Ren Uchiha slammed his palms together, his Dark Chakra surging violently.
He activated the [Forbidden Jutsu: Body Activation] at full power, suppressing every negative status and forcing his damaged tissues to knit back together.
He shattered the lightning pillars and tore through the water walls. Gripping a meter-long black spear, he swung it in a wide arc before hurling it with bone-shaking force at his enemy. Without a second's pause, he lunged forward, his water blade dragging against the stone floor and throwing sparks.
Clang!
He unleashed a rising slash, aiming for the Bishop's throat.
Ren's tactical mind was counting: he had three shuriken and one kunai left in his pouch. Every remaining tool had to count. If he couldn't sever Hayato Dōgō's vitals before his jutsu timed out, he was finished.
Hayato Dōgō narrowed his eyes. After the initial shock of seeing Ren survive a spear to the brain, he began to analyze the boy's movements.
He noticed that Ren's speed was starting to flag.
This 'immortality' must be a high-consumption Forbidden Jutsu, Hayato realized. A recovery that defies logic cannot be sustained for long.
With that realization, the Bishop turned and ran. He decided to drag the fight out into a war of attrition.
The scene became almost farcical.
The high priest of the Jashin Cult was being chased around the arena by a Genin wielding a water blade.
Ren was furious. He had no long-range Ninjutsu and his ninja tools were precious. As the seconds ticked away, a wave of dark irritation rose within him, fueled by the Zero-Tails' chakra. His eyes turned bloodshot, glowing with uncontrollable rage.
Ren suddenly dived to the ground, his palms scraping against the rock until they bled. He didn't care. He tore a massive chunk of stone from the cavern floor, crushed it in his bare hands, and hurled the jagged shards like buckshot.
"STAY STILL! STAND STILL, YOU MOTHER****ER!" Ren roared, his voice echoing through the caves.
"What are you running for?! You're a Jonin with a God's immortality! Are you really that afraid of a Genin?!"
"COME BACK! FIGHT ME! FIGHT ME UNTIL THE LAST DROP OF BLOOD!"
The stone shards whistled through the air, forcing Hayato to twist and tumble in undignified dodges.
Genin? You call THIS a Genin?! Hayato cursed inwardly.
He had never seen a throwing technique so perfect yet so chaotic. Between the skyrocketing chakra and the terrifying regeneration, this boy was more sinister than Jashin himself!
Suddenly, the pale red barrier began to tremble.
A cold flash of light flickered outside the dome, then expanded with blinding speed.
"Kusanagi Sword: Longsword of the Sky!"
An ancient blade spun into the air, piercing the barrier's weak point. It extended nearly a hundred meters, striking the core of the seal Ren had placed on the ground.
With a single, elegant slice, the barrier collapsed into dust.
Step. Step. Step.
From the pitch-black corners of the cavern, a rhythmic, predatory sound of footsteps approached.
In the shadows...
Orochimaru had been watching, his golden pupils fixed on Hayato Dōgō. He didn't care about the fight; he only wanted to experiment on the Bishop's body.
But then, he had seen it.
He had seen the boy with three spears through his brain, chest, and leg—and he had seen him climb back up as if it were nothing.
Wait... that technique...
Orochimaru's pupils contracted to slits. He felt a rush of adrenaline hit his brain like a tidal wave.
"Forbidden Jutsu: Body Activation!"
He recognized the boy from the castle walls. He sensed the same wicked chakra Shennong had used.
No wonder Shennong risked exposure back then, Orochimaru thought, his heart racing. This boy is his successor! He has inherited the perfect version of the craft!
Jashin's immortality was a curiosity, a mere collector's item. But Body Activation? That was the holy grail of regeneration.
Orochimaru licked his lips, his gaze turning fanatical.
Forget the Uchiha squad. Forget the Bishop.
He wanted the boy.
His throat surged as he vomited the Kusanagi Sword into his hand. He wove signs while holding the hilt in his teeth, then swung it with a violent flick.
The blade tore through the barrier, shredding the space between him and his new prize.
"Now... let's see just how much you can endure."