"Haa~ Haa~ Hoo~"
After dispelling the 'Nine-Tailed Fox Cloak,' Naruto began to gasp for air.
To be honest, this was Naruto's first time experiencing the feeling of insufficient Chakra.
"Hehe, it seems I won this time."
With both sides having little Chakra left, could Naruto, a newly graduated Genin, defeat the experienced Orochimaru?
At this moment, Orochimaru felt he had secured victory.
Unfortunately, there's always a destiny, and at this very moment, Anko arrived with several Anbu members.
"Orochimaru, this time I won't let you escape again."
It turned out that shortly after the examinees entered the Forest of Death, Anko received news from her subordinates, who had found three corpses of Grass Ninja with their Faces destroyed.
As Orochimaru's former Disciple, she naturally knew that Orochimaru could use the Dead Face Technique.
This was a cold-blooded Ninjutsu that allowed one to take another person's appearance, and because it used real human skin, it had no flaws.
Thinking of this, Anko immediately thought of Orochimaru.
So, she sent someone to inform the Third Hokage while she led people into the Forest of Death to search for Orochimaru.
Fortunately, the battle between Naruto and Orochimaru was quite loud, otherwise, it would have been difficult for Anko to find Orochimaru.
"Examiner Anko, I'll leave this to you."
Seeing Anko arrive with several Anbu, Naruto didn't hesitate for a moment, picked up Karin, and left the area.
At this time, Anko's eyes were only on Orochimaru, and she paid no attention to Naruto's departure.
"It seems you've grown over the years too."
Anko was once Orochimaru's more beloved Disciple, and having lived together for so many years, he also had some feelings for Anko.
If he had no feelings, he would have taken her with him when he defected, instead of letting her live safely in Konoha.
Now seeing Anko again, and seeing her so hostile towards him, Orochimaru was not angered but instead felt very pleased.
"I am no longer the person I once was."
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Anko had no intention of reminiscing with Orochimaru, raising her hand to launch a snake attack.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage."
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."
...Seeing Anko engage the enemy, the Anbu members nearby also immediately used offensive Ninjutsu.
Facing these attacks, Orochimaru chuckled, standing his ground without dodging.
"Bang~"
All the Ninjutsu hit Orochimaru.
Seeing this scene, Anko not only didn't show joy but frowned, feeling that Orochimaru wouldn't be defeated so easily.
Indeed, when the burning flames disappeared, all that remained was a charred snakeskin.
"Damn it, he escaped."
Anko punched the ground, her Face filled with unwillingness.
It turned out that Orochimaru stood there talking to Anko to lower her guard, allowing him to use the Snake Skin Shedding Technique to escape.
However, he didn't expect Anko's hatred for him to be so deep that she directly attacked without much conversation.
Fortunately, he still completed the technique and escaped calmly... Naruto didn't know if Anko would catch Orochimaru, he only knew that he had finally gotten rid of that pervert.
After having the Nine-Tailed sense the surroundings and confirming there were no enemies, Naruto put Karin down and took the opportunity to rest.
Although the battle with Orochimaru was short, the Chakra and stamina he expended were considerable.
Now, having run wildly while carrying Karin, even he needed to recover properly.
"Excuse me, are you..."
Karin was now fully conscious and quietly asked Naruto, who was panting heavily.
"Hehe, I'm a Konoha Ninja, Uzumaki Naruto. You're Uzumaki Karin, right? Just by your name, I know we're both members of the Uzumaki Clan."
"Clan members?"
Hearing the word 'clan members,' Karin murmured to herself.
She didn't expect to meet her clan members in Konoha, and this clan member had even saved her.
Thinking of the hellish life she lived in the Grass Ninja village, and now being free from suffering, she started crying as she thought about it.
"Eh? Don't cry."
Naruto had no experience comforting others. Seeing Karin crying loudly, he was at a loss and could only watch her cry.
Karin didn't cry for long; she was merely venting the negative emotions that had been suppressed in her heart for so long.
As Karin's sobs quieted, Naruto quickly said, "From now on, just stay safely in Konoha, and no one will bully you."
Hearing Naruto's words, Karin's eyes were teary, and she weakly asked, "Really?"
"Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Naruto patted his chest, full of confidence.
"Mm."
Karin's cheeks flushed. It was her first time hearing such words, and at this moment, Naruto's figure instantly grew much taller in her eyes.
"Alright, we've rested enough. It's time to leave."
"Okay."
After a short rest, Naruto felt ready to meet up with Sasuke and Sakura.
With his Flying Sword drawn, Naruto directly jumped onto it, and then he was dumbfounded.
He just remembered that his magic sword was only Elementary, and it seemed to only be able to carry one person.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Naruto standing foolishly on the Flying Sword, Karin couldn't help but ask.
"This... I forgot, my Flying Sword can only carry one person."
"Is that so?"
Karin was disappointed; she thought Naruto would abandon her.
"It's okay, Big Brother Naruto, I'll walk out on my own."
Seeing Karin's disappointed eyes and hearing her call him 'Big Brother,' Naruto's stubbornness suddenly flared up. He refused to believe that such a long sword couldn't hold two people.
"Don't worry, Karin, I told you I wouldn't leave you behind. You come up and try first."
Hearing Naruto's reply, Karin smiled and nodded vigorously, then made a small jump and landed on the Flying Sword.
"Stand firm."
"Flying Sword, rise~"
Seeing Karin successfully standing on the sword, Naruto immediately channeled the magic incantation for Sword Flight, and then... nothing happened.
Standing on the sword, Naruto looked embarrassed, while Karin behind him covered her mouth, secretly chuckling.
"This is a mistake, it must be my posture that's wrong."
Saying that, Naruto struck what he thought was a very handsome pose, then said, "Flying Sword, rise~"
Still no movement.
Seeing no movement, Naruto chose to sit on the Flying Sword instead.
"Flying Sword, rise~"
...After trying several postures, the Flying Sword remained still, like a car without gasoline, not moving at all, completely disrespecting Uzumaki Naruto.
"I refuse to believe it."
Naruto couldn't understand why it could fly with one person but not two.
Well, this question should be asked to the System; even Ge Liang couldn't explain it.
"Big Brother Naruto, maybe we should just give up."
Seeing Naruto had tried so many times without success, Karin seemed to have accepted her fate and jumped off the Flying Sword.
"Wait a minute."
Looking at Karin, who was malnourished and slightly petite, an idea suddenly popped into Naruto's mind.