I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 357 The Useless Snake Who Lost His Dreams!

Compared to the burly wooden figures summoned by the [Wooden Man Technique], this is much better.

The black warrior created by 【Black Warrior】 is significantly shorter than the former.

However, its "petite" size also gives the [Black Knight] a level of agility far superior to the [Wooden Dummy Technique].

Furthermore, Nara Ranke's proficiency in the "Black Warrior" technique, also known as the "Shadow Gundam," is clearly superior to that in the "Wooden Man Technique."

Under Nara Rinka's careful control, the Black Warrior stomped heavily on the head of the wooden doll mired in the mud, and like a large black bird, he flew straight across the range of "Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld" and jumped directly in front of Orochimaru.

Nara Rinka originally intended to use Wood Release to defeat Orochimaru.

However, Tsunade, who was watching the battle, noticed his unfamiliarity with Wood Release.

Compared to Yin Release techniques, Nara Rinka's training in Wood Release ninjutsu, or more accurately, hand seal ninjutsu, is indeed lacking, which greatly affects the rhythm of battle.

After realizing this, Tsunade very "thoughtfully" reminded Nara Rinkei that he could change his fighting methods.

In Tsunade's view, quickly eliminating Orochimaru was the most important thing!

Nara Rinka readily accepted the advice and, after the defense of the [Ranking Technique] was removed, immediately unleashed his true "signature skill".

An upgraded version of Black Warrior that incorporates Susanoo!

Although the overall appearance of the Black Knight has not changed much.

But in reality, the current [Black Knight] has completed a "comprehensive version upgrade" from the inside out!

Orochimaru, already burning with rage over the death of Manda, showed no sign of backing down as the black giant approached.

Orochimaru casually made a hand seal, and the Kusanagi sword that had just been nailed to the wooden dummy was summoned from a distance and tightly gripped in his hand. His chakra surged into the sword like a tide.

With enough chakra injected, the Kusanagi sword's gleaming blade suddenly grew more than ten times its original size, shooting towards the approaching Black Warrior like a javelin.

Under Orochimaru's watchful gaze, the Kusanagi sword's suddenly lengthened blade struck the Black Warrior's body with pinpoint accuracy.

Accompanied by a few inconspicuous sparks, a crisp clang echoed far and wide through the dense forest.

The Kusanagi Sword failed to penetrate the Black Warrior's outer armor!

What?!

When Orochimaru saw that the Kusanagi Sword only sparked a few fireballs on the outside of the Black Warrior, his eyes nearly popped out.

He was well aware of the sharpness of the Kusanagi sword; even against a finely crafted kunai, the Kusanagi sword was confident it could cut it in two with a single stroke.

But the Kusanagi Sword couldn't break through Nara Ranka's special ninjutsu defense?!

What on earth is going on with these giant-like ninjutsu techniques?!

Orochimaru felt that Nara's tactics were beyond his understanding in his time.

However, Nara Rinkazu will not give up his counterattack against Orochimaru because of this.

Using the shadow cast on the ground by the Kusanagi sword's extra-long blade, Nara Rinka controls the [Black Warrior] to release streams of Yin Release chakra. Through the connection between the shadow and Orochimaru's main body, he reverses control of Orochimaru's body.

Within the shadow, which resembled a steel cable, shimmered countless black incantation symbols.

This is not the Nara clan's secret A-rank technique, the Shadow Slap Technique.

Instead, it is a new type of A-rank technique developed based on the [Shadow Slap Technique] and the [Self-Karma Curse Technique]—

[Shadow Binding Technique]!

The name of this A-rank technique sounds similar to the Nara clan's most basic [Shadow Binding Technique], but in reality, their control effects are worlds apart.

The moment the Shadow Binding Technique made contact with Orochimaru's shadow, the power of the cursed seal hidden within the shadow suddenly erupted.

These special chakras transformed into irregularly shaped black stripes that started from his legs and instantly wrapped around Orochimaru's body, even leaving numerous black stripes on his pale face.

Against the backdrop of the black patterns of the Shadow Binding Technique, Orochimaru's already pale skin appeared even more sickly.

"This is the Root's [Self-Karma Binding Technique]!?"

Orochimaru, who also had a very deep understanding of cursed seals, instantly recognized the type of cursed seal on his body and immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

【Self-Inflicted Curse】can completely restrict the enemy's ability to move. The powerful curse seal can even force the enemy to be unable to move a finger.

The moment Orochimaru was hit by the [Self-Karma Curse Technique], all he could do was roll his eyes; he couldn't even speak.

This was absolutely devastating news for Orochimaru!

Even though he couldn't move his hands or form hand seals, Orochimaru still mastered many "hand seal ninjutsu".

Unfortunately, these "unsealed ninjutsu" basically all need to be released through the "mouth".

At this point, Orochimaru couldn't even open his mouth to spit out snakes, nor could he use the "Orochimaru Substitution Technique".

Moreover, Nara Rinka didn't intend to give this dignified Sannin too much time to react!

At the moment when he used the Shadow Binding Technique to forcibly control Orochimaru, Nara Rinka once again released an unremarkable B-rank technique through the Black Warrior.

【Shadow Stitching Technique】!

The jet-black shadow transformed into a flat, sharp blade, slashing towards Orochimaru's hands that held the Kusanagi sword with a whistling sound.

Orochimaru's pupils contracted violently as he unleashed his chakra with all his might, attempting to break free from the control of the Shadow Binding Technique.

Unfortunately, he was not a ninja known for his "strength".

"Orochimaru, I've got your hands!"

As Nara Rinkaku's words rang out.

The black shadow blade formed by the [Shadow Stitching Technique] was like a cold, ruthless butcher's knife, mercilessly slicing through Orochimaru's hands, severing his arms from the mid-forearm downwards.

Under Orochimaru's furious gaze, his hands, along with the Kusanagi sword that rapidly retracted to its original length, fell to the ground like trash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Nara——"

When Tsunade saw Orochimaru's hands being mercilessly severed by Nara Rinka, she too felt a surge of shock.

She originally only wanted to beat Orochimaru up, maybe even leave him half-dead...

Unexpectedly, Nara Rinka would directly take away Orochimaru's right to use ninjutsu!

This was even more painful for him than killing Orochimaru.

Tsunade knew all too well how obsessed Orochimaru was with ninjutsu.

The fact that Orochimaru's hands, which were used to perform ninjutsu, were severed completely shattered his pursuit of ninjutsu.

But how should I put it...

Despite her shock, Tsunade also felt a rare sense of exhilaration.

Orochimaru used fellow village ninjas for human experiments, and even the remains of the First Hokage...

Tsunade knew all of these things.

The main reasons she challenged Orochimaru to a duel were these two things, especially the latter.

However, for the sake of the so-called "overall situation", Tsunade did not intend to do anything to Orochimaru, but only wanted to teach him a lesson.

But to be fair...

How could simply giving her a scolding alleviate Tsunade's inner turmoil?

Upon seeing Orochimaru's hands severed, Tsunade felt a surge of exhilaration.

However, Tsunade was unaware of a problem...

She no longer seemed afraid of Orochimaru's gushing blood...

"Although it sounds a bit high-sounding, that's still what I believe."

Nara Rinkachi controlled the Black Warrior while responding to Tsunade's "exclamation" beside him.

"Orochimaru deserved it!"

[Black Warrior] raised its enormous fist and slammed it heavily into Orochimaru, who was still not free from the control of [Shadow Binding Technique], sending the latter flying far away and crashing into a large tree in the forest.

The enormous impact nearly snapped the tree in half, producing a deafening roar.

Orochimaru continued flying backward, crashing through several trees before finally stopping.

Lying on the messy ground, Orochimaru stared blankly at the night sky, like a salted fish that had lost its dreams—a useless snake.

Nara Rinka separated several shadow tentacles from the Black Warrior, grabbed the hands and the Kusanagi sword that were abandoned on the ground, and then manipulated the Black Warrior to run quickly towards Orochimaru.

But the moment I saw Orochimaru lying among broken trees, without any intention of struggling.

Both Nara and Tsunade realized one thing...

Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, could not rise again.

(End of this chapter)