Naruto: I, Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan Princess

Chapter 166 Bone Core
The air grew increasingly stuffy.

The continuous rain pierced through Obito Uchiha's body, creating endless ripples on the lake's surface. He gazed at Orochimaru, who was still in shock in the distance, his right eye's solitary Mangekyou Sharingan spinning gently.

He did not trust Madara Uchiha, and he also had doubts about the so-called Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.

After manipulating the Fourth Mizukage with illusions to control Kirigakure, he destroyed countless ancient bloodline families in order to find the hidden histories recorded by these families and obtain fragments of information about the Sage of Six Paths.

He had not found any information about Infinite Tsukuyomi, but he did find an interesting piece of information in an ancient book whose source was unknown:

The bamboo-harvesting clan, which has a history spanning over a thousand years, has passed down a treasure through generations.

Legend has it that the secrets of the Six Paths Immortal are hidden within, and that by deciphering the secrets recorded within, one can obtain godlike power.

At first he didn't care.

There are countless items in the ninja world that have such legends, but most of them are just the imagination of the ancients, or simply exaggerated descriptions, and should not be taken seriously at all.

The destruction of the Bamboo Cutter was merely because they still harbored rebellious intentions, and the acquisition of the Six Paths Treasures was just a convenient side effect.

But after sending people to exterminate the Bamboo Clan, he read through the ancient books of the Bamboo Clan and was surprised to find that the Bamboo Clan was actually related to the Sage of Six Paths by blood. Moreover, the ancient books also recorded the wonders and origins of that treasure.

The treasure is called the 'Bone Jade Core', or simply 'Bone Core' within the family. Its exact origin is difficult to know, but it is known that it was passed down from the ancestors of the Taketori clan and has circulated within the clan for thousands of years.

The specific role is unknown.

Legend has it that it contains the power of the Six Paths and can cure the bloodline disease of the Bamboo Clan.

For thousands of years, the bamboo-catching clan tried countless methods, including cutting with knives and burning with fire, but they could not damage that treasure in the slightest, and no one could uncover even a trace of its secret.

His interest was piqued by the records in the ancient books, and that's when he started to pay attention to them.

However, he searched the entire Bamboo Clan territory and Kirigakure thoroughly, but found nothing. Not only that, the Fourth Mizukage's genjutsu was also secretly broken during this time.

After further investigation from various sources...

The Hidden Mist ANBU discovered traces of snakes crawling in a secret chamber within the Kaguya clan's territory. Orochimaru was nearby at the time, and he immediately locked onto the snakes and has been pursuing them ever since.

Kisame and Itachi were in the open, while he remained hidden in the shadows.

Seeing that the two men had both failed, he had no choice but to enter the arena himself.

"who are you?"

Orochimaru, who had just escaped death, stared intently at the illusory Uchiha Obito with his vertical pupils.

The other person wasn't wearing Akatsuki attire, and he was quite certain he had never seen this ninja who used space-time ninjutsu before.

"You took something you shouldn't have taken."

Obito's eyes were as cold as ice; he showed no tolerance whatsoever for this rogue ninja from the Akatsuki.

"That's a very wide area."

Orochimaru revealed a wicked smile.

"Taketori."

Obito coldly uttered two words, and Orochimaru's eyes immediately flashed. Feeling the sphere in his stomach that was neither gold nor jade, he understood the other's purpose.

Upon hearing the familiar words, Hui Li, who had been watching the whole thing, immediately raised an eyebrow.

She still remembered the meticulousness of the Kirigakure Anbu's search of the battlefield when the Bamboo Clan was wiped out.

According to her overhearing conversations among pedestrians in Kirigakure, the Fourth Mizukage, also known as Uchiha Obito, who massacred his clan, was doing so to seize the legendary Six Paths Treasures.

Could it be Orochimaru...?

Byakugan watched Orochimaru's heart pounding nervously in his chest. After understanding everything that was happening, she couldn't help but wonder what exactly those Six Paths Treasures were.
Orochimaru spread his hands, looking completely innocent, and stuck out his long tongue to lick the sticky substance off his right cheek.
"I have no idea what you're talking about..."

Bah! ! !
Without warning.

The Kusanagi sword shot out like a laser beam from its mouth!
The sword extended at an extremely fast speed, piercing through Obito Uchiha's head in an instant.

The preoccupied Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were startled, and Ryoma Aburame and the others were also taken aback by the sudden attack.

It seemed that only Hui Li, who was observing with his white-eyed perspective, reacted.

"Haha, so vulnerable..."

The triumphant voice caught in his throat. The mysterious ninja, pierced by the Kusanagi sword, looked indifferent and nonchalantly rushed towards Orochimaru.

Its body seems to be completely unaffected by gravity, air resistance, wind, or rain, as if it exists in another space.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived in front of Orochimaru.

Tick ​​tock!

The heavy rain soaked the mysterious ninja's hair.

The golden snake's eyes widened suddenly. Now that they were closer, he realized that the other's only left eye was actually a scarlet kaleidoscope.

Instinctively, Orochimaru quickly closed his eyes.

but……

Whoosh!

The wind and rain ahead twisted into a vortex, and Orochimaru's body twisted along with it.

It's sizzling!

Tearing open the skin, a disheveled Orochimaru emerged and quickly formed hand seals.

Kusanagi Sword: Sky Blade!

The Kusanagi sword, which was over ten meters long, suddenly shrank to its normal size and flew through the air, slashing directly at Obito. Without any obstruction, the Kusanagi sword instantly sliced ​​through Obito's body, cutting the rainwater that was also penetrating his body in two.

Only the swirling vortex before his eyes began to dissipate; half of Orochimaru's skin was absorbed, while the other half remained outside, a thin sheet floating on the water's surface.

"His body is undisturbed by external forces when it is in a phantom state, but it cannot be attacked when it is in a phantom state."

Pretending to be observing Obito's intelligence, Hairi reveals the information she already possessed.

When the Root members saw Obito's hair, which was wet from the rain, and the disappearing twisted vortex, and heard Hairi's overly accurate 'guess,' they were convinced.

Itachi Uchiha, who had been observing with his Sharingan, gave a barely perceptible nod.

What a keen insight!

Obito glanced sideways, maintaining his illusory body to dodge the follow-up slashes of the Sky Blade. Only with his invincible Kamui did he dare to be distracted like this during the battle.

It's the Mangekyou Sharingan again!

Orochimaru gritted his teeth and lowered his head, not daring to meet the gaze of the Mangekyou Sharingan. He pressed his fingers together and manipulated the Kusanagi Sword to continuously slash at the enemy's body, but every attack was in vain.

Obito Uchiha easily dodged the sword's edge and engaged Orochimaru in combat.

As soon as they get close, Kamui is activated, and Orochimaru can only use the extremely energy-consuming Orochimaru Substitution Technique to avoid the distorted space, and he is already on the verge of exhaustion.

Ryoma Aburame, controlling a parasitic insect, wanted to join the battle, but was suddenly blocked by Samehada, who stood in front of him.

"Night crossing?"

Hui Li shook the scroll in her hand:
"We've already gotten the goods, and we've done more than enough to help him for so long. Let Orochimaru deal with the trouble he caused himself. My advice is to leave here as soon as possible."

"The mine hasn't been blasted yet..."

"You need to prioritize things," Hui Li's cold words interrupted Aburame Ryoma. She was carrying all her valuables and was in great danger; she didn't want to fight Uchiha Obito to the death.

The revenge for the Bamboo Clan should be left to the main body; this shadow clone should prioritize the overall situation.

"Yes! Adults' things are more important."

"Yes, Captain!"

Lan and Die unconditionally supported Hui Li's decision. Although Iwakusa didn't say anything, his silence spoke volumes.

Given her status as a disciple of Danzo and her strength in slaying Kisame Hoshigaki, Hairi's standing in their eyes had unknowingly risen significantly. After a moment's thought, Ryoma Aburame could only agree.

The information about Akatsuki is still in my mind. Now that the deal is done, it's time to return to Root.

Thinking of Danzo, who was so different from the one he remembered, he hesitated, unsure of how to face him.

It's all because of him.

If he hadn't forgotten the task Danzo had given him, the other party wouldn't have become what he is now. Thinking of the promise he made with Itachi in the Tsukuyomi space, a resolute look flashed in Aburame Ryoma's eyes.

"withdraw!"

At his command, Hui Li and the others prepared to leave.

Orochimaru, caught in a fierce battle, watched his ally attempt to escape, and a sense of urgency gripped him. His chakra was nearly depleted; if he continued fighting this mysterious ninja, he would surely die!
Weigh the pros and cons.

Orochimaru once again used a substitution jutsu to create distance, vomiting out a milky-white, jade-like sphere. The moment Obito Uchiha saw this sphere, he recognized it as the bone core recorded in the ancient texts of the Bamboo Cutter.

"It's really you!"

Obito turned his body into nothingness and rushed towards Orochimaru at lightning speed, his black-gloved hand grabbing directly at Orochimaru.

Having become familiar with Obito's attack methods, Orochimaru's eyes turned cold, and he threw the ball in his hand towards the direction where Hairi and the others were about to leave.

Whoosh!
The high-speed sphere pierced through the rain like a bullet, aiming precisely at the back of Gray Glass's head.

Obito narrowed his eyes, completely ignoring the sphere's trajectory, and pressed his hand on Orochimaru's shoulder, causing the distorted space to spread once more. Kamui's power was revealed; he had no intention of letting anyone present today, except Itachi and Kisame, go.

Having failed to shift the blame, Orochimaru's dwindling chakra was no longer sufficient to sustain him in using the Substitution Jutsu.

My heart skipped a beat.

rub!
The Kusanagi sword emitted a clear cry, instantly extending to over twenty meters, sweeping across and severing Orochimaru's arm along with half of his shoulder.

Buzz!

Orochimaru, his arm twisted and absorbed by Obito, clutched his bloodied shoulder and glanced coldly at Obito. Suddenly, the giant purple snake emerged from the water and swallowed him whole.

boom!
Smoke filled the air, a gentle breeze blew by, and the giant snake and Orochimaru vanished without a trace.

Even after I personally took action, this guy still managed to escape!

Obito Uchiha was in a bad mood and turned to look at Hairi and the others.

"Woo!"

The gluttonous sharkskin lay across the back of Gray Glass's head, its jagged, sharp teeth biting into the white sphere.

Click!

Cracks appeared in the teeth, which were as hard as the Kusanagi Sword. Samehada shook its head and tail in pain. Under everyone's gaze, the sphere fell into the giant mouth and disappeared.

call!
A gentle breeze creates layered patterns on the water's surface.

With the massive Samehada on her shoulder, Gray slowly turned her head, the white owl and the orange mask facing each other across the water.

The members of the Root involuntarily stopped in their tracks, drew their weapons, and stood behind Hui Li.

The two stared at each other coldly, while the six watched silently.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

"Woo~"

Samehada stuck out its tongue and licked its broken teeth, looking very annoyed, unaware that it had caused a great disaster.

The sky is clouded over.

The torrential rain continued unabated, as if trying to turn Leigushan into a sea.

"It seems we can't leave."

Gazing at the increasingly intense killing intent in the distance, Iwakuma's cold and hard face had completely turned into brownish-yellow rock, resembling the Hokage Rock atop the Hidden Leaf Mountain.

Lan and Die's Adam's apples bobbed, their palms, gripping the short blade and kunai, were sweaty, and their knuckles were white with tension.

Orochimaru had already demonstrated just how troublesome the opponent's space-time ninjutsu was.

It can evade attacks by becoming ethereal, move unpredictably, and absorb and ignor defense by twisting, combining offense, speed, and defense perfectly.

From their perspective, the opponent's abilities had no weaknesses whatsoever.

How to do?
Even Itachi Uchiha didn't know what to do.
Looking at Ryoma's face, which was covered with parasites, his mind raced as he thought of a way to get Ryoma back to Konoha safely.

In the Tsukuyomi space, he accidentally awakened Aburame Ryoma's memories. Ryoma had already agreed to become his spy in Root. If he were killed here by Uchiha Madara, all his efforts would be in vain.

Just as everyone was pondering a solution.

A light rain fell from the sky, silently penetrating Obito Uchiha's body and creating numerous ripples on the water's surface.

coming!

The group, whose attention was particularly focused, instantly realized that this was a signal of an enemy attack.

call!
Like a ghost floating across the water, Obito Uchiha's figure appeared in an instant!
As Aburame Ryoma raised his hands, countless parasitic insects, which had been prepared beforehand, flew out from his sleeves like a black cloud.

Secret Technique: Insect Jade!

stomping on...

Lan, Die, and Pan Xiong kicked off the water and transformed into three black shadows, rushing towards the enemy.

Shuriken, wind saw, rock fist, insect cloud... a series of attacks suddenly overwhelmed Obito's rapidly charging figure.

But it doesn't work!

The intangible Obito Uchiha passed through everyone's ninjutsu, bodies, and crossed space, instantly arriving in front of Hairi.

The owl mask and the orange mask were almost glued together.

Seeing that Haili seemed completely unaware, Obito reached out and grabbed her mask, and the crimson kaleidoscope gradually twisted into a spiral.

Just one touch, and it's all over.

The black glove slowly approached the white owl, while Ryoma Aburame behind him looked anxious as he controlled the parasitic insects to fly towards Obito Uchiha.

But the insects fly too slowly; they simply don't have time.

He could only watch helplessly as the hand rapidly approached, the dark fingertips, wet with rain, completely touching the gray glass face.

It became.

Feeling the cold hardness of his fingertips, Obito Uchiha was secretly delighted.

Orochimaru's Substitution Jutsu is not something everyone possesses. Once touched by him, no matter how many strange abilities the other party has, being sucked into the Kamui dimension means certain death.

Next is...

The pale white owl mask slowly raised its head, letting its fingers touch its brow. The eerie darkness emanating from the holes on either side of the mask made Obito Uchiha's hair stand on end.

Buzz buzz buzz!!!

A piercing whistling wind exploded in Obito Uchiha's ears, his scarlet Mangekyou Sharingan suddenly widened, sharp arcs flashed in front of him, and the raindrops in front of him suddenly split in two.

"Kamiwei!!"

A terrified roar echoed through the space.

Woo woo woo!

The curtain of water that had been obscuring the sky split in two, and the parasitic insect was separated head and tail!
The wind swirled rapidly around Hui Li, and chakra denser than raindrops erupted endlessly from her pores, like an invisible meat grinder, mercilessly crushing anything that tried to approach her!

(End of this chapter)