https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-347-Sliding-into-the-Dark-Upper-Echelons-/12934855/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-349-Targeted-Weapon-Flame-Serpent-/12934857/
Chapter 348: Orochimaru and Root's Ambush!
Chapter 348: Orochimaru and Root's Ambush!
"It's been a while, Senior Orochimaru!" Dong Ping casually strolled out from the woods, as if this were a place for catching up rather than a battlefield.
"Is that so? I've been longing to meet you!" Orochimaru's eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
It was impossible not to be curious about him, no matter who it was. Before graduating from the Ninja Academy, he was labeled as trash and a dead-last, but after graduation, he rose like a rocket, taking on the major Hidden Villages one by one and even single-handedly defeating the Third Mizukage, making his name as 'Purifying Flame' resonate throughout the ninja world.
Such an exaggerated and almost unbelievable record couldn't help but spark curiosity.
"I have no intention of becoming Senior Orochimaru's experiment!" Dong Ping bluntly refused.
He had no interest in meeting Orochimaru, knowing that the other party was just after his body.
"No, no, how could Dong Ping-kun be an experiment? I only need some of your blood, and I'm willing to trade it for a forbidden technique!" Orochimaru offered a deal.
He genuinely wanted Dong Ping's blood, as it was a mystery how someone with no known bloodline limit could possess such a terrifying growth rate.
"Are you asking for death, senior?" Dong Ping calmly retorted.
He knew his extraordinary growth would raise suspicions, but he wasn't about to give anyone a chance to covet his power.
No matter how high Orochimaru's offer, he would never give away his blood.
Although his blood lost its effect soon after leaving his body, he wasn't willing to take the risk.
What's more, Orochimaru, with his scientific prowess, might create clones or monsters from his blood, which was a real headache.
Orochimaru was indeed capable of such feats.
Therefore, while others might be an option, Orochimaru's proposal was out of the question.
The only reason he didn't kill Orochimaru was that he knew it would be suicidal to even think of it.
The Ten Fist Sword...? Dong Ping's mind began to ponder how to obtain this sealing treasure.
It didn't make sense that the Great Filial Son could use it, but not his fiancee.
With the Ten Fist Sword, he could seal away Orochimaru, the sly snake who couldn't be killed or eradicated.
"I see!" Orochimaru sighed with disappointment upon hearing the rejection, his gaze towards Dong Ping growing more intense.
He had already guessed from Dong Ping's reaction that his body held a secret.
It wasn't that Dong Ping didn't want to keep it hidden, but he knew it was impossible.
After all, with such a terrifying growth rate, his past had undoubtedly been investigated countless times.
Eventually, suspicions would fall on his bloodline limit.
Perhaps they would even think he was a 'Natural Fire Jutsu Body' or something similar.
Although the chances of this were slim, once other possibilities were ruled out, even the smallest probability would be considered fact.
The village had investigated his identity numerous times, all in an attempt to uncover the source of his bloodline limit.
Suddenly, a surge of flames erupted from Dong Ping's body, and he activated the Flame Robe.
His Fire Jutsu control was evident, and even without entering Sage Mode, he could perform the Flame Robe technique.
Kakashi, sensing the situation, tactfully retreated, taking with him several poisoned and fallen comrades.
Although they were poisoned, it didn't mean there was no hope of rescue.
Indeed, it was only because of Dong Ping's appearance that Kakashi had the chance to save them; otherwise, these ANBU members would have been doomed.
Kakashi might have been spared due to his connection to the future Hokage, but the other ANBU members had no chance of survival.
Hari was truly to blame for this! He had released the prisoner, yet he still gave the order to pursue, knowing it would lead to certain death.
"It seems I can't make a deal with you, Dong Ping-kun!" Orochimaru sighed regretfully.
At that moment, Dong Ping also heard Hyuga Cangyue's warning.
"Be careful!" Her voice, transmitted through a secret technique, signaled her proximity and readiness to intervene.
"Ten Thousand Snake Formation!" Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals and spat out a tidal wave of snakes, engulfing the surroundings.
How disgusting! Dong Ping's first reaction was one of disgust.
The Flame Robe on his body rapidly changed to a golden hue, raising the temperature to a level higher than the previous orange flame.
The scorching heat spread, instantly turning the snakes nearby into dried husks.
"Flame Finger!"
Dong Ping pointed his right index finger at Orochimaru, who was spitting out snakes.
Whoosh! A fiery pillar, like a laser, pierced through the snake horde and struck Orochimaru's Earth Clone.
There was no other way; Orochimaru's technique was genuinely slick, and even the Third Tsuchikage and the Raikage had fallen for this move.
Skill and experience!
Only then could this D-rank ninjutsu, which seemed to be merely a draining technique, deceive so many powerful opponents.
"Hmph!"
Dong Ping, seeing Orochimaru melting into the earth, coldly scoffed and increased his output.
As a result, the temperature emitted by the Flame Robe rose higher and higher.
A strong aroma of cooked meat filled the air.
At the same time, he showed no intention of retreating.
It seemed that Orochimaru had prepared a 'surprise' for himself, and naturally, he couldn't let the other's intentions go to waste.
If it were in the past, he might have been worried.
But now, aside from Hyuga Cangyue, who was hidden in the shadows, Dong Ping himself had no idea how many trump cards he had up his sleeve.
Earth Style, Sealing Techniques, and Molten Style... these were his hidden cards.
While they couldn't directly propel him to the Kage rank or beyond, they provided him with an incredibly diverse range of combat options, ensuring he wouldn't be easily countered.
Most importantly, he had already developed two life-saving abilities: Elementalization and the Phoenix Resurrection.
He had never used these secret techniques before.
With so many hidden cards, Dong Ping naturally had the confidence to back it up.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Masked figures surrounded the two, each exuding a trained killer's aura.
Judging by their auras, these guys were all well-trained killing machines.
However, based on their masks and attire, they seemed to belong to an external village.
But Dong Ping knew without a doubt that these people were trouble.
Many forces had access to such a large number of killer-like ninjas and could collaborate with Orochimaru, but within the Fire Country, there was only one group that hated him so much.
"Tsk, tsk, Root is so bold to collaborate with an S-Class Defector!"
Dong Ping mocked.
However, he knew they wouldn't care.
As long as they didn't appear to be Root on the surface, even if they brought back corpses, Danzo would dare to claim that these people weren't Root ninjas.
The ninjas surrounding them remained silent, only preparing for an attack.
"Senior Orochimaru, do you really think that with your severe injuries and these lowly minions, you can threaten me?"
Dong Ping looked at Orochimaru, who had risen from the earth, and held the surrounding Root ninjas in contempt.
With only a few dozen of them and no formidable presence, they posed no threat to him.
"Indeed, they alone are not enough, but if I join them, will it make you take me seriously, Dong Ping-kun?"
As Orochimaru spoke, his aura rose steadily, and he was back in peak condition.
Yes, in his current state, he didn't appear injured at all.
Dong Ping realized how Orochimaru had recovered from his injuries and asked tentatively.
"Healing Potion?"
That was the only possibility.
Given Orochimaru's status and position, he must have had plenty of it, which explained his swift recovery.
"The healing potion you researched, Dong Ping-kun, is indeed remarkable, and you can even enhance its effects through refinement!"
Orochimaru casually revealed the answer.
His words also indicated that he had discovered a unique feature of the healing potion.
It was worth noting that Dong Ping had intentionally diluted the healing potion to create the current version; its undiluted form was terrifyingly potent.
Orochimaru, a research master, immediately noticed this and reverse-engineered an even more potent healing potion.
"Is that so? Compared to your achievements, this is nothing to speak of!"
Dong Ping paid no heed to Orochimaru's praise and genuinely admired him.
After all, Orochimaru's abilities were genuine, with no exaggeration, while his own were boosted.
Even with his superior research capabilities, he felt no arrogance towards Orochimaru but genuine admiration.
After their mutual flattery, it was time for a real fight.
(End of Chapter)
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