Choji heard the massive body slam into the ground with a thunderous crash.
Forcing himself to sit up, he spotted a familiar figure holding a bloodied sword:
"Naruto."
"Choji. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Naruto. This guy's really strong. I'm glad you're here. I almost got killed by him."
Naruto tossed Choji a soldier pill — one of the ninja healing rations. Choji swallowed it and felt his strength return in an instant.
"Let's move out and catch up with the others."
Suddenly, Jirobo leapt up in a rage, wiping blood from his chest and glaring at Naruto:
"Pathetic trash! You're all going to die! I've activated Orochimaru's Cursed Seal!"
"Cursed Seal! You were one of those five bastards who cut me apart four years ago in the Land of Rice!"
Jirobo recalled the past and let out a booming laugh:
"You! You're still just a little brat now too!"
In a flash, Naruto vanished, and deep gashes tore across Jirobo's body.
Using punches and kicks enhanced by Wind Release, Naruto landed a devastating strike that bent Jirobo's arm into a jagged Z-shape.
Jirobo screamed in agony.
Naruto continued attacking, slicing through his Achilles tendon before driving his foot into the hulking brute's chest as he collapsed to the ground.
Then Naruto delivered a savage kick to Jirobo's jaw. Had it not been for the power boost from the Cursed Seal, this blow would've torn his head clean off.
Jirobo spewed a mouthful of blood.
...
Naruto swiftly moved through the trees, eager to rejoin the others.
He spotted Neji locked in fierce combat against a six-armed opponent high in the treetops.
A massive spider was summoned, unleashing countless tiny spiders that swarmed and fired webs to ensnare Neji, but Neji effortlessly dispersed them all with the Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms technique.
Naruto noticed dark markings already spreading across Kidomaru's body.
He yanked out a kunai, hurled it at Kidomaru, and flashed through a hand seal:
[Wind Release: Gale Palm!]
The wind-enhanced kunai rocketed forward at blinding speed, piercing deeply into Kidomaru's head. Kidomaru's smug grin faded as the cursed markings began fading from his skin. He plummeted helplessly from the tree.
Naruto pumped his fist in victory:
"Bullseye!"
Neji released a breath of relief:
"You can come out now, Naruto. I noticed you during the fight."
Naruto leapt down from the canopy:
"How long have you two been fighting?"
"Not too long. I assume you also dealt with Choji's opponent."
Naruto gestured for Neji to follow, and they took off again through the trees toward the others.
---
Naruto and Neji found Shikamaru and Choji, who were battling their own opponents.
Naruto observed the way Shikamaru clenched his teeth:
"What's wrong?"
"Kiba Inuzuka... He and another Otogakure ninja tumbled off the cliff into the river below."
Naruto nodded:
"Neji, go find Kiba."
Neji acknowledged and leapt away.
Shikamaru relaxed slightly:
"The other one escaped with the barrel containing Sasuke. Rock Lee went after him."
Tayuya tapped her foot impatiently as they talked:
"Hey! What the hell are you three idiots doing?!"
"Wah, her mouth's only gotten worse over the years."
Tayuya narrowed her eyes at Naruto:
"You! Traitor scum! What are you doing here?!"
"Just here for some fun with you folks."
Tayuya trembled with fear.
"You're just Konoha trash!"
Tayuya started playing her flute.
Naruto rushed toward her.
Naruto attacked Tayuya with Taijutsu.
He yanked the flute from her hands and countered with a powerful strike.
Naruto knocked her out cold with the flat of his blade, tied her up, then turned to Shikamaru and Choji.
"Take her back to Konoha and lock her up. I'm going to help Lee. The one he's chasing isn't like the others."
With that, Naruto leapt upward and continued forward.
---
Naruto entered a clearing deep in the forest and found Kimimaro mercilessly beating Rock Lee.
Kimimaro was about to land the finishing blow when Naruto deflected him with a sword slash. Naruto drew his blade and stood protectively in front of Lee.
"Guess you're the strongest of the bunch. None of the others could dodge my first attack."
Kimimaro sneered.
"Don't compare me to those trash. I was Orochimaru's chosen vessel at one point."
Naruto mocked, "What? Did Orochimaru get carried away and wound you instead?"
Lee stood up.
"Naruto-kun, you came just in time. She was really tough."
Naruto smiled as he looked back.
"Hey there, bushy-browed youthfulness."
Naruto noticed an empty barrel nearby.
"Lee... where'd Sasuke go?"
"Sasuke-kun came out of the barrel not long ago, then started laughing wildly. I figured he'd head back to Konoha, but he took off toward the border."
"Damn it… Lee, go after Sasuke. I'll handle this one."
"On it!" Lee gave Naruto a quick salute before dashing into the forest.
Naruto turned back toward Kimimaro, who spoke.
"I remember you. You were the one who broke into Lord Orochimaru's base years ago. Wish I'd finished you off back then."
"Then let's settle this here and now."
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes, lunged forward, and unleashed a deadly thrust and slash combination.
The two clashed swords.
Naruto created a dozen Shadow Clones and sent them charging at Kimimaro.
Kimimaro danced through them, slicing each clone apart effortlessly.
With the last clone gone, Naruto stepped in himself.
Kimimaro shot bone blades from his knees and slashed sideways. Naruto blocked with his sword, then jumped back to avoid other spikes.
Kimimaro spun rapidly, rushing toward Naruto at incredible speed.
Naruto quickly deciphered the rhythm of the spin and landed a low kick on Kimimaro's head, sending him crashing to the ground.
Taking advantage, Naruto leaped high into the air, preparing for a downward kick.
His foot halted just inches from Kimimaro's chest.
[Dance of the Larch!]
Kimimaro grabbed Naruto's leg and rolled violently.
Naruto winced in pain—his ankle was dislocated.
Naruto barely broke free. As Kimimaro rolled to chase him, more sharp bone spikes extended from his body, turning him into a bone-covered reaper, tearing up the ground with every roll.
Naruto couldn't stand.
Swinging his blade, Naruto drove it into the ground between them. Kimimaro's bone lodged itself in the blade.
Taking advantage, Naruto quickly rolled away, quickly popped his dislocated ankle back into place, and stood back up.
Kimimaro raised his hand and launched a volley of finger bones at Naruto.
Naruto blocked several of the bones with his shuriken, then rushed forward, gripping a kunai in preparation for an attack.
Naruto kicked Kimimaro in the shoulder, then pulled out another kunai, wedged it between his toes, and secured it tightly beneath the strap of his sandal. He then slashed at Kimimaro with both hands and feet.
Naruto swiftly slashed Kimimaro across the face and chest.
Then, Naruto leapt into the air again, this time attaching a kunai to his other foot. Alternating kicks, he drove the kunai downward into Kimimaro's chest.
Soon, Naruto had punched a gaping hole straight through Kimimaro's torso.
Kimimaro expanded the black Cursed Seal from his collarbone until it engulfed his entire body:
"The game's only just beginning."
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