In the original story, although Orochimaru was crazy, he also believed in strength above all. For "collaborators" with sufficient value, he would also grant a certain amount of "respect".
Thinking of this, Sora's eyes turned sharp.
It was not his style to remain passive and get beaten all the time.
"Orochimaru, since you insist on fighting, don't blame me for not being polite."
Sora also stopped the polite pretense. With a low shout, the immense power within his body began to awaken.
Hummm.
A different energy from chakra, more ancient and majestic, suddenly erupted from his body.
Brilliant azure light instantly covered his entire body. However, considering he had just revealed the dragon claws in front of Yamato, under Sora's deliberate control, the light remained on the surface of his body and did not spread outward.
Under the special bandages made by the Akimichi clan, fine, hard dragon scales were rapidly appearing, covering most of his skin like the most exquisite armor. His eyes also turned into vertical pupils of greenish gold.
Pseudo Semi Beast Transformation.
At this moment, Sora's outward appearance had only grown a bit larger. But inside, he was infinitely close to the legendary divine dragon. Majestic, sacred, yet with a hint of primal ferocity.
The green steam of the Gate of Limit swirling around him intertwined with a faint azure dragon's might, creating an overwhelming aura.
"What is this."
Orochimaru's pupils abruptly contracted into thin slits. Although he could not see the changes under Sora's bandages, that powerful pressure was real.
"It is not a simple limb transformation. Some kind of Kekkei Genkai. No. This pressure from a life form's level. I have never seen it before. More noble than a tailed beast."
Sora did not care about his shock. Clenching his fists, he combined the power of the Gate of Limit, the technique of Super Strength, and the physical strength brought by the Azure Dragon Fruit. He threw a punch towards the dense swarm of snakes ahead and Orochimaru hidden behind them.
Boom.
The air seemed to have been shattered by this punch.
A visible azure shockwave spread forward in a fan shape. Where it passed, all the snakes were instantly turned into bloody mist. The ground was plowed into a deep trench. The trees ahead were shattered as if by an invisible great force, breaking and falling one after another.
Orochimaru's expression changed slightly. His hands quickly formed seals.
"Summoning. Rashomon."
A huge iron gate engraved with a demonic face rose from the ground, blocking the path of the shockwave.
Thud.
A deafening roar sounded. The sturdy Rashomon was shaken violently by the punch's force. A spiderweb of cracks clearly appeared on its surface.
Although it successfully blocked this attack, when Orochimaru looked at Sora's semi dragon form, the look in his eyes had completely changed.
It was no longer the look of viewing an "interesting specimen". It was now filled with thick wariness, and even more intense greed.
"Incredible power. Not pure chakra. More like the combination of the body's own strength and some kind of higher level energy. This perfect form."
"Sora, the surprises you give me are increasing more and more."
Sora maintained his semi beast transformed Azure Dragon form and said coldly,
"Orochimaru, now, can we have a proper talk about a deal. Or, do you still want to continue 'testing' me."
He deliberately displayed powerful strength and confidence. He wanted to tell Orochimaru, I am not a fish on your chopping block. If you want my secrets, you'd better follow my rules.
Displaying part of his strength was a necessary bargaining chip for a fair deal.
Orochimaru stared at Sora. The light in his golden vertical pupils flickered uncertainly, as if weighing the pros and cons.
The form and power Sora suddenly displayed, beyond his understanding, had indeed disrupted his original plan to capture him by force.
After several seconds of silence, that uncomfortable smile reappeared on his face.
"Hehehe. Of course. You indeed have the qualification to speak with me as an equal now, Sora."
However, he suddenly changed the topic. His hands once again formed complex seals.
"But, just to this extent is not enough to let me fully enjoy myself. Let me see again. Whether the limit of your power can face a true behemoth."
"Summoning Jutsu."
Accompanied by huge white smoke and intense chakra fluctuations, an even more terrifying, violent aura instantly enveloped the entire battlefield.
The huge white smoke dispersed, revealing the enormous, ferocious figure within.
It was a giant purple snake far larger than an ordinary summon. Its pair of yellow snake eyes coldly looked down at Sora and Orochimaru below.
It was none other than one of the three giant snakes of Ryuchi Cave. Manda.
"Orochimaru, you summoned me. Are you preparing one hundred live human sacrifices for me."
Manda's low voice sounded, filled with undisguised greed and arrogance. It did not even look at the opponent first, but instead demanded sacrifices from Orochimaru.
Orochimaru seemed already accustomed to Manda's attitude. He chuckled hoarsely.
"Hehehe. Of course there are sacrifices. But, you need to deal with this little fellow first."
Only then did Manda turn its huge head somewhat impatiently. It glanced casually at the figure below emitting green steam and faint azure light.
The moment Manda appeared, Sora's heart instinctively tightened.
After all, this was the legendary Manda. Its strength definitely reached Kage level. In a direct conflict, even if he opened the Gate of Limit and used his semi beast transformation, it would absolutely be a bitter fight. It might even force him to use his final trump card.
However, just as this wariness arose, a will from deep within his bloodline, even more ancient and vast, quietly emerged. It carried a hint of indescribable indifference and disdain, as if silently telling him.
This long worm before him was nothing much.
This will was not a clear thought. It was more like an instinctive arrogance, originating from the supreme bloodline status known as the "Azure Dragon".
Under the influence of this will, that bit of wariness in Sora's heart instantly vanished. It was replaced by a calmness from a superior position.
When he looked at Manda now, it was no longer like looking at a powerful enemy. Instead, it was like examining a lowly creation.
At this moment, Manda's lazy eyes also slightly focused.
Something was wrong.
Extremely, one hundred percent wrong.
That tiny human was emitting an extremely faint aura. But it made its bloodline feel a faint, inexplicable tremor deep within.
It was a kind of pressure engraved in the deepest part of its racial memory. Symbolizing the ultimate evolution, a distant, unattainable perfect form.
"Hmm. This feeling." Manda's huge body unconsciously tensed slightly. It lowered its head a little, meeting Sora's greenish gold vertical pupils.
"Kid, what are you."
Sora sensed Manda's suspicion. He knew it was the trace of dragon's might unintentionally released that had attracted attention.
On a whim, he not only did not restrain it, but instead actively urged the power within him originating from the Azure Dragon Fruit.
Hummm.
An even clearer, more condensed, more majestic dragon's might quickly spread out with Sora at the center.
"Hiss."
Manda, being the closest, felt it most strongly.
The moment that pure dragon's might descended, it only felt a shudder originating from the depths of its soul instantly sweep through its entire body.
It was the instinctive fear of a lower being facing a superior being. An imperfect form facing a perfect one.
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