Could it be… the first time he tried to capture him, that illusion was also cast with the Sharingan? But Shigeo's eyes hadn't turned red back then. The secrets hidden within this child were far beyond imagination. And that beastly chakra inside him… just what was it?
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked down at Shigeo. Yes… this vessel is perfect. Ever-evolving, ever-growing. Every step forward brings an astonishing new power. A strange pair of eyes meant nothing—what mattered was Shigeo himself, and the endless potential he carried.
Hiruuko froze when Shigeo called him by name.
"You… how do you know my name? Just who are you?!"
When he defected from Konoha, Shigeo hadn't even been born. His presence had always been overshadowed by the likes of Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. So how could this child possibly know him?
Shigeo didn't answer. The summoned beasts had already lunged forward. Chakra surged, and with it his half-bodied Susanoo took shape, sweeping its massive arm through the air. A single strike crushed the armored wolf-like summons into nothing but pulp.
Hiruuko's face twisted in shock.
"What is this power? The power of the Uchiha?!"
He growled:
"Hyūga Shigeo, just who are you?! Why do you have the Sharingan? Don't tell me you've mastered the Kigyō no Jutsu (Chimera Technique)?!"
That forbidden jutsu fused humans with summons. For a Hyūga to wield the Sharingan—what else could it be?
Shigeo ignored him, his calm demeanor only fanning Hiruuko's obsession.
"You dare ignore me?! Fine then—today I'll shut your mouth forever!"
He rushed forward. The three Grass Village shinobi, under Orochimaru's signal, unleashed their cursed seals and entered their level-three states, surrounding Shigeo with deadly intent.
Hiruuko raised his palm.
"Meiton: Kyūketsu (Dark Release: Absorption)!"
But when the towering Susanoo smashed its fist down, he was hurled away like a ragdoll.
"Impossible… my absorption… it doesn't work?!"
"Sen'ei Jashu (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)!" Orochimaru hissed.
Countless serpents erupted from the cavern walls, their fangs snapping toward Shigeo. Susanoo's colossal hand crushed them one after another, before exhaling a torrent of flame that reduced the rest to ash.
But then, from beneath the ground, Orochimaru's elongated neck shot upward, his fangs aimed at Shigeo's ankle.
"Tch."
Shigeo leapt skyward, then slammed his heel into Orochimaru's head, forcing him back into the earth. At the same time, Susanoo swatted aside two of the Grass-nin, leaving them broken and bleeding.
"Ranton: Ganya (Storm Release: Laser Circus)!" Hiruuko unleashed a blinding beam, piercing Susanoo's chest and shattering its armor.
Shigeo only smirked, dispelled Susanoo of his own accord, and vanished with Shunshin (Body Flicker), leaving the attack to scorch empty air.
Hiruuko roared, convinced of his own success.
"Kigyō no Jutsu! Become mine!"
A black, tar-like substance oozed toward Shigeo, trying to engulf him. The boy only sneered inwardly. Fool. That technique requires a still, willing target. Against me, it will never succeed.
From above, Orochimaru snarled:
"Hiruuko! You dare break our agreement?!"
But Hiruuko only laughed, blind with ambition.
Shigeo's fingers formed seals.
"Hyōton: Hyōjin (Ice Release: Ice Mirrors)!"
Dozens of reflective ice mirrors shimmered into existence, scattering his image in every direction.
The three Grass-nin charged recklessly, only to be met with mirrored counterattacks at every turn.
"Ranton: Kōha (Storm Release: Light Fang)!"
A devastating beam lanced through the mirrors, refracting and multiplying until the Grass-nin were cut down in an instant. Their screams echoed, then fell silent.
The mirrors spun, redirecting their deadly glow toward Hiruuko. He tried to flee, but the light pierced his body clean through.
"N… no—"
"Yōton: Yōkai no Jutsu (Lava Release: Lava Flow)!"
Molten fire roared forth, engulfing him completely.
"Aaahhhhhh!"
Hiruuko's final scream rattled the cavern as his body melted into nothing but bubbling sludge. Even in death, his mind was plagued with the same question:
Hyūga Shigeo… how could such a monster exist?
(End of Chapter)
[50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[10 Reviews = 5 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]