Sasuke panted heavily, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
The chakra consumption of Chidori was enormous—his reserves were nearly depleted.
"Damn it…"
Naruto, however, was in a completely different state.
"I've still got tons of chakra!" Naruto shouted.
As a member of the Uzumaki Clan and the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, his chakra reserves far surpassed those of ordinary shinobi.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof—poof—poof—poof—poof!
This time, not dozens, but hundreds of shadow clones appeared, densely filling the entire area.
"Oh?" The Rain ninja raised an eyebrow. "That amount of chakra… interesting."
"All together!"
Hundreds of Narutos formed hand seals at the same time.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Violent gales erupted simultaneously.
Boom—boom—boom—boom!
Layered winds stacked together, their power multiplying instantly.
Trees swayed violently as fallen leaves were swept into the air.
"What?!" The Rain ninja's expression finally changed.
He formed seals with both hands.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A massive earthen wall rose up, blocking the onslaught.
Boom!
The wall shook violently, cracks rapidly spreading across its surface.
"We're not done yet!"
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
Hundreds of Narutos unleashed different Wind Release techniques at once.
Blades of wind, compressed shockwaves, and roaring gales bombarded the wall from every direction.
Crack—crack!
The earthen wall finally gave way and collapsed.
Naruto seized the moment and shouted toward Sasuke and Sakura.
"Run!"
"This is our chance! I'll cover you!"
Sakura immediately moved to help Sasuke up.
"Let's go!"
"Don't even think about it!" Sasuke slapped her hand away and forced himself to stand. "I'm an Uchiha! I won't abandon my comrades and run!"
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried anxiously. "Your chakra is already—"
"I can still fight!" Sasuke's eyes burned with determination.
"Idiot Sasuke!" Naruto roared. "Stop acting tough! In your condition, you'll just hold me back!"
"What did you say?!" Sasuke glared at him.
"I'm telling the truth!" Naruto shouted back.
"Your chakra is gone! If you stay, I'll have to protect you!"
"If you leave, I can fight without holding back!"
Sasuke clenched his teeth.
He knew Naruto was right.
But his pride refused to yield.
"I—"
Just then—
Crash!
The remains of the earthen wall collapsed completely, rocks flying everywhere.
The Rain ninja walked out unharmed.
"How touching," he said softly, licking his lips.
"But… playtime is over."
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Countless venomous snakes burst from his sleeves, surging toward them.
"Damn it!" Naruto's shadow clones rushed forward to block them.
But there were too many snakes—and they were far too fast.
Several clones were bitten and vanished instantly.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura screamed.
She looked at Sasuke, barely standing, then at the swarm of snakes closing in.
If she didn't act now…
Sasuke would die.
And Naruto would be forced into an even more dangerous position.
Sakura clenched her teeth and pulled out the summoning scroll hidden in her clothes.
"I'm sorry… Sensei…"
"I have to use it!"
"Sakura, don't!" Sasuke shouted. "We'll be disqualified!"
"To hell with that!" Tears streamed down Sakura's face.
"Our lives come first!"
"Kakashi-sensei said comrades matter more than any rules!"
She tore the scroll open without hesitation.
Rip—!
The moment the scroll split apart, thick white smoke burst upward, engulfing the entire area.
The Rain ninja stepped back slightly, eyes narrowing.
"A summoning technique?"
"So Kakashi even prepared something like this…"
As the smoke slowly dispersed—
A familiar figure stood before them.
"Yo," Kakashi said casually.
"Looks like I made it just in time."
His voice sounded relaxed, but his gaze was razor-sharp.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura cried out together.
Kakashi didn't turn around. He simply raised one hand.
"All three of you—step back."
"This opponent isn't someone you can handle."
His eyes swept across the battlefield.
Hundreds of shadow clones still lingered.
Sasuke was battered and nearly out of chakra.
Sakura clutched the torn scroll, tears still streaking her face.
And finally—
The so-called "Rain ninja."
"You disguised yourself as an Amegakure examinee," Kakashi said calmly.
"What's your objective?"
The Rain ninja was silent for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"Hehehe… just as expected of Sharingan Kakashi."
"You saw through me at a glance."
He removed the bamboo hat.
Revealing pale skin, golden slit pupils, purple eye shadow—
And that unmistakable, long tongue.
"Long time no see, Kakashi-kun."
"Orochimaru…" Kakashi said quietly.
"What are you doing at the Chūnin Exams?"
"You attacked my students," Kakashi continued.
"Are you declaring war on Konoha?"
A terrifying killing intent erupted from Kakashi's body.
The air itself seemed to freeze.
Naruto and the others felt their breathing grow difficult.
"So this is Kakashi-sensei… when he's serious…"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, his smile never fading.
"Interesting…"
"You've grown stronger, Kakashi-kun."
"This chakra… it's far greater than before."
"It seems you didn't slack off these past two years."
His tongue flicked out as excitement flashed in his eyes.
"But…"
"Do you really think you can face me with your current strength?"
A sinister, chilling chakra burst from Orochimaru.
Cold. Malicious. Instinctively terrifying.
The two pressures collided—
Boom!
A shockwave exploded outward, shaking the surrounding forest violently.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"Orochimaru, you still haven't answered me."
"What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Orochimaru chuckled.
"I merely came to observe the new sprouts of Konoha."
"Your students are impressive, Kakashi-kun."
"Rasengan. Chidori. You've trained them well."
His gaze slid toward Sasuke, naked greed flashing in his eyes.
"Especially that Uchiha brat…"
"The Sharingan…"
"Truly irresistible."
Kakashi stepped forward, completely blocking his line of sight.
"Don't even think about my students."
His right hand rested on his weapon pouch.
The Sharingan spun rapidly.
"If you do…"
"I'll kill you."
An even more terrifying killing intent surged out.
Orochimaru laughed loudly.
"Kill me? Hahaha…"
"You really are fascinating now, Kakashi-kun."
"But don't worry."
"I'm not here to fight you today."
His body began to soften unnaturally.
"I simply wanted to confirm a few things."
"And the results… are most satisfying."
"Well then."
"I'll take my leave."
Orochimaru's body sank into the ground like liquid—
And vanished without a trace.