At this moment, Team 7 was completely surrounded by Orochimaru alone.
Sakura trembled in fear, Naruto's courage faltered, and Sasuke's expression turned grim.
"H-Hey, Sasuke... w-what should we do dattebayo...?"
Naruto's voice shook. Unlike in the original story, where he urged Sasuke to fight, this time he just wanted to grab both Sasuke and Sakura and flee—because he now understood how terrifying their enemy truly was.
Orochimaru wasn't someone you could defeat just with guts and bravery. Fighting recklessly would be no different from throwing their lives away. Naruto might not fear death, but he couldn't bear to watch Sakura and Sasuke die in front of him. That would break him.
Sasuke silently drew his short blade and said in a low voice, "Naruto, when the fight starts—take Sakura and run."
Naruto immediately objected. "What about you?! You're gonna stay and fight Orochimaru by yourself?! Are you crazy, dattebayo?!"
"You think I want to?!"
Sasuke snapped. "Quit whining! Out of the three of us, I'm the strongest. I'm the only one who can hold him off. While I'm stalling him, you run. The faster you run, the sooner I can retreat. Otherwise—we're all dead!"
Sakura looked at Sasuke with tears in her eyes, her body trembling.
She didn't want Sasuke to stay behind alone—but there was nothing she could do.
She couldn't support him in any way. Staying would only drag him down. Still, the idea of leaving him to face Orochimaru by himself was unbearable.
Naruto protested again. "No! I should be the one to stay! Sasuke, you're stronger—if anyone can protect Sakura and get her out, it's you! I might not be that strong, but I can at least buy you some time, dattebayo!"
"Idiot Naruto! With your level, you'd just die instantly. What the hell makes you think you're the one who should stay?!"
"Bastard Sasuke! You expect me to run while I watch my comrade sacrifice himself?! What kind of teammate would I be then?!"
"Nandattebayo!"
"Sasuke!"
The two of them actually started arguing—completely ignoring Orochimaru's presence.
Orochimaru laughed hoarsely, his voice rasping: "Have you two finished your little strategy meeting? I'm coming now, okay? Better go all out—otherwise, you'll only die!"
As he spoke, his legs turned into serpents and he launched himself at the three with terrifying speed. His long tongue shot straight toward Sasuke.
Sasuke shoved Naruto and Sakura aside, his short blade crackling with lightning as he charged forward. The Raiken (Thunder Blade) met Orochimaru's tongue—but it was easily deflected.
Sasuke had no choice but to duck and dodge. His Sharingan lit up with a red glow as he lunged at Orochimaru again, lightning aimed for the neck.
"Heh... I heard you've been training in the White Fang's kenjutsu. But your swordplay is far inferior to Natsuki's."
Orochimaru sneered mockingly. With just a kunai, he effortlessly parried Sasuke's Raiken.
No matter how violently Sasuke attacked with his short blade, Orochimaru blocked it with ease—he even had the spare energy to counterattack. Within moments, Sasuke was already wounded.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto, panicking, formed hand seals. "Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)!"
Dozens of clones charged at Orochimaru, but he simply whipped his tongue around, sweeping them all away.
Fortunately, the distraction gave Sasuke enough time to retreat a few steps and catch his breath.
Still, he growled at Naruto, "You idiot! Take Sakura and run! You want all three of us to die?!"
Though he yelled, Sasuke was blaming himself.
He had trained in the same swordsmanship as Natsuki, yet his skill was so far behind. Even if he started later, he had always thought himself a genius of the Uchiha, supported by the Sharingan—he believed he could catch up fast.
But reality had slapped him hard over and over.
He had to admit—he just wasn't good enough. Many people were stronger than him.
Right now, he was too weak. Forget defeating Orochimaru—he couldn't even protect himself or his friends. How could someone like this hope to kill Uchiha Itachi?
"Hehe... You're just too weak, Sasuke-kun."
Orochimaru's chilling smile sent a shiver down everyone's spine. "Compared to your brother, you're laughably inferior."
Sasuke's pupils shrank. "Why… why mention him now?! Where is he?! Where is Uchiha Itachi?!"
Orochimaru chuckled. "You want to know? Then show me what you're really capable of."
Sasuke said nothing more. He charged forward again with his blade—but now, the mention of Itachi had agitated him. His attacks became wild, uncoordinated—his swordplay far worse than before.
It only took moments for Orochimaru to knock him aside. Sasuke hit the ground hard, groaning in pain, unable to get up.
Naruto's fury flared, his eyes starting to morph like a beast's. Red chakra began leaking from him.
The next second, he lunged at Orochimaru, trying to smash his serpent head in.
But Orochimaru caught him by the neck with a single hand.
"Oh? So it's you."
He had recognized the Jinchūriki.
Raising his hand, he pressed his fingers against Naruto's stomach—Gogyō Fūin (Five Elements Seal).
Naruto immediately passed out.
"Naruto!"
Sakura clutched Sasuke and screamed, but she was completely helpless.
Orochimaru shook his head. "Sasuke-kun, I actually had high hopes for you. But if this is all you've got… what a disappointment. Still, I'll give you a chance. A trial."
As he spoke, his neck stretched like a snake, head lunging toward Sasuke's neck—mouth wide open, fangs bared.
He was going to plant the Cursed Seal!
Now, with Naruto unconscious, Sakura paralyzed by fear, and Sasuke writhing in pain—there was no way to resist. Despair flooded them all.
Just then, a sharp female voice rang out:
"Raiken: Rakurai! (Thunder Blade: Falling Thunder!)"
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning shot down from the sky, striking Orochimaru directly and roasting him on the spot. The scent of cooked snake filled the air.
Everyone turned toward the source—and saw Tenten, Neji, and Lee!
Tenten was geared in her full Infinity Socket Armor, a Ryūgan Shinshuku (Dragon Eye Retractable) sword strapped to her back, and wielding a pair of dark, serrated blades—the legendary Raiken: Kiba (Thunder Blades: Fangs), one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist.
When they'd discussed the Seven Ninja Swords before, Natsuki had suggested Tenten find a way to acquire the Thunder Blades: Kiba.
Among the seven swords, only three were truly practical: Samehada, Hiramekarei, and Kiba. The Thunder Blades were the easiest to operate and fit Tenten perfectly.
So, like how she acquired the full Artisan Ninja Village set, she placed a massive bounty for the Kiba blades—and someone delivered.
Natsuki suspected Kakuzu took the job, considering how high the reward was.
Money really could solve anything!
"Tenten! Neji! Lee! You're here! Thank goodness!"
Sakura was overwhelmed with joy.
"Don't celebrate too soon! We're getting out of here!"
Tenten's face was serious. She bit her thumb and performed a summoning—Kuchiyose no Jutsu! (Summoning Technique!)
With a puff, Birdra appeared.
Tenten quickly motioned. "Everyone, get on! We're flying out!"
(End of Chapter)
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