Chapter 45: Orochimaru's Shock—The Reward
Shinobi world ninja all faithfully believed one saying.
That is... "Shinobi battles are battles of intelligence!"
Yoru likewise believed this—provided one lacked beyond-Kage combat power.
Below beyond-Kage level, even standing at the Five Kage's pinnacle, possessing the Strongest Shield and Strongest Spear, able to fight the Eight-Tails to a draw—the Third Raikage could still be exhausted to death through human wave tactics.
Only existences surpassing the Five Kage couldn't be defeated through intelligence. Only beyond-Kage combatants could handle beyond-Kage opponents.
Tokiya clearly lacked such overwhelming strength.
But Yoru possessed overwhelming abilities.
Taking advantage of his opponent not knowing his ability was actually Space-Time power that could merge with space, Yoru used a simple stratagem to dismember Tokiya completely.
This was also Yoru's first time using the "Black Blade" to cut a person.
Even gems and earth became fragile as paper—human bodies were no exception.
Yoru's blade swing encountered zero resistance. Enhanced by Phantom Body Flicker, his blade speed resembled brush strokes, trailing black lines.
Objects within those black line zones were mercilessly severed.
Unfortunately, the Black Blade's power couldn't yet tear through space itself. Otherwise, this strike would be a true Dimensional Slash.
Even so, Yoru still named this technique Dimensional Slash, quite optimistic about its potential.
"You... what did you just do?"
Having successfully slain a powerful enemy, Yoru didn't lament Dimensional Slash's power but wanted to further destroy evidence.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly reached his ears.
Yoru jumped in fright, almost thinking there was another ambush.
Looking toward the sound's direction, Yoru's eyes widened: "Orochimaru-sensei..."
On a massive boulder not far away, Orochimaru stood there, watching Yoru with an incredulous gaze.
His expression made clear—Orochimaru had witnessed the entire scene of Yoru killing Tokiya.
In fact, he'd probably been here from the beginning.
Yoru instantly understood, looking at Orochimaru with resentful eyes: "Orochimaru-sensei, that's too much."
"I merely wanted to observe your recent growth. After all, survival exercises are ultimately just exercises."
Orochimaru leaped down from the boulder, walking before Yoru. His gaze fixed on the chakra blade in Yoru's hand as he continued his earlier question, his tone even carrying a trace of trembling: "That blade in your hands—what just happened?"
He didn't ask about the Rasengan. Didn't ask about Phantom Body Flicker's chakra concealment. Yet now he persistently questioned about Dimensional Slash.
This demonstrated how greatly the scene of Yoru dismembering Tokiya had shocked Orochimaru.
Because Orochimaru clearly understood—the blade in Yoru's hands wasn't a divine artifact but merely a chakra blade forged with certain materials that made externalizing chakra for nature transformation easier.
Forget such garbage-tier chakra blades—even the Second Hokage's Sword of the Thunder God or the shinobi world's famous divine artifacts, when covered with the sharpest Wind Release nature transformation, couldn't reduce an adult to a pile of minced flesh in mere seconds.
Obviously, the problem wasn't the blade but rather Yoru himself.
Taking in Orochimaru's expression, Yoru knew concealment was impossible.
He'd eventually be exposed anyway. No need to damage their master-disciple relationship over this small matter.
So Yoru grinned, displaying a proud smile: "It's not the blade's problem, Orochimaru-sensei. This is my ability—my strongest trump card."
Seeing Yoru admit it, Orochimaru's breathing suddenly became rapid, his tone trembling more: "Is it... Space-Time ability?"
Not thinking in that direction was fine, but once considering it, many previous mysteries instantly resolved.
Simultaneously, the implications grew even more terrifying.
Yoru's Phantom Body Flicker—why chakra couldn't be sensed, why it was so special—was because... both real body and phantoms merged with space.
Only this way could his phantom clones not disperse when struck, his real body hide its chakra signature yet expose it when attacking.
Just... this was too incredible.
Did someone in this world truly exist who could use Space-Time abilities to this degree?
When even a single Flying Thunder God Technique had already stumped countless geniuses...
So Orochimaru stared intently at Yoru's eyes, wanting answers.
The next second, Yoru smiled and nodded: "It's Space-Time ability. Moreover, it's not a secret technique. This is my... bloodline limit."
Orochimaru's pupils immediately contracted as he lost his voice: "Actually a bloodline limit?!"
His heart surged with tremendous waves. The more Orochimaru knew, the greater his current shock.
He'd originally assumed Yoru's Space-Time power usage was either a Gojo family secret technique no one had comprehended, or like the Second Hokage—suddenly enlightened through talent with Space-Time's blessing.
The result... it was actually an innate, potentially inheritable bloodline limit?!
Didn't that mean Yoru using Space-Time power was as simple and easy as using elemental techniques, and he could develop other Space-Time jutsu types?
Did such a bloodline limit truly exist?
If so, what did legendary Wood Release amount to?
Probably only the mythical Sage's Eyes that created the moon could compare!
Watching Orochimaru stunned as expected, Yoru smiled, then made a serious request with grave expression: "I discovered I'd awakened Space-Time abilities at age six. This power is very difficult to control. Even now, I've only developed Phantom Body Flicker and what I just used—Dimensional Slash. Moreover, chakra consumption is extremely high. Until my chakra reserves increase, please help me keep this secret temporarily, Orochimaru-sensei."
Hearing this, Orochimaru came to his senses.
Looking at this disciple whose body and mind were both exceptionally mature, Orochimaru's eyes held only endless appreciation and satisfaction.
"You did absolutely right. Such power—before you possess formidable strength—must be concealed even from closest relatives." Orochimaru solemnly promised: "Since you're willing to tell me this secret, as your teacher, I cannot disappoint you. Unless you proactively expose this ability, even if my teacher is the Third Hokage, I won't reveal a single detail to him."
Yoru's expression brightened as he bowed deeply to Orochimaru: "Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei."
Seeing Yoru master such powerful abilities yet remain so respectful to his teacher, Orochimaru's affection for him surged tremendously.
This moment, in Orochimaru's eyes, Yoru was no longer just future ace combat power.
Not even future Five Kage, but rather the future new God of Shinobi!
An existence capable of using Space-Time power like elemental techniques—Yoru already possessed the potential to shatter rules.
Such an existence was his student.
Thinking this, Orochimaru's sense of accomplishment made even the Hokage position seem somewhat insignificant.
Suddenly, Orochimaru seemed to remember something and smiled: "You completed this 'mission' excellently. I'll give you the reward early."
"Originally planned as a birthday gift, but considering your chakra reserves were insufficient then and you shouldn't be distracted learning other things, I dismissed that idea."
"Looking at it now, my good intentions caused harm, delaying your growth."
After speaking, a white snake emerged from Orochimaru's sleeve, opening its mouth to spit out a scroll disproportionate to its size—just like when gifting the nature transformation scroll years ago.