As the flames dissipated, Orochimaru's extremely battered figure was revealed.
His clothes were scorched black, and he even coughed out a puff of black smoke.
"If a ninja of the same level faced such a bizarre Kido, they would likely have been killed by you. The potential of a Shinigami is indeed impressive." Having been tricked by a junior, Orochimaru's expression was rather unsightly, and he decided to teach Naruto a proper lesson.
His figure suddenly blurred, instantly appearing before Naruto.
"Hidden Shadow Multiple Snake Hands!" In the instant Naruto couldn't react, numerous large snakes summoned in a flash bound him tightly.
"Evil Serpent Arm Blast!" Subsequently, Orochimaru summoned another large snake, which swallowed Naruto in one gulp.
Boom! The large snake exploded from the inside out, sending dust and debris flying everywhere.
Orochimaru's tone was quite cheerful:
"Naruto-kun, what do you think of this set of ninjutsu? Not inferior to your Kido, right? Interested in learning it?"
He casually brushed the dust off his clothes, preparing to leave and find Sasuke.
After that combo of his ninjutsu, he believed Naruto would have lost the ability to move.
The potential of a Shinigami was indeed noteworthy.
But he didn't want to let the Sharingan go either.
Pursuing both goals simultaneously—perfectly fine.
Orochimaru looked towards the site of the explosion, expecting to see a near-dead Naruto. But when the dust settled, the area was empty.
A strong sense of foreboding struck his heart. Just as he was about to form hand seals for a defensive jutsu, he suddenly felt an icy chill in his chest.
Looking down, he saw that a cold, bone-chilling blade had already sunk into his chest, protruding from his back.
His vision rippled, like a stone dropped into a calm lake.
Then, he saw Naruto, still wearing that warm smile, standing before him, his right hand slowly withdrawing Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Impossible! You… you didn't even release its Shikai!" Orochimaru gasped, his expression one of utter shock.
But Naruto spoke, his voice full of magnetism, "What sort of illusion led you to believe that I hadn't released Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai?"
Naruto pulled out Kyoka Suigetsu, the Reiatsu within his body nearly depleted.
Controlling the five senses of a Kage-level powerhouse was exceedingly difficult.
But fortunately, he had succeeded.
The withdrawn Kyoka Suigetsu brought with it a large spray of blood. Naruto's expression was composed. "I wonder if a Shikai like this is enough to demonstrate the potential of a Shinigami?"
Feeling the stabbing pain in his chest, Orochimaru's thoughts began to drift.
After years immersed in research, his combat skills had indeed regressed. Feeling this piercing pain again, however, seemed to awaken the beast within his heart.
The look in his eyes as he gazed at Naruto turned sharp and fierce.
"Naruto-kun, the surprises you've given me are truly immense." He stuck out his long tongue, lightly licking his dry lips, and gave a sinister smile.
The next moment, a small white snake emerged from his mouth.
The small snake writhed on the ground for a moment, then reformed into Orochimaru's likeness.
Still the same clothes and face, only his complexion seemed a shade paler.
Looking at the body that had been pierced by Kyoka Suigetsu, it had already collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
"Such an amazing ninjutsu," Naruto inwardly marveled at Orochimaru's talent.
Only a ninja dedicated to deep research could develop such an incredibly imaginative ninjutsu.
How could those good-for-nothing placeholders in Konoha's leadership, obsessed with power, ever create similarly practical and unique ninjutsu?
They said the Third Hokage was the "Professor," the Kage most proficient in ninjutsu.
However, he hadn't developed any noteworthy jutsu of his own.
The Second Hokage developed countless forbidden jutsu; the Fourth Hokage developed the Rasengan.
And the Third?
Nothing.
Why hadn't he developed any jutsu that could be passed down?
Because all his energy was diverted elsewhere.
Therefore…
Naruto greatly admired Orochimaru's dedication to research.
With Kido and Kyoka Suigetsu's effects overcome, Naruto was also somewhat at his wit's end.
"I can only use that," he thought, a hesitant look appearing on his face.
On Mount Myoboku, he had experienced Hollowfication. Although Hollow White had been completely thrashed by him in the Zanpakuto's space, when he returned to reality, he had felt the terrifying power boost brought by Hollowfication, as well as the boiling killing intent within him, enough to erase his sanity.
Since then, Naruto hadn't touched Hollowfication again.
He currently hadn't mastered it; using it might lead to him going berserk.
As if noticing Naruto's hesitation, Orochimaru drawled threateningly, "Naruto-kun, if you don't bring out your trump card soon, I might just leave, you know." He then flashed a perverse smile. "An Uchiha's body… just thinking about it is so stimulating."
"Since it has come to this, then let me show you." Naruto sighed, his expression turning solemn. "This is the direction our research aims to break through: the Hollowfication of a Shinigami, or the Shinigamification of a Hollow! And what I am about to demonstrate… is Hollowfication!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's snake-like pupils constricted, shining with a gleam of excitement.
Previously, he had speculated about Naruto's trump cards, thinking it would be nothing more than a combination of the Nine-Tails' power and Shinigami powers.
In his heart, the allure of Shinigami powers was still considerably less than that of the Sharingan.
After all… he had suffered greatly under those eyes.
But after their initial battle, he realized he had still underestimated the capabilities of a Zanpakuto.
He believed the upcoming Hollowfication would bring an even greater surprise.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, quietly waiting for Naruto's next move.
At this moment, Naruto's consciousness had already entered his Zanpakuto's space.
"Welcome back, my King." It was still that familiar space; the starry sky above the palace glittered brightly, adorned with countless stars.
The black-robed figure stood respectfully to one side, bowing his head.
Naruto glanced around but didn't see Hollow White.
"Where is Hollow White?" he inquired.
"Hollow White?!" The black-robed figure's body jolted. Though his expression couldn't be seen, he was likely quite surprised to hear those two words from Naruto's mouth.
He muttered to himself, his tone complex, "So, he has already awakened."
"My King, do you seek him for some reason?"
"I merely require Hollowfication," Naruto said nonchalantly.
"Hollowfication? So, my King desires that power," the black-robed figure nodded thoughtfully.
"That power is not easy to control. However, if it is what my King desires, then I shall have that fellow hand over his power for your use." The black-robed figure's final words were filled with disdain for Hollow White. He bowed slightly to Naruto.
"My King, I will satisfy your every request. Please, continue to grow stronger, and reclaim what is rightfully yours…" The black-robed figure's voice gradually faded, and Naruto's head began to feel dizzy.
After a moment of the world spinning, when he regained consciousness, he was back in reality.
A violent surge of Reiatsu erupted within his body, coursing uncontrollably. Naruto's mouth fell slightly agape, as if he could hardly bear the boiling Reiatsu inside him.
The Reiatsu began to overflow, turning milky-white, continuously swirling around Naruto's body.