The massive snake erupted from the ground, its body twisting between the trees as its yellow eyes locked onto Team Seven.
Sakura froze.
Even Sasuke, who had faced countless dangers during the past few days, felt the overwhelming pressure radiating from the creature.
But Naruto…
Naruto knew.
This was not the real threat.
The snake was only a distraction.
The true danger stood in front of them.
Orochimaru.
The legendary Sannin watched silently, studying every reaction.
Especially Naruto’s.
Most genin would panic.
They would focus entirely on the giant snake.
But Naruto’s eyes never left him.
That confirmed Orochimaru’s suspicion.
This boy understood.
“Interesting.”
The Sannin smiled.
“You ignore the obvious threat and focus on the hidden one.”
Naruto tightened his stance.
“You’re the threat.”
Orochimaru’s smile widened.
“Perhaps.”
He raised his hand.
The giant snake lunged.
“Move!”
Naruto shouted.
Team Seven scattered instantly.
Sakura landed on a tree branch, breathing heavily.
Sasuke moved beside Naruto.
“You knew.”
Naruto glanced at him.
“Knew what?”
“That wasn’t the real attack.”
Naruto stayed silent.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Again.
That strange feeling.
Naruto always seemed to know.
Before Sasuke could question further, Orochimaru appeared above them.
His body stretched unnaturally as his neck extended like a serpent.
Sakura’s eyes widened.
“What is that?!”
Naruto’s expression darkened.
“Orochimaru’s body modification.”
Sasuke looked at him.
“You know his techniques too?”
Naruto realized his mistake.
Again.
Too much information.
Before he could answer, Orochimaru attacked.
Naruto blocked the strike with a kunai.
The impact sent him flying backward.
He landed on his feet but slid several meters.
Kurama’s voice became serious.
“Your arm.”
Naruto looked down.
His muscles were already feeling the strain.
“I know.”
“Don’t push.”
“I have to.”
The Nine-Tails growled.
“Your desire to save people will get you killed.”
Naruto smiled faintly.
“That’s something you used to say a lot.”
Kurama became quiet.
Because it was true.
The fox had once believed Naruto’s kindness was a weakness.
Now…
He knew better.
Orochimaru watched the exchange.
Not with his eyes.
With his instincts.
Naruto had paused. The source of this chapter is g.com.
As if speaking to someone.
A jinchuriki communicating with the Nine-Tails?
Possible.
But not like this.
The relationship between them felt different.
Almost like…
Partners.
Fascinating.
“So that’s the secret.”
Naruto looked at him.
“What?”
Orochimaru smiled.
“The Nine-Tails.”
The forest became silent.
Sakura’s expression changed.
Sasuke immediately became alert.
Orochimaru continued.
“Most jinchuriki are prisoners of their tailed beasts.”
His eyes narrowed.
“But you…”
A curious expression appeared.
“You speak to it like an equal.”
Naruto said nothing.
That alone was an answer.
Orochimaru laughed softly.
“How wonderful.”
Sasuke stepped forward.
“Stop talking.”
His Sharingan activated.
“This fight is with us.”
Orochimaru looked at him.
“The Uchiha.”
His expression became interested.
“Your eyes.”
Sasuke’s body tensed.
Naruto immediately recognized it.
Orochimaru was shifting targets.
The Curse Mark.
The same temptation.
The same manipulation.
“Sasuke.”
Naruto’s voice was firm.
“Don’t listen.”
Sasuke looked at him.
Orochimaru smiled.
“You know exactly what I will say.”
Naruto stared.
“Power.”
The Sannin’s voice became softer.
“The ability to destroy those who hurt you.”
Sasuke’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Naruto noticed.
Orochimaru noticed too.
“You want revenge.”
The words echoed through the forest.
Naruto stepped forward.
“Don’t.”
Sasuke clenched his fist.
“I need strength.”
“You need control.”
Naruto answered.
Sasuke looked at him.
For a moment, Naruto saw the younger version of himself.
The same desperation.
The same loneliness.
The same belief that strength alone could fix everything.
Orochimaru smiled.
“You see?”
He looked toward Naruto.
“Even you cannot change him.”
Naruto’s eyes narrowed.
The Sannin tilted his head.
“Am I?”
Naruto looked at Sasuke.
“You don’t need someone to give you power.”
A pause.
“You already have it.”
Sasuke froze.
Those words.
They were different from praise.
They were belief.
Orochimaru watched carefully.
The bond between them was stronger than expected.
That made Sasuke harder to manipulate.
But also…
More valuable.
The Sannin moved.
This time, toward Sasuke.
Naruto reacted instantly.
He appeared between them.
Their clash shook the forest.
Orochimaru’s eyes widened.
Naruto’s speed had increased.
Not enough to defeat him.
But enough to interfere.
“You really will do anything to protect him.”
Naruto looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The answer came without hesitation.
“Because he’s my friend.”
Orochimaru stared.
Such a simple answer.
Yet somehow…
It carried more weight than any technique.
The Sannin stepped back.
Then he smiled.
“Very well.”
His body began changing.
Dark markings spread across his skin.
The atmosphere became heavier.
Naruto’s eyes widened slightly.
Not because he didn’t know.
Because he knew exactly what came next.
Orochimaru’s true pressure.
“Let’s see…”
The Sannin whispered.
“…how far your conviction goes.”
The Forest of Death trembled.
Sakura felt fear.
Sasuke felt excitement.
Naruto felt something else.
Determination.
Because this was the moment he had been waiting for.
The moment where he stopped simply reacting to the future.
The moment where he began changing it.
Naruto lowered his stance.
Kurama’s voice echoed.
“Are you ready?”
Naruto smiled.
“Always.”
The chakra around him began to rise.
Not the violent red chakra of the Nine-Tails.
Something calmer.
Something controlled.
A partnership.
Orochimaru’s eyes widened.
For the first time…
The legendary Sannin looked genuinely intrigued.
“Show me.”
Naruto’s blue eyes sharpened.
“I will.”
The battle between the serpent and the reborn shinobi was about to begin.