ANBU Headquarters.
Aburame Shibi's expression was grave.
In contrast, the Insect King beside him appeared utterly calm, releasing a steady stream of insect chirps to reassure him.
"Don't worry," the Insect King conveyed calmly.
"We were chasing him down."
"..."
That's one of the Three Legendary Sannin, you know.
Do you have any idea what you're saying?
Among the Three, Orochimaru might not have been the strongest in direct combat, but his techniques were the most bizarre and unpredictable. No one dared claim absolute victory against him—because no one ever knew what jutsu he would use next.
Shibi glanced at the Insect King, unconvinced, but didn't say anything.
The Insect King continued transmitting calmly:
"I just repelled his true body with Lord Souma."
"..."
Alright, that's enough.
If I plus Souma could defeat Orochimaru, I'd be bragging too—but the problem is, I'm not Yagyū Souma.
Shibi remained silent.
But as kikaichū, they understood one another perfectly.
Man and insect exchanged a look.
The Insect King sensed Shibi's frustration.
Shibi caught the faint hint of disdain in the Insect King's gaze.
"…Let's deal with these snakes first," Shibi finally said.
"Letting them rampage inside ANBU is too troublesome—and we can't allow them anywhere near Kimimaro's sealing area."
"Bzzz!"
In the next instant, black mist surged forward, flooding outward in a lethal tide.
Outside.
Orochimaru's shadow clone continued summoning snakes—but very quickly, something felt wrong.
The snakes inside…
Were being wiped out at an astonishing speed.
Impossible.
Since when did the Aburame clan become this terrifying?
Did every one of them possess kikaichū like Souma's?
Even if the Death Forest held those special insects, there was no way all of them were this monstrous.
The shadow clone frowned.
Then suddenly—his eyes widened.
Could it be…?
Before he could finish the thought, a thunderous buzzing roared through the forest.
Insect cries.
The next second, Orochimaru's pupils shrank.
He saw it—
An overwhelming swarm of kikaichū.
Black tides swept in from every direction, endless and suffocating. Worse still, after devouring snakes summoned from Ryūchi Cave, the insects began undergoing subtle changes.
Evolution?
What in the world were these insects?
Even Orochimaru felt a chill crawl up his spine.
At first, only part of the swarm had been dangerous.
But now—
The rest were rapidly evolving toward that same terrifying standard.
So…
His Manda Serpent Array had actually helped Souma and the Aburame clan?
Orochimaru nearly choked in frustration.
His original intent had only been to draw attention away and cover another shadow clone's movements. Helping the enemy grow stronger was not part of the plan.
But there was still a choice to make.
Retreat—or continue fighting?
Orochimaru hesitated, then summoned an enormous serpent.
The giant snake emerged, slamming its tail toward ANBU's underground base.
But the next instant—
Black mist surged forward.
An endless sea of insects flooded the area, blotting out the sky.
Orochimaru strained his senses—
And spotted a single, distinctive insect.
The same one he had seen in the forest earlier.
The one perched atop Souma's head.
According to his summoned snakes, its wings could sever even Orochimaru's own neck.
"So that's it…"
"I understand now."
Realization dawned instantly.
The Aburame had never deployed swarms like this before.
Seeing that familiar insect made everything clear.
Summoning Technique.
Souma had combined kikaichū with summoning jutsu.
What Orochimaru faced now wasn't just insects—
It was as if the entire Aburame clan's kikaichū had been summoned here.
"Souma-kun… what a magnificent surprise you've given me."
The shadow clone sighed softly.
Enough.
He hadn't expected to rescue Kimimaro anyway. Drawing away part of Konoha's attention was sufficient.
By now, the old man must have realized what was happening and begun hunting the other clone.
As for Danzō…
Orochimaru wondered how the Third Hokage would deal with that.
A faint smile curled his lips.
He wasn't a good person—but Danzō was no better.
If the old man wanted him dead, he couldn't possibly apply double standards when it came to Danzō.
And Souma?
Orochimaru was certain Souma had already prepared a surprise of his own.
"Heh… so many targets. If even two succeed, that's a win."
"Don't disappoint me, Souma-kun."
The shadow clone vanished.
Death Forest.
Second Stage Examination Area.
Orochimaru licked his lips.
Before him stood Sasuke and Sakura.
Naruto lay unconscious nearby, sprawled on the ground.
"How fascinating," Orochimaru murmured.
"The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki… to think he's learned Souma-kun's techniques—something akin to Gentle Fist and monstrous strength."
His eyes gleamed.
Previously, he'd considered Naruto dull and untalented.
Now?
Naruto might be a genius after all.
The problem was the interference of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
It granted immense power—but at the cost of chakra control.
If that flaw could be solved…
"He'd make excellent material as well."
A flicker of hesitation passed through Orochimaru's eyes—quickly replaced by resolve.
He didn't lack power.
What he lacked—
Was the Sharingan.
Without it, he would never surpass Uchiha Itachi.
And Naruto?
Despite his dark childhood, the boy's heart still shone far too brightly.
Reforging him wouldn't be easy.
As for abducting him—
Orochimaru sighed.
Even for him, that would be extraordinarily difficult.
He shook his head and turned to Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun… your abilities shouldn't be so limited. And yet here you are—forced to stand behind a dead last."
His smile widened.
"Are you really satisfied with that?"
Sasuke clenched his fists, eyes sharp with vigilance.
He wasn't satisfied—Naruto's sudden power had shaken him deeply.
But that didn't mean he would trust Orochimaru.
"Konoha isn't suitable for you," Orochimaru continued softly.
"I can tell at a glance—you and I are alike. Our goals differ, but that doesn't matter."
"Come to my village. I'll make you strong within three years."
He licked his lips again.
"And I know where Uchiha Itachi is."
"What?"
Sasuke's gaze locked onto him, murderous intent blazing.
"Where is he?"
"Sasuke," Orochimaru asked calmly,
"Do you know how strong Itachi truly is?"
"..."
Sasuke remained silent.
He knew the gulf between them—but the name alone stirred rage, hatred, and grief.
"Sasuke!"
Sakura tugged anxiously at his sleeve.
Sasuke exhaled slowly.
"If you think one piece of information is enough to make me betray Konoha, you're mistaken. I won't go with you."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru chuckled.
"Then allow me to offer you a small gift. If you're interested… I have even better ones prepared."
His body blurred.
The next instant, he was beside Sasuke, fingers clamped around his throat.
Sasuke's mouth opened involuntarily.
A vial was forced between his lips.
Liquid poured in.
What is this?!
Fear mingled with rage as Sasuke struggled.
Sakura rushed forward with a kunai—
Only to be kicked away effortlessly.
Orochimaru glanced at her.
Then—
Hell Viewing Technique.
Terror instantly flooded Sakura's face.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Good. Now it's just the two of us."
"Souma-kun's creations are fascinating. I can't fall behind."
"This drug is my own creation—designed to stimulate human potential."
"If you ever face an enemy you cannot defeat… awaken its power."
"You won't be disappointed."
He released Sasuke.
"I'm leaving."
Orochimaru vanished.
Sasuke gasped for air—then agony tore through his body.
He collapsed, unconscious.
When Sakura broke free from the genjutsu, she saw Naruto and Sasuke lying motionless.
Tears streamed down her face.
She checked Sasuke first—he was only unconscious.
Then she dragged Naruto into the undergrowth, bandaging him with her headband.
Just as she moved to hide Sasuke—
Voices echoed nearby.
"There was a sound over there. Tayuya, let's check it out."
"Alright."
Enemy ninja.
Sakura's pupils shrank.
She clenched her teeth and pulled out a signal flare.
This was the signal to forfeit the exam.
Once released, ANBU would intervene—and she'd be free to fight without restraint.
She hesitated no longer.
Bang!
The flare exploded into the sky.
"Souma-kun, this is bad. Orochimaru has appeared!"
"Where?"
"Death Forest. He spoke with Sasuke, fed him a drug, and left."
Inoichi's expression tightened.
They had anticipated Orochimaru infiltrating the candidates—but hadn't expected his target to be Uchiha Sasuke.
"Inoichi-sama, the team encountered Sound ninja. Haruno Sakura has released a forfeit signal."
"Support will arrive immediately," Inoichi said calmly.
He turned.
Souma remained composed.
Only when Sakura forfeited did his brow crease slightly.
By the rules—
With Sakura's withdrawal, ANBU would intervene. Naruto and Sasuke, being unconscious, would also be deemed incapacitated.
But—
This was still the best possible outcome.
And with other Konoha teams nearby, Naruto and Sasuke might not even be eliminated.
Sakura's decisiveness was unexpected.
Souma chuckled softly.
"Souma-kun?"
"Inoichi-san, as you said, they'll handle that side. Orochimaru didn't kill—meaning he doesn't want things to escalate."
Souma paused, then looked outward.
Danzō was approaching.
His expression hardened.
"We have our own battle here."
"Understood. What support do you need?"
Inoichi grasped his meaning instantly.
"精神力同调——Mental Synchronization," Souma said.
"I need you to amplify my mental attacks."
"If you can assist directly, even better. Take a look at this technique—"
Inoichi glanced at Souma's notebook.
Then quietly looked away.
"…Souma-kun."
"It seems the only thing we can do…"
"…is support you."
"Ah? Not even going to try?"
"No need."
There wasn't enough time.
Learning that technique now—
Was impossible.
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