In a pitch-black space.

One gigantic long knife after another rose beside that figure,

Arranged neatly.

Only the blade without a handle.

Only capable of attacking, sacrificing defense.

At the ends of this funeral procession stood Orochimaru and a figure in white robes, facing each other from afar.

Solemn and heavy.

This was the Shinigami's judgment.

Also, Qingchuan's first use against an enemy.

In Orochimaru's eyes, apart from seriousness, there was nothing else.

He was not a madman.

Rather, he was a pure scientist, a ninja with ambition and belief.

The girl's growth had surpassed his imagination.

Even without officially engaging, the pressure was enough to compel him to temporarily suppress that desire and focus entirely.

"Combining illusion with reality?"

"This killing intent is truly astonishing, Haruko."

Orochimaru did not spare his praise, speaking slowly.

He could feel it.

Just as he had to acquire the girl's body today,

The girl's intent to kill him was also unshakably resolute!

There was no underestimation.

But at this moment, Orochimaru suddenly realized...

The prey seemed to have exceeded his control.

"Speak your last words, Teacher Orochimaru."

In Orochimaru's eyes,

The girl slowly raised her hand.

Countless blades within this space scattered, transforming into endless cherry blossoms...

"Having been master and apprentice, don't blame me for being heartless."

"I... will go a little easier on you."

The girl's smile continued to radiate.

That sea of flowers expanded massively as it rippled.

The force stirred as if to shatter everything!

Orochimaru's eyelids twitched...

"How touching..."

In this situation, Orochimaru maintained his composure, then suddenly focused his gaze.

"It's coming."

Coming.

Orochimaru slowly sank into Manda's head.

The sea of flowers gathered, rolling like surging waves!

Manda let out a furious roar, writhing its massive body, quickly launching toward the sea of flowers!

The two sides quickly made contact.

The endless sea of flowers instantly enveloped Manda's enormous body, each petal transforming into a sharp blade, endlessly slicing through Manda's flesh.

Manda, however, remained undeterred, charging directly at the girl amidst furious, pained roars!

Qingchuan raised his brow slightly.

Manda's impact and resilience surprised him a bit.

In this situation, he needed to avoid using kido and couldn't dodge.

Senbonzakura fervently restrained Manda.

But that Manda, determined to break through the encirclement, seemed to block out pain, relentlessly pushing forward.

Each meter forward meant losing strips of flesh and enduring immense pain, yet it continued charging ahead.

It was like a tug-of-war.

Would Senbonzakura stop Manda first or would Manda break through the limit first?

However,

In Qingchuan's eyes, there was no panic—

Only a hint of confusion and puzzlement.

What had Orochimaru promised Manda?

This was such a gamble!

He didn't have a dedicated partner like that helping him.

He could only increase the spiritual energy further, causing the shattered blades to split again, then... completely surround the massive creature.

"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

Countless shards transformed into petals encircled Manda, forming a gigantic pink sphere.

With no blind spots in the attack, it was total suppression!

Manda, unable to advance another inch, could only unleash furious roars and frantic collisions!

Qingchuan rolled his eyes...

"Idiot."

"Putting in that much effort overtime, how much salary did Orochimaru give you?"

Unable to resist the urge to scoff,

Qingchuan single-handedly grasped, and the next moment, the spiritual energy contracted, squeezing the endless shards and the giant serpent together.

"ROAR!!!!!!!!"

A loud crash echoed with nothing left but furious roars.

Manda finally could not maintain its form; a cloud of white smoke erupted in the sea of flowers, abandoning Orochimaru and returning to Ryūchi Cave!

The endless sea of flowers soon dissipated,

Transforming back into the long knife in Qingchuan's hand, pointing towards the battered Orochimaru from afar...

Manda was clearly cunning.

With enough cost, it might put in some effort, but it would never sacrifice its life.

Serpents were inherently slippery.

Unless they encountered someone unreasonable like Sasuke, who could trap Manda in an illusion,

Otherwise...

They would end up ruthlessly abandoned like Orochimaru.

Even if he had retracted Senbonzakura,

It was evident that Orochimaru was not in good shape.

His robe had already tattered into strips, soaked in blood, his wickedly handsome face twisted in resentment and ferocity, and the desire in his eyes reached its peak!

There was no doubt.

He had lost.

Lost to a power even Manda couldn't bear, succumbed to the sharpness of the girl's illusion and sword techniques.

But it didn't matter,

He wouldn't die—not yet.

Completing that great experiment required enduring numerous risks; he had long split part of his soul away, ready to be reborn at any time.

This failure,

Was merely material for the next success.

This body would eventually be his...

The girl was unaware of all this.

With lightness and agility, she took a step forward.

But in the next moment, Orochimaru's face suddenly changed dramatically!

"I know you won't die, Teacher Orochimaru."

Qingchuan said slowly.

The long knife lifted Orochimaru's head.

Their gazes locked.

In Orochimaru's pupils, the girl's gentle smile reflected back,

Filling him with an ominous feeling!

She... seemed to know something!

But before he could think too much,

Suddenly,

That familiar sensation returned.

Six pillars of light shot out, firmly pinning his already weak body down...

Binding Technique No. 61: Six Pillars of Light Prison.

The girl's smile deepened,

"Now... shall we begin?"

Begin?

Begin what?

A hint of doubt flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

But soon,

The pain that reached deep into his soul told him the answer.

The girl's smile remained enchanting.

Yet her blades fell upon him one after another!

"One cut after another!"

"Immortality is not a good thing, you know."

"Teacher Orochimaru."

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