Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 255: Severing Ties

Namikaze Minato replacing Orochimaru as the commander of the Konoha forces on the Rain Country battlefield?

The first thing to clarify is that Minato absolutely deserves this position now.

Both his strength and reputation have reached a level where this appointment is justified.

However, from a hierarchical standpoint, Orochimaru is Minato's senior, being the same generation as his teacher Jiraiya.

Such a decision undeniably undermines Orochimaru's prestige while elevating Minato's status.

Clearly, this arrangement didn't come from Minato himself. He was simply following Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders.

While this move boosts Minato's reputation, it undoubtedly deals a huge blow to Orochimaru.

To be sidelined by his own teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, without regard for his years of service, naturally left Orochimaru feeling betrayed and disheartened.

Orochimaru sighed, his snake-like tongue flicking out as he muttered:

"Tonari-kun, my advice is this—forget about becoming Hokage. Danzo holds leverage over me, and as my disciple, you'll never be the village's choice when there's a more 'acceptable' candidate."

He saw the situation clearly.

For Orochimaru, the Hokage position was never an end goal, just a stepping stone to further his ambitions.

Now, it wasn't just about whether he could become Hokage—it was about how long he could even remain in Konoha.

Tonari shrugged, brushing it off with a smile.

"It was never about ambition for the title—just curiosity. But it's hard to accept the decisions of those old men sometimes."

In this moment, master and student shared an uncanny understanding.

Orochimaru, eyes gleaming with curiosity, leaned forward.

"Tonari-kun, since the day you became my disciple, we've never truly sparred, have we?"

Tonari's eyes narrowed.

"So… you brought me here just to test my current strength, Sensei?"

Without waiting for a reply, a brown python slithered out of Orochimaru's sleeve, its jaws parting to reveal a glimmering sword—

The Kusanagi Blade.

"The Kusanagi…" Tonari muttered as the legendary blade gleamed under the moonlight.

Though his Round Dance Blades were formidable, they clearly paled in comparison to this mythical weapon, said to be unbreakable and razor-sharp.

Orochimaru grinned, grasping the sword effortlessly.

Seeing this, Tonari no longer hesitated.

Boom!

With a flicker, Tonari lunged forward, twin blades shimmering under the moonlight.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing echoed through the dark, eerie forest.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Both master and disciple instinctively retaliated, serpents bursting from their sleeves, fangs glinting in the dim light.

After the exchange, they swiftly retreated, landing opposite each other.

Orochimaru chuckled, his golden snake eyes narrowing.

"Tonari-kun, it seems you've kept up with your training."

Tonari casually spun his Round Dance Blades, the white ring glowing faintly before sliding seamlessly into its sheath.

"Only because my teacher was excellent."

Orochimaru's hand trembled slightly, and the Kusanagi Sword floated effortlessly beside him.

At the same time, both formed hand seals at breakneck speed:

"Summoning Jutsu!"

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Two massive puffs of smoke erupted from the ground.

Both were launched skyward, quickly surpassing the treetops of the Forest of Death.

"Orochimaru, did you prepare the sacrifice?"

"Tonari, who are we fighting this time?"

Two deep, resonant voices boomed through the forest.

Under Orochimaru stood a giant purple-scaled snake—Manda, the King of Snakes.

Under Tonari, however, was an even more formidable presence—a massive crimson-scaled serpent, exuding an aura of ancient savagery—Shinya.

Seeing Shinya, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue.

"Well, well… You actually tamed that one? I never thought you'd subdue Shinya."

As the guide who introduced Tonari to Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru was well aware of Shinya's reputation.

It was an ancient beast, rumored to have lived since the Sage of Six Paths' era, bearing the mythical Reverse Scale—the mark of a true king among serpents.

Even Manda, the proud King of Snakes, was wary of it.

Boom! Boom!

The ground trembled as the two colossal serpents charged, carving deep furrows into the earth.

Crash!

They collided with a thunderous roar, shaking the entire forest.

Frightened animals fled in panic as towering trees snapped like toothpicks.

Even the village outskirts felt the tremors from afar.

"Sensei, we should wrap this up quickly. Otherwise, we won't have the freedom to continue once others arrive."

Orochimaru grinned.

"Indeed. Let's finish this while the stage is ours."

At his command, Manda hissed and lunged forward, while Shinya surged ahead like crimson lightning.

"Fifth Gate—Gate of Limit, Open!"

Tonari roared, veins bulging as green energy surged through his body.

In contrast, Orochimaru remained calm, his power rooted in his modified physique.

Tonari punched with full force, but instead of crushing bone, his fist slid off Orochimaru's body, as though striking wet rubber.

"Sensei… you've completed your Soft Physique Modification?"

Orochimaru smirked, unbothered by the attack.

"Indeed—Soft Physique Transformation."

It was the perfect defense.

Physical blows were ineffective, and combined with Body Shedding, Orochimaru had become nearly unkillable.

Tonari's eyes brightened, excitement flashing across his face.

"Then, Sensei… try this move!"

"Sixth Gate—Gate of View, Open!"

Suddenly—

"STOP! You two, ENOUGH!"

A furious shout echoed from afar.

Tonari didn't even need to look back.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had arrived, flanked by ANBU Black Ops and a grim-faced Danzo.

The Third Hokage had been preparing for bed when the tremors and urgent ANBU reports dragged him out.

Seeing his former student and current prodigy wreaking havoc, Hiruzen's face darkened with fury.

But instead of stopping, Tonari and Orochimaru's smiles widened.

"Come, Tonari-kun. Show me your true progress."

Tonari nodded, leaping high into the sky.

Drawing his Round Dance Blades, he slashed with lightning speed.

With each stroke, flaming feathers materialized, swirling around him.

Faster and faster, until the feathers merged into a gigantic, radiant bird—

"Suzaku!" (Vermilion Bird)

The forest glowed like daylight, as though the sun itself had descended.

The fiery phoenix spread its wings and screeched, heatwaves rippling through the air.

"What… what kind of jutsu is this?!"

An ANBU stared in disbelief, while Danzo's Sharingan whirred, trying to analyze the technique.

Even Hiruzen gasped, heart pounding.

The oppressive heat, the primal threat—this wasn't ordinary ninjutsu.

"It's… Taijutsu."

The ANBU gasped.

"Taijutsu?! Impossible! This level of power—without chakra remnants?!"

But Hiruzen knew the truth.

"This is the perfected Eight Gates… Tonari truly mastered it."

Gulp.

Someone audibly swallowed.

Even Danzo, despite his confidence, felt a rare chill of fear.

"Tonari! Orochimaru! CEASE THIS AT ONCE!"

But Tonari was already mid-attack.

"Suzaku—Crimson Purge!"

Boom!

The fiery phoenix dived, crashing into Orochimaru.

"Hmph. Manda, retreat."

Manda, feeling the heat, abandoned Orochimaru and slithered away, leaving him to face the blast alone.

BOOM!

The impact scorched the earth, forming a massive crater.

Nearby trees vaporized, reduced to ash in seconds.

Tonari gracefully disengaged, landing atop Shinya, gazing down.

"Is it over?"

Whoosh.

Suddenly, the earth trembled, and a hand burst from the ground.

Orochimaru emerged, unharmed.

But what followed was truly horrifying—

Another Orochimaru crawled out of his own mouth, shedding his charred, snake-like skin like a molted shell.

"Body Shedding… Impressive."

Tonari's respect deepened.

Their eyes met—calm, without hostility, but something else lingered.

"He staged all this… to sever ties?"

Tonari smirked, finally understanding.

Orochimaru wasn't just testing strength.

He was creating a public spectacle, ensuring everyone witnessed their fallout.

By feigning hostility, Orochimaru freed Tonari from suspicion, preserving his Hokage eligibility.

For once, the ruthless sannin had acted purely for his disciple's sake.

"Well played, Sensei…"

End of Chapter.

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