Title: Naruto: The Next Generation

Story:

Chapter 21: An Old Friend

Humans are weak beings.

They are full of flaws and is riddle with vulnerabilities.

That is why they are so easily killed.

But despite how weak humans are, they continue to fight each other.

They create conflict, wage war, and slaughter one another without restraint.

As long as humans are alive, the killing will never end.

That was the conclusion that I came to after enduring the endless cycles of war.

But if war cannot be stopped, what reason was there to fight?

What purpose was there in fighting for peace when the chaos will never end?

For a long time, I tried to find an answer to these troubling questions.

But as the war waged on, I slowly came to realize that there was no answer.

It was meaningless to end a war when another war will simply rise up to take its place.

So instead of focusing on such meaningless endeavor, I decided to focus on a more fruitful goal.

If I cannot eliminate war… then I simply need to eliminate death.

That was the solution that I came to after witnessing countless of deaths during the war.

But to accomplish such a task, I needed and immeasurable amount of time.

I needed to find a way to extend my life.

And what better way to extend my life than to find the cure for death?

With that thought, I quickly went to work.

I carried out countless of experiments and hoarded countless of data for myself.

It didn't matter how cruel and atrocious my methods were or who I colluded with.

Even if I have to become the devil himself, I was determined to fulfill my goal.

During those times, I never once believed that I'll ever come to regret my actions.

How ironic that I will be regretting them now.

…

With three Rashomon Gates, Orochimaru was able to block the majority of the damage from Rengetsu's multiple ray spheres.

Rengetsu, on the other hand, became exhausted after using such a big portion of his chakra.

Not wanting to let Rengetsu regroup, Orochimaru quickly rush towards Rengetsu to initiate an attack.

Orochimaru "Futon! Daitoppa!"

The Great Breakthrough technique blew away the all debris blocking Orochimaru's path towards Rengetsu.

Rengetsu, who is still recuperating his chakra from his previous attack, quickly use substitute technique to avoid the debris.

But before Rengetsu can regain his balance, he is attack by a hoard of snakes.

Orochimaru has release his Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes technique on Rengetsu.

Desperate to retain ground, Rengetsu quickly use the Spider Web Lightning Release technique to electrocute all of the snakes surrounding him.

Rengetsu "Raiton! Amigumo!"

With the snakes gone, Rengetsu quickly turn his attention towards Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, however, was nowhere to be found.

That's when a shadow suddenly appears from the sky.

Like a falling blade, Orochimaru fell straight toward Rengetsu while welding Kusanagi in his mouth.

Blinded by the light of the sun, Rengetsu couldn't see well enough to react.

Realizing that he will not be able to avoid the attack, Rengetsu quickly open his mouth and pull out a weapon of his own.

BOOM!

Orochimaru's attack landed.

Not being able to block or evade, Rengetsu suffered a deep injury on his right shoulder.

As blood seeps from Rengetsu's shoulder, Orochimaru gave out a mocking grin.

Orochimaru "Looks like your weapon is no match for my Kusanagi."

But instead of panicking, Rengestu gave out a grin on his own.

Rengestu "Don't be so sure…"

At first, Orochimaru thought it was merely a bluff.

But then a strange feeling slowly begins to engulf Orochimaru's right arm.

Even though Orochimaru sustains no physical injuries, his arm felt heavier than before.

Orochimaru "This feeling…"

Orochimaru knows this feeling all too well.

The feeling of having your soul ripped away from your body.

It quickly reminded Orochimaru of his final battle with his late teacher Hiruzen.

That's when Orochimaru realize what the weapon Regentsu is using was.

A black treacherous scythe with red glowing markings that encompass the entire weapon.

Orochimaru "Amenonuhoko. A weapon forge from the remains of Ama no Hoko. It was something that Kabuto made as a joke after collecting a small part of that old artifact. Though he did say that someone stole it a couple of years ago. I guess you're the thief he was talking about."

Rengetsu "Shut up!"

Rengetsu quickly swing his scythe towards Orochimaru.

Knowing that blocking was futile, Orochimaru swiftly move backwards to evade.

Orochimaru: This is not good. Like the Sword of Totsuka, Amenonuhoko is a weapon that does not attack a person's physical form but seal their spiritual form. When it comes to physical attacks, I have no problem. But I'm completely defenseless against spiritual attacks. Sigh. If possible, I don't want to use this technique again. But I guess it can't be helped…

With no other choice, Orochimaru quickly increase the distant between him and Rengetsu.

When there enough distant between them, Orochimaru quickly initiate his technique.

Orochimaru "Tora! Hebi! Inu! Ryu!"

Rengetsu "No!"

Realizing what Orochimaru is about to do, Rengetsu quickly try to stop him.

From Regetsu's mouth, a dragon made of light begins to form.

With haste, Rengetsu shoot out his Laser Dragon technique straight towards Orochimaru as fast as he can.

Rengetsu "Koton! Kosenryu no Jutsu!"

Orochimaru "Kuchiyose! Edo Tensei!"

BOOM!

The dragon disperses its light, disintegrating all the debris around them.

All that's left of the abandon orphanage is but a mere wasteland.

And from the ashes, a wooden coffin emerged from the ground.

Rengetsu was too late… Orochimaru has already completed his summoning technique.

On the lid of the coffin was the symbol シ (Shi).

Upon seeing the symbol, Rengetsu entire body begins to tremble in despair.

There was only one person that Rengetsu knows who hold such a symbol in his name.

Rengetsu "Orochimaru… you!"

The anger and anguish that has engulfed Rengetsu was too much for him to bear.

Tears began to fall from his eyes as he clenches his scythe in rage.

Rengetsu "OROCHIMARU… I'LL KILL YOU!

The lid of the coffin slowly open, and the person inside step forward to reveal himself.

Orochimaru "It's been a long time, Uchiha… Shisui."