Sasuke's brows drew together, his expression darkening. "What do you mean by that?"
Kimimaro slowly raised his arm. A pure-white, razor-sharp bone blade slid out from his palm, its tip aimed straight at Sasuke.
"Because I'm going to kill you with my own hands."
Sasuke blinked, then broke into a grin. "Heh—so you haven't forgotten our Three-Year Promise either."
Three-Year Promise?!
The confusion in Kimimaro's eyes vanished instantly. He didn't bother denying it.
Sasuke rested one hand at his waist and let out a cold laugh. "Since we've run into each other, let's settle this now. You'll soon be lying on the ground with those Sound Ninja, experiencing the true power of the Uchiha Clan!"
Kimimaro's expression remained indifferent. "I'm not like them."
"Different?" Sasuke curled his lips into a sneer. "Under my Sharingan, you're all the same."
Kimimaro stared at the crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning in Sasuke's eyes.
So this is the power Lord Orochimaru covets…
During their clash years ago, he hadn't felt anything special about those eyes. He'd never understood Orochimaru's obsession—until now.
Naruto stepped up beside Sasuke, lowering his voice. "Sasuke, I've got a bad feeling… this guy really isn't like the other Sound Ninja."
Sakura nodded anxiously. "Yeah! We already got the Earth Scroll—there's no need to fight someone this dangerous. Let's retreat!"
Sasuke struck a relaxed pose. "Why run? Knocking out a few extra opponents along the way isn't a bad thing, is it?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone noticed their breath turning into white mist in the air.
Naruto hugged himself. "It's freezing!"
Sakura looked around in confusion. "What's going on? Why did the temperature suddenly drop?"
Visible breath only appeared in extreme cold—something nearby had drastically lowered the surrounding temperature.
Sasuke glanced at the massive tree behind them. "We're surrounded."
Following his gaze, Naruto and Sakura spotted a calm-looking Sound Ninja standing silently on a branch behind them. They had no idea when he'd arrived.
The man stood there like a ghost, completely soundless. Without Sasuke's Sharingan, Naruto and Sakura would never have noticed him.
At the same time, Sasuke focused his senses, searching for the third person.
Sound Ninja always operated in three-man cells—there should be one more. Yet no matter how carefully he scanned with his Sharingan, he couldn't find the last one, as if that person had merged with the forest itself.
Kimimaro walked toward Sasuke and spoke calmly.
"Jūgo. Haku. You handle the others. Uchiha Sasuke is mine."
"Mm."
Perched on the branch, Haku gave a small nod. Though he hated killing, Orochimaru's orders were absolute—even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
Jūgo stepped out from behind a towering tree. "Got it."
Sasuke's pupils contracted. A flash of shock crossed his face.
He had assumed Jūgo was far away and outside his perception—never expecting him to be so close, yet completely undetectable.
"I will carry out Lord Orochimaru's will!"
With those words, Kimimaro surged forward, killing intent overflowing.
…In the distance…
Leaning against a tree, Orochimaru curved his lips into a thin smile.
"Uchiha Sasuke… let's see just how far your limits go."
Unlike Sakon and Ukon, Kidōmaru, or Tayuya, Kimimaro, Haku, and Jūgo were subordinates he truly trusted.
Kimimaro of the Kaguya Clan was a born killing machine, blessed with combat power far beyond that of ordinary ninja and regarded as the true leader of the Sound Four.
Haku had always hidden his strength, but Orochimaru—having mastered Natural Energy through Kabuto's body—knew the boy still possessed a trump card that even he found surprising.
Jūgo excelled in offense, defense, reconnaissance, and recovery. Once he lost control, his combat power became impossible to measure.
With these three hunting together, even taking down a Kage wouldn't be impossible.
…Elsewhere…
As Deidara's group drew closer to the battlefield, the rumbling of thunder grew deafening. Lightning Release chakra saturated the air, arcs of electricity visibly dancing through it.
Stirred by the violent Lightning Release below, the once-clear sky darkened as storm clouds gathered over the Forest of Death.
Riding atop the clay bird, Kurotsuchi felt her heart race as the lightning clash below literally began to change the weather.
Deidara, eager to get a closer look, urged the clay bird downward.
Whoosh—
A figure flashed past, landing atop a towering tree and blocking their path.
"The Hidden Mist?"
Kurotsuchi recognized the newcomer instantly.
Blocking them were Karin—and Gaara, his body encased in Type-Three biological armor.
"Well then, looks like Kumogakure's Darui versus the Mist's Qilin," Deidara chuckled. "Hey, I'm not here for you—move aside."
"We won't allow anyone to interfere with Lord Hyūga Kagami!"
Gaara snorted inwardly.
He didn't know why Kagami had entered the Chūnin Exams using a Lightning Release clone, but neither he nor Karin would allow anyone to disrupt that plan.
Moving in perfect coordination, Gaara lunged forward while Karin activated Universal Pull toward the clay bird.
In an instant, an overwhelming force dragged the clay bird straight toward Karin.
"What?!"
Startled, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Akatsuchi leapt clear.
Boom!
Controlling Karin's body, Gaara smashed the clay bird apart with a single punch.
Still airborne, Deidara smirked. "Detonate!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Every fragment of the clay bird exploded in rapid succession.
In moments, Karin's figure was swallowed by the chain of blasts.
Landing on a tree branch, Kurotsuchi asked, "He didn't die… did he?"
Deidara shrugged. "He brought it on himself."
A gust of wind swept away the smoke, revealing Karin hovering in midair—completely unharmed.