Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Ishihara: I Believe in You! Orochimaru Returns!
Chapter 20: Ishihara: I Believe in You! Orochimaru Returns!
Seeing the tomoe appear in Ishihara's eyes, Kakashi and Itachi felt like they were losing their minds.
"How is this possible? Even if other bloodline limit can be created, the Sharingan shouldn't be!"
Their worldview was shattered to pieces by the scene in front of them. It was completely contrary to their understanding.
"It's still not right," Ishihara said, frowning as he examined his Sharingan. Though it looked like a Sharingan, it only had its form, providing almost no enhancement to his insight or copying abilities. However, it significantly strengthened his genjutsu capabilities, even enhancing his genjutsu space. This revelation excited Ishihara.
"I wonder if I can discover something new," Ishihara mused, his eyes fixed on Kakashi and Itachi, before shaking his head in disappointment. No flashes of inspiration came to mind. His earlier success was clearly due to his deep foundation in genjutsu and his understanding of the Sharingan. For now, he had reached his limit.
"I'll have to find an opportunity to dissect a few Uchiha corpses," Ishihara thought to himself. The Sharingan was different from other bloodline limit, with its chakra source rooted in a mutated organ in the Uchiha's brain. Without dissecting a body, he couldn't uncover the true nature of the Sharingan. For now, he had only gained the genjutsu power of the Sharingan.
"Alright, you two are of no use anymore," Ishihara said, shaking his head and turning to leave. The noise from the fight was likely to attract various enemies soon. Although he wasn't afraid, he didn't like trouble and preferred to relocate quickly.
Kakashi and Itachi stood frozen, finding it hard to believe.
"You're just letting us go? What is your real plan?" Kakashi asked.
Ishihara paused, turning back to them with interest. "That's a secret, goodbye for now."
Kakashi and Itachi tensed up.
Kakashi sighed, looking at the devastated surroundings with a heavy heart. Although he and Itachi survived, their teammates perished. More importantly, they were deliberately released by Ishihara.
"I don't know how we'll report this to the Hokage," Kakashi said.
The two, bearing severe injuries, slowly moved away. Along the way, Itachi turned to look back at the base's entrance.
"I wonder if I can stand a chance against him if I awaken the Mangekyō," Itachi thought. He once believed the Mangekyō Sharingan was immensely powerful, but now he wasn't so confident.
He hoped never to encounter that monster again!
...
Deep within the base, those who survived were swiftly packing various documents and items.
"Lord Ishihara!"
"Lord Ishihara!"
"Lord Ishihara!"
With Ishihara's return, the survivors looked at him with utmost reverence and awe.
"Pack everything up immediately. If Sensei doesn't return by nightfall, we'll retreat first," Ishihara calmly ordered, heading to the archives to learn a few jutsus to pass the time.
"Yes, sir!!!" Everyone responded energetically, as if they had won a battle rather than been invaded, their morale high. With a strong protector like Ishihara, everyone felt reassured, speeding up their packing.
Time slowly passed. Near dusk, Ishihara, who was reading, suddenly put down his scroll and looked toward the base entrance. Orochimaru had returned!
He stepped out.
...
At the base entrance, Orochimaru's face turned grim as he saw the destruction, emanating a chilling aura.
"Who the hell is it?!"
Orochimaru was frantic, rushing into the base. Ishihara couldn't be harmed!
Suddenly, Orochimaru halted, his pupils contracting as he stared ahead.
"What's going on? There's a faint but immensely strong and unsettling pressure approaching rapidly!"
"Could it be an intruder?"
He hesitated, eyes filled with uncertainty. The overwhelming pressure made his heart feel heavy and oppressed. Engaging with this presence would be risky!
Then, Orochimaru's face changed drastically, goosebumps rising all over his body.
"No, this feeling, this chakra, it resembles Ishihara's!"
"Could it be him?! Did he succeed?!"
Orochimaru's entire body shuddered as he dashed deeper into the base, his heart aflame with anticipation. The immortality he longed for was finally within reach! Though he hadn't developed it himself, he didn't care. Instead, he was incredibly excited!
He moved swiftly, but soon came to an abrupt stop. Before him stood a figure—it was Ishihara!
Orochimaru's eyes were locked onto him, filled with disbelief. His voice trembled as he asked, "Did you succeed?!"
Ishihara smiled and nodded, "Teacher, I didn't let you down, did I?"
"Of course not! Hahahaha!! Hahahahaha!!"
Orochimaru laughed maniacally. He could clearly feel the pressure emanating from Ishihara—a magnetic field emitted by a life form of a higher level. His senses didn't deceive him!
It was the same kind of pressure that radiated from the White Snake Sage when angered!.