Inside the Konoha Military Police Force building.
"Sasuke's Susanoo seems to have disappeared."
"The explosions have stopped, too. Is the battle over?"
"Who won?"
The classmates gathered by the windows watched the distant streets and speculated among themselves.
There hadn't been any explosions from the distant street for a while, and Sasuke's half-body Susanoo had vanished as well.
These signs clearly showed that the battle was over—or that it had moved elsewhere.
So the classmates all wondered who had won.
Unlike the others, Shikamaru looked grave.
He knew Sasuke probably wasn't a match for Orochimaru. If the battle was still going on, that at least meant Sasuke hadn't lost. But if it was already over, Sasuke was probably in serious trouble.
Glancing at Shinji, Shikamaru was surprised to see that he didn't seem to care about the outcome of the distant battle. His expression remained as calm as ever.
What is Shinji thinking?
Even Shikamaru, who was usually so sharp-witted, was now utterly perplexed.
As far as he could tell, the safest strategy was for Shinji and Sasuke, the two Mangekyo Sharingan Uchiha, to fight together. He couldn't understand why Shinji was holding back.
Is he afraid? No, Shinji isn't like that!
He shook his head to himself.
Suddenly, a ninja appeared in the small plaza in front of the Konoha Military Police Force building.
The classmates by the window hurriedly looked over and realized it was Tayuya, the Otogakure ninja who had taken the Chunin Ninja Exams with them.
Sakura cried out in shock, "W-why is she here?!"
Sakura clearly remembered Tayuya being locked up in the secret prison. She had even gone there with her teacher, Shizune, to treat Tayuya.
Then—
Guren and Jugo appeared in the plaza in front of the Konoha Military Police Force building as