Wuwuwu...
A howling gale, like a passing typhoon, swept across a vast area of the Forest of Death.
Examinees closer to Class Seven turned their heads instinctively toward the source of the sound—only to be met with the full force of the storm. Many were instantly lifted off their feet, hurled through the air by the wind and slammed into massive trees.
Those on the ground were shoved over violently, as if struck by an invisible giant hand, crashing to the forest floor.
Crack...
Rumble...
Amid the wind's fury, faint sounds of splintering wood and collapsing trunks were heard.
Zooming in, the airflow in a particular region twisted into a distorted vortex, resembling a violent whirlpool in the ocean. Towering trees bent under pressure, one after another, finally snapping under the force and crashing to the ground, raising clouds of dust and debris into the sky.
Fortunately, while violent, the winds weren't sharp. The Forest of Death was a dense primeval expanse, and every giant tree required over a dozen people to wrap their arms around—immense and durable. Had the trees been weaker, the area would've turned into a wasteland.
Even so, the destruction rivaled Temari's Wind Release: Air Current Wild Dance, used during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Perhaps this was even more powerful.
When the tempest faded, the area where Class Seven had gathered lay in ruins.
Uzumaki Naruto's three hundred Shadow Clones had all vanished—obliterated by the very Wind Release technique he had just unleashed."T-This... This is the strength of the 'dead last'?"
Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, having been protected by a Shadow Clone and sheltered behind a massive tree, stared out at the devastation, eyes trembling.Sasuke, clearly shocked, hadn't expected Naruto's strength to reach such heights."This is unreal... Naruto's actually this strong?!"
Sakura covered her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.Because Team 7 never encountered Zabuza Momochi during their mission to the Land of Waves, Sasuke and Sakura still viewed Naruto as the goofy kid who had been trounced by Kakashi and frightened by the Demon Brothers.
Sure, they were aware of his massive Chakra and the fact he had somehow learned Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, but they never imagined he could unleash power of such magnitude—enough to mimic a natural disaster.
If he was the "dead last"... then what did that make her, the top student?
She realized something painfully clear—she was the weakest member of the team.
"Hahaha..."
Just then, a burst of laughter echoed through the wreckage.
They turned their heads and saw Naruto standing proudly atop a fallen tree, hands on hips, laughing heartily with a smug expression."Did you see that?! That's my true power! Whether it's Izanami, Hinata, that stuck-up Sasuke, or even that bushy-browed guy—they'll all be my defeated enemies!"Suddenly, a voice whispered coldly beside Naruto's ear, stopping his laughter in its tracks.
Before he could react, two massive snakes whipped around his body like ropes, binding him tightly—leaving only his midsection exposed.
Then a figure emerged smoothly from the ground, completely unscathed, wearing a twisted grin."A very powerful combination technique. You almost got me," said Orochimaru."Damn it! Let me go!" Naruto struggled fiercely, his eyes shifting unconsciously into red vertical pupils.Upon seeing those eyes, Orochimaru's smile deepened."As expected... it's you.""Huh?! What do you mean 'it's me'?!" Naruto barked. "If you've got the guts, let me go! We'll settle this fair and square!""Hehe... If you hadn't used that combination just now, I might've played with you a little longer. But now... it's best you stay quiet."Raising one hand, Orochimaru lifted Naruto's shirt. The fingers of his other hand glowed with blue Chakra flames, each one inscribed with a character—wind, fire, water, earth, and lightning."Let go of Naruto!"
A voice shouted from the distance. Uchiha Sasuke appeared beside Orochimaru in a flash, launching a powerful kick.He was still too slow."Five Elements Seal!"
Orochimaru struck Naruto's stomach with one palm, the Chakra flames forming a seal. At the same time, he used his other hand to deflect Sasuke's leg.Naruto was blown backward by the attack, while Orochimaru was forced back by Sasuke's kick."Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"Without hesitation, Sasuke pursued, forming hand seals rapidly. He exhaled a stream of flames that shaped into a roaring fire dragon, surging toward Orochimaru.
Through the raging fire, Orochimaru watched Sasuke's two-tomoe Sharingan with intense interest.
At that moment, he was reminded of the time he secretly observed Uchiha Itachi training.
Such speed. Such vision. At this age, this boy might not be far behind his legendary brother.
He had to possess this body.
Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals."Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"With a thunderous crash, a thick wall burst from the ground, halting the fire dragon's advance.
Sasuke, who had previously stimulated his cells with Lightning Chakra to enhance his speed, didn't circle around but instead pulled out a kunai, slashing through the snakes restraining Naruto.
Grabbing him, he darted toward the forest."Sasuke, where are we going?!" Naruto shouted, still puffed up. "Put me down! I'm going to beat that snake guy into the ground!""Idiot! Don't you get it yet?!" Sasuke snapped. "Your Wind Release couldn't even scratch him! We're not on the same level!"Naruto finally sobered up.
Indeed—his only effective combo had failed. Orochimaru had easily evaded by diving underground."Where do you think you're going?"Sasuke was fast—if he were alone, perhaps Orochimaru would've needed more time to catch up.
But he was carrying a burden.
Before they could even cross into the woods, Orochimaru's voice rang out again.
They looked back—and their hearts stopped.
Orochimaru was bent low, slithering like a snake, but moving with the speed of an arrow. His twisted face and feral grin would leave psychological scars long after this day."Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"Naruto hurriedly formed hand signs, trying to create hundreds of clones again.
But his Chakra was now in complete disarray. Only about twenty Shadow Clones appeared.
They all immediately formed hand signs for Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, but all they managed to do was exhale tiny air streams—as pathetic as Sasuke's early fire jutsu."Wha—?! What's going on?!" Naruto cried in disbelief."That sealing jutsu!" Sasuke's cold sweat ran freely. "He sealed your Chakra—you're useless now!"Realizing they couldn't even escape, Sasuke made a desperate choice.
He threw Naruto aside and turned back, charging straight at Orochimaru."Dead last, I'll buy time. Get out of here—go find help!""No way! I'll never abandon a comrade!" Naruto got up and ran to join him."Just GO!" Sasuke shouted. "This guy isn't a Genin! The commotion earlier must've caught the examiners' attention. If you get help, we might all survive. If not—we're all dead!""Then I can't leave you behind either!" Naruto replied, eyes fierce. He formed hand signs again: "Shadow Clone Technique!"With a few bangs, several clones appeared and immediately scattered, racing toward the forest's edge.
Meanwhile, Naruto's real body charged straight at Orochimaru.
Unknowingly, this act of loyalty made Sasuke's situation worse.
Sasuke had mastered stimulating his cells with Lightning Chakra, making him a few notches faster than Rock Lee with weights. Paired with the Sharingan's insight, even Orochimaru would need special techniques to pin him down.
But now, Naruto's presence meant Sasuke couldn't fight freely—he had to protect someone else.
Orochimaru noticed this.
He shifted his target from Sasuke to Naruto.
Within moments, he had baited Sasuke into a trap. Both boys were caught—feet trapped in a swamp, bodies bound by massive snakes, unable to move.
As Orochimaru formed hand signs, his neck extended unnaturally, preparing to bite Sasuke's neck with the Heavenly Curse Mark—
Bang!
A figure appeared from thin air, smashing a fist into Orochimaru's face with such force it seemed like his skull would cave in.
Orochimaru's head was sent flying like a baseball, his body trailing after it in midair.
The one who threw the punch?
None other than the late-arriving, perfectly punctual—Izanami.
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