Naruto : Gamer System-Chapter 46 : Orochimaru Strikes

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

Haruto and Sasuke launched their combined jutsu—a massive fireball, boosted by the wind, exploded forward and incinerated wave after wave of oncoming snakes.

The ground lit up in flames. Dozens of snakes burned to ash.

But despite the destruction, the sheer number of snakes summoned by Orochimaru barely decreased.

"It's not working! If this keeps up—!" Sasuke shouted, tension rising in his voice.

Naruto gritted his teeth. He was clearly uncomfortable dealing with this kind of overwhelming swarm.

The trio kept retreating while dodging venom strikes and fanged lunges.

Suddenly, Haruto tore off his shirt and flung it forward.

Hissssss—

Instantly, the snakes piled onto the shirt, shredding it violently. Naruto stare, Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

Just as the sea of snakes closed in—Haruto gave a small, confident smirk. "Just as I guessed."

He formed a hand sign and called out: "Barrier Technique: Isolation!"

A pulse of chakra radiated from Haruto—silent, invisible, but everything changed.

The snakes halted.

Then, as if they'd forgotten their purpose, they scattered and slithered away, forming a loose mass instead of a coordinated threat. They completely ignored Haruto, Naruto, and Sasuke.

"What the heck just happened?" Naruto asked, blinking in confusion.

"That jutsu... did you block their senses?" Sasuke asked, glancing sideways.

Even Orochimaru paused, eyes slightly narrowed, He tried controlling the snakes again.

Some slithered forward—but once within a few feet of the trio, they simply turned aside or slid past as if they weren't even there.

Any that came too close were effortlessly cut down.

Now that they only had to defend a narrow space, the three were no longer in danger.

Orochimaru eventually stopped, withdrawing the horde with a chuckle.

"Interesting... very interesting." He licked his lips, eyes fixed on Haruto.

"That technique—how did you do it? You made my summons completely ignore you."

His grin returned.

"Haruto... you're much more fun than I expected."

Haruto chuckled. Even without saying it outright, Orochimaru would figure it out soon enough with his IQ and experience. So Haruto simply said, "Actually, my technique is very simple. In the ninja world, all ninjas often use it. It's just a basic jutsu."

"Huh?" Orochimaru's curiosity grew. "What technique?"

"That's the Isolation Technique ninjas use to prevent others from overhearing secret meetings." free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Isolation Technique?" Orochimaru muttered thoughtfully.

Naruto looked a little puzzled too. "I think I heard Iruka-sensei mention the Isolation Technique once, but I forgot the details."

Haruto continued: "The Isolation Technique is a simple ninjutsu that condenses chakra into a membrane surrounding an area. It effectively blocks sound, smell, and even body heat from leaking out. The Five Kage often use it during secret talks. But because it causes obvious chakra fluctuations, it's too conspicuous to use in actual combat. In fact, this technique is the embryonic form of many stealth jutsus. Advanced concealment methods build on this to hide chakra fluctuations better."

Haruto looked Orochimaru directly in the eye and said slowly, "When I saw the snakes you summoned earlier, I had a guess."

Orochimaru suddenly clapped his hands and smiled, "That's a remarkable combat ability. I must admit I underestimated you before. You really live up to being a genius. Thank you for exposing the weakness in this technique. I'll improve it when I return."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged confused glances. "What's going on?" they asked.

Haruto explained, "Actually, I studied snakes a bit. They're almost blind. To a snake, we're like stones on the roadside. Snakes rely on sound, smell, and body heat detection to locate enemies. So if you isolate sound, smell, and heat, snakes can't find you. I threw out my shirt with body heat to test your summoned snakes, and I didn't expect they'd behave like real snakes."

Hearing this, Naruto and Sasuke finally understood Haruto's method and looked at him with admiration. No one knew this cracking technique was valuable info Haruto gained from multiple battles with Orochimaru inside the dungeon.

Orochimaru looked at Haruto with respect, "There's no doubt you're a genius with jutsu. You've reminded me that in the ninja world, there is no absolute strongest jutsu—only the strongest ninja. A C-rank jutsu beat my S-rank technique, and your skill with it surpasses even my own back then."

Orochimaru said seriously, "I admire you greatly. Are you interested in becoming my subordinate? I can offer you everything — strength, wealth, power. As long as you serve me, all of these will be at your fingertips."

Haruto replied firmly, "Sorry, I have no intention of being anyone's subordinate. And you can't give me what I truly want."

Orochimaru's curiosity was piqued, "What is it that you want?"

Haruto gave him a surprising answer, "What if what I want is eternal life?"

Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then laughed wildly, "Hahaha, fascinating. I didn't expect there to be someone like me. I want you more and more."

Haruto pointed Murasame at Orochimaru, "Maybe cooperation is possible, but if you want me as your subordinate, don't hold your breath."

"Good young man," Orochimaru said, "When I first saw you, you reminded me of myself back then. I formed a team with that idiot in much the same way." He fell silent for a moment, the word 'idiot' clearly carrying a complicated meaning for him.

Orochimaru's voice suddenly grew louder, "That's why I understand the weakness of a team like yours."

Without warning, Orochimaru launched a fierce attack. "Summoning Jutsu: Exploding Snake Wrists!"

Several huge snakes surrounded them and suddenly exploded. Before anyone could react, Orochimaru fiercely attacked Naruto.

"There are many snake hands hidden in the shadows," Haruto and Sasuke shouted as they were inevitably hit by poisonous snakes while trying to protect Naruto.

Orochimaru smiled coldly, "The strength of a team like yours is often like a wooden barrel filled with water. The capacity doesn't depend on the longest plank, but the shortest one. I, who've had similar experiences, know this all too well."

Haruto and Sasuke were soon injured to varying degrees as Orochimaru ruthlessly targeted Naruto.

"You'd better give up on such useless waste as soon as possible," Orochimaru sneered, clearly trying to sow discord.

"Is it going to be like this again?" Naruto said, extremely unwilling. "I clearly said I would protect them, but in the end I just become a burden. Why am I still so useless?"

Sensing Naruto's distress, Haruto's expression hardened. He slashed fiercely toward Orochimaru.

"That's not true. Naruto is an important comrade I trust. I've always believed that one day he'll become stronger than me — stand before me and protect me. I've watched his efforts with my own eyes. One day... his name will echo throughout the entire ninja world. He's not the trash you say he is."

Haruto's voice trembled with unexpected anger. "If you have the guts, come at me. I'll kill you, bastard."

Sasuke's expression was icy cold. "Sure, Naruto might be a bit of an idiot sometimes, but he's definitely not someone who drags his feet like you said. Don't underestimate him. He's someone I can rely on, a true comrade at my back. I can feel Naruto getting stronger every day, and it won't be long—"

Sasuke's anger surged as he released ninjutsu: "He can kill ten of you."

Naruto's eyes blurred. Everyone believed in me so much... How could I hold back?

"Ah—"

Naruto's eyes gradually turned red.

Suddenly, with a speed that shocked everyone, Naruto broke forward and grabbed Orochimaru's wrist.

"You... you pissed me off."