"Hinata!"
Menma's expression shifted from that of a mindless beast to one of utter indifference. The terrifying crimson chakra around him vanished. Seeing this, Kiba and Shino rushed forward to support Hinata, whose legs were trembling.
Behind them, Shikamaru and the others arrived. Seeing that Hinata was unharmed, they all breathed a sigh of relief while curiously examining Menma.
"Is this Naruto's alternate personality?" Kiba asked, bewildered.
"Probably," Shikamaru muttered. "That expression and demeanor... definitely aren't something Naruto could have."
Suddenly, Ino's face lit up with realization. "I remember now! The handsome Naruto from the first exam this morning looked just like that!"
"So that was his alternate personality," Sakura added, crossing her arms. "No wonder he's completely different!"
In the distance, Yamato led a group of ANBU and landed in front of Menma.
"Lord Menma," Yamato said quickly, bowing slightly. "Thank goodness you intervened and subdued the rampaging Naruto. Otherwise, it would have been truly troublesome."
"I had no choice but to intervene just now," Menma replied coolly, his voice devoid of warmth. "Please forgive me, sir."
Yamato knew Menma's temperament well enough. He offered a barrage of apologies and flattery. He had originally thought his Wood Release could truly suppress the Nine-Tails, just as Hiruzen Sarutobi had claimed, but Menma had simply waved his hand. His prized Wood Release shattered like fragile paper. And shattered along with the Wood Release was his confidence.
Menma merely glanced at him coldly without speaking. He only wanted to go to the sealed space to see Naruto—to ask him what he thought of his actions.
Meanwhile, Kiba, Hinata, and Shino were utterly bewildered.
"Lord Menma?" Kiba asked hesitantly.
"Uncle from the ANBU, you've got the wrong name," Shino noted quietly. "He's Naruto."
"Woof woof!" Akamaru, perched on Kiba's head, barked in agreement.
Shino also looked over curiously, ears perked, waiting for an explanation.
As for Hinata, seeing that the "Naruto" before her had recovered, she reverted to her timid demeanor. Recalling her bold actions just now, and the fact that she was standing so close, her pale face—already pale from her shoulder injury—quickly flushed red, steam rising from her head. If Kiba and Shino hadn't been supporting her arms, she probably wouldn't have been able to stand properly.
"If you want to know, go back and ask your parents," Menma said dismissively.
Everyone present was a young master or lady from a different ninja clan in the village. Now that Menma had appeared, he didn't bother to lie or deceive anyone, nor did he bother to explain himself. Turning back to Yamato, he said, "Since you've resolved this matter, we won't disturb you any longer."
"Orochimaru," Yamato said, trying to regain control of the situation. "The S-rank criminal from the village, infiltrated the exam. We need to apprehend him..."
"No need," Sasuke Uchiha's voice suddenly rang out. "I've already killed him."
Then, Sasuke's figure flashed and appeared beside Menma.
"What? You killed him?" Yamato's lips twitched beneath his mask. This Uchiha brat is trying too hard to show off, isn't he? He dares to spout such mindless boasts? Even someone as strong as the ANBU captain would have to give Orochimaru a wide berth if he encountered him alone!
However, this thought was immediately refuted by Anko Mitarashi's arrival.
"He wasn't killed," Anko Mitarashi said, walking up with a confident stride. "He was probably severely injured and escaped. This is Orochimaru, half of the true form of the White Snake."
Thump!
Half of Orochimaru's body was thrown in front of Yamato. His expression behind his mask was quite awkward, but he confirmed again, "Is this really Orochimaru?"
"There are many more of Orochimaru's sloughed-off pieces over there," Anko Mitarashi explained, gesturing vaguely. "You can take people to examine them, and..."
Anko Mitarashi glanced at Sasuke, seemingly thinking about how to phrase something. But before she could speak, Sasuke couldn't hold back any longer. His face was filled with confidence and arrogance as he looked up at Menma. He said, word by word, "Even Naruto from before has now been left behind by me. So... I challenge you, Menma!"
The moment he finished speaking, Sasuke's golden-red aura erupted! A powerful aura brought forth gusts of wind pressure, sweeping outwards! The blast of wind stung the eyes of the onlookers, sending dust and fallen leaves flying!
That's right—Sasuke thought he was invincible again. He set his sights on the strongest person he had feared for three months: Menma.
"Is this the Uchiha clan? Such powerful chakra!" Anko Mitarashi shielded her eyes with her hands, finally understanding why Sasuke had defeated Orochimaru.
Yamato, standing nearby, was even more astonished. "Tailed Beast chakra!?"
"How is that possible? Sasuke isn't a Jinchuriki!"
"And it's perfectly controlled Tailed Beast chakra!" Anko Mitarashi added, eyes wide.
Compared to the chakra that had just spiraled out of control in Naruto, Sasuke's chakra was incredibly gentle.
"You want to challenge me?" Menma asked, his voice calm. He had originally planned to find a place to chat with Naruto, but he suddenly became interested in the arrogant Sasuke before him. Gaining immense power and then seeking a beating—that was the Sasuke he knew!
"I'm not using Nine-Tails chakra," Menma said, shaking his head.
"You look down on me?" Sasuke frowned, a murderous aura subtly emerging between his brows.
"No need for all that trouble," Menma replied, his contempt undisguised. "It'll be over with a single kick."
Now Sasuke was truly enraged, his eyes filled with chilling killing intent. "I've changed my mind..."
Boom!
Whoosh!
Sasuke, halfway through his sentence, instantly turned into a blur! The ground beneath his feet shattered layer by layer, a shockwave still spreading outwards! The next second, a voice rang in Menma's ears.
"Now I'm going to severely injure you!"
Swish!
Appearing beside Menma, Sasuke wrapped his golden-red tail around his leg, forming a giant hammer. Then, he kicked Menma hard in the side of his kidneys!
"So fast!" Anko Mitarashi and Yamato, watching the battle, exclaimed in surprise. This speed of movement was no less than that of an Elite Jōnin-level taijutsu! For a genin to display this was simply unbelievable!
Seeing the still-unresponsive Menma, Sasuke's smile grew even more arrogant. He seemed to have witnessed the shattering of an invincible myth! He seemed to have seen the beginning of his own path to invincibility!
However, the next second...
Whoosh—!
"How is this possible!?"
Looking at the suddenly vanished Menma, and feeling the immense force that had surged down his cheek... Sasuke's smile froze on his face, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Then,
BOOM!
A terrifying roar echoed throughout the surrounding forest! The earth trembled for a moment—as if an earthquake had just occurred!
Menma, his body emitting green chakra steam, appeared above Sasuke. He stomped heavily on Sasuke's face, stomping him into the collapsed, shattered earth below!
Immobilized!
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