Uchiha Patriarch !

"Interesting! Not willing to fight here, are you?" Orochimaru watched as Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique to move outside the shop, a cold smile playing on his lips. His golden, slit-like pupils narrowed slightly when he noticed a neatly stacked pile of money on the table by the door, covering the meal cost. 

If it were just the speed of the Body Flicker Technique, it wouldn't have impressed him. 

However, the fact that Shisui could leave money behind while using the technique made it clear to Orochimaru that Shisui's mastery of it surpassed his own. The Uchiha Clan... those old fools were worthless, but these younger members had some real skill. 

Too bad no matter how fast the Body Flicker was, it had its range and distance limitations. 

Orochimaru had avoided attacking because he didn't want to involve Kimimaro in a messy battle. Kimimaro was an excellent vessel that Orochimaru had put great effort into finding, and if he got caught in the crossfire, Orochimaru would be heartbroken—finding a vessel of this quality wasn't easy. 

"Kimimaro, don't get too close," Orochimaru instructed the boy by his side. 

A battle with Shisui Uchiha was bound to be anything but simple. Though Orochimaru didn't think Shisui could escape his grasp, the Uchiha's Sharingan and fire jutsu were indeed impressive. Plus, Shisui's Body Flicker was formidable. Even Orochimaru's subordinates had reported that Shisui had once fought Ryoma Aburame to a standstill—Ryoma being one of Danzo's most trusted aides. 

Despite his casual words, Orochimaru wasn't underestimating Shisui. 

As someone who had spent time within Danzo's "Root," Orochimaru was well aware of Ryoma Aburame's strength—an opponent even Orochimaru had to handle cautiously. 

"I'll be careful, Lord Orochimaru," the white-haired boy nodded seriously. 

They left the shop together, and as they walked down the sparsely populated street, Orochimaru spotted Shisui's black-clad figure heading toward the end of the road. 

This was a coastal town. 

The end of the long street led to the shore. 

Under a gloomy sky, cold winds howled as waves rolled from the distant depths of the sea, crashing against the rocks and sending up white spray. The sound of distant thunder echoed, merging with the sea breeze and waves. 

The scene was one of foreboding. 

Shisui stood on a rock, gripping a small sword, his black cloak billowing in the wind. His red Sharingan eyes gleamed with rare battle intent. After all the chaotic recent events, his mood had been stifled and unsettled. 

But now, facing Orochimaru, Konoha's traitor, there was no need to think about all the complicated issues. Shisui could focus entirely on the battle ahead, something simple and straightforward for him. In fact, he hadn't encountered an opponent worthy of his full strength in a long time, and the thrill of battle stirred his blood. 

"One of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru... I hope you won't disappoint me," Shisui thought as he ran his fingers along the blade, watching Orochimaru approach. 

"Crack!" 

A wind blade sliced through the rock beneath Shisui, breaking apart the stone that had withstood countless ocean waves for centuries. Yet Shisui had already vanished before the deadly strike could even graze his cloak. 

Only pitch-black crow feathers floated in the air, twirling and dancing in the wind. 

Ten or so crows gathered, merging back into human form, and Shisui reappeared, standing on another rock. 

This was the Bird Clone Jutsu, a special clone technique Shisui had developed in cooperation with his summoning crows. It consumed less chakra than the Shadow Clone Jutsu and was more powerful than the Water Clone Jutsu. The Bird Clone Jutsu was highly mobile and could withstand most ordinary attacks, making it difficult to defeat. 

"A special clone technique using summoned creatures? It's similar to my Snake Clone Jutsu," thought Orochimaru. As the most brilliant and unhinged scientist since the Second Hokage, Orochimaru's thirst for knowledge about unknown jutsu was insatiable. 

His trip to Kirigakure had been driven by curiosity about the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan. 

He immediately recognized the nature of Shisui's clone technique. 

"So, that's a clone. Where's the real body?" Orochimaru smirked, not rushing to destroy the clone. After scanning the surroundings and noting that the only obstacles on the beach were a few coconut trees, he came to a conclusion. 

"Underground, perhaps?" 

Orochimaru bit his thumb, drawing blood, and slammed his hand onto the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!" 

Dozens of massive, house-sized brown serpents were summoned. 

Orochimaru rarely summoned Manda unless dealing with large opponents like tailed beasts or the giant summons of Jiraiya or Tsunade. Manda was too arrogant and unruly, and it wasn't about sparing the hundred sacrifices Manda demanded—it was just too troublesome. These obedient and numerous smaller serpents were far more useful. 

Standing on one of the snakes' heads, Orochimaru watched as the serpents spread out, crushing nearby trees. Some snakes dug large holes into the beach, clearly aiming to force Shisui out from underground. Orochimaru had used this tactic plenty of times during his battles with Iwa-nin; it was second nature to him. 

"Impressive as always," Shisui's voice emerged as his head poked out from underground. 

He had indeed hidden himself below, planning to launch a surprise attack. But Orochimaru had first exposed his Bird Clone Jutsu with a powerful Wind Release technique and then forced him out using the serpents. While using Earth Release techniques to move underground, Shisui couldn't fight back. 

Despite this setback, Shisui's fighting spirit wasn't dampened. In fact, Orochimaru's strength only fueled the flames of battle in his red eyes. 

Yes, this is how it should be! 

If the famous Sannin didn't have real skills, it would have been disappointing. 

Leaping out of the ground, Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique to instantly appear on the back of one of Orochimaru's snakes. With his small sword in hand, he charged toward Orochimaru, who stood atop the snake's head. Taking down the snakes one by one would be too time-consuming unless he used Susanoo, which Shisui had only tested once and didn't intend to reveal easily. Besides, Shisui's true strength lay in close combat. 

Body Flicker was at its best in close-quarters combat. 

Shisui had only used Susanoo once in a trial, unlike Itachi, who used it as a routine technique. He had been warned to keep the secret of his Mangekyō Sharingan well-guarded. 

Unless absolutely necessary, Shisui had no plans to use that power here. 

"Here you are," Orochimaru's raspy voice held a mocking tone as he saw Shisui racing along the snake's back toward him. He waved his hand, and from his sleeve burst a dozen snakes, their sharp fangs bared as they lunged at Shisui. 

This was the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, a secret technique developed by Orochimaru combining summoning and ninjutsu. 

The snakes, each an independent entity with intelligence, worked in coordination—some to intimidate, others to bind, bite, or capture. The sheer complexity of this multi-layered attack often left opponents overwhelmed before they could even mount a defense, leading to a swift capture or death. 

But today, Orochimaru wasn't facing a weak opponent. 

Uchiha Style: Gale Sword 

Shisui didn't dodge. Charging head-on with his scarlet eyes spinning, he could see and predict every movement of the snakes. Following his instincts, he swung his wind-coated blade, slashing through the serpents in a flash. 

In an instant, blood splattered. 

Shisui's blade severed all thirteen snakes, their heads flying into the air as blood sprayed. But before the blood could land on him, Shisui had already formed a hand sign, and his body vanished like a mirage. 

Amidst the falling snake heads, one more appeared—a human head with pale skin, purple eyeshadow, and a blue-green magatama earring. It was Orochimaru's. 

Shisui stood behind Orochimaru, gripping his small sword in a drawn-back position. He had used the Body Flicker to appear behind Orochimaru and effortlessly decapitated him with a single strike. It was so easy that Shisui couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment—was this all the legendary Sannin had to offer? 

But that disappointment lasted less than a second. 

Orochimaru's severed neck didn't spurt blood. Instead, dozens of snakes writhed within, making Shisui's skin crawl. It was clear now—this was just like his Bird Clone Jutsu. 

"A Snake Clone Jutsu? So where's the real body?" 

Shisui's Sharingan spun as he searched for Orochimaru's true form, raising his blade defensively, ready for a surprise attack from the shadows.