That blinding, dazzling final strike, condensed from all of Ōnoki's remaining chakra, completely annihilated all the dust and wood chips in the air along its path, carving out a channel of absolute vacuum and nothingness. It advanced with terrifying momentum toward Orochimaru.
On the Kage's platform, Sarutobi stared intently at the fearsome Detachment of the Primitive World Technique. He was so tense he couldn't control his strength, suddenly crushing the two armrests of his chair.
The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, was also terrified. He knew that both Orochimaru and Ōnoki had fought to the point of no return. If Ōnoki's Detachment of the Primitive World Technique hit Orochimaru, there was a high probability it would directly annihilate him into nothingness. The death of this Konoha genius ninja would likely lead to extreme dissatisfaction from Sarutobi and the other Konoha elders, potentially serving as the catalyst for a full-scale war.
With this realization, Mū was instantly conflicted. On one hand, he wanted his student to win; on the other, he feared the terrible developments that would follow.
The other Kage were not fools and immediately realized the horrifying consequences. They all stood up in unison, fixing their attention on the arena where the result was imminent.
In this moment of crisis, Manda, honed and trained over three years, unreservedly transferred its internal chakra to Orochimaru.
The Eight Branches (Orochi), which had been coiled atop Orochimaru's heart, acutely sensed his danger. It immediately converted the massive amount of chakra Manda transferred into streams of pure, deep-blue chakra, injecting them into Orochimaru's chakra system. With Orochimaru as the lead, they jointly unleashed an even more powerful Ninjutsu!
Using his blood-smeared hands, Orochimaru instantly wove several hand signs and slammed his hands heavily onto Manda's head. Along with the surging, pure chakra, a mysterious contract force passed through Manda's huge body, instantly traveling deep into the earth. Following an inexplicable, profound trajectory, it connected to that mysterious, hidden realm.
Summoning: Triple Rashōmon, Rise!
Excluding the area occupied by Manda, the entire arena, spanning several hundred meters, shattered and disintegrated. Amidst the deafening sound of the earth shaking, the first gate—a massive, crimson-tinged demon gate—rose from the earth with an evil, dark aura, standing defiantly before Orochimaru.
Boom—
The powerfully condensed Detachment of the Primitive World Technique shot straight through the first Rashōmon without any hindrance.
Immediately after it pierced through, the second gate—a thick, moss-green demon gate wrapped in heavy chains—rapidly rose from the ground!
Boom—
Under Orochimaru's flickering gaze, the second Rashōmon was also pierced through.
He let out a fierce shout, injecting even more chakra into that mysterious realm, using chakra as the source and the hand signs as a medium to wield the ancient contractual power.
The third gate—a deep-blue demon gate permeated with intense negative energy: stillness, evil, darkness, and ferocity—was summoned from that mysterious realm. It tore through the rock and earth, erupting from the ground with a thunderous roar.
Thud—
The column of energy, the thickness of a man's thigh, which, given enough power, could annihilate everything, finally struck the third demon gate. It blasted a deep, horrific concave dent that covered the entire blue demonic face, and was finally halted.
Orochimaru stood commandingly on Manda's head, looking down at Ōnoki.
Ōnoki had exhausted all his chakra. Seeing that his final Detachment of the Primitive World Technique had failed to defeat Orochimaru, a deep, bitter smile appeared on his face. He involuntarily closed his eyes, collapsed from exhaustion, and began to fall.
Orochimaru controlled Manda to coil around the falling Ōnoki and gently placed him before the medical team.
The golden sunlight streamed down upon the ruined, rubble-strewn arena, where only Orochimaru remained, standing atop Manda's head.
The nearly hundred thousand Konoha villagers and ninja in the stands fixed their eyes on the figure in the moonlight-white clothing atop the gigantic Manda. The scene was suddenly quiet, followed by an explosion of cheers and shouts that sounded like thunder and a tsunami.
Someone started it, and the nearly hundred thousand spectators began to shout a single, dignified, and revered title in unison—Snake Lord.
In just three breaths, the surging wave of sound from ten thousand people, shaking the entire Konoha Grand Arena, spread the title of Snake Lord for Orochimaru throughout all of Konoha!
They cheered, they screamed, they shouted Orochimaru's name, and they bestowed the honor of Snake Lord upon him.
In that moment, Orochimaru, bathed in sunlight, standing atop the skyscraper-like Manda, was the sole focus of all ten thousand eyes.
Aftermath and Departure
In an inconspicuous corner of the crowded stands, a gallant man with white hair watched the arena quietly, accompanied by a boy who also had white hair.
After a long time, the man sighed with feeling: "Sakumo, you are no longer in the same league as him."
The man's voice was soft, but it clearly reached the white-haired boy's ears.
Sakumo's initially resolute and determined eyes clouded with a hint of sadness, and he nodded.
The man then affectionately stroked Sakumo's head and said slowly, reminiscing: "I truly miss the days of the past."
On the Kage's platform.
Sarutobi sat in his now-armless chair, looking completely at ease. His gaze toward Orochimaru was full of satisfaction, and he smiled warmly.
Yotsuki Manrō sighed with emotion: "Sarutobi, that student of yours is truly astonishing!"
Mū and Hōzuki Jōrō were in rare agreement, both nodding simultaneously.
Only the Second Kazekage stared blankly at Orochimaru, his eyes flickering, lost in thought.
In mid-August of the 19th year of the Konoha Timeline, the Chūnin Exams, which had lasted for about half a month, concluded with the ultimate victory of Konoha's genius ninja—Orochimaru.
With the end of the Chūnin Exams, Orochimaru's reputation as the "Number One Genius in the Ninja World" and the "Number One Young Powerhouse in the Ninja World," along with the esteemed title of "Snake Lord," spread like wildfire throughout the entire ninja continent, making him famous overnight.
In Konoha Village, people were discussing his feats and spectacular battles on every street corner.
Just one day after the Chūnin Exams ended, the other four Kage departed Konoha one after another to return to their respective villages.
Two days later, Orochimaru, wrapped in a black trench coat, quietly set out from the village. What was puzzling was that a slender figure was walking beside him. That person was not Maji, not Chi, and not Bluebird. He was...
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