Chapter 122:
Sniper rifles. Yes, the weapons in their hands were advanced sniper rifles.
I won't go into detail about the model specifics, if I did, that might lead to some undesirable questions. What you need to know is this: the receiver is made of aluminum alloy, and the butt is crafted from high-strength plastic, divided into two sections and screwed into the receiver. The front of the butt is equipped with an adjustable bipod for stability. The barrel itself is stainless steel, about 660mm long, and is screwed to the front of the extra-long receiver, allowing it to float freely within the stock. This rifle has a lifespan of around 5,000 rounds, ensuring accuracy over time.
This rifle wasn't just any firearm; it was a technological evolution, a high-powered weapon derived from Orochimaru's research into advanced weaponry.
The problem with ordinary pistols, even those like the Desert Eagle, is that their effective range is only 50 to 200 meters at best. Such a limited range is practically useless in the world of ninjas. When shinobi engage in battle, they usually have sensory ninjas with them, who can detect enemies from over 100 meters away, if not more. Ninjas also tend to keep considerable distance during combat, making sneak attacks with a pistol nearly impossible.
In a direct fight, a pistol's utility diminishes even further. Against a well-trained ninja, kunai and exploding tags are much more effective.
So, when Orochimaru unlocked weapon technology, he didn't waste time creating conventional firearms. Instead, he went straight for the sniper rifle, a weapon capable of eliminating targets from over a kilometer away. Some models of sniper rifles even have an effective range exceeding 2,000 meters.
To put that in perspective, most people can't even see clearly beyond 1,000 meters. Even the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan, known for its extraordinary range of vision, is limited to about one kilometer when fully focused. Now, imagine a weapon capable of eliminating enemies from such a distance, an incredible advantage on the battlefield.
Orochimaru wasn't a military tactician by trade, but as a seasoned jounin, he had commanded countless small-scale operations, and he knew how to plan. When developing this sniper rifle, he had already decided who would wield it: the Uchiha clan.
Why the Uchiha? The answer was simple. The Uchiha's Sharingan not only allowed them to instantly copy Orochimaru's movements and learn how to operate the rifle with precision, but it also enhanced their ability to predict enemy actions through the scope. Their heightened visual perception allowed them to compensate for variables like rain, wind direction, and even air resistance, factors that would normally affect a bullet's trajectory.