Chapter 77: [B-level Technique: Sky Sword]!  

Orochimaru, a round hole in his forehead, collapsed into a pile of mud that scattered on the ground.

Moments later, a new Orochimaru emerged unharmed from another spot nearby.

"Was that secret technique you just used the one that killed Shimura Arata?" Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth, his snake-like eyes gleaming intensely.

The long-range projectile attack reminded Orochimaru instinctively of the Kizuna clan's Water Transformation secret technique from Kirigakure.

To be precise, it was a derivative ninjutsu based on that — the Water Cannon Technique.

The difference was this: while the Kizuna clan's Water Cannon could only attack, Nara Shikadan's "black projectile" combined attack with the shadow secret technique's control effects.

Orochimaru hadn't yet discerned the subtle differences between the [Shadow Piercing Bullet] and [Shadow Binding Bullet].

Yet, even so, in his eyes, Shikadan's black bullet technique had a versatility surpassing the Kizuna clan's Water Cannon!

What a genius of secret ninjutsu!

Finally, Orochimaru understood why the Nara clan valued Shikadan so highly and clashed with Root over him.

If he were the clan patriarch, he'd do the same to protect such a prodigy.

Facing Orochimaru's question, Nara Shikadan responded coldly, "No comment."

Suddenly, a sharp eagle cry pierced the air.

A massive ink eagle burst from the forest, carrying Shikadan and Yakushi Nono on its back as it soared into the sky.

The Super Beast Fake Painting can actually fly?

Orochimaru's eyes followed the ink eagle with a rare flicker of respect.

Even Root didn't know this…

In the ninja world, the ability to fly was a rare and supreme advantage — total initiative in battle, dictating fight or flight at will.

Shikadan wanted to end the encounter now.

The snake was tough to kill — tougher than expected.

It could shrug off multiple strikes to vital points with substitution techniques.

Compared to the honest old man Kakuzu, who died from heart piercings, Orochimaru was maddeningly resilient.

Nono circled in the sky, controlling the ink eagle.

Orochimaru dodged beneath their shadow on the ground, wary not of the eagle, but of Shikadan's merging with its shadow.

He avoided both Shikadan's shadow and the nearly unblockable shadow bullets for a long time.

But the opponent didn't attack, seemingly toying with him.

Frustration boiled in Orochimaru's chest.

He halted suddenly, summoned the Kusanagi sword, and launched another surprise long-range strike.

The silver-white blade sliced the air again.

Prepared, Yakushi Nono commanded the ink eagle to flap away, evading the stabbing blade.

Knowledge of a ninja's abilities was crucial.

One reason was that "the same ninjutsu cannot be used twice against the same ninja."

Orochimaru watched the circling eagle with displeasure, sheathed the Kusanagi sword, and formed a hand seal before sinking into the ground.

His desire to avoid prolonged battle was clear.

"It seems the other side doesn't want to continue fighting..."

Shikadan opened his [Lacquer Eye] and scanned the ground below, finding no spiritual energy trace.

"In that case, let's return to Kikyo Orphanage."

"Yes!"

Nono guided the ink hawk down smoothly until it landed.

Defeating the legendary Three Ninjas brought neither Shikadan nor Nono deep satisfaction.

Nono, rushing toward Kikyo Castle, seemed worried.

"Shikadan, do you think Root will really stop now?"

Shikadan soothed her, "Root now knows our strength. If Danzo wants us gone, he'd have to send a jonin team. The current situation won't allow that."

"Though I don't know how Danzo convinced Orochimaru, these three are probably his strongest trump cards."

"I expect Root's small moves to cease for now."

Shikadan comforted Nono but privately planned how to deal with Danzo.

A thief may steal a thousand days but can't guard against thieves forever.

The problem was Danzo wasn't an ordinary thief — he was a vicious, insidious old fox.

Shikadan needed a long-term plan.

And to confront Danzo, I must consider Sarutobi Hiruzen behind him — the true troublemaker.

Shikadan's mind churned.

I'll use [Shadow Transformation Technique] first to track Danzo's daily activities…

Back at Kikyo Orphanage, before Nono could organize a search for Oyashiro En, the anxious thin monk hurriedly brought good news: the fat nun who had disappeared had returned on her own!

Nono sighed with relief.

Good that she was back.

"Shikadan, rest up. I'll check on the nun," Nono said, hurrying off.

Shikadan frowned, sensing complexity beneath the surface.

"It feels not so simple..."

He returned to his small room, opened his panel, and examined the newly obtained B-level [Ninja Secret Scroll].

"I wonder what's inside Orochimaru's scroll… That scoundrel is the absolute master of forbidden techniques."

He opened the scroll.

[Opening...]

[Contents: Techniques]

[B-level Technique: Sky Sword]

[Description: Flying the Sword on the Wind, Sword Dance of Death]

[Effect: Using natural energy in the atmosphere to control inorganic objects imbued with one's chakra, allowing them to fly freely]

[Evaluation: Flying Sword Technique]

Natural energy? Immortal Technique moves!?

Shikadan's eyes widened in disbelief.

Has Orochimaru truly mastered the Immortal Technique?

Elsewhere, Orochimaru reappeared in the forest, scanning the empty sky.

"Did they really leave? The ability to fly is truly convenient..."

He lacked countermeasures for a flying target.

But such methods would cause noise, alerting the ninjas at Kikyo Castle — against his plan.

Orochimaru's goal was to test Shikadan's quality, minimize conflict with Ino-Shika-Chou, and earn a reward from Danzo.

Shikadan's vigilance and strength had surpassed his expectations.

"Nara-kun, you're becoming more and more interesting..."

He took out a scroll, inscribing detailed information on it.

After finishing, he bit his thumb gently, performed a summoning technique, and called forth a small snake.

"Find Tsunade and deliver this scroll."

The little snake snatched the scroll and vanished in a puff of smoke.

Moments later, Orochimaru disappeared as well.

After some time, Orochimaru returned to Root's hidden base.

Danzo greeted him coldly.

"You're back? Alone? Completed the mission?"

"I'm not your subordinate, Elder Shimura. Don't speak to me like that," Orochimaru said lightly.

"We're equals now, merely trading."

Danzo's eyes flashed coldly but he restrained himself.

"If it's a trade, where's the 'goods' you brought?"

"Goods?" Orochimaru smiled crookedly.

"What was the deal? You used 'that thing' as bait and asked me to test Yakushi Nono and Nara Shikadan's quality. Eliminate the former secretly if possible and bring the latter back to Root."

"But their strength exceeded my expectations."

Danzo sneered, "Can't the legendary Three Ninjas handle both?"

"There's a flaw in your intelligence, Elder Shimura."

Orochimaru's vertical pupils locked onto Danzo.

"Nara Shikadan isn't just connected to the Nara clan — he's Tsunade's subordinate."

Danzo was stunned.

"How is that possible?"

"What's there to hide?" Orochimaru smiled thinly.

"Elder Shimura, shouldn't you settle the 'reward' now? The Cells of the God of Ninja."

-End Chapter-

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