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"W-What is this guy… so terrifying…"
Naruto was trembling all over, completely frozen under the crushing weight of Orochimaru's killing intent. His pupils dilated in fear.
Sakura had already rolled her eyes back—on the verge of fainting.
Even Sasuke had fallen to one knee, body shaking. For the first time, he truly felt terror… and finally understood just how terrifying the opponent Natsuki had faced was.
Natsuki, in contrast, only had a layer of goosebumps. He was still standing firm.
Tenten and Shino flinched too, but even then, they held their ground beside Natsuki, clenching their teeth to resist Orochimaru's aura.
"I'm… actually weaker than Tenten? Even weaker than Shino? How can I accept that?!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth and stabbed his thigh with a kunai, using the pain to jolt himself back to clarity. Finally, he regained control of his body and pulled out a short blade for defense.
He hadn't finished learning Chidori yet, and this sword style was all he had.
"Damn it! What do I have to do to get stronger?!"
Orochimaru gave Sasuke a curious look, clearly pleased. At the very least, this Uchiha brat had guts. According to Kabuto's intel, he was learning Hatake-ryū Kenjutsu, and his talent wasn't bad.
A decent vessel indeed.
Still, he'd have to test him with a Cursed Seal. Not just anyone could be a vessel.
While Sasuke burned with frustration, Natsuki, Tenten, and Shino were all feeling the oppressive weight of Orochimaru's killing intent for the first time. It was truly overwhelming.
Thankfully, Tenten and Shino were both skilled enough to withstand it.
Among the other examinees, only a handful—like Neji and Gaara—were still conscious.
The division in ability was stark.
As for Kabuto, no one knew where he'd gone.
The Sound Trio were trembling, but their gazes toward Orochimaru held awe and reverence, clearly ready to assist at any moment.
Tch. So annoying. Where is the Hokage already?
Shino whispered, "Natsuki, he's strong. Don't underestimate him."
Tenten agreed. "Maybe the three of us should focus on stalling him. Once the Hokage arrives, we'll be okay… Orochimaru is just too dangerous. We can't beat him."
"I know. I don't think we can win either," Natsuki said.
Unless I use my trump card… or open the Sixth Gate of Hachimon Tonkō.
But he had no intention of doing that—not yet.
His goal wasn't to win—it was to drive Orochimaru away. So long as he kept Tenten and the others safe, that was enough. And his performance so far might've already drawn enough attention. As long as Hiruzen was still alive, it was better not to reveal too much.
Suddenly—
"Don't interfere! Let me handle this!"
The voice came from behind. Everyone turned in surprise.
Anko—who had been suffering moments ago—had suddenly stood up and stepped forward, placing herself in front of Natsuki and the others.
Tenten quickly protested, "Anko-sensei, it's too dangerous! We should work together and hold him off! Just wait until the Hokage gets here!"
Shino nodded. "Anko-sensei, don't act recklessly."
But Anko shook her head.
"You don't understand. The grudge between me and him… it's something you can't imagine."
"Orochimaru… why did you come back? What's your goal? And why… why did you abandon me back then?"
Everyone who didn't know the story stared, sensing something deeper.
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Hehe… Anko, my dear student. It's been a long time. Seems you've been doing well in Konoha. But now, are you trying to kill me?"
"That's right! I'm going to kill you!"
Before anyone could react, Anko rushed forward.
With a sudden motion, her arm turned into a snake that lunged to bite—Sen'ei Jashu (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)!
But Orochimaru evaded easily, stretching his tongue out to snare her and yanking her in.
Anko used the momentum to tackle him, pinning him to the ground. Her left hand grabbed his right wrist, and with a kunai, she pinned both their hands into the dirt.
"Heh, got you! Orochimaru—let's die together!"
Eyes crazed, Anko prepared to use her forbidden jutsu for mutual destruction—
"Ninpō: Sōjasōsai" (Ninja Art: Twin Snakes Mutual Death)!
But…
The "Orochimaru" beneath her dissolved into mud.
A clone.
The real Orochimaru was behind her.
"Tsk tsk. A special jōnin from Konoha… and you still use the same forbidden technique I taught you? Anko, my dear student, you really are… unworthy. That's why I abandoned you."
His words hit her like a knife to the heart.
Then, Orochimaru activated the Cursed Seal, causing Anko to collapse in agony, completely unable to resist.
He was just about to continue—
Crackle!
Suddenly, the sound of electricity echoed behind him.
Natsuki reappeared, swinging a cracked long sword.
Orochimaru instinctively blocked with the Kusanagi Sword—
But the damaged blade intentionally broke apart mid-swing, slipping around the block, and its fragments—linked by chakra—lashed toward Orochimaru's head.
A feint—then a slicing strike.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed in surprise. He dodged just in time by tilting his head—but the blade extended again, the fragments realigning and striking once more.
This was Natsuki's custom-forged ninja blade—Kireha (Blade Shard), finally unveiled!
While Orochimaru was occupied, Tenten used her Ryugan Stretching Sword to transform it into three dragon heads and retrieve Anko from his grasp.
Orochimaru's voice rang out from his severed head:
"Hehehe… fascinating. Konoha's new generation is so… delightful. I'm really tempted to take all of you back for my experiments."
The severed head began to open its mouth.
Orochimaru emerged again, crawling out unscathed.
Damn that Dajaryū Kawarimi no Jutsu (Great Serpent Substitute Technique)… It really makes him seem immortal.
Too bad Natsuki wasn't skilled in Genjutsu. If he could trap Orochimaru's incomplete soul in a powerful illusion, that would've been ideal.
"Unfortunately, time's up. The Third Hokage is almost here. Well then… everyone, goodbye."
Poof!
Orochimaru vanished in a puff of smoke.
Natsuki didn't relax. "Neji! Shino! Is he really gone?!"
Neji had already activated his Byakugan and scanned the area. After exchanging a look with Shino, both shook their heads.
"He's really gone," Shino confirmed. "I secretly planted a female insect on him, but I've lost the signal."
Kiba spoke up weakly, "Akamaru can't pick up his scent either. It's like he just… vanished. This guy's terrifying…"
His body was still trembling from earlier. The sheer killing intent had nearly knocked him out.
Hinata had fainted. There was nothing anyone could do about that.
Still, everyone breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Orochimaru was gone.
If he'd stayed any longer, things might've turned tragic. Someone could've died—like Anko, who had been ready to sacrifice herself.
Natsuki and Tenten exchanged a glance and silently began putting away their ninja tools.
(End of Chapter)
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