"This is… Hollowfication?" Orochimaru stared in astonishment at Naruto, who was enveloped in white mist. This scene was similar to the soul Hollowfication from before.
The same terrifyingly boiling energy and powerful negative emotions.
An inexplicable sense of unease welled up in Orochimaru's heart, and he subconsciously took another step back, his brow tightly furrowed.
Hollowfication seemed more like a state resulting from a failed soul transformation. Compared to a Shinigami, the energy brought by Hollowfication was far more violent and volatile.
Furthermore, with the boost from Hollowfication, Naruto's Kekkei Genkai might undergo a qualitative improvement.
Could it even enhance Kyoka Suigetsu?
Orochimaru dared not underestimate Naruto. He immediately circulated the chakra in his body, and a cold, sharp aura erupted from around him.
On the field, the white Reiatsu gradually condensed on Naruto's face, forming a bone-white, sinister mask that firmly adhered to half of his face.
"Similar to the soul's Hollowfication from before, but no hole has appeared in his chest," Orochimaru observed Naruto closely, thinking to himself, "The oppressive feeling has increased exponentially, but I wonder if he can still maintain his sanity."
The ferocity of the Hollowfication secretly alarmed even Orochimaru.
His own Cursed Seal of Heaven also had a certain chance of failure when injected.
Those who failed would all lose their sanity, their chakra turning violent and uncontrollable.
It bore some resemblance to Hollowfication.
Turbulent air currents swirled around Naruto in Orochimaru's vision, continuously kicking up large clouds of dust. Cracks also appeared in the ground beneath his feet, spreading outwards like a spiderweb.
Standing at the center, Naruto lifted his head and met Orochimaru's gaze. Those azure eyes were now filled with utter disdain.
"Such an arrogant feeling. Has Naruto's personality changed too?" Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat.
In that instant, Naruto vanished from Orochimaru's sight, closing in on him at a speed difficult for the naked eye to track, his right fist slamming straight into Orochimaru's face.
Orochimaru's face caved in directly, and he shot backward like a cannonball, his eyes wide with horror.
"So fast! How could there be such a massive improvement?"
"Naruto-kun, your Hollowfication… is truly interesting," Orochimaru, sent flying, smirked sinisterly. But before his smirk could fully form, Naruto's second punch had already smashed into his abdomen, sending him flying into mid-air.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Dull thuds echoed through the forest as Orochimaru was tossed about like a rubber ball. Naruto's figure had become an afterimage, continuously launching brutal attacks at Orochimaru.
Although Orochimaru was a Kage-level powerhouse, he didn't particularly excel in taijutsu. As a result, for a time, he was actually being suppressed by Naruto, whose speed had skyrocketed.
"So, after Hollowfying, you've abandoned Kido and your Zanpakuto? What's the difference between you now and a wild beast?" Orochimaru taunted relentlessly. He could see that Naruto's eyes were filled with killing intent, completely devoid of his previous rationality.
He understood that this was a side effect of Hollowfication.
But so-called side effects could be overcome through research.
Looked at this way, the potential of Shinigami and Hollows was even more terrifying than he had anticipated.
Orochimaru smirked wickedly, completely ignoring the fact that he was being beaten, and formed hand seals.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Countless snakes shot out from his sleeves.
But in an instant, Naruto ignored the snakes coiling around him, sent Orochimaru flying again with a punch, tensed his entire musculature, and with Reiatsu flaring around him, actually blasted the snake swarm to pieces.
"What terrifying power. It seems ordinary ninjutsu is no longer effective," Orochimaru murmured, watching Naruto with an obsessed gaze as his hands continued to form seals.
He subsequently used even more powerful snake ninjutsu, but without exception, all were easily dealt with by Naruto.
Even the giant snakes he summoned weren't enough to withstand a single blow from the Hollowfied Naruto.
Relying on his not-too-shabby taijutsu and ninjutsu, Orochimaru once again entangled himself with Naruto. He continuously "fed" Naruto moves, attempting to gain a better understanding of Hollowfied Naruto's strength.
And Naruto's performance did not disappoint him.
Having discarded Kido and Shikai, Naruto's taijutsu had already improved dramatically.
Boom! The sky gradually darkened, and thunderclouds gathered, obscuring the heavens above this area.
With a deafening roar, a torrential downpour began.
Crash! Boom! A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. The dazzling blue light momentarily illuminated the gloom of the clearing, revealing Naruto, wreathed in fiercely burning Reiatsu, and Orochimaru, slightly panting, his face a mask of obsession.
Orochimaru spread his arms wide and exclaimed, "Truly incredible! Such a massive improvement after Hollowfication, and you grow stronger with each passing moment in battle, like an tireless beast following its combat instincts! This makes me even more eager for research! Uzumaki Naruto, you've successfully convinced me! Hollowfication, Shinigamification… they are so alluring!"
Swish! Naruto flickered again, continuously generating intense sonic booms. Amidst the incessant thunder, he moved as if by teleportation, appearing anywhere in the clearing in an instant.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Orochimaru was once again pummeled like a sandbag.
Every punch from Naruto carried boiling Reiatsu.
Their eyes met again. This time, however, Hollowfied Naruto saw a hint of mockery in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Naruto-kun, Hollowfication is indeed terrifying. However, the brain is the true weapon that dictates victory."
"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"
Through the woven genjutsu, Orochimaru pulled Naruto's consciousness into a scene of impending death.
Naruto's eyes glazed over, and his body became slightly sluggish. In that instant, Orochimaru's speed skyrocketed, and a sudden punch bent Naruto's body into an arc.
He laughed maniacally.
"Come, Naruto! Let me see what other tricks you have after Hollowfying!"
Bang! Naruto's figure shot towards the ground like a cannonball.
Soil and rock layers crumbled as if under the force of a bulldozer.
"Evil Serpent Arm Blast!" Several large snakes shot towards the crater where Naruto had landed, exploding tags attached to them.
BOOM! The self-destruction of the giant snakes and the explosion of the tags occurred simultaneously. The earth cracked and trembled, billowing dust clouds rose, and a powerful updraft swirled into the air, forming a mushroom cloud. For that one moment, even the torrential rain seemed to hesitate.
"A very surprising power, Naruto," Orochimaru said, ceasing his attack. His trademark sinister smile was on his face, his long, scarlet tongue licking his lips as he spoke softly.
He glanced at the sky, understanding that he shouldn't linger here.
Konoha's forces would arrive soon.
"Have a good sleep now," Orochimaru said, turning to leave.
Thump. A sound suddenly came from within the crater. Then, under Orochimaru's horrified gaze, the Hollowfied Naruto climbed out again.
Apart from his clothes being somewhat tattered, he seemed to have no other injuries.
"What terrifying defensive power!" Greed was palpable in Orochimaru's expression as he murmured softly, "Naruto, you shouldn't be so outstanding. It makes me really want to… obtain you!"