Not long after walking alone, three uninvited guests blocked Takumi's path.
Two males and one female, with special equipment.
They were the Otogakure's Genin Team participating in the Joint Chunin Exams.
Abumi Zaku, Kinuta Dosu, and Tsuchi Kin.
Takumi's eyes narrowed.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"You're Takumi, right? We heard you're Konoha's genius. We wonder how strong you really are."
The cocky Zaku stepped forward, his face full of contempt.
"I can't believe Orochimaru-sama would be interested in a pretty boy like you!"
"A greenhouse flower like you, I'll smash you to pieces."
"That way Orochimaru-sama will understand trash like you isn't worth a second glance!"
"Enough talk. If you want to fight, come on."
Takumi had no time to waste on these three small fries.
He was more concerned about Orochimaru hiding in the shadows.
Although he had several ways to ensure survival, facing Orochimaru still required caution.
What if he crawls inside his body?
So when confronting Orochimaru, Takumi must keep all his holes closed.
"How dare you look down on me!"
Takumi's calm attitude completely enraged Zaku.
He charged forward recklessly, lacking any of the calmness a Shinobi should have.
Takumi didn't move.
Because...
Whoosh!
A kunai flew past his ear, heading straight for Zaku's face.
Zaku was startled and quickly extended his hand, blowing a strong wind from the wind hole in his palm to deflect the kunai.
He himself lost the chance to attack and had to retreat.
"We came to help you, Takumi!"
Naruto landed with a jump beside Takumi, accompanied by his characteristic loud voice.
Seeing the sudden appearance of Team 7 behind him, Takumi looked helpless.
He had originally intended to find a secluded place, as that would surely lure Orochimaru into making the first move.
But he never expected to accidentally run into Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
'Damn, four protagonists with plot armor, how is the other side supposed to fight?'
'Can't you leave some suspense?'
"How dare you attack my husband!"
"You must have a death wish!"
Sakura landed beside Takumi, her eyes filled with anger as she looked at Zaku Abumi and the other two.
'How dare they gang up on Takumi-kun!'
'I'll make you pay!'
"Need help?"
Sasuke had one hand in his pocket, looking cool.
It was he who had used the kunai to force Zaku back.
After all, Naruto's kunai were only good for close combat.
"Not needed. They're just three small fries."
Takumi slightly shook his head.
That calm and dismissive attitude made Zaku and the other two furious again.
"Damn! How dare you keep looking down on us Otogakure's Shinobi! I'll make you pay!"
Zaku was enraged again.
But this time he didn't charge directly.
Instead, he aimed his hands forward, quickly gathering Chakra in the wind holes in his palms.
"Let me show you my ultimate move! Hahaha!"
Zaku laughed arrogantly.
But suddenly his vision blurred.
He found his target, Takumi, had disappeared.
"Too noisy."
Takumi's cold voice reached his ears.
Zaku froze, his eyes instantly widening.
But before he could do anything, everything went black, and he fell unconscious.
Not just him, Dosu and Kin were also knocked out instantly by Takumi.
'This speed...'
Sasuke's expression immediately became serious.
His eyes turned into the crimson Sharingan.
But even then, he couldn't track Takumi's movement.
'Even the Sharingan couldn't keep up!'
'Takumi is actually this strong!'
"So strong! So handsome!"
Compared to Sasuke, Sakura didn't care about that.
Right now, she was still shallow, only caring about handsome faces.
Purely a little girl's mentality.
"Wow, Takumi, you're so fast!"
Naruto exclaimed in surprise.
The simple-minded Naruto also didn't think too much.
He was just simply surprised by Takumi's speed.
'It seems Takumi really doesn't need our help.'
Naruto thought to himself.
Takumi didn't pay attention to the three.
Instead, he looked up seriously towards the treetops.
A woman dressed in Otogakure's attire was standing on a thick tree branch.
Takumi knew that this was Orochimaru in disguise.
The others followed Takumi's gaze and also saw Orochimaru.
Sasuke immediately went on full alert.
'I didn't notice earlier!'
'No… I wasn't careless, it's the opponent's stealth level that is too high!'
Sakura also immediately pulled out a kunai.
Only Naruto was shouting foolishly.
"Huh? Her clothes look like the ones those three below are wearing. Is she their teammate?"
Orochimaru glanced at Naruto and immediately recognized him.
'Hmm? The Kyubi's Jinchuriki, Yondaime's child?'
He glanced at the side.
'The younger brother of Itachi? Although the Sharingan and an Uchiha body are also good, compared to Takumi's uniqueness, they're still lacking.'
Then, he turned his burning gaze towards Takumi.
"Your strength is good. Being able to defeat those three so easily makes me like your body even more."
"Give me your body."
Such a perverted statement immediately made Sakura shudder.
"Auntie, take a look at your own ghostly appearance! How dare you lust after Takumi-kun's body!"
"I warn you, Takumi-kun's body can only be mine! I advise you not to be so unreasonable!"
Sakura's jealousy-filled remark successfully attracted Orochimaru's attention.
'Now!'
Takumi's eyes narrowed, and he charged directly in front of Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru's experience was vast.
Even with Takumi's sudden attack, he reacted immediately.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Several poisonous snakes shot out from the sleeves of his extended wrists.
But Takumi easily twisted away, immediately following up with a punch to Orochimaru's head.
"Not bad!"
The hit Orochimaru became even more excited.
He quickly retreated, then got down on all fours.
"Multiple Shadow Snake Technique!"
Countless snakes instantly emerged from his mouth, rushing straight at Takumi.
The dense, numerous quantity of the snake swarm was enough to make one's scalp tingle.
Someone with ophidiophobia would probably faint instantly upon seeing it.
But what was this to Takumi?
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Takumi immediately used the Great Fireball Technique.
This was a Ninjutsu he had learned long ago through simulation.
Now it was just right for clearing the snake swarm.
"How does he know it?"
Sasuke looked surprised.
After all, he had never seen Takumi use it before.
'He actually knows this technique too?'
The Great Fireball Technique was considered a signature Ninjutsu of the Uchiha Clan.
Of course, it wasn't difficult to learn.
It's just that the Uchiha liked using it a lot, making it seem like the Uchiha Clan's exclusive technique.
So although Sasuke was surprised, he quickly snapped out of it.
'Now wasn't the time to stand around dumbfounded!'
He also quickly formed hand seals and used his currently most proficient Ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
To close the distance, Sasuke jumped closer before using this technique, because the Great Fireball Technique had a limited attack range.
However, after using it, Sasuke's face couldn't help but turn red.
It's from shame.
After all, the gap was this big!
His Great Fireball was only one-third the size of Takumi's.
He was supposed to be providing support, but looking at it now, he was just superfluous!
"Good! Very good!"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
He wanted Takumi's body even more now.
'A body full of talent and strength would definitely help me find the truth of Ninjutsu!'
At this moment, although Orochimaru had been solidly hit twice, an increasingly perverted smile appeared on his face.
"What an excellent body!"
"This is the body suited for me!"
"Show me more of your power!"
Takumi felt somewhat creeped out under the gaze and couldn't help but tighten the holes on his body.
'This damn pervert Orochimaru!'
'What the hell is he thinking!'
'What if he suddenly crawls over!'