.

"You filthy worm... I'm going to eat you!" Manda roared, closing in.

But Neji stood his ground, perfectly calm and composed. His robe fluttered in the wind, but his gaze never wavered, Byakugan fully activated.

Then-

Blech!

Neji suddenly covered his nose and mouth. What the hell? Has this snake ever brushed his teeth?! The stench was overwhelming, unbearable, beyond words.

The closer Manda came, the worse it got. Neji had had enough.

"Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid!"

With a loud hiss, a thick stream of yellowish acid shot from Neji's mouth, splashing directly into Manda's gaping jaws.

____________________

NEXT CHAPTER : Yamata no Orochi

(Neji turns the tide in a battle of legends! After scalding Manda with deadly slug acid, chaos erupts as Orochimaru and Kabuto unleash everything they have. But nothing prepares them for what comes next, Neji transforms into the mythical Yamata no Orochi, an eight-headed serpent god of destruction, dwarfing even Manda in power. As shockwaves ripple through friend and foe alike, Orochimaru faces the terrifying truth: his ultimate jutsu is no longer his alone.

Next Chapter:How will Orochimaru respond when his greatest weapon turns against him?)

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