On the road between the first and second test sites of the Chūnin Exams in Konoha, several proctors discovered the bodies of three Kusa-nin (Kusagakure).
The three Kusa-nin lay on the ground in horrible condition, blood splattered everywhere.
The scene clearly indicated a fierce battle had taken place.
Standing before the corpses, Kotetsu Hagane inspected them and said, "These bodies haven't been dead for long."
"And the Chūnin Exam's only in the second stage… already something's gone wrong."
"Quick—report this to Proctor Anko."
A Chūnin behind him vanished on the spot.
---
Meanwhile, Mitarashi Anko was leisurely enjoying a dessert outside the Forest of Death—a bowl of syrupy red bean soup and mochi dumplings.
As she swallowed the final bite of dumpling, she sighed in contentment:
"Sweet food really is the best in the world."
Judging by the number of skewers, she had devoured at least fifty sticks of dumplings.
"Alright. Dessert over."
"Anko-sama, we've got a situation." The Chūnin who had left earlier reappeared before her. "We've found three corpses. The way they died is... very strange."
"Strange?" Anko's expression remained calm. Candidates dying during the Chūnin Exams wasn't rare—it happened almost every time. "Lead the way."
The two quickly arrived at the scene of the three Kusa-nin corpses.
"From their identification, they were indeed Genin from Kusagakure Village participating in the exam—and they passed the first round."
"The killer was extremely brutal. The bodies were left completely exposed, placed in plain sight…"
"It's as if they're sending a message."
"A provocation. A provocation directed at Konoha."
By the time Anko arrived, the other proctors had already verified their identities.
"But the strangest part," one said, "is that their faces are completely gone—as if melted off."
"…This technique reminds me of someone," another added.
Anko's heart skipped a beat. She immediately turned over the corpses for confirmation.
Moments later, beads of sweat formed on Anko's forehead.
It's really him… Why would he come here?!
A cold, merciless face surfaced in her mind: Orochimaru.
Powerful. Cold. Ruthless.
Without further hesitation, she shouted to the surrounding proctors:
"Notify the Hokage immediately!"
"Request at least two—no, three or more ANBU teams for backup!"
"I'll go after him myself!"
Not waiting for a reply, Anko dashed into the depths of the Forest of Death.
Just as she approached, the curse mark on her shoulder began to ache faintly.
That man really is here.
---
Deep within the Forest of Death.
The charred body of Orochimaru—previously struck by Sasuke's Chidori Spear—suddenly opened its mouth. A pair of arms stretched out, and a fully intact Orochimaru emerged before Sasuke.
Orochimaru-style Body Replacement Technique.
"Sasuke, be careful. This guy isn't normal," Sakura warned seriously, for once offering a sharp analysis. "He's strong in Earth and Wind Style. Luckily, Lightning and Fire are his natural counters."
Even though Sakura had grown stronger, this fight was far beyond her current ability to interfere.
Lightning > Earth.
Fire > Wind.
Orochimaru's ninjutsu types were perfectly countered by Sasuke's elements.
"Fire Style: Heavenly Prison Fire Sword!"
With a twist of his left wrist, a blazing blade of flame—Fire of Joy—appeared in Sasuke's hand.
Left hand: Fire of Joy.
Right hand: Lightning's Screech.
If only Sasuke knew Wind, Ice, and Water techniques, he could've completed the whole RPG weapon lineup: Wind of Delight, Frostmourne, and Water of Experience.
---
With a burst of strength, Sasuke flashed forward using Body Flicker, reappearing directly in front of Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's Soft Physique Modification might block taijutsu to a degree, but when combined with ninjutsu-infused sword techniques, it was a different story.
Physical and elemental damage—stacked.
Dual-blade style: smash your dog head in.
---
Inside the sealed space.
The visibly plumper Nine-Tails (Kurama) pointed at little Goku, who was blankly staring at the ceiling.
"This brat's been staring up there since just now. I dunno what he's looking at, but he hasn't even touched his favorite fried rice."
Little Goku looked completely entranced—no matter who called him, he wouldn't respond. He just gazed blankly at the ceiling, like a monk in deep meditation.
"The ceiling?"
Naruto followed his gaze. Aside from pitch blackness, there was nothing.
Yet Goku remained still, unblinking, lost in some mysterious trance.
Suddenly, Naruto sensed something wrong. He quickly moved into Goku's position and looked up.
And then—on the once black ceiling—a full moon began to appear.
Naruto's first reaction: "Why the hell is there a moon in my seal space?"
Second reaction: "A full moon… A FULL MOON?!"
Third reaction: "OH SHT!!"*
Goku's expression turned feral. His black pupils vanished, replaced by glowing crimson. His limbs and body began to swell, his teeth grew sharper.
A wave of destructive energy radiated outward from his body.
---
"What's going on with this tail-wielding brat?" Kurama muttered, a terrible premonition rising in his gut.
The chakra had become wild—and dangerous.
"Hey brat, why'd you run outside the seal?!" Kurama shouted as Naruto abruptly turned and dashed out of the sealed space.
The unease in Kurama's heart grew even stronger.
---
"ROOOAAARRRR!!"
A gigantic ape, larger than even the Nine-Tails, suddenly appeared.
Its massive form filled the entire sealed space to the brim.
Its violent, annihilating aura flooded the area.
Compared to it, the Nine-Tails' own chakra felt like a green caterpillar beside Rayquaza.
Giant Ape Transformation – the Great Ape Form of the Saiyan race.
Tenfold power increase.
Kurama shrunk dramatically, curling up in a corner of the seal, trembling in fear—desperately hoping the Great Ape wouldn't notice him.
"HELP! Someone's killing the fox!!"
---
Outside.
The battle between Sasuke and Orochimaru had reached its climax.
Orochimaru's strength far exceeded that of Kakashi or Zabuza—he was a major boss with relevance deep into late-stage Naruto.
After a fierce exchange, Sasuke began to show signs of exhaustion. Meanwhile, Sakura had been caught in place by a massive snake.
"Sasuke, here—let me give you a gift."
Orochimaru's neck suddenly extended grotesquely. Caught off guard, Sasuke was bitten on the neck.
"Thunder Roar: Eight Trigrams!"
But Sasuke reacted fast, smashing a thunder-charged mace into Orochimaru's head.
The impact sent Orochimaru's skull flying like a home run.
Had his body not been inhumanly modified, that strike would've flattened him.
Orochimaru's head, launched by the blow, twisted in the air and flew toward Naruto—who at that moment was frozen, meditating in his chaotic sealed space.
"Let me give you a gift too, Naruto."
Just as Orochimaru's fangs were about to touch Naruto's body, his form suddenly swelled massively—mirroring the transformation inside the sealed space.
A fur-covered giant hand reached out and grabbed Orochimaru by the neck.
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