Naruto: Power in Play

Chapter 32

The air inside the chamber was thick with tension, the oppressive chakra pressing against Renji's lungs like an invisible weight. His body screamed at him to move, to react, but his instincts were at war with his training—Kakashi Hatake was here.

The jōnin's kunai remained steady against the enemy's throat, his posture completely relaxed, yet radiating an undeniable lethality.

"...Interesting," the man murmured, his eyes narrowing.

Kakashi exhaled softly. "Took me a moment to piece it together," he said, voice level. "The chakra, the way you move—unnatural, fluid. The snakes should have been an immediate giveaway, but I wanted to be sure."

The man chuckled. "Ah, Kakashi-kun, always so perceptive."

Renji felt his stomach drop. Kakashi's kunai didn't waver, but his tone darkened.

"Orochimaru."

The chamber seemed to shrink. Daiki audibly sucked in a breath. Akiko took a step back, her kikaichū shifting anxiously.

Orochimaru's smirk widened, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "So, you figured it out. Well done." His voice was light, but the underlying malice sent a chill down Renji's spine.

The kunai at his throat blurred—Kakashi struck.

Orochimaru's body twisted unnaturally, bending backward at an impossible angle, letting the blade pass harmlessly over him. Before Kakashi could follow up, the Sannin's form seemed to peel away, slipping out of his skin like a discarded husk.

Renji barely had time to register the shed body before Orochimaru reemerged several feet away, entirely unharmed.

"I must say, it's been a while since I've had an audience," Orochimaru mused, flexing his fingers as if testing his own body. His tone darkened, almost disappointed. "Though I expected a more... competent opponent."

Kakashi didn't respond. He was already moving. A blur of silver and steel—Kakashi closed the gap in an instant, a kunai flashing toward Orochimaru's side.

But Orochimaru's speed was monstrous. His body coiled unnaturally, dodging with the fluidity of a snake. His fingers flicked through hand seals too fast to track.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough."

A violent gust howled through the chamber. Renji barely threw up his arms in time before he and his team were hurled backward, skidding across the floor.

Kakashi, however, dug his foot into the ground, flipping mid-air to land effortlessly. He didn't hesitate, already forming his own seals.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Blade."

The chamber lit up with crackling blue energy as Kakashi lunged. The sheer force of the technique sent sparks flying across the stone floor.

Orochimaru's smirk remained, but he moved, his form flickering as he dodged left, only for Kakashi to twist mid-strike, altering the angle of his attack in an instant.

The Raikiri slashed forward—And passed through empty air. Another shed skin.

Orochimaru's chuckle echoed from behind. "So predictable."

Kakashi was already pivoting before the words fully registered. A jet-black snake shot from Orochimaru's sleeve, striking toward him like a spear.

Kakashi barely dodged, twisting as the snake's fangs grazed past his shoulder.

Renji scrambled to his feet, his eyes glued to the ongoing fight. They were outmatched. Kakashi might be able to hold his own, but against a Sannin?

They had to get out.