For the first time in a long while—
Orochimaru lost his composure.
It was a rare sight. The usually calm, calculating Sannin found himself genuinely shaken. His golden, snake-like pupils narrowed as he stared at Qing Shui, a trace of disbelief flashing across his face.
Everything unfolding before him had once again exceeded his expectations.
He had always prided himself on foresight—on being able to predict outcomes, manipulate events, and stay several steps ahead of everyone else.
But Qing Shui…
Was an anomaly.
"I didn't expect…" Orochimaru muttered under his breath, "…that even in the domain of the soul, you would reach such heights."
He knew very well how difficult it was to grow in that realm.
Even he himself had only begun making significant progress under Tsunade's guidance.
Yet Qing Shui—
In just a few short years—
Had surpassed all of them.
Not just in one field.
But in multiple.
It was unsettling.
No matter what method Orochimaru used, Qing Shui always seemed to have a countermeasure ready.
For the first time, doubt crept into Orochimaru's mind.
"Is this truly everything he's capable of…?"
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
To Orochimaru, Qing Shui had become unfathomable—an existence shrouded in endless unknowns.
Even someone as cold and ruthless as him could not suppress the unease rising within.
"Orochimaru."
Qing Shui's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"I've run out of patience."
His eyes were cold.
"Today… will be your end."
Before his words had even fully settled—
He moved.
In an instant, more than ten shadow clones appeared around him, each one forming a Rasenshuriken infused with Wind Release.
The air itself seemed to tremble.
The terrifying chakra fluctuations spread outward like a storm.
Everyone present felt it.
"What… what kind of ninjutsu is this?!"
Even Aburame Ryoma—whose emotions had been dulled through years of conditioning—felt a rare sense of fear.
His body stiffened.
His instincts screamed danger.
As for the three remaining elders of Kusagakure—
Their faces turned deathly pale.
They had never witnessed such overwhelming power.
Coming from a smaller village, their experiences were limited. This level of ninjutsu was beyond anything they could comprehend.
Their minds went blank.
Fear took over.
Without hesitation, they turned and fled.
There was no discussion.
No coordination.
Only the primal instinct to survive.
At that moment, even their dignity as elders meant nothing.
But Qing Shui had no intention of letting them escape.
One of his shadow clones broke formation and chased after them.
The Rasenshuriken in its hand spun violently, emitting a sharp, piercing sound.
Then—
It was released.
Boom!
A deafening explosion tore through the battlefield.
The ground trembled violently as a massive shockwave spread outward, kicking up dust, rocks, and debris.
Even Manda, the colossal serpent, recoiled slightly.
It felt threatened.
"Th-This is insane…"
Kurenai and the others stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock.
Again and again, Qing Shui shattered their understanding of what a ninja was capable of.
The shockwave alone nearly knocked them off their feet.
Stones were flung into the air, carried by the force of the blast.
Fortunately—
Nonou acted quickly.
She stepped forward, shielding the three of them and preventing any injuries.
"Stay close!" she ordered urgently.
"This place is too dangerous!"
And this—
Was only the power of a single Rasenshuriken.
Qing Shui had created more than ten.
If all of them detonated at once—
The destruction would be unimaginable.
Ignoring the already doomed elders, Orochimaru's focus returned to Qing Shui.
More specifically—
To the shadow clones that now surrounded him.
For the first time—
He felt genuine danger.
After witnessing the Rasenshuriken's destructive power, Orochimaru understood one thing clearly:
If he were hit directly—
He would die.
No doubt about it.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees!"
At the critical moment, Orochimaru made his move.
Through the reanimated Hashirama, he unleashed one of the most powerful Wood Release techniques.
The ground split open.
Massive trees burst forth, twisting and intertwining to form a dense forest in an instant.
It was both a shield—
And a barrier.
The trees stood tall, intercepting the incoming attacks.
For a moment, it seemed as though the assault had been stopped.
But only for a moment.
The Rasenshuriken tore through the forest.
The spinning blades of chakra shredded the trees, reducing them to splinters.
The defense—
Collapsed.
Hidden within the forest, Orochimaru was struck by the aftermath.
His body was injured.
Pain surged through him.
"Qing Shui…"
His voice echoed faintly, filled with suppressed agony.
"I'll remember this…"
"We'll meet again."
Then—
Silence.
When the dust settled, only a discarded shell remained on the ground.
Orochimaru had used the Orochi-Style Substitution Technique.
He had escaped.
The reanimated Hashirama ceased movement.
His body sank back into the coffin, disappearing once more.
The battlefield fell quiet.
"As expected of that snake…"
Qing Shui's voice was calm, almost indifferent.
"His ability to escape is as troublesome as ever."
He looked around at the devastated landscape.
To an outsider, it seemed like a failed pursuit.
But in truth—
This outcome had been intentional.
Qing Shui had no intention of killing Orochimaru here.
Not openly.
If Orochimaru died in front of everyone, his body would inevitably be taken by Konoha for examination.
That—
Was unacceptable.
Because Qing Shui had other plans.
He needed Orochimaru's body.
To turn him into one of Pain.
He glanced up at the sky.
High above the clouds—
A massive winged creature hovered silently.
Its eyes—
Were Rinnegan.
This was one of Qing Shui's summoned beasts, modified into a tool of surveillance for the Animal Path.
Through the shared vision of the Rinnegan—
Qing Shui could track Orochimaru's movements at all times.
He would not escape.
Not truly.
Once the situation at Ghost Lantern Castle was resolved—
Qing Shui would hunt him down.
And finish everything.
Bang!
With a puff of smoke, Manda dispelled itself, returning to Ryuchi Cave.
"Lord Qing Shui, I shall take my leave as well."
The Slug Sage spoke gently before disappearing, returning to Shikkotsu Forest.
Now—
Only a few remained.
Wuwei.
Aburame Ryoma.
And Qing Shui.
The Root ninjas who had been present earlier were already dead—caught in the aftermath of the battle between overwhelming forces.
This was the reality of high-level combat.
The strong fought—
And the weak perished in the shockwaves.
Seeing Qing Shui approach, Aburame Ryoma understood.
There was no escape.
Yet—
He did not flee.
Nor did he beg.
Instead, he chose to attack.
"For Lord Danzo…!"
His voice was resolute.
"You must die here, Qing Shui!"
This was a man completely consumed by loyalty—his will no longer his own.
A tool.
A weapon.
Qing Shui showed no hesitation.
No mercy.
With a single motion—
Ryoma's life was ended.
Then—
His gaze shifted.
To Wuwei.
Wuwei felt it immediately.
The pressure.
The fear.
Gone was his earlier arrogance.
Yet—
He did not kneel.
Did not beg.
Even in the face of death, he retained a shred of dignity.
At that moment, Nonou and the others returned.
"Brother Qing Shui!"
"Teacher Qing Shui!"
They rushed to his side, their faces filled with concern.
"Are you alright?"
Qing Shui smiled faintly.
"I'm fine."
He gently patted their heads.
"What about you? Any injuries?"
They shook their heads eagerly.
"We're fine! Nonou-neechan protected us!"
"And—we even defeated three enemies!"
Their eyes sparkled, clearly seeking praise.
Qing Shui chuckled softly.
"Well done."
"You'll all become excellent ninjas one day."
Their smiles widened instantly.
Nonou glanced at Wuwei.
"What will you do with him?"
Qing Shui's expression turned cold.
"If you commit a crime…"
"You pay the price."
A flash of steel.
Wuwei fell.
Silence.
Only after everything was over did the remaining guards of Ghost Lantern Castle dare to appear.
They looked at the destruction in shock.
And fear.
Qing Shui turned toward them.
His voice was calm—
But carried undeniable authority.
"Kusagakure…"
"Will give me an answer for today's events."
He paused.
His gaze sharpened.
"Otherwise…"
"I won't mind turning this place into a river of blood."
The wind howled.
And no one dared to speak.
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