Sealing Jutsu Sensei

Orochimaru was able to reach this conclusion because he had finally observed Asuma and his team's movements while they performed ninjutsu.

——Indeed, they did not perform any hand signs.

No-hand-sign ninjutsu?

No, it should be called "rune ninjutsu."

Orochimaru once again sighed in his heart.

In fact, he had seen this so-called rune ninjutsu before.

After all, the projection technique used by the arcade machines in the Furious Ninja Tavern was based on a version of rune ninjutsu.

Anyone could inject chakra into the machine and create a realistic projection.

Undoubtedly, if this technology were to become widespread, it would significantly raise the baseline for ordinary ninjas.

That's why, back then, he gave a very high evaluation of Natsuhiko's exciting idea.

Danzo even tried to coerce him into cracking that arcade machine's technology.

Unfortunately, Danzo was tricked by Natsuhiko, and recently, he's been busy rebuilding the Root base, so the matter was left unresolved.

However, Orochimaru wasn't too disappointed at the time.

As someone who also had a deep understanding of sealing techniques, he knew how many challenges would arise in ultimately converting ninjutsu into rune form!

He had thought that combining the D-rank Transformation Jutsu and Clone Jutsu to create the projection technique was Natsuhiko's current limit in fully rune-izing ninjutsu.

So, although he highly praised Natsuhiko's research direction, he wasn't eager to learn it.

Even if he mastered what Natsuhiko knew, progressing further in this direction would require a lot of time, and there was no guarantee that the path would succeed.

In simple terms, the risk was too high and not worth it.

However, the rune ninjutsu Asuma's team had just performed seemed to overturn his original thoughts.

Earth-Style: Earth Wall, Earth-Style: Pitfall Technique, and that strange Fire-Style ninjutsu Asuma used at the end...

In other words, at least three C-rank or higher ninjutsu had already been fully rune-ized by Natsuhiko!

Such progress was something even Orochimaru, going all out, didn't think he could achieve in a short time.

Was this something Natsuhiko had developed a while ago, or did Lady Mito help him?

In any case, even though these rune ninjutsu were somewhat inferior in effect compared to the hand-seal versions, they were already efficient for combat.

——The screaming Ten Serpents was the best proof of that.

So, this path was indeed viable.

Orochimaru's evaluation of Natsuhiko rose by several notches as well.

From a promising junior, Natsuhiko had become a trailblazer on a new path, someone Orochimaru could now engage with on an equal level.

Orochimaru once again looked at the empty tree branch not far away and smiled:

"Natsuhiko-kun, am I so terrifying that you don't even want to come out and meet me?"

"…"

In the next moment, a young man with white hair, scratching his head with a wry smile, gradually appeared from the air on the branch Orochimaru was watching.

It was Natsuhiko.

"Orochimaru-sama, you flatter me," Natsuhiko said, spreading his hands. "I was just testing out my new optical camouflage technique to see if it would work against you."

"But from the looks of it, this technique still needs quite a bit of improvement."

"Optical camouflage technique, huh…"

Orochimaru licked his lips. "Natsuhiko-kun, your ability to develop ninjutsu makes me jealous. You're almost comparable to the Second Hokage himself. It makes me want to perform a craniotomy on you just to see what's inside your brain…"

Natsuhiko shuddered at those words and forced a smile: "You're too kind, Orochimaru-sama. How could I compare to Tobirama-sama?"

After Orochimaru chuckled a few times, his curiosity returned:

"So, Natsuhiko-kun, what's with that purple flame Asuma used?"

"Is it something like your foam's nature transformation? Have you developed a special fire release transformation?"

"Orochimaru-sama, why do you make it sound so simple…"

Natsuhiko rolled his eyes. "As for that purple flame…"

"It's just a special effect Asuma asked me to create."

"Special… effect?"

Though it was the first time Orochimaru had heard the term, he quickly grasped its meaning, his expression turning rather peculiar:

"It seems I still don't fully understand the mindset of young people these days."

…

While Natsuhiko and Orochimaru were chatting and observing the battle, the situation began to shift.

In the fire pit in the centre of the clearing, the Ten-head Serpent was still struggling madly, letting out horrific screams that sent chills down one's spine.

Seeing the giant snake that had just moments ago chased her relentlessly now being roasted in a pit dug by Obito and his team, little Anko, watching from the treehouse, looked completely dumbfounded…

Then, she started drooling.

The smell of the burning giant snake made Anko feel… hungry.

Believing the battle was already over, Anko had forgotten Obito's earlier warning. She ran out of the treehouse and began making faces at the nearly charcoal-roasted giant snake, venting her frustration.

But just then, the slowly burning mucus began to crack and crumble, and the giant snake, with a mighty struggle, freed itself from the pit!

In the next instant, its blood-red vertical pupils glared at the three not far away with deep hatred, and its tail whipped toward them with the force of a thunderbolt!

"Watch out!"

Having thought the battle was already over, Asuma, Obito, and Ebisu were equally surprised by the snake's escape.

Seeing its tail sweep toward them in a fury, all three leapt to dodge, barely avoiding the tail.

However, they had overlooked something!

After they jumped to evade the tail, it continued its momentum and crashed into the tree that housed their treehouse!

Boom!

The tree shook violently.

Anko, who had already run out of the treehouse and was standing on a branch, stumbled from the shaking and quickly lost her balance, falling from the tree.

"Aaaaaahhh…!"

Anko screamed in panic.

"Damn it!"

Still, mid-air, Asuma and the others saw this and immediately realised things were going wrong.

At that moment, Ebisu, who was closest to Anko, gritted his teeth, pushed off from the tree trunk, and leapt toward the falling Anko!

Then…

In the tense gaze of Obito and Asuma, Ebisu managed to catch Anko mid-air at just the right moment!

"Nice one, Ebisu!"

Both Asuma and Obito couldn't help but cheer!

But in the next moment, their expressions turned to horror once more.

For they saw, directly in front of Ebisu's path, two enormous, blood-red vertical pupils…

(End of this chapter)

Natsuhiko reveals the real reason behind why Mito wants Tsunade home!

Kakashi asks Natsuhiko a question that can get him killed if he answers wrong!

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