Underestimated!

Kidomaru's arrow had not avoided Naruto's vital point. To him, even if he shot Konoha's Jinchuriki to death, he would merely be carrying out Lord Orochimaru's orders. It could not be considered an overstep.

As for whether Konoha would hold him accountable, he did not care in the slightest.

Thus, both the angle and force behind this arrow represented the utmost level Kidomaru could reach under normal circumstances.

Before learning Senjutsu, Naruto's perceptive abilities were not particularly outstanding. On top of that, this was his first time facing an opponent like Kidomaru, who kept himself hidden and attacked from the shadows. He was completely unaccustomed to it. By the time he sensed the incoming arrow, its tip was already about to pierce his throat.

"!?"

Naruto was horrified. He instinctively tried to enter Tailed Beast Transformation, but even if he transformed immediately, he would not have time to block Kidomaru's arrow.

Just then, Naruto's brain was practically frozen, yet he heard the buzzing sound of the arrow vibrating violently beside his ear.

Only afterward did he realize that the arrow's tip was less than five centimeters from his throat!

"Shin-Shinji!?"

His gaze gradually shifted, and Naruto finally saw Shinji standing in front of him, one hand gripping the arrow and having saved his life at the critical moment.

Shinji casually tossed the arrow to the ground and said indifferently, "Stand down!"

Naruto was somewhat unwilling. "But..."

Turning around and patting Naruto on the shoulder, Shinji smiled. "Leave this place to me. You go on ahead!"

"Yes!"

Naruto nodded.

For some reason, when facing Shinji, Naruto felt an immense pressure.

Among the treetops.

Seeing Shinji appear and save Naruto, Kidomaru was not angry. Instead, he was delighted. Uchiha Shinji, I've finally forced you to show yourself!

Defeating Konoha's Jinchuriki would have