Faced with attacks coming from three different directions, Qing Shui remained completely calm.
There was no panic in his eyes—only clarity.
In the next instant, his figure vanished.
The Flying Thunder God Technique activated once more.
Like a phantom flickering through space, Qing Shui avoided every incoming strike with perfect precision. Before anyone could react, he reappeared behind the reanimated Second Hokage—Tobirama Senju.
Without hesitation—
He struck.
His grip tightened around the hilt of his ninja sword as he drove it forward with ruthless force.
Stab—!
The blade pierced straight through Tobirama's back.
Even though the body was an Impure World Reincarnation vessel, the attack still immobilized him momentarily.
That brief opening was all Qing Shui needed.
Forming a quick seal with one hand, he immediately activated a sealing technique.
Chains of chakra wrapped around Tobirama's body, suppressing his movements and sealing him away completely.
The Second Hokage—
Neutralized.
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
He had expected resistance.
But not this level of control.
Not this level of dominance.
Still, he did not stop.
Instead, he continued to manipulate the reanimated First Hokage—Hashirama Senju—while simultaneously directing Manda to coordinate their assault.
"Continue the attack," Orochimaru muttered coldly.
Qing Shui responded instantly.
Forming hand seals, he unleashed:
Water Release: Six Water Dragon Bullets!
From seemingly nowhere, six massive water dragons materialized in the air. Their bodies twisted violently as they roared forward, tearing through the battlefield like living torrents.
Their target—
Manda.
And Hashirama.
Manda reacted quickly.
With a thunderous crash, the massive serpent burrowed underground, narrowly escaping the incoming attack.
Hashirama, meanwhile, raised his hands.
Wood Release surged to life.
Thick wooden barriers erupted from the earth, forming a defensive wall that blocked the water dragons' advance.
The impact shook the ground.
Water exploded outward in all directions.
But before the battlefield could settle—
Boom!
The earth ruptured again.
Manda emerged once more.
Its enormous jaws opened wide, countless serpents bursting forth as they lunged toward Qing Shui, attempting to devour him whole.
"If you want to eat me…"
Qing Shui's eyes turned cold.
"…let's see if you can handle it."
His hands moved swiftly through another set of seals.
The next moment—
Flames erupted.
A blazing torrent of fire surged forward, rushing directly into the serpent's gaping maw.
The heat was overwhelming.
Even Manda—
Felt danger.
The massive serpent recoiled instinctively, abandoning its attack as it retreated to avoid being incinerated from within.
Qing Shui didn't stop.
Instead—
He summoned reinforcements.
"Spiritual Summoning!"
A massive cloud of smoke exploded across the battlefield.
From within it—
A gigantic slug appeared.
The Living Slug Sage.
"Lord Qing Shui," the slug spoke gently, its voice calm and polite. "Is Orochimaru your enemy this time?"
Despite the chaos of battle, its tone remained composed.
Among summoning beasts, it was known for its temperament—and its reliability.
"Yes," Qing Shui replied briefly. "I'll leave Manda to you."
"Understood."
Before the slug could move—
The ground shifted again.
Wood Release surged forward, massive trees erupting from the earth as they twisted and wrapped around the slug's body, binding it tightly.
If it had been any other summon—
That would have been the end.
But the Living Slug Sage was different.
Its enormous body suddenly split apart—
Transforming into countless smaller slugs.
Each piece slipped free from the wooden restraints effortlessly.
Moments later—
They reassembled.
Completely unharmed.
The slug turned toward Manda.
Then—
It attacked.
A massive wave of corrosive liquid poured from its body, surging forward like a tidal wave.
This was one of its rare offensive techniques.
Anything it touched—
Would melt.
Manda hissed violently.
It dodged—but its sheer size worked against it.
A portion of the corrosive liquid splashed against its tail.
Sizzle—!
The sound was horrifying.
Its flesh began to rot instantly.
"Damn it!"
Manda roared in pain.
"That hurts!"
Its massive body writhed as the damage spread, forcing it to retreat further.
"Wow…"
Kurenai stared in amazement.
"So big… so powerful…"
The clash between these colossal beings dominated the battlefield.
Every movement—
Every strike—
Shook the surroundings.
Even experienced ninja couldn't help but be stunned.
"…Why do I feel like Qing Shui is even stronger than the First Hokage?" Rin said hesitantly.
The others fell silent.
Because—
They felt the same.
What they didn't realize—
Was that Orochimaru was deliberately suppressing Hashirama's power.
He didn't dare allow the First Hokage to regain full strength.
If he did—
Control would be impossible.
And if Hashirama used Sage Mode…
Everything would change.
"Damn it, Orochimaru!"
Manda roared again.
"This isn't enough!"
"You need to prepare five hundred sacrifices for me!"
Even in battle—
It demanded payment.
Orochimaru's face turned colder.
The situation had spiraled beyond his expectations.
What he thought was a perfect plan—
Was collapsing.
Qing Shui had revealed too many hidden abilities.
Too many unknown variables.
Even the combined strength of the First and Second Hokage—
Had failed.
Instead—
Tobirama had been sealed.
For the first time—
Orochimaru felt something unfamiliar.
Inferiority.
"At his age…"
"…I was nowhere near this level."
He glanced at the battlefield.
His forces were losing ground.
If nothing changed—
They would lose.
Completely.
"As long as Qing Shui dies…"
Orochimaru spoke coldly.
"…not just five hundred."
"I'll give you a thousand sacrifices."
Manda's eyes lit up.
"Good!"
"I'll hold you to that!"
With renewed ferocity, it resumed its assault.
Meanwhile—
Orochimaru made his final move.
Unnoticed by Qing Shui—
Another reanimated ninja acted.
Kato Dan.
A Konoha jonin.
And the master of a terrifying forbidden technique—
The Spirit Transformation Technique.
Without warning—
Kato Dan activated it.
His spirit separated from his body—
Invisible.
Intangible.
Deadly.
In an instant—
It surged forward.
Straight into Qing Shui.
This was Orochimaru's final trump card.
A soul-level attack.
Impossible to defend against.
Most who faced it—
Died instantly.
Within Qing Shui's soul space—
Kato Dan appeared.
His target—
Qing Shui's soul.
"Die—!"
But Qing Shui didn't panic.
Instead—
He smiled faintly.
"So this was your plan…"
He had to admit—
Orochimaru's preparation was thorough.
Reanimated Hokage.
Summoning beasts.
And now—
A soul assassin.
Against anyone else—
This would have been fatal.
But unfortunately—
His opponent was Qing Shui.
With the Rinnegan—
He possessed the power of the Human Path.
A power that directly controlled souls.
Stronger than the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Without hesitation—
He activated it.
Kato Dan's spirit froze.
Then—
Was pulled.
Dragged.
Consumed.
Just like that—
Orochimaru's final killing move—
Failed.
Back in the real world—
Qing Shui stood still.
Unmoving.
For a brief moment—
He appeared lifeless.
Orochimaru watched.
Then—
He smiled.
"Heh…"
"Qing Shui…"
"I don't believe you can survive a soul attack."
The soul—
Was a forbidden domain.
Almost no one could touch it.
Victory—
Seemed certain.
But then—
Qing Shui moved.
His eyes opened.
Sharp.
Alive.
Orochimaru's smile froze.
"…Impossible."
"How… are you still alive?!"
Qing Shui looked at him.
A mocking smile forming on his lips.
"You should already know the answer."
As the one who performed the Impure World Reincarnation—
Orochimaru could feel it.
In that brief moment—
Kato Dan—
Had been completely erased.
Orochimaru's final move—
Had failed.
Completely.
The battle—
Was no longer in his control.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)
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