Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Sora used Thunder Breath, First Form: Thunderbolt Flash, and for the final fight against Orochimaru. 

Orochimaru dodged the first sword strike. 

Sora stepped on the tree trunk with both feet, using the terrain to change the direction of the attack and slashing towards Orochimaru again. 

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed slightly. "Oh? So, does it compensate for Thunderbolt Flash's weakness of being almost powerless once the nature and trajectory of the technique are discerned? What a genius!" 

Orochimaru didn't believe this was Sora's ultimate move. 

It still belonged to the category of Thunderbolt Flash. 

Though the move seemed to merely use the terrain to change the direction of the attack, Orochimaru could see its complexity. 

Sora pursued ultimate speed. 

The faster the speed, the greater the power. 

Sora redirected his thrust using the terrain, and the force generated by his speed acted on his body. 

Just like when Sora stepped on the tree trunk moments ago—the force from his speed acted on his legs. 

The footprint on the tree trunk, deep enough to penetrate it, revealed how powerful it was. 

If handled improperly, the resulting injuries to his legs might be minor compared to the potential backlash from the thunder-style Chakra, which could cause unpredictable damage. 

The way Sora managed it just now demonstrated that his Chakra control had reached a meticulous level, and his foundation was incredibly solid. 

"Let me see where your limits lie!" 

Orochimaru formed a seal with his hands. 

"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!" 

Orochimaru released a violent wind from his hands, capable of slicing through flesh and blood instantly, and directed it toward Sora. 

Sora stepped on a raised rock, redirected his movement, and evaded the slicing wind. 

He then used a nearby tree to change direction again, continuing his charge toward Orochimaru. 

"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!" 

An earth wall rose along Sora's path. 

Sora cut through the earth wall with a single stroke of his sword. 

But by the time the wall was severed, Orochimaru had already used the Body Flicker Technique to relocate. 

The Sharingan identified Orochimaru's new position, and Sora altered his direction again, continuing his attack. 

Orochimaru observed Sora flashing lightning toward him and remarked, "Although you've mitigated Thunderbolt Flash's vulnerability of being predictable once its nature and trajectory are understood, during a surprise attack, you're still moving in a straight line. 

Your speed is indeed impressive, but not so fast that I can't react. Predicting your trajectory is still relatively easy. If it remains like this, no matter how many times you try, the outcome will not change." 

As he spoke, Orochimaru evaded Sora's lightning-imbued sword once more. 

Orochimaru continued, "You call this Sixth strike, do you not? 

As the name suggests, you can only use the terrain to change direction six times. 

Now, you've already redirected your attack five times. 

In other words, if I'm not mistaken, you have only one last attempt remaining." 

Orochimaru's words were accurate, and his analysis was flawless. 

Sora's legs were tingling now, and this was Sora's limit.

But if Orochimaru thought this was the end, he was gravely underestimating her.

Orochimaru could react to her Thunderbolt Flash, and even if Sora used the Sixth, Eighth, or even Eighteenth strike, it would be futile.

Sora wasn't foolish enough to charge recklessly and allow Orochimaru to toy with her like a monkey in a cage.

This Sixth strike was Sora's "final kill!"

Sora stepped on a tree once more, altering her attack's trajectory.

Clenching her teeth and enduring the stinging pain in her legs, Sora pressed forward toward Orochimaru.

"Hmm?"

Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly.

He noticed Sora shake her left hand while stepping off the tree, an action she hadn't made previously.

In the next moment, Orochimaru realized the significance of that motion.

As Sora sprang from the tree, a rustling noise surrounded Orochimaru.

Suddenly, Orochimaru found himself immobilized.

Glancing around, under the light of Sora's crackling lightning, the objects binding him became visible.

Steel wires!

Orochimaru swiftly deduced Sora's strategy.

Sora understood that Thunder Breath, First Form: Thunderbolt Flash alone could not threaten him, as he could anticipate and dodge using the Body Flicker Technique.

So, how could she ensure her attack landed?

By immobilizing him.

Each time Sora stepped on a tree, she wrapped steel wires around it.

Steel wires, conductive and resistant to the high heat of her lightning, were invisible under the cover of night, blending seamlessly into the ground.

Moments ago, Sora's hand motion was her gathering the prepared steel wires and, with lightning-quick speed, using them to bind Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's admiration for Sora grew.

To devise and execute such a strategy on the spot demonstrated her exceptional combat intelligence and decisiveness.

A flash of lightning illuminated the night as Orochimaru's head was severed from his body, falling to the ground.

Sora collapsed, the strain on her legs overwhelming her.

Despite this, she didn't believe Orochimaru had been killed.

Who in the ninja world didn't know Orochimaru's reputation as a veteran equipped with countless survival techniques?

Orochimaru's decapitated body began to writhe before splitting open. Covered in mucus, Orochimaru emerged anew.

It was his Body Replacement Technique—a method that required no seals, using an external body as a decoy while transferring his original body.

Orochimaru approached Sora, looking down at her. "Your strength has exceeded my expectations.

I take back my earlier critique about your inability to adapt.

Formulating a solution so swiftly and putting it into action demonstrates extraordinary decision-making and execution."

Despite the pain in her legs, Sora struggled to her feet, her legs trembling as she stood. She looked at Orochimaru with hopeful eyes. "Master Orochimaru, does this mean I...?"

Placing a hand on Sora's shoulder, Orochimaru said, "I will come to you after the graduation exam in four days. From now on, you may call me 'teacher.'"

Ignoring the pain, Sora stood straight and firm. "Yes! Teacher Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru removed his hand from her shoulder and walked past her, leaving the training ground.

After this battle, Sora was convinced that Orochimaru could make her stronger.

Deep down, Sora thanked Sarutobi Hiruzen for his indirect support. Years of enduring and playing the role of a loyal grandson in Konoha had finally paid off.

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