Uchiha Sasuke: The Rise of a Hidden Genius

Boom! Boom!

With two consecutive punches, Sasuke moved quickly.

However, Orochimaru easily avoided the kunai thrust aimed at his back with a slight tilt of his head.

Then, with a swift motion, he caught Sasuke's fist mid-air.

Sasuke's strength behind the punch was palpable, but Orochimaru seemed pleased.

"Impressive, you have great physical skills for your age!"

At this moment, Sasuke's physical abilities surpassed even Xiao Li's, though he was slightly slower and weaker. But then again, Xiao Li hadn't removed his weights.

This level of physical prowess was exceptional for a Genin, and even some average Chūnin might struggle to compare.

Despite Sasuke's strength, he couldn't free his hands. While Orochimaru wasn't primarily known for his physical power, his experience in war and his status as one of the Konoha Sannin gave him the strength of a Kage-level ninja, making him no slouch in hand-to-hand combat.

Sasuke couldn't pull his hands back, but he didn't give up. He quickly used Orochimaru's grip against him and kicked for Orochimaru's jaw.

The kick landed solidly, but Sasuke knew it wouldn't be enough to truly harm him.

Orochimaru's jaw reddened and swelled from the blow, but he seemed unfazed. Slowly, he lowered his head and fixed his gaze on Sasuke with sharp eyes.

"Nice response!"

To Orochimaru, Sasuke's attack seemed childish, like a futile struggle. There was no real threat in it.

However, a cold glint flashed in Sasuke's eyes.

"You're strong, I have no way to resist you…"

Orochimaru smirked, thinking that Sasuke was finally admitting defeat.

"But I won't give up that easily!"

The amusement in Orochimaru's expression faded, replaced by an intrigued look. Sasuke was still trying to fight back even after being completely subdued.

Suddenly, Sasuke made a hand seal with his left hand.

It wasn't for a jutsu. It was for something far more dangerous—activating the detonating talisman!

Detonating talisman?!

Orochimaru's eyes widened as he looked around, trying to spot the trap.

However, the sound of the detonating talisman launching came from behind.

The hiss before the explosion made Orochimaru quickly pinpoint its location.

Behind me!

Boom!!

The explosion was immediate, blasting both Orochimaru and Sasuke apart.

Sasuke, who had been prepared, was only slightly shaken by the blast. He quickly regained his footing.

On the other hand, Orochimaru struggled to rise from the ground, disheveled but unharmed.

The explosion hadn't been enough to seriously injure him.

Orochimaru glanced at Sasuke, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

"When those kunai were thrown, did you plant the detonating talisman?"

His eyes gleamed with admiration. "You're quick—so fast I didn't even notice!"

Sasuke's unexpected escape didn't anger Orochimaru; rather, it only increased his admiration for the boy.

This was a kid with immense potential.

The more potential Sasuke showed, the more perfect he would be as Orochimaru's container.

Orochimaru could hardly wait to imprint his curse mark on Sasuke, but he controlled his urges.

Sasuke, sensing Orochimaru's gaze, leapt back with speed and threw another round of shurikens.

Instantly, all twenty shurikens flew toward Orochimaru.

Orochimaru didn't use ninjutsu to counter. Instead, he relied on his speed and reflexes, dodging the shurikens one by one.

As Sasuke's hidden weapons ran out, Orochimaru closed the distance between them.

Seeing the distance narrowing, he smirked.

"Do you still want to run? No matter how fast you are, it's useless!"

The challenge in Orochimaru's voice was clear as he surged toward Sasuke.

But Sasuke's lips curled into a slight smile, his left hand already forming a quick handseal.

Orochimaru didn't notice.

With Orochimaru almost on top of him, Sasuke suddenly raised his left hand.

"Fire Style!"

"Fire Dragon Blast!"

A torrent of flames erupted from Sasuke's mouth, quickly morphing into a roaring fire dragon.

It surged forward, sweeping directly at Orochimaru.

As the flames burst forth, Orochimaru immediately changed direction, dodging the fiery onslaught with swift agility.

Suddenly, Orochimaru stepped back, but the flames twisted in mid-air, relentlessly pursuing him.

In the span of a breath, the entire clearing was engulfed by spiraling flames.

At the front of the firestorm, the flames coiled into the shape of a fire dragon, snapping and chasing after Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was taken aback by Sasuke's Fire Style.

First, he hadn't seen when Sasuke cast the jutsu.

Second, the control Sasuke exhibited over the flames made his scalp tingle.

This Fire Style wasn't just impressive; it was as strong as a typical A-rank jutsu and, in some ways, even approached the power of S-rank ninjutsu.

Orochimaru was both surprised and impressed.

This jutsu was far beyond what he had expected from the young Uchiha.

It showed a level of potential that he couldn't ignore.

But his thoughts quickly returned to the present.

The Fire Dragon Explosion roared fiercely, but Orochimaru managed to avoid it at the last moment.

Just as he thought the danger had passed, Sasuke threw a shuriken in his direction.

Mid-throw, Sasuke formed another handseal with his other hand.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"

Flames engulfed the shuriken, and in an instant, they became a barrage of faster, more powerful fireballs.

The Phoenix Fire Technique—enhanced to a deadly degree—sent the shuriken spinning with a speed and intensity that Orochimaru was forced to dodge at once.

But every movement he made pushed him further into a corner.

The continuous dodging caught Orochimaru off guard.

Unbeknownst to him, his position had been driven to the other side of the clearing, right into the path behind Sasuke.

Dazna, unconscious under a tree, was now directly in Sasuke's line of sight.

In an instant, Sasuke's eyes flashed with determination.

"Lightning Style: Super Speed Flash!"

In the blink of an eye, Sasuke was holding Dazna, his body moving at an incredible speed.

Like a bolt of lightning, they disappeared into the forest, leaving Orochimaru standing still, watching the scene unfold in awe.

"What a clever calculation... Is his fighting talent really that strong?"

Orochimaru's voice was filled with admiration as he reflected on the skill he had just witnessed.

"As expected of that man's younger brother..."