Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 40 Orochi Style Substitution Technique

Orochimaru summoned a gigantic python using a pre-prepared technique. The python's breath emitted a strong stench that inspired fear in all who beheld it.

Orochimaru commanded the giant python to pounce on Sasuke and Naruto, hoping to hold them back, while he stayed behind to deal with Boruto.

"Let me test your skills, but don't disappoint me too much!" Orochimaru let out a low laugh.

At the same time, Orochimaru reached out and tore off the Grass Ninja skin mask he had obtained through the Face-Changing Technique, revealing his iconic face.

Boruto saw Orochimaru's true face at a glance, and an indescribable shock welled up in his heart: "You...you're Orochimaru!?"

"Oh ho? I didn't expect that there would be someone among the younger generation of Konoha ninja who could recognize me so quickly," Orochimaru said with some surprise.

Boruto gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with vigilance. How could he not recognize Orochimaru? In the Ninja Gaiden card game, Orochimaru was an SSR-level super-powerful card!

Even though I've never actually owned this card, I've seen pigs run even if I haven't eaten pork, right?

"Wind Release: Gale Palm!" Boruto immediately unleashed a powerful ninjutsu attack at Orochimaru.

Although he didn't know why Orochimaru had come to the Forest of Death and even participated in the Chunin Selection Exams, Boruto dared not be careless in the slightest.

"I'll show you what true Wind Release is, and the gap between us." Orochimaru's lips curled slightly into a disdainful smile as he faced Boruto's attack.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals and unleashed another ninjutsu.

Orochimaru spewed out a powerful hurricane from his mouth, hurtling towards Boruto.

Seeing this, Boruto quickly used his ninjutsu to try to defend himself, but his ninjutsu was no match for Orochimaru's powerful wind release and was instantly blown away.

The hurricane did not stop and continued to rush towards Boruto, who barely managed to withstand the strong wind with all his might.

When the fierce wind finally subsided, Orochimaru's figure appeared before Boruto like a ghost.

"Wind Release: Wind Cutting Technique!" Orochimaru shouted softly, and a sharp wind blade condensed in his palm, slashing straight at Boruto with fierce momentum.

Boruto dodged Orochimaru's Wind Slash Technique with a quick sidestep, but his ninja tool pouch was not spared; the straps were cut by the wind blades and fell to the ground.

Boruto quickly took a few steps back, putting distance between himself and Orochimaru, and grinned, "I wasn't unprepared for this Chunin Selection Exam!"

"Water Release: Waves!"

Boruto quickly formed hand seals and spat out a large amount of water, which gushed out continuously and instantly gathered into a huge, surging wave.

"Lightning Release: Swift Arrow!" Boruto shouted softly, and dazzling white lightning flashed between his palms. Then, several arrow-shaped lightning bolts roared out.

The waves intertwined perfectly, merging into one, forming a new combo attack that surged towards Orochimaru with overwhelming force, engulfing him in one fell swoop.

The waves slammed Orochimaru hard against a nearby tree, and the surging waves contained the power of lightning, which, like maggots clinging to bones, invaded Orochimaru's body and was paralyzing him.

As the waves gradually subsided, Orochimaru finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed weakly to the ground from the tree.

However, a moment later, Orochimaru's body began to writhe in a strange way, as if something was about to break out of his body.

Orochimaru lay on his back with his mouth wide open. A pair of pale hands pried his mouth open from the inside, and then Orochimaru's entire body emerged from the sticky liquid as if shedding its skin.

Furthermore, Orochimaru's severe injuries had already healed by 70-80%!

Boruto felt a sense of unease when he saw Orochimaru reappear before him in this way.

However, Boruto had no time to think about anything else at this point. After a long and intense battle, his body was gradually becoming exhausted.

Moreover, Orochimaru in front of him still seemed to be handling things with ease, which made Boruto chuckle wryly.

Why is this Chunin Selection Exam so difficult? Who would encounter such powerful ninjas ambushing and killing candidates during the Chunin Exams?

Orochimaru seemed to sense Boruto's near-exhaustion and said mockingly, "Is this how it ends? With your current strength, you're good enough to be a Chunin or even a Jonin, but it's far from enough."

Orochimaru slowly approached Boruto, his gaze focused, and he unleashed the Naraku-sight technique upon Boruto.

In that instant, Boruto witnessed his impending death through Orochimaru's eyes; his pupils dilated slightly, as if they had lost focus.

Orochimaru stood in front of Boruto. He could sense a trace of connection between the cursed seal within Boruto's body and the seal, so he tried to activate it.

......

On another battlefield, Sasuke and Naruto were fiercely battling a gigantic python.

Naruto grew increasingly agitated because the python's skin was covered in hard, stone-like material.

Neither kunai nor shuriken could inflict fatal damage on it. If this giant python could not be subdued soon, the entire situation would become extremely dangerous.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he quickly formed hand seals, uttering a soft shout: "Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Technique!" Instantly, a burst of blazing flames erupted and rushed towards the giant python.

After sensing the threat posed by the flame, the giant python desperately twisted its massive body in an attempt to escape.

However, Sasuke's Fire Release technique was incredibly fast, raining down on the giant python.

Seeing this, Naruto seized the opportunity, circled around to the back of the giant python, and immediately used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Naruto circled around to the back of the giant python and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. The numerous clones attacked the giant python together, punching and kicking it, leaving the python unable to defend both its head and tail and putting it on the defensive.

"Spiral pills!"

Immediately afterwards, Naruto leaped high into the air, condensing his chakra into his palm, instantly forming a high-speed spinning sphere, which he slammed into the giant python's belly.

The giant python roared in pain and turned to pounce on Naruto.

"Chidori!"

Sasuke concentrated his powerful Lightning Release chakra in his palm. Under his control, the chakra quickly coalesced into a high-intensity electric current, accompanied by a sharp, piercing sound, like the simultaneous chirping of thousands of birds.

In fact, Sasuke originally planned to save this ultimate move for his Chunin Selection ninja battles, but at this moment, facing the giant python in front of him, he had no time to worry about that.

Without hesitation, Sasuke unleashed the Chidori Technique, his figure flashing as he charged towards the giant python. The electricity in his hand instantly transformed into a dazzling beam of light, piercing straight through the python's back.

The giant python crashed to the ground, unable to rise again.

......