C13 The Palm Technique! the True Strength!

The Anbu squad, though small, had already suffered losses: one member was down, another had his mask removed, leaving only two standing. Unmasking was tantamount to mission failure, as Anbu operatives must keep their identities secret—especially from Orochimaru, whose glimpse of an Anbu's true face could have dire consequences. Now, they were cornered with no escape.

"Orochimaru, if you kill us here, Konoha Village will not let this slide!" Hong Dou declared, clinging to her last shred of defiance. Clearly, she had recently clashed with Orochimaru and was now severely weakened.

"Hehe, Hong Dou, still as naive as ever..." Orochimaru taunted, his long tongue flicking across his cheek. Though no blood was drawn, the gesture was a sinister prelude to the brutality that was to follow.

At Orochimaru's advance, the remaining Anbu members scattered in panic, all except for Hong Dou, who managed to stand her ground. As Orochimaru's former student, she didn't share the common fear of proximity to her powerful mentor.

"Do you really intend to kill your own former student here?" Hong Dou challenged.

Orochimaru looked down, emitting a soft hum before erupting into a chilling laugh. "Haha, hahaha! Life, much like a flower, is destined to wither. The when, the how, or by whose hand it withers... makes no difference."

With a glint of murderous intent in his eyes, Orochimaru made it clear he had other matters to attend to and wouldn't linger. A streak of light flashed as he leaned forward, poised to move.

"Zi! Zi!" A young, masked figure landed swiftly. With kunai in hand, he caught Orochimaru off guard, slicing through the fabric of his clothing in a swift motion!

Orochimaru shot the youth a glare, but the masked figure was quick and decisive. A punch was thrown!

Orochimaru's hand shot up to block, but the blow still landed.

"Ugh..." Orochimaru staggered backward, the youth's eyes behind the mask unreadable in the shadows.

Hong Dou and the other Anbu could only watch in astonishment.

The young man's long hair was neatly concealed behind him, and atop his head sat the Anbu mask that Yakushi Kabuto had recently lost.

"Who are you?"

Hong Dou inquired, but Neji remained silent.

Instead, he instructed, "Tend to Hong Dou's wounds. If I start to lose ground, come back me up."

Neji, his voice muffled beneath the mask, seized the rare chance to engage in combat with "that person" before the Anbu and a Jounin—Orochimaru!

Neji had been concerned about being at a disadvantage, so he planned to deploy a smoke bomb as a contingency. If things turned dire, he could count on assistance.

He rapidly closed in on Orochimaru, the brief halt not exceeding five seconds, with Orochimaru failing to accurately assess the immediate threat.

Orochimaru narrowly evaded each of Neji's punches.

Despite not specializing in Body Techniques, his movements were swift...

The mark of a true powerhouse!

Neji's battle fervor surged with each passing moment!

Eventually, Orochimaru leaped away, landing twenty meters from Neji, who also distanced himself from Hong Dou and the others.

"Is that a Chakra-infused fist technique?"

Orochimaru had just taken a direct hit, expecting a mere forceful blow, but was surprised when the Chakra was influenced by the youngster in that split second.

"The core of your technique resembles the Hyuga Clan's Body Techniques, yet you've woven in the element of wind... Quite fascinating!"

Orochimaru's interest in the masked youth grew, but Neji's offensive was far from finished.

He advanced again, his fists striking with the speed of lightning, each aimed at vital points.

Orochimaru became aware when his abdominal clothing was sliced through—this youth's Chakra harbored no malice, yet every action was as lethal as an attempt on one's life!

Such skill indicated thousands, perhaps many more, hours of rigorous training, far beyond the proficiency of an average practitioner.

"I can't afford to take another punch from you, kid. But your real talent isn't in fisticuffs, is it?"

Orochimaru's lips twisted into a sly grin, his eyes brimming with cunning.

Neji stood tall, silent as the grave.

A gentle breeze whispered by, its softness belying the lethal intent it carried.

"Come on, if you're intent on rescuing someone from me, let's see the full extent of your power!"

Orochimaru's eyes bulged as he stretched out a hand and tugged at his lower eyelid, revealing a gaze as venomous as a serpent's.

"Hiss!"

It felt like a massive python was rampaging before him, and he was nothing more than a mere ant!

Neji stepped back, his skin slick with cold sweat.

Darkness and chaos surrounded him, a shroud of fear enveloping everything.

"Release!"

With a furrowed brow, Neji dispelled Orochimaru's Binding Curse. His mental energy was severely depleted, leaving him feeling utterly drained.

Such was the power of a master's illusion; even after being broken, its effects were lasting and profound.

"My true strength, huh?" Neji mused internally, no longer concerned with keeping it hidden. If it was to be revealed, then so be it.

"Ha!"

With a fierce cry, Neji's body sprang into action, his speed surpassing anything he'd shown before.

Orochimaru was taken aback, not expecting the boy to transform so drastically.

The palm strike was a world apart from his punches, laden with a wealth of experience and power that was incomparable.

"Smack!"

"Thud!"

The palm cut through the air, and even without a direct hit, the shockwaves buffeted Orochimaru. One could only imagine the force of a direct strike.

Unable to evade the final blow, Orochimaru was forced to block with his arm.

"Thoom!" The palm connected, and the ground beneath them gave way.

"A genius like you in Konoha's Anbu? You remind me of that man."

Orochimaru's compliment fell on deaf ears as Neji fluidly transitioned to his next move.

The whoosh of slicing air was heard again as Neji's other hand found its mark, but Orochimaru simply tilted his head with ease.

"Hmph!"

Who would have thought, in that brief moment, Orochimaru had already formed his seal, and behind him, dozens of small snakes burst forth from the trees, lunging at Neji.

"Watch out! Behind you!"

Tenten's warning rang out. Neji's reaction was swift; his brow furrowed.

"Eight Trigrams—"

Suddenly, he remembered something and abandoned his strong offensive stance, quickly dodging to the side.

Neji tumbled aside, chastising himself internally: I can't use that technique. It would be too conspicuous!

"Who is this kid, anyway? He looks just like a child. Does Anbu have someone like him?" one of the Anbu members exclaimed in astonishment.

Kabuto interjected, "He's not one of the Anbu. That's my mask he found."

Tenten clenched her teeth, "Regardless of who he is, he's got to be incredibly skilled. To think he's so young and yet can spar with Orochimaru!"

"Forget about me, go help out!"

Kabuto, flanked by two Anbu members, stepped forward to shield Neji.

Orochimaru surveyed the unfolding scene with a smug grin. "Hehehe, you lot are no match for this young man! Don't bother trying to steal the spotlight..."

With that, he turned and swiftly departed.

"I have other matters to attend to. Don't spoil my fun, or I'll reduce Konoha Village to ashes!"

Orochimaru's voice echoed all around.

Tenten hurried over, fiercely clutching the cursed seal at the back of her neck.

"He's gone..."

Kabuto finally exhaled in relief.

When everyone looked back, the masked youth had vanished without a trace!