Upon seeing Sasuke defeat Kidōmaru, Haku and Karin on Shinji's side quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Though Sasuke looked off and was heavily injured, he had at least won this fight, with no immediate danger to his life.
But then, the Grass shinobi Shigenobu Tera appeared, reigniting their unease.
No one expected that before Sasuke could clash with Shigenobu Tera, Ryuzetsu and Chino would unexpectedly barge into the battlefield.
Karin, as the Grass Kage, wore a particularly strange expression.
At that moment, Sakura pleaded with Shinji, "Shinji, we need to act fast! Sasuke's already injured, and now he's facing three opponents alone. I'm worried his body won't hold up!"
Naruto, barely able to contain himself, shouted, "If you guys won't step in, then let us go!"
Clearly, as Sasuke's teammates, Naruto and Sakura had followed the trail to find him.
But just as they prepared to join the fight to help Sasuke, Shinji had ordered Haku and Karin to hold them back.
Haku also urged, "Shinji, those two Grass shinobi fighting Sasuke are clearly strong. He might not last much longer."
Shinji nodded.
Having observed Sasuke's strength after fully unleashing the Cursed Seal, he understood there was no need to let this continue unchecked.
With a flash, he appeared on the battlefield, one hand grabbing Sasuke's arm, the other blocking a punch from Chino.
Seeing Shinji's arrival, reactions varied. Sasuke paused, seeming relieved. Ryuzetsu and Chino immediately disengaged, their faces full of wariness. After all, Shinji's reputation was too formidable—impossible to ignore for anyone participating in the Chūnin Exams.
As for Orochimaru, leaning against a tree and spectating, his expression remained playful, as if he didn't take Shinji too seriously.
With Shinji's appearance, Haku, Karin, Naruto, and Sakura also rushed into the fray.
"Sasuke, are you okay?"
Naruto and Sakura dashed to Sasuke's side.
Karin, meanwhile, flashed in front of Ryuzetsu and Chino, adopting a defensive stance.
Seeing Karin, Ryuzetsu was startled, instinctively about to bow, but realizing others were nearby, she quickly pulled Chino back, retreating far and dropping their hostility.
The jōnin squad watching from afar also relaxed.
With Shinji's team entering the field, plus Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke's teammates, the Hidden Leaf side clearly held the advantage in numbers and strength over the Grass shinobi.
What they didn't know was that Ryuzetsu and Chino weren't driven back by Shinji but by Karin's presence.
After easing up, Shizune said, "Once this is over, Sasuke must reseal the Cursed Seal. Otherwise, I'm worried his body won't hold out!"
Kurenai added, "The fact that the Sound shinobi squad also wielded the Cursed Seal's power is too abnormal. I need to report this to the Hokage and have the village investigate the Hidden Sound Village!"
Asuma sighed helplessly, "It's not just the Sound shinobi who are off. These kids from the Grass Village are clearly suspicious too. These minor villages are definitely hiding something!"
"Let's deal with this after the exam," Kakashi said, his eyes still fixed on the battlefield.
For some reason, a premonition stirred in him—the trouble wasn't over yet.
…
On the battlefield.
"I'm fine!" Sasuke brushed off his teammates before turning to Shinji. "Shinji, leave Shigenobu Tera to me!"
Shinji replied, "You should rest. Your body's nearly at its limit."
Sasuke shook his head. "I can feel his malice toward me. Let me handle this!"
Sakura quickly interjected, "Sasuke, we're teammates. We'll fight together!"
"Yeah!"
Naruto nodded firmly.
Sasuke shook his head again. "You guys probably aren't his match."
Having witnessed his defeat of the Sound Four, anyone daring to step forward now was clearly no ordinary foe. He didn't want Naruto or Sakura taking that risk.
Orochimaru glanced at Ryuzetsu and Chino, who had been pushed far back, puzzled. These two Grass shinobi were clearly strong, bold enough to challenge at the Hidden Leaf Hospital's gates before, yet now they seemed so timid.
But even without their help, he didn't fear the kids before him. Smiling, he beckoned to the group. "You can all come at me together!"
Shinji said emotionlessly, "I'm worried if we all attacked, we'd kill you."
Shinji alone would be enough to give Orochimaru a run for his money, let alone with Haku, Karin, Ryuzetsu, and Chino present. If they all ganged up, even Orochimaru, the shinobi world's master of survival, wouldn't stand a chance!
"Heh."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly.
Sasuke declared, "I don't need them. I'm enough!"
Swish!
Before his words settled, Sasuke lunged forward, hands swiftly forming seals, the dazzling lightning of Chidori sparking in his grasp.
Orochimaru, lips curled in a smile, retreated while thrusting both hands forward.
Whoosh whoosh. Two black shadows shot from his sleeves, streaking toward Sasuke.
"!?"
Sasuke was startled.
Others might not see what flew from Orochimaru's sleeves, but with his Mangekyō Sharingan, he instantly recognized them as two slender venomous snakes! Guessing these snakes were no ordinary threat, he didn't dare take them lightly and met them with Chidori.
With a crackle, the two snakes stiffened and fell to the ground, smoking.
As Sasuke prepared to press his attack on Orochimaru, the two seemingly dead snakes suddenly sprang up, biting his legs.
"How!?"
Bewildered, Sasuke drew a kunai and sliced the snakes into pieces.
Orochimaru seized the moment, closing in with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. Several large snakes shot from his sleeves, wrapping Sasuke tightly from head to toe.
Licking his lips, Orochimaru said sinisterly, "You're mine!"
Sasuke struggled but couldn't break free. With no other choice, he prepared to let the Cursed Seal spread further.
Swish.
At that moment, a flash of cold light cut through the air. Shinji descended, slicing the snakes binding Sasuke with a kunai. Grabbing Sasuke's shoulder, he spun and tossed him toward Naruto and Sakura behind.
Orochimaru froze, his face darkening.
Shinji spoke slowly, "He's too injured and his body can't hold up. He's not your match right now."
Orochimaru sneered, "So what?"
"Let me take his place!" Shinji paused, then added lightly, "I'm not like him. If it's me, this fight should end quickly!"