A giant, man-and-a-half-tall egg was spat out by Orochimaru. After "laying the egg," his original body collapsed, limp and lifeless. However, neither Habara nor Tenzo paid any attention to that body. Orochimaru hadn't self-destructed, so they stopped running and turned around, their eyes fixed on the "bird egg"... uh, "snake egg."
"Orochimaru-style Body Replacement Technique? No, that's not it..."
Habara instinctively thought it was a special substitution jutsu used by Orochimaru, but then he noticed something unusual... The natural energy around them was converging towards the egg.
At the same time, Tenzo spoke, "Habara, something's not right. I feel like inside that egg is, is..."
"High-density Wood Release cells?" Habara instinctively supplied the answer for Tenzo.
After Habara had told Orochimaru the so-called "ultimate secret," Orochimaru's focus on Wood Release and natural energy had increased exponentially. Orochimaru wasn't interested in Wood Release's offensive power and functionality as a Kekkei Genkai; he was interested in the vast vitality of the First Hokage's cells and their adaptability to natural energy.
A large amount of natural energy gathered towards the "snake egg." After only a few breaths, it had grown to the height of a person. Then, with cracking sounds, the eggshell split open, and it completed its "hatching."
A complete Orochimaru reappeared before the two of them. They could feel the vigorous life force and abundant chakra emanating from "NEW Orochimaru." This was certainly no substitution jutsu. If Habara wasn't mistaken, he had indeed just killed Orochimaru.
And then, right before their eyes, Orochimaru had completed a "reincarnation."
Orochimaru had demonstrated his reincarnation technique in this place for the first time. This could even be considered a karmic cycle, because the elements that made up this new reincarnation technique were present in Habara and Tenzo.
"The most crucial secret concerning life and death, it can never be revealed to a second person. So... Habara, do you know why I told you about the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique?" Orochimaru tested out his new body, asking Habara this question at the same time.
Habara wasn't stupid. Hearing Orochimaru say this, he of course knew the reason. "Because you no longer need the Living Corpse Reincarnation... You caused Wood Release cells to rapidly proliferate, combined them with your own genetic information to create a new body, and then transferred your consciousness?"
Habara wasn't stupid, and Orochimaru was even less so. Orochimaru could teach Habara the Living Corpse Reincarnation because he discarded it like trash. He wouldn't reveal even a shred of the secret of his new reincarnation technique.
Orochimaru looked at Habara with a smile. "So you've been sealing a large amount of natural energy within yourself all this time? No wonder you can use it in battle. This is different from curse marks... Natural energy, Sage Mode, so that's how it is."
Compared to the "original," Orochimaru had undoubtedly acquired a better body this time.
"The new reincarnation technique was a success. I understand you're very happy right now, but... Lord Orochimaru, could you please put on some clothes?" Habara had a thousand things he wanted to discuss with Orochimaru, but in the end, he chose a very mundane starting point.
The newly "hatched" Orochimaru was completely naked. He was just standing there, which was indecent even at night. He looked like some kind of "forest fairy."
Orochimaru certainly didn't care about any issues of indecency, so he didn't respond to Habara's current statement. Instead, he said, "Even with consecutive battles, my chakra hasn't actually been replenished. Fortunately, being able to control a portion of natural energy means my combat ability won't decline... Habara, according to what you said, shouldn't we have a duel now?"
Even as he said this, Orochimaru's gaze inadvertently flickered towards the area behind Habara.
And just as his voice fell, an even more intense chakra erupted from Habara. It seemed like a tough battle was truly about to begin. The hope of defeating Orochimaru was slim, but this place was very close to Konoha. If he could just stall for a few minutes, Habara could turn the situation around, and Orochimaru would be trapped in a deadly predicament.
If Orochimaru thought he could crush Habara with just the quality of his chakra, he was sorely mistaken... because Habara not only had access to natural energy, he also had "Arc Progression Sevenfold Increase."
Arc Progression Sevenfold Increase: Second Transition.
The intensity of Habara's chakra doubled, but his opponent was Orochimaru, so that wasn't enough. He furrowed his brow deeply and further released the restrictions on his seal.
Arc Progression Sevenfold Increase: Third Transition.
His own chakra and natural energy combined equally as one transition, folded once for the second transition, so the third transition... was at least equivalent to "Kaioken x8."
Intense lightning erupted from Habara's body. Orochimaru felt this powerful chakra and narrowed his eyes slightly... This chakra couldn't intimidate Orochimaru, but it meant that Orochimaru couldn't kill Habara instantly.
Since he couldn't kill Habara instantly, he shouldn't attack him. He couldn't afford to get entangled with anyone right now.
Besides, Orochimaru wasn't very willing to kill Habara, because he didn't know how much more valuable knowledge was hidden in Habara's mind.
So, Orochimaru formed hand seals:
Ninja Art: Summoning Technique: Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes.
In an instant, hundreds of thousands of snakes coalesced into a sea of serpents, which instantly swallowed Habara and Tenzo.
"Habara, I look forward to meeting you again. Until then... don't die."
Amidst the hissing of countless snakes, Habara heard Orochimaru's "parting words."
The snakes filled the entire forest, overflowing like boiling soup in a pot. They twisted, coiled, and surged, creating a scene of terrifying proportions... It was enough to trigger and kill anyone with ophidiophobia, no matter how many times over.
Since Orochimaru had already fled, Habara no longer suppressed the chakra within him. In the next instant, a brilliant light pierced through the sea of snakes. The snakes exposed to the light instantly turned black and charred, even carbonized.
A silver streak shot out, its tail end wrapped around a large tree at the edge of the forest. Habara then gently pulled, and his figure gracefully floated away.
He briefly landed on that tree, then jumped down and ran out of the forest.
As he ran, he shook his body, but the dead snakes clinging to him wouldn't come off... The slightly nauseating smell of half-cooked earthiness made him want to vomit, so he simply took off his outer garment.
That clothing was definitely beyond saving.
Habara had successfully escaped, but Tenzo was still buried in the pile of snakes. However, he could defend himself with Wood Release, so it wasn't a big problem.
And just as Habara left the pile of snakes, the Third Hokage arrived with a team of ANBU.
The Hokage's actions perfectly demonstrated his indecisiveness. He had let Orochimaru escape earlier, and now he was chasing after him. He was inconsistent and indecisive, a perfect contradiction.
"Habara, where is Orochimaru?"
The Third Hokage saw Habara and asked.
"He's just behind this pile of summoned snakes. Lord Orochimaru... well, he escaped Konoha stark naked."
It was the absolute truth; Habara didn't fabricate a single word.
"Fire Release, clear the path."
Hearing Habara's words, the Third Hokage ordered the ninjas behind him.
So, as a large amount of fire rushed into the swarm of snakes, roasting the reptiles to a crisp, Habara's shout also rang out.
"Tenzo..."
Tenzo... Tenzo... Tenzo...
The echo spread far and wide in the night.
"Watch out for the Fire Release!"
Watch out for the Fire Release...out for the Fire Release...the Fire Release...Release......
Tenzo: "..."
Folks, isn't this a bit too much?
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