Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

On the other side of the battlefield, the fight between Yakushi Kabuto and Uchiha Shinsuke was a stark contrast to the explosive clash between Orochimaru and Jiraiya. It was quieter—measured. A close-quarters battle fought with fists, kicks, and precision rather than overwhelming jutsu.

They exchanged blows in tight, confined spaces—neither gaining a clear upper hand. The battle was balanced.

It wasn't that Kabuto didn't want to finish the fight quickly. But with Shinsuke's Sharingan watching his every move, his Inorganic Reincarnation technique became little more than a flashy Earth-Style jutsu. As for the powerful White Shock Technique, it consumed too much chakra to be practical in a one-on-one skirmish. With Shinsuke on guard, the chance of success was low.

Given that, Kabuto opted instead to rely on the immense physical strength granted by Sage Mode.

Besides, there was something deeply satisfying to Kabuto about beating someone down with brute force—giving pain back in kind.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Their fists and feet collided in rapid succession, the sound of impacts echoing through the forest.

Uchiha Shinsuke fought defensively, his Sharingan spinning at full speed, pushing his body and reflexes to their peak. He brought the Uchiha clan's taijutsu to a masterful level.

But Kabuto was faster, stronger, and more resilient. Each time Shinsuke landed a hit, it felt ineffective. When he blocked a kick, the sheer force left his muscles aching and his stance broken.

The more they fought, the more frustrated he became. Uchiha's golden boy was tasting the bitterness of being outclassed.

Eventually, Shinsuke shifted tactics—focusing on dodging and waiting for an opening. It was the logical move, the smart play. But he couldn't calm his emotions. Rage clouded his judgment, making it hard to execute his plan.

"You've lost your edge," Kabuto said, whipping a kick into Shinsuke and sending him flying.

He stood still, smiling.

"With that mindset, you'll die soon enough."

Shinsuke's eyes flashed with anger, but before he could respond, Kabuto interrupted.

"Since the outcome is inevitable, let's just speed it up."

He licked his lips, formed hand seals—and lunged.

Sensing danger, Shinsuke's eyes narrowed. In a blur, he pulled several shuriken from his pouch and launched them.

Whoosh!

But before they could reach their target, earthen tentacles surged up around Kabuto, blocking every projectile like an impenetrable defense.

Protected by the tentacles, Kabuto charged. Earth and stone lashed out with him—his limbs and the tentacles moving in perfect sync, launching a barrage that forced Shinsuke into retreat.

Using Inorganic Reincarnation for wide-area attacks was powerful, but lacked precision—easily countered by a ninja with ocular abilities. However, focused in a single direction, it became far faster and deadlier.

Kabuto wasn't yet fully proficient in this form of attack. He had to maintain hand seals, leaving openings a skilled opponent could exploit. But based on Shinsuke's earlier performance, Kabuto calculated that his Sage Mode durability could handle it—even if he got hit, the cost to his opponent would be far greater.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Shinsuke darted between thick jungle trees, using them as cover, his Sharingan tracking everything in motion. Any other elite jonin would've fallen already.

But Shinsuke wasn't satisfied with survival. He wanted to win. To turn the tide—and defeat Kabuto.

His eyes spun rapidly. A deep red glow lit up his gaze.

Boom!

Using a tree as cover, he launched over twenty shuriken at once. They collided mid-air, changing direction in a crisscrossing pattern—like a net converging on Kabuto.

The timing was perfect. Kabuto was mid-technique, his defenses not yet reformed.

But Kabuto reacted fast. His hands moved across his chest, and fresh earthen tentacles erupted from the ground. They intercepted the shuriken like vines shielding a bloom. Kabuto, at the center of it all, looked like a peacock spreading its feathers—magnificent and menacing.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"

A massive fireball erupted from Shinsuke's mouth, blazing directly toward Kabuto.

Kabuto's tentacles responded instantly—some redirected to meet the fireball, while others continued intercepting the shuriken.

Boom!

The fireball exploded—its flames surging. And through that fire, a silhouette shot forward.

Shinsuke emerged, short sword in hand, aiming directly for Kabuto mid-air, who was exposed and vulnerable.

Kabuto's eyebrows lifted slightly, the fire having singed his hair. In that moment, he realized the truth.

Shinsuke had predicted his reaction.

The fireball was never meant to hit. It was a smokescreen, a distraction. Shinsuke had leapt through the flames the moment he released it—sacrificing his own safety to close the distance.

With his small frame, even residual flame could cause serious injury.

All for a single strike?

Kabuto almost found it amusing.

But Shinsuke had underestimated something: Sage Mode wasn't like ordinary ninjutsu. Once mastered, it became instinctive—fast, fluid, alive.

Kabuto couldn't grow new tentacles immediately, but he could retract existing ones. The price? Taking a few shuriken to the body.

But just as Kabuto prepared to counter—

The air behind them twisted.

A masked figure emerged from a vortex—his upper body slipping into their dimension—and reached for Shinsuke.

Kabuto's eyes narrowed. His calm shattered.

The masked man wasn't targeting him—he was going after Shinsuke, who was completely unaware, fully committed to his strike.

Being pulled into that space-time jutsu… was as good as death.

Kabuto made a split-second decision.

Instead of dodging, he whipped his body into motion, using his long tail for leverage, and launched himself directly toward Shinsuke.

Shinsuke, focused entirely on Kabuto, didn't sense the presence behind him. Seeing Kabuto suddenly shift, he instinctively adjusted his sword—

Slice.

The blade sank into Kabuto's chest. It didn't hit the heart, but it was deep—a solid blow meant to maim.

Shinsuke felt a grim satisfaction. The hit landed.

But a second later—

Crack!

Kabuto's foot slammed into his side, sending him flying.

As he tumbled through the air toward a tree, his Sharingan spun wildly—just in time to see Kabuto grabbed by the masked man and vanish into the swirling vortex.

Gone.

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