TheForest of Deathtrembled under another devastating slash. Adark purple arc, towering over ten meters high, carved deep scars across the earth, splitting trees like twigs and sending debris flying. The sheer force of the attack kicked up a cloud of dust so thick that even Konoha's genin struggled to see through it.

They barely managed to leap away in time. The attack wasn't even aimed at them, yet the shockwave alone had sent them tumbling. Only now did they truly understand what the foreign shinobi had faced. That kind of power wasn't something you countered—it was something you prayed wouldn't reach you.

Amidst the chaos, Kisame gritted his teeth, ignoring the searing pain in his chest. He was fast with his hand signs, but the speed of the slash was terrifying. It was closing in, and deep down, he knew—he was too late.

Then, the air shifted.

Amassive, demonic gateerupted from the ground, its ghostly face snarling as it stood in the path of Youyu's attack.

"Rashomon!"

The structure slammed into place just as theslash collided.

The impact was deafening. The ground quaked violently, splitting open under the sheer force. A shockwave of raw power blasted outward, sending the foreign shinobi tumbling, barely able to keep their footing.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, realizing they were still alive, the genin collapsed, panting and trembling with relief.

In Konoha'sobservation room, the Hokage let out a slow breath, taking a deep drag from his pipe.Orochimaru had made it in time.At least, that's what he thought.

From atop Rashomon, Orochimaru's expression twisted. Something was wrong.

Thedark purple slash hadn't disappeared—it wasstill pushing forward.The energy had intensified, as if Youyu's attack had only just begun.

A thin, jagged line ofpure white energyran down the middle of the massive gate.

Then, with a loudcrack—

Rashomonsplit in half.

The hundred-meter-tall gate crumbled like brittle stone, the remains crashing down in a storm of dust and debris.

Silence filled theHokage's office. The Hokage's pipeslipped from his fingers, hitting the floor with a soft clatter. His earlier confidenceshattered.

Jiraiya, who had initially smirked at Orochimaru's interference, stared at the screen in disbelief. "That... that was Rashomon." His voice was barely above a whisper. "He cut throughRashomon.Withoneslash."

Back in theForest of Death, Orochimaru stood among the rubble, dusting off his cloak as hisslitted eyesgleamed with intrigue. "Konoha's little monster," he murmured, stepping forward. "You're far more interesting than I imagined."

The dust cleared, revealing Youyu standing tall with his sword resting on his shoulder. Hisscarlet eyes gleamed dangerouslyas they locked onto the rogue sannin.

"You," he muttered, his tone sharp with irritation. "You're in my way."

Orochimaru's smile widened. "Ah... but that's what makes this fun."

Without hesitation, his hands flashed through a rapid series of seals.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

From his sleeves, a swarm of venomous serpents burst forth, theirfangs glisteningas they shot toward Youyu with terrifying speed.

In Konoha'sobservation room, the Hokage's face darkened. "Damn it, Orochimaru. I told you to stop him, not provoke him."

Jiraiya sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh. You know how he is. Always has to test things for himself."

The Hokage shot him a glare. "This isn't the time for that."

Jiraiya didn't disagree.Orochimaru wasn't playing with a normal shinobi.And in theForest of Death, he was about to learn that firsthand.

As thewave of snakesrushed toward him, Youyu'sblood ran cold.His grip on his swordtightened.

With a sharp, fluid motion, heswung his blade.

"The hell is this? Filthy snakes."

The moment his sword moved,threeperfectly executed slashes tore through the air. The dozens of serpents lunging at himfroze midair, their bodies cleanly severed before tumbling lifelessly to the ground.

Orochimaru's expression remained unreadable, but hiseyes sharpened."Interesting..."

Youyu didn't wait for him to make the next move. He was already moving.

With a singlestep, the ground beneath himexploded, sending him rocketing forward at ablinding speed.His blade gleamed under the fractured light of the ruined forest,aimed straight for Orochimaru's throat.

The sannin barely had time to react. He twisted his body at the last second, feeling thekiss of cold steelgraze past his neck.A single strand of hair fluttered to the ground.

Orochimaru landed a few feet away, his tongue flicking out as he licked his lips. "Fast," he admitted. "But not fast enough."

Youyu's eyesnarrowed—this one was different. Not like the other trash.

Maybe it wouldn't be awaste of timeto cut him down after all.

Orochimaru's hand moved toward his kunai pouch, but before he could even reach it—

CRACK.

Hisentire body froze.

A sudden, crushing pressure weighed down on him, making his breath hitch. It wasn't just bloodlust. It wasn't just killing intent.

It was something else entirely.

His eyes flicked toward Youyu, and for thefirst time in years, Orochimaru felt something unfamiliar—something he hadn't experienced since his youth.

Fear.

The air around Youyu hadshifted. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the dark purple arcs of energy surrounding him grew denser, wrapping around his body like an ominous shroud.

Orochimaruhad fought monsters before.He had faced war, the strongest shinobi of other villages, and even the wrath of tailed beasts.

But this?This was something else.

Youyu exhaled slowly, gripping his sword tighter.

"You should've just brought me the damn drink."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com