That disdainful remark seemed to pierce Orochimaru's sickly pride.
The smile slowly faded from his pale face, replaced by a cold glint in his eyes.
"What an unpleasant little brat."
For the first time, a genuine killing intent flashed within Orochimaru's serpent-like pupils.
However, faint sounds began to echo from the surrounding dense forest.
Clearly, the earth-shattering commotion from the earlier battle had attracted the village's attention.
"It seems we can't continue playing around."
He looked at Sasuke, that eerie smile returning to his face as if the killing intent from moments ago had never existed.
"What a pity, Sasuke-kun."
"I wanted to give you a gift on behalf of your brother."
'Brother?'
Upon hearing this, Sasuke's body shuddered as if electrocuted.
"Where is he?!"
His crimson Sharingan fixed completely on Orochimaru.
Yet, Orochimaru did not answer.
His entire body, in a nauseating squirming motion, suddenly collapsed, transforming into a mass of densely packed, tiny white snakes that surged madly in all directions, leaving behind only tattered clothing.
As the swarm of snakes dispersed, his voice, like a ghost, echoed simultaneously from every corner of the forest, making its direction indistinguishable.
"Uchiha brat, I will come for you again."
"If you wish to know clues about your brother, come find me."
"I will answer all your questions."
"Remember my name..."
The voice gradually faded, leaving behind only that arrogant declaration, echoing through the deathly silent forest.
"I am... the immortal Orochimaru!"
Sasuke looked around, sensing the same Reiatsu floating in the surroundings, all moving away at high speed.
"Heh."
Sasuke let out a cold snort.
'Although his strength didn't seem impressive, his escape technique was quite good.'
"Sasuke..."
Nearby, Naruto, finally snapping out of his daze from the earlier battle, looked worriedly at Sasuke's tense profile.
"You're not really going to look for him, are you? That guy seems really dangerous!"
"None of your business."
Sasuke's voice was cold.
But Naruto wasn't annoyed. Instead, he stepped forward, looked up, his eyes filled with longing.
"You were so cool just now! I want to become as strong as you too!"
Looking at Naruto's face, full of admiration, Sasuke seemed to remember something.
He turned his face away, his tone flat.
"You have a powerful force within you. You just don't know how to use it yet."
"Power?"
Naruto was stunned, looking down blankly at his own hands, completely unaware of what Sasuke meant.
Sasuke offered no further explanation, brushing past the topic, his gaze sweeping towards the surrounding treetops.
"Continue the exam. It seems it won't be terminated because of this minor incident."
As he spoke, his figure flickered, preparing to leave the ravaged area.
"Hey! Wait!" Naruto instinctively tried to follow.
But Sasuke's figure had already melted into the forest shadows, disappearing without a trace.
High in the treetops, several ANBU wearing animal masks quietly, exchanging glances, unable to hide their shock.
"He noticed us."
"The Sharingan's perception is very strong, that's not surprising, but that look just now..."
"Yeah, that look was terrifying. Just being stared at by him sent chills down my spine."
"First, report the situation to Captain Anko, then immediately inform the Hokage about Orochimaru's appearance!"
"This is really troublesome..."
A joint Chunin Exams, yet such a serious incident occurred.
S-Rank Missing-nin, Orochimaru infiltrated the village, purpose unknown.
Fortunately, the Kyubi's Jinchuriki is unharmed.
It's just...
The powerful strength displayed by the lone Uchiha survivor far exceeded everyone's expectations.
Thankfully, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki survived.
However, the Uchiha orphan displayed a formidable strength that completely exceeded everyone's expectations.
Elsewhere in the forest, after Sasuke left, although Naruto still felt confused about everything that had just happened, seeing the other few Genin nearby who were scared pale, he knew the exam must continue.
Sakura's voice was still trembling. Seeing that Naruto seemed to be the only one who could remain calm here, she instinctively moved closer, "Wh-what happened just now? What should we do next?"
Naruto glanced at her. After four years under Sasuke's influence, he was no longer the boy who would be overjoyed by a single look from Sakura.
He withdrew his gaze, his tone calm.
"The exam isn't over yet. Of course, we continue to seize scrolls."
He quickly formed hand seals and whispered, "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Bang, bang, bang…
Dozens of identical Narutos instantly appeared in the forest clearing, an impressive sight.
"You guys, be careful."
Naruto's main body instructed Sakura and her teammates, then turned and gave orders to his shadow clones.
"Everyone split up and search! If you see anyone with a scroll, beat them up and take it!"
"Oh…!" The shadow clones responded in unison and charged into the depths of the forest.
Sakura and her teammates stared dumbfounded, utterly shocked by this scene.
Relying on his 'human wave tactic', Naruto easily obtained the Heaven Scroll he needed from another unlucky Amegakure's team in the following time.
On the way to the central tower, Naruto showed no sign of arrogance, maintaining high alertness.
A sharp roar, accompanied by the sound of trees breaking, came from a bush not far away.
Naruto instantly became alert, several shadow clones immediately stepping in front as a shield.
Pushing aside the bushes, the scene before them made them all freeze.
A giant snake, as thick as a barrel, was opening its bloody maw, attempting to swallow a figure curled up on the ground.
It was a girl with strikingly fiery red hair that flowed like flames.
"Hey! You! Stop right there!"
Without a second thought, a dozen shadow clones charged forward with angry roars.
Fists and feet rained down on the giant snake, brutally pounding it until it was disoriented.
The snake, hurt, let out an unwilling hiss. It shot a wary glance at the sudden swarm of blond kids and ultimately chose to slip into the grass, quickly slithering away.
"Are you okay?" Naruto dismissed the clones and walked over to the red-haired girl, asking.
The girl looked up, still shaken. Seeing Naruto's outstretched hand, she instinctively shrank back.
According to the girl, whose name was Karin, she and her companions had encountered an enormous brown bear shortly after entering the forest.
Her companions abandoned her and ran away. In her panic, she stumbled upon the giant snake and nearly lost her life.
For some reason, the moment he made contact with Karin, Naruto felt an indescribable sense of familiarity, as if something within their bloodlines resonated.
"Can you stand?" Naruto withdrew his hand.
Karin looked at the powerful boy before her, nodded, and leaned against a tree trunk to struggle to her feet.
"Naruto, great, you got the scroll!"
Just then, Sakura's voice came from behind. She and her teammate, panting heavily, had caught up. Seeing him, joy spread across her face.
"We can go to the central tower together! With you here, we'll definitely be much safer!" Sakura said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Naruto, however, frowned. He glanced at Karin, then at Sakura.
"No." He refused bluntly.
"Huh? Why not?" Sakura's smile froze on her face, "Aren't we all companions from Konoha?"
"She was abandoned by her companions. She's in danger alone." Naruto pointed at Karin. "I'll escort her to the central tower first."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Sakura and her two similarly unharmed teammates. His tone turned somewhat cold.
"You three are a complete team. I am alone. Everyone here is an examinee taking the exam. We are competitors."
Naruto's words were brutally frank, making Sakura's face instantly pale.
"But..." She tried to say more.
Naruto slowly turned around. His eyes held none of their usual eagerness or warmth.
"Kakashi-sensei said…" Naruto's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear, "On the battlefield, a Shinobi must first learn to rely on themselves, not place their hopes on the protection of their companions."
"Companions are for fighting alongside, not for being your babysitters."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Sakura's utterly unwarlike demeanor. A hint of disappointment tinged his voice.
"If you don't even have the resolve to face danger alone," Naruto's voice remained quiet yet sharp, "Then why did you even come to take the Chunin Exams in the first place?"
Having said that, he paid no more mind to Sakura's ashen face. He nodded to Karin, turned, and continued walking toward the central tower.
"Let's go."
Karin was mesmerized, her eyes fixed intently.
Naruto seemed to be glowing. The color of his hair, catching the sunlight filtering through the trees, spread across his entire body.
Everything was golden and brilliant.
---
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