In the Forest of Death.
Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, and Shizune, forming an elite jōnin squad, stood on a tree branch, surveying their surroundings.
As proctors for the exam, their mission was to handle any unexpected incidents that arose during the test.
Swish swish. Suddenly, two Anbu landed before Kakashi, reporting, "A fierce battle is happening ahead. The combatants are Uchiha Sasuke and a four-man squad from the Hidden Sound Village."
Kakashi asked, "What's the outcome?"
The Anbu replied, "Two of the Sound Four were killed on the spot, one is critically injured and dying, and Uchiha Sasuke is currently engaged with the last one."
"What!?"
The intensity of the battle caught the jōnin squad off guard.
The Anbu added, "Something's off about Uchiha Sasuke. Should we check it out, sir?"
"Let's go!"
Kakashi nodded.
…
On the battlefield.
Rustle rustle. The dense canopy swayed back and forth, producing a faint rustling sound. Then, two entangled figures fell from the treetops, crashing heavily to the ground.
Undoubtedly, these were Sasuke and Kidōmaru.
"Damn… damn it!"
Kidōmaru, sprawled on the ground, tried to stand but realized his right leg had been broken in the earlier clash.
Though his modified, enhanced body was attempting to heal—muscles writhing at the wound—it was clear such a severe injury wouldn't recover quickly.
Across from him, Sasuke, head bowed, climbed to his feet.
He looked just as battered, blood still seeping from his shoulder wound, one of his fleshy wings broken, yet his face remained as cold as ever, as if the injuries weren't his own.
He staggered forward. "Tell me who gave you the Cursed Seal, and I'll spare your life!"
Kidōmaru sneered. "Want to know? Cut off your own arm, and I'll tell you!"
Sasuke replied, "No matter. After I kill you, I'll go to the Hidden Sound Village and find out everything!"
"Hahaha!"
Kidōmaru laughed.
In his view, if Sasuke dared to head to the Hidden Sound Village, it would be like walking into a tiger's den. If that happened, the Sound Four would have fulfilled Orochimaru's orders.
Crackle crackle. In an instant, blue lightning sparked again on Sasuke's raised arm! Facing the gleaming Chidori, despite being in a hopeless situation, Kidōmaru's face remained defiant, showing no intention of betraying Orochimaru. "What a pity…"
Sasuke asked, "What's a pity?"
Kidōmaru's thoughts drifted. "A pity… I couldn't complete the mission and kill you!"
Sasuke's expression stayed cold. He raised his hand, poised to strike Kidōmaru down!
Swish. At that moment, a figure landed on the battlefield.
Sasuke, ever vigilant, halted his attack and glanced at the newcomer. His pupils contracted as he recognized the Grass shinobi, Shigenobu Tera, who had injured him before.
"You?"
Sasuke's brow furrowed.
Logically, if this person wanted to play the oriole stalking the cicada, they should have waited until Sasuke dealt with Kidōmaru and let his guard down before appearing.
Moreover, the figure seemed to be alone, with no teammates in sight.
Orochimaru, disguised as Shigenobu Tera, sized up Sasuke in Gear Two and said with a double entendre, "I almost didn't recognize you!"
Sasuke replied coldly, "I'm in the mood to kill right now. Get lost while I can still control myself!"
Orochimaru stepped toward Sasuke. "You put on a splendid performance for me. I acknowledge you!"
Sasuke didn't quite understand what he meant.
Kidōmaru, lying on the ground, had a change in expression, faintly guessing that this Grass shinobi might be Orochimaru, the one who assigned them their mission.
As Orochimaru approached, Sasuke's demeanor grew serious. "I can sense the malice coming off you. Are you that eager to die?"
Orochimaru spread his arms. "Show me your limits!"
Sasuke's face hardened. "Killing you… doesn't require my limits!"
Swish swish. Just as the tension peaked and a fight seemed imminent, Ryuzetsu and Chino burst out from the bushes, arriving on the scene.
The first thing they saw was Sasuke's monstrous appearance in Gear Two. Then they noticed the fake Shigenobu Tera was also present.
"You've got backup?"
Sasuke's expression didn't change, but his tone grew colder.
Orochimaru was also surprised by Ryuzetsu and Chino's appearance. From their demeanor, he guessed they were likely after him.
But with his vast experience, he smoothly laughed, "You can only blame your teammates for not being nearby!"
Sasuke scanned his surroundings, quickly formulating a strategy. With a whoosh, he flashed toward Ryuzetsu and Chino, who had just entered the scene.
In his view, Shigenobu Tera had likely observed his entire battle against the Sound Four, gaining some understanding of his current speed and strength.
Ryuzetsu and Chino, on the other hand, had clearly just arrived.
So, he aimed to exploit their unfamiliarity with his Gear Two capabilities, striking first to quickly take them out before dealing with Shigenobu Tera.
"You!?"
Ryuzetsu and Chino hadn't expected Sasuke, who looked worse for wear, to prioritize attacking them.
Moreover, it wasn't convenient to reveal that Shigenobu Tera was an impostor, so they couldn't explain themselves and were forced to engage.
Boom boom boom. In an instant, Sasuke in Gear Two clashed fiercely with Ryuzetsu and Chino! Orochimaru crossed his arms, leaning against a tree with great interest, observing the fight.
…
In the distance.
Kakashi's jōnin squad stood in a row on a tree branch, watching Sasuke's battle with Ryuzetsu and Chino.
Kurenai frowned. "What's going on? Wasn't he fighting the Sound shinobi squad? Why is Sasuke now clashing with Grass shinobi?"
"These kids are strong!"
Asuma's face darkened as he remarked.
Whether it was Sasuke in Gear Two or the Grass shinobi Ryuzetsu and Chino, their displayed strength surpassed that of ordinary jōnin, making even Asuma, an elite jōnin of the village, instinctively wary.
Shizune shook her head. "Sasuke's condition isn't right. He's likely fully released the Cursed Seal. This is trouble!"
"Sigh!"
Kakashi, both worried and helpless, let out a sigh.
Before the Chūnin Exams began, he had already noticed some signs, but Sasuke was too stubborn, and his warnings had no effect.
Shizune asked, "Should we intervene?"
Kakashi shook his head, then pointed to the side. "With Shinji there, it shouldn't be a problem!"
Clearly, their proctoring jōnin squad had already spotted Shinji's team, also observing the battle from a distance.