Chapter 35: Fierce Battle with Orochimaru

"Lord Shura!" Utata arrived at the entrance of the stone chamber and reported in a low voice, "A Konoha ninja pursued us into the cave and has been captured."

Inside the stone chamber, Menma was flipping through the historical scrolls of the Iburi clan. Hearing this, he slightly raised his eyes.

He had already guessed that Kakashi would likely follow.

And the subsequent plot—Yamato saving Kakashi and the two of them being taken away by Yukimi—would likely still occur.

"Clan Leader! Yukimi! Yukimi has taken those two away!" Sure enough, a moment later, a clansman ran up in a panic to report.

"What!" Upon hearing that Yukimi had released the two, Utata's expression changed drastically. A flash of anger crossed his eyes, and he looked toward the figure standing in the stone chamber with trepidation: "I am sorry... My Lord... It was my failure in discipline..."

"No matter." Menma shook the scroll in his hand, his tone indifferent. "I have already guessed the identity of that Konoha ninja; he will not harm Yukimi."

He paused, his voice deep and composed: "Children, it is normal for them to enter a rebellious phase. They will return home after a while. For now, you should focus on finding a way to deal with Orochimaru."

Hearing 'Lord Shura' mention Orochimaru again, Utata's expression grew solemn.

***

On the other side.

In a marketplace within a city on the outskirts of the forest, the escaped Kakashi and Yamato were accompanying Yukimi as they strolled through the bustling streets.

Having never left the underground space, this was Yukimi's first time going shopping. Amidst the crowded market, her large eyes were filled with curiosity toward everything around her.

She looked at this and that, even buying a piece of cloth to make a new outfit.

Kakashi and Yamato temporarily set aside their mission to accompany Yukimi on her wanderings, even taking out money to buy some snacks that piqued her curiosity.

Watching the brilliant smile blooming on Yukimi's face, both Kakashi and Yamato—ninjas who had lived long lives in the Anbu and Root—found themselves infected by her joy.

Temporarily shedding all burdens and worries, the three of them enjoyed the market like close friends.

***

Meanwhile.

"Huff... huff..."

Clutching his wounded abdomen and bleeding, Orochimaru slowly arrived at the Iburi clan's tree hollow.

"Lord Orochimaru!" A cloud of smoke drifted in, transforming into two Iburi clansmen who stepped forward with concern, attempting to support him.

But Orochimaru suddenly lashed out, grabbing one of them and lunging to bite down on their neck!

"Ah! Lord Orochimaru!" The captured Iburi clansman screamed, attempting to activate his smoke-transformation ability, but he was unable to use his curse mark due to Orochimaru's control.

Feeling the loss of blood within his body, the Iburi clansman was instantly drained of his life force, his body rapidly shriveling up.

After replenishing his blood, Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth. His strength partially recovered, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He stretched his neck and opened his blood-stained maw once more, lunging toward the other Iburi clansman, who stood frozen in terror.

*Swish—*

Just as he was about to bite, a blade of wind swept in, forcing Orochimaru to release his grip and leap backward.

"Who goes there!" Orochimaru looked up, malice surging in his golden serpentine pupils.

From the darkness deep within the cave, the Death God drifted out like a phantom, the scythe in his hand gleaming with a cold light.

"Shura..." Orochimaru's serpentine eyes filled with deep wariness.

At the same time, he felt an unfathomable mystery regarding this 'Shura.'

*How does he know about the Iburi clan?*

*And how did he find them before I did?*

*What exactly is his goal?*

Countless questions raced through Orochimaru's mind.

"Lord Orochimaru! You!" A cloud of smoke gathered, and Utata looked at his blood-drained clansman. Even though he had been prepared, he could not hide his shock and rage.

"It's Utata..." Orochimaru spoke in a raspy, cold voice, "Are you going to betray me?"

The other members of the Iburi clan also deactivated their smoke forms and stood behind Utata. The admiration previously on their faces was gone, replaced by deep loathing!

Orochimaru had deceived their clan! He had killed so many children! And now he wanted to exterminate them all!

"Where are those children!" Utata gritted his teeth, his voice trembling.

How much he wished those children were still alive, even if it meant Orochimaru had lied to him.

"Heh, it seems you already know..." Unfortunately, the sneer that escaped Orochimaru's mouth completely shattered Utata's last shred of hope.

"Shura, come out." Orochimaru raised his serpentine eyes, his gaze sinister, looking toward the deep underground space.

Images of Konoha ninjas flashed through his mind, including those from the Anbu and Root, and even the Special Jonin of various great clans.

However, looking back at the first half of his life spent in Konoha, the forty-one-year-old Orochimaru could find no ninja who resembled 'Shura.'

*Step—*

The sound of a footstep echoed from ahead.

The Iburi clan members respectfully retreated to both sides.

"It seems I have won." Menma walked to Utata's side, his tone light and pleasant.

Yet, it carried an unquestionable majesty: "Remember, your clan is now my private property."

"Yes... Lord Shura..." Utata knew well that with their clan's strength, they could not remain neutral in this 'war'; they had to side with someone.

And Orochimaru had already completely severed ties with them. For the Iburi clan to survive, they had no other choice.

They could only submit to this Lord.

Looking at the 'Shura' opposite him, Orochimaru laughed out of pure rage.

First, he was robbed of Hashirama cells by 'Shura,' and now 'Shura' had snatched away the Iburi clan.

He was being toyed with by 'Shura' time and time again!

As one of the 'Sannin,' how could he tolerate such mockery?

"Manjiro no Jin (Array of Ten Thousand Snakes)!" Suppressing the pain in his abdomen, Orochimaru prostrated himself on the ground and vomited a massive amount of venomous snakes from his mouth.

Hundreds of snakes, each as thick as an arm, surged toward Menma and the Iburi clan like a tide, forming a lethal spearhead.

Simultaneously, Orochimaru activated his curse marks to control the Iburi clan, preventing them from turning into smoke.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

For a moment, screams echoed through the cave. The Iburi clansmen wailed in agony as they clutched the curse marks on the backs of their necks; even Utata lost his ability to fight.

"Death God, Heaven Maiden, protect them," Menma commanded indifferently.

The Iburi clan was now Menma's private property; he had no intention of letting Orochimaru kill off his assets.

The Death God and the Heaven Maiden swung their scythes and ribbons, shredding the surrounding snakes.

These were merely ordinary snakes; two elite Jonin-level Nine-Faced Beasts could naturally handle them with ease.

Meanwhile, Menma had already closed the distance. A pitch-black 'Rasenshuriken' condensed in his hand, its violent chakra instantly tearing a vacuum through the tide of snakes!

Watching the opponent's ninjutsu and feeling that tyrannical chakra, Orochimaru felt a surge of trepidation.

"Sennin Mode: Multiple Man Serpent Technique!" Orochimaru's right hand transformed into dozens of snakes, spreading rapidly like vines in an attempt to bind his enemy, while he opened his maw to reveal sharp fangs.

"Rasenshuriken!" Menma raised the Rasenshuriken. The extremely compressed dark chakra, wrapped in an outer ring of wind-natured chakra, functioned like a Wind Style: Rasenshuriken. Its massive range of destruction sliced the incoming snakes into countless pieces of flesh.

Seeing the opponent closing in and that massive dark sphere about to strike him, Orochimaru's pupils constricted, and his hands moved rapidly through signs.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

*Bang!*

Smoke rose from beneath Orochimaru's feet.

A massive purple snake with horns burst through the smoke.

But it was struck squarely by the Rasenshuriken the moment it appeared.

"Roar! Orochimaru! You bastard!" Manda let out a piercing roar, his body forced to endure the impact of the Rasenshuriken.

"I want a hundred sacrifices!" Manda hissed, threatening with venomous intent.

As the smoke cleared, a section of Manda's body was seen mangled and bloody, with many of his sturdy scales blasted away.

(End of Chapter)