Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 251: Orochimaru! What Are You Doing?!

Yulín's snake-like eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly understood Kazuyama's intentions.

The best way to deal with a Tailed Beast was with another Tailed Beast.

Others might know that, but she knew the truth—Kazuyama's real identity.

"Give two minutes."

"No problem."

Kazuyama turned his gaze back to Shukaku. The massive tanuki was already losing control, stirring up a storm of yellow sand.

The three shadow clones that had been holding Rasa down had vanished—Shukaku's doing.

"Sensei, let's attack together. I need two minutes."

"I'll teleport Shukaku away when the ti cos. That way, the front line will be secure."

Kazuyama stepped up beside Orochimaru, his body radiating an overwhelming killing intent.

It was no longer just anger. The swirling sand and the sight of Konoha ninja buried within it cut deep into his heart.

Having a good temper and a shaless personality didn't an he lacked a temper altogether.

If these n had died in direct combat, he wouldn't have been so enraged. That was war—an honorable death.

But they hadn't. They had died at the hands of the Tailed Beast.

"Kazuyama... Don't let anger cloud your judgnt."

"War—"

"No!"

Orochimaru sighed softly, about to offer advice, but Kazuyama cut him off with a sharp shout.

"Sensei, you don't need to talk down."

"I know what you're going to say—war is about doing whatever it takes to win."

"But people have emotions! And right now, I'm pissed! If I'm pissed, then I fight!"

"Besides, we don't have a choice, do we?"

Orochimaru paused for a mont. He was right—they had no retreat. They had to hold the line at Kikyō Pass.

If they failed, Konoha's situation would only get worse.

"Heh... You're right. In that case, let's keep fighting."

"But... can your body still handle it?"

After such an intense battle, Orochimaru couldn't help but worry about Kazuyama's condition.

But Kazuyama answered him through his actions—

This was what it ant to have true determination.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Boom!

A series of white smoke bursts erupted as Kazuyama once again created three clones. Then, he shouted toward the front.

"Manda! I know you're still here!"

"Co out and help!"

The mont his voice fell, Kazuyama charged forward.

Hearing the shout, Manda, who had been hiding underground, imdiately poked his head out.

"Still fighting?!"

"Cut the crap! If you don't fight, I'll have Kinrin and the others co looking for you!"

A blatant threat—Manda could hear it loud and clear.

He was in a tough spot.

That was Shukaku up ahead, and he knew he wasn't strong enough to take him on.

But if he refused to fight, he'd be facing an even worse fate back at Ryūchi Cave—a brutal group beating.

Left with no choice, Manda decided to engage Shukaku. At least if things went south, he could still retreat to Ryūchi Cave. But if his ho was destroyed, there would be no escaping that disaster.

Watching Kazuyama threaten Manda, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Manda... actually listens to him?"

"Looks like I've been too soft on him all these years... Hehehe, maybe it's ti to reconsider our relationship."

Manda: ???

Orochimaru: Heh, you wanna rebel? Where's my disciple Kazuyama?

Manda: You're the boss! You're amazing! You're unstoppable!

With Manda occupied by Kazuyama, Orochimaru bit his finger once more and perford the Summoning Jutsu. He needed reinforcents, too.

As the massive cloud of white smoke dispersed, three enormous pythons erged on the battlefield, slithering straight toward Shukaku.

Standing atop one of them, Orochimaru began weaving hand seals.

"Sensei, back up with wind!"

"Go all out!"

The master and student moved in sync.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A sea of flas erupted once again, but this ti, Orochimaru provided the support.

A powerful gust surged—far stronger than before—its currents filled with countless razor-sharp wind blades. As they fused with the raging fire, the flas intensified, roaring toward Shukaku.

"You damn oversized loaches! Just what I needed—another species to despise!"

"And you, you little brat!"

"Rot in the desert!"

The sand surged once more, forming another Quicksand Waterfall Flow. But before the yellow sand could rise, it was forcefully held back by the combined firestorm and wind blades.

"Manda!"

"On it!"

Kazuyama leaped off Manda's head just as the giant serpent dove straight into the sand.

When Manda reerged, he was behind Shukaku.

"Hold still, you bastard!"

Manda lunged, his massive jaws clamping down on Shukaku's face while his long, thick body coiled tightly around him.

"You slimy freak!"

Shukaku cursed in frustration and grabbed Manda's neck. The serpent thrashed wildly, trying to slip free with his slick scales.

But Shukaku wasn't fazed. The sand clung to Manda like glue, locking him in place.

"Thought you were slippery?"

"Go ahead, slip out of this!"

Under Shukaku's control, the sand constricted with unimaginable force, and Manda suddenly realized he'd trapped himself.

"Damn it!"

"Let go!"

Prideful as ever, Manda couldn't stand being restrained and went into a frenzy.

But Shukaku ignored him, tightening the sand even more.

"Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"

"Kazuyama! We're not done yet!"

It wasn't just Shukaku—Rasa had reentered the battle as well. Countless spears of Gold Dust shot toward Kazuyama.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

But this ti, Kazuyama didn't need to step in—Orochimaru raised both hands, sending dozens of long snakes lunging toward Rasa.

Seeing the incoming attack, Rasa imdiately switched to defense, forming a shield of Gold Dust. But the snakes didn't let up.

They coiled tightly around his protective sphere. With a forceful pull, Orochimaru wrenched Rasa down from the air and slamd him onto the ground.

"Kazuyama, leave Rasa to ! Focus on your fight!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru unsheathed his Kusanagi Blade.

"Rasa, your shield is useless against ."

Serpents and swords—at this mont, Orochimaru shifted his fighting style.

He dashed forward, and the Kusanagi Blade extended abruptly.

Its razor-sharp edge pierced straight through the Gold Dust shield and stabbed into Rasa's shoulder.

"Dammit!"

"Orochimaru, you're dead!"

"Gold Dust Binding Coffin!"

Despite the searing pain in his shoulder, Rasa raised a hand, sending countless Gold Dust hands lunging at Orochimaru.

In a flash, Orochimaru withdrew the Kusanagi, and his three summoned pythons charged at Rasa.

The battle between two of the strongest from their villages erupted in full force.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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