As Uzumaki Naruto roared, massive red chakra spheres exploded into existence and smashed down toward Orochimaru's head!
Senju Tobirama: "Why is this Rasengan so huge?"
Namikaze Minato: "Second Hokage-sama, Rasengan's size depends on how much chakra the user injects into it. The more chakra, the bigger and stronger it gets."
Jiraiya: "Hmph! I was planning to teach Naruto this technique later. I didn't expect the Naruto from that world to master it on his own. Not bad at all!"
Naruto: "Eh? Really? Pervy Sage, you were still going to teach me that?"
Jiraiya: "Nonsense. You're the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki! Do you know how many people are eyeing you? If you don't get stronger, how are you going to protect yourself?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Sasuke's heart trembled slightly.
Naruto was rapidly progressing under Jiraiya's guidance—so much so that he had already surpassed Sasuke.
If Sasuke continued training under Kakashi, he might never catch up. He might not even be able to see Naruto's back anymore.
No. He must go to Orochimaru.
He must gain power—even at a terrible cost.
Yet…
When Sasuke looked up at the screen and saw the black-cloaked Naruto pummel Orochimaru into the ground, doubt crept into his heart.
Could power like that really defeat Itachi…?
Minato: "That Naruto's quite something. He actually managed to develop Rasengan to that extent. But his naming sense is a bit lacking. 'Vermillion Rasengan' isn't cool enough! If it were me, I'd name it something like 'Red Super Flash Spinning Spiral Type 3!'"
Hashirama: "Haha! That sounds awesome!"
Tobirama: "..."
Jiraiya: "..."
---
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion followed as the devastating red Rasengan struck!
The destructive radius left Orochimaru with zero chance of evasion.
"AHHH!!!"
Orochimaru screamed in agony as both his body and the surrounding terrain were engulfed in a catastrophic blast. Trees splintered, the ground cracked open, and the shockwave sent debris flying in every direction.
Sasuke turned pale and clenched his fists tightly.
Was the gap between him and Naruto really this huge?
He had trained so hard. He had thought he was finally catching up.
Sakura, who had been holding her breath in worry, finally let out a relieved gasp.
"That's… amazing, Naruto!"
Just moments ago, she was deeply concerned for Naruto's safety.
And now—he had turned the tide of battle in one single move.
She started running toward him, but stopped when she saw his serious expression.
Naruto: "Big Fox… This feeling…"
Kurama: "Yeah, kid. Orochimaru escaped."
Naruto: "Tch. Figures."
He gave a helpless smile.
Orochimaru really is an immortal cockroach…
Naruto had even gone so far as to grab the Kusanagi Sword using the Tailed Beast Chakra to temporarily paralyze him.
He hadn't used his Wind Style: Rasenshuriken—opting instead for a larger, chakra-infused Vermillion Rasengan for precision.
But at the moment of impact… Naruto had noticed something was off.
Sakura: "What's wrong, Naruto?"
Without turning, he answered.
Naruto: "That guy got away."
Sakura: "Got away?!"
She stared in disbelief at the giant crater.
Inside was a body—horribly mangled, the face barely recognizable—but unmistakably a woman with long black hair.
Naruto said nothing.
It was just a discarded shell.
Like a snake shedding its skin, Orochimaru had left the body behind and fled.
---
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Orochimaru, didn't you say to watch? I've watched now—what's next?"
Orochimaru: "Tch… That body was trash. If I'd been in Sasuke's body, I would've defeated Naruto easily!"
Sasuke: "You'd be stronger… in my body?"
Orochimaru: "Of course. With an Uchiha body and my genius, no one could stop me."
Fugaku: "Sasuke! Don't even think about it! You're forbidden from getting involved with Orochimaru!"
Mikoto: "You're not planning to… give him your body, are you?"
Mikoto was deeply worried.
Sasuke had never been the same since Itachi's betrayal.
Now, in his obsession with revenge, he was willing to go to such dangerous lengths.
Naruto: "Sasuke, I will never let you do something like that!"
Sasuke: "Hmph. Idiot. Worry about how to catch up to the other Naruto instead of interfering with me."
Naruto: "I don't care. Even if I have to break your arms and legs, I will bring you back! Because you were the one who acknowledged me first!"
Hashirama: "That's the spirit, Naruto! That's how you treat friends—don't let them go astray, even if you have to kill them!"
Madara: "???"
---
In the Forest of Death, Orochimaru fled in a panic.
His current body was gone—he was using a temporary one.
Orochimaru: "Uchiha Sasuke… Just wait. I will return. No… maybe Naruto's body isn't a bad option either…"
He grinned.
He wanted both of their bodies.
Suddenly—
"Shadow Snake Hand!"
Snakes burst toward him from the trees.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
With quick reflexes, Orochimaru blew them away.
He landed on a tree branch and narrowed his eyes.
Before him stood the proctor of the Chūnin Exams' second test—
Mitarashi Anko.
Anko: "Long time no see, Orochimaru. You're still disgusting as ever."
Orochimaru: "Ah, Anko. Still as charming as ever."
Anko: "Cut the crap. I'm here to kill you."
Orochimaru: "Still upset I abandoned you after all these years?"
Anko's expression twisted with fury. She prepared her Twin Snakes Mutual Death Technique to drag him to hell with her.
But before she could strike, Orochimaru's golden snake-like eyes flared—
The curse mark on her neck erupted violently.
Anko: "Agh…!"
Sweat poured down her face as she dropped to her knees, her body wracked with uncontrollable spasms.
Orochimaru: "My dear child… I'm in dire need of a vessel. Haven't you always longed to be one with me? Why not lend me your body?"
Anko: "B-Bastard…!"
She struggled, but the curse mark—implanted by Orochimaru in her youth—rendered her helpless.
He leaned closer, cupping her chin with one hand.
Years had passed. She had matured.
Her body was in perfect shape.
Yes… This would do nicely…
But just as he was about to act—
SHIIING!!!
A massive blade sliced through the air toward him!
Reacting instantly, Orochimaru twisted and slithered along the blade's length like a serpent.
WHAM!
Before he could land, a kick smashed into his head and sent him flying!
Anko, barely conscious, blinked through the haze.
That boy…
"You're not… Naruto from Team 7?"
Orochimaru: "Damn Nine-Tails brat again!"
He was still too weak—his current body unable to perform at full capacity.
That was the tradeoff of immortality: power limited by the quality of his host.
It was why he needed the Uchiha body so desperately.
Naruto didn't chase him further. Instead, he dropped to one knee beside the collapsed Anko and checked her condition.
She had passed out from the curse mark's pain.
He gently picked her up in his arms.
But as he did… he felt something odd.
Anko was wearing black fishnet stockings, and her toned thighs—honed from years of training—were smooth, muscular, and warm to the touch.
Honestly, they felt even better than Sakura's…
Naruto's cheeks turned red. But seeing her painful expression, he quickly averted his gaze.
No time for distractions.
Without wasting another second, he carried her to a nearby clearing where he spotted a red-haired female ninja.
The woman turned and glared at him instantly.
Red-haired Ninja: "What do you want? I've already searched you. You don't have a scroll!"
Naruto: "Wait, that's not why I came…"
Red-haired Ninja: "Then what is it?"
Naruto: "We're both a little injured. Could you let us take… a couple of puffs?"
Red-haired Ninja: "???"