Naruto: Reborn as Orochimaru

Chapter 173: Weapon of Destruction

Did Orochimaru just use a genjutsu?

No, not exactly.

It was impossible to cast an illusion from that distance. Genjutsu isn't some invincible technique that ignores distance or movement.

The ability Orochimaru used was indeed a unique Mangekyo technique—"Space Confinement," a different ability from any in his memory.

Of course, it sounds powerful, but there are quite a few limitations.

The range is limited to a hundred meters, with an area of effect only five meters in radius, and the confinement lasts for just five seconds. The strength of the confinement also varies depending on the charge-up time.

Using it immediately upon activation merely slows down the target. To completely immobilize someone, Orochimaru found he needed about a minute to charge it, similar to the preparation time for Itachi's Amaterasu or Kakashi's Kamui.

However, Orochimaru believed that as his mental strength grew, the preparation time would decrease.

Once released after a full charge, the space within a five-meter radius of his target would freeze entirely. Only Orochimaru and those he physically touched would be able to move freely within it.

This was a control-type ability. Even a high-level ninja would be unable to break free if captured. Five seconds of immobilization is enough for a decisive strike in a one-on-one battle, making it nearly unbeatable if used correctly.

As for why Orochimaru awakened a space-based ability… he couldn't quite explain it.

He only knew that both his eyes' Mangekyo abilities belonged to the space-manipulation category, though with somewhat average effects.

One eye could confine space, while the other could tear it apart.

"Space Confinement" functioned as described, while "Space Tearing" was similar to Obito's Kamui. Each user had their own unique spatial dimension, and the effect was likewise an attack.

Instead of warping targets to another dimension, Orochimaru's technique would tear them apart directly within his space.

If you asked Orochimaru which Uchiha had the best Mangekyo ability, he would say without hesitation that it was Obito.

Five minutes of intangibility, the ability to phase through walls and people, plus pulling others into his dimension? The combination of offensive and defensive abilities was unmatched.

It was definitely more versatile than his own powers.

But as someone who had lived two lives, Orochimaru didn't get hung up on his eye abilities. In the grand scheme of things, these techniques wouldn't be the ultimate power he sought.

For a true evolution, he knew that the Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan was the true pinnacle. The Mangekyo Sharingan was merely a stepping stone…

"These wings…"

Orochimaru examined the metal wings Nawaki had removed from the fallen Kong ninja, nodding to himself.

"Injecting chakra into the wings to create a pressure differential for lift and flight? Hmm, interesting. This could be worth re

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