IV

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Arc IV Chapter 7

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Orochimaru smirked in sudden recognition. Sinister chuckling echoed through the room. "Ah, you are the interesting girl from before."

Asami didn't respond. She remained silent, observing. Never interrupt the enemy when they are making a mistake. Time was on her side. She was patient. She could wait.

Orochimaru grinned. " I congratulate you on your victory, Asami-chan. An impressive performance. I didn't expect Konoha to possess such a promising kunoichi. So much talent. So young. You are a rare and precious gem, Asami-chan.“

“Life is full of surprises, isn't it? Regretfully, you lack something important. What a shame."

Insatiable possessiveness, carnal desire lingered in his words. Orochimaru licked his tongue. He wanted her.

Asami tilted her head, confused. What the fuck was wrong with him? Didn't he get enough cuddles as a child?

Danger permeated the air. A sense of danger that would have paralysed lesser men, but not Asami. She was made from sterner stuff.

Asami remained unfazed. "And that would be? What do I lack Sasuke doesn't? The Sharingan?"

Orochimaru answered with an ambiguous smile. "You eavesdropped, didn't you? How impolite of you, Asami-chan. Good girls don't do that."

Asami smiled back. "Orochimaru, I doubt I require advice from neurotic psychopath regarding etiquette and politeness."

"True.“ Orochimaru smirked, unperturbed by her presence.

“While I might enjoy exchanging pleasantries with you both, my time is sadly limited, Asami, Kakashi. I will take my leave.“

Orochimaru headed for the exit, but Asami and her sword blocked his path. “Where do you think you are going?“

Orochimaru dared to ignore her right before her eyes. That was bold, incredibly bold. Who did he think he was? The second coming of the Sage of Six Paths?

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. Asami blocked his path, unyielding, unmoving. "Are you stupid? Do you want to die?“

“I might be in a good mood, Asami, but get out of my sight or I will kill you.“ Gone was his friendliness, replaced by a dark aura.

Asami reciprocated his stare. Orochimaru overestimated himself, and he would pay the price.

Tension rose. Asami readied her blade coated by lightning. The vengeful light of the stars shone in the dark.

"Stupid? You call me stupid? You should better watch your words, Orochimaru. You are alone, alone behind enemy lines without support."

"The Hokage, his ANBU guards, and some of Konoha's most powerful jonin are right around the corner, just mere seconds away, and ready to bring you down. And whom do you have, Orochimaru? I can't see anybody." Asami opened her arms, waiting for an answer that never came. Her little speech distracted Orochimaru.

"You are not only outnumbered, but also outmatched, Orochimaru. In fact, your tactical situation is beyond abysmal. It's just you alone against us all.“

Asami gave Orochimaru a contemptuous stare. "So tell me, esteemed Sannin, who is actually the stupid one here? It's not me."

Orochimaru's sardonic smirk faltered. Her words struck a nerve, creating a breach in his defence. A few moments of distraction were everything she needed to close the distance. Orochimaru exposed himself.

This was her chance. This was the moment she waited for.

In a blink of an eye, Asami accelerated, attacking from point blank. Orochimaru would regret having ever met her.

Her lightning turned purple. Luminous plasma enveloped her body. Like armour, her raiton protected, shielded her.

Asami charged and a bright stream of lightning shot across the room.

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Orochimaru never saw the strike coming. His eyes widened, blinded by the flash.

He dodged, albeit only barely. But he dodged. His instincts, his experience saved Orochimaru.

Asami shot right past him. No contact was made. She missed from point blank, what a disappointment.

Her failure displeased Asami.

Asami crashed through a series of columns in her path before slowing down. The brittle granite yielded, offering no resistance. Sheer kinetic force shattered the pillars, transforming them into piles of ruptured stone.

Asami forced an abrupt halt. She thrust her sword downward, making her blade bite into the hard ground. Asami decelerated, sliding across the hall, nearly stumbling.

The massive columns collapsed beneath their own weight, leaving behind a thick cloud of dust.

"*cough*, *cough*, *cough*.“ Asami dispersed the dust with her hands. Her world spun. Everything was blurred. Her head suffered from disorientation.

The dust settled down and Asami giggled with a slight maniac glee, enjoying her triumph to the fullest.

Apparently, her attack wasn't a complete failure. She succeeded. She got him.

Orochimaru was gone, dead. She killed him just like that.

Asami picked up the severed left hand lying on the ground. She inspected the charred hand, marvelling at her beautiful work.

The sweet smell of victory and burned human flesh filled her nostrils. Orochimaru was turned into a smouldering corpse, roasted alive by her lightning.

Her attack didn't connect, but she grazed him. He evaded her plasma lance, but her lightning claimed his left arm and shoulder. The heat evaporated his entire left flank, carbonising his body.

"So easily the mighty fall. In the end, Konoha's legendary Sannin was all bark no bite, defeated by a little girl." Asami cut off the snake's head.

"How utterly disappointing." Asami sheathed her blade, kicking Orochimaru's skull across the room.

His body still leaked interestingly minuscule traces of treacherous Chakra.

Asami murmured, "What an idiot.“ Her job here was done.

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