Each Their Own Battle

Along a dim path in the forest, a youth with an excessively pale complexion walked slowly through the trees.

It was Orochimaru, who had just parted ways with Kagura and the others.

Regarding Kagura's joking suggestion, he knew very well that neither he nor the other two would accept such an arrangement.

However, compared to Jiraiya, who could express himself more freely, he simply did not know what expression to make in response to Kagura's peculiar sense of humor.

So after Kagura said, "See you at the finish line," he chose to leave directly.

In truth, after arriving for this exam, the only person Orochimaru considered a formidable opponent was Kagura, who was both his teacher and friend.

Although he had also sensed the strength of the Seven People and Dodai, he did not believe they could rival Kagura.

As Kagura's teammate, he could be said to have the clearest understanding of Kagura's strength.

Moreover, he had always known that Kagura had never displayed all of his strength before them. He was still holding something back.

As a prodigy of the same generation, Orochimaru had his own pride as well.

Although he acknowledged Kagura, that did not mean he would forever admit that his own strength was inferior.

In fact, the current Orochimaru was far stronger than his counterpart from the same period in the Original Plot.

One reason was Kagura's wholehearted instruction.

Whether it was taijutsu or ninjutsu, Kagura was always willing to share his knowledge with them.

Especially Chidori Stream. He had not kept it to himself, but taught the technique to all three of them.

Unfortunately, Jiraiya seemed unable to learn it no matter what he did.

The one who learned the technique fastest was actually Tsunade.

However, she had also developed and modified the technique to some extent.

Compared to Chidori's method of concentrating destructive power at a single point, Tsunade preferred using Chidori's lightning to stimulate her Physical Body.

This strengthened her own power and defense.

With her innate Monster Strength already in place, Chidori Stream's enhancement had made Tsunade an undisputed Humanoid Tyrannosaurus.

For the past two years, even Kagura had not really dared to compete with her in taijutsu.

As for Jiraiya, he now did not even dare make casual jokes in front of Tsunade.

After studying Chidori Stream, Orochimaru himself had also improved to a certain degree.

But unlike Tsunade, he had never been able to completely master the technique.

Perhaps he truly lacked talent for Lightning Style.

For that very reason, Orochimaru had not taken this test too seriously.

To him, aside from Kagura and the members of Team 7, everyone else was merely Cannon Fodder.

Therefore, he was not on guard at all as he openly walked down the path.

His strategy was also clear. Rather than waste time looking for prey himself, he might as well lure the prey into coming to him.

Just as he expected, the moment his Footsteps landed on a pile of leaves, something unexpected happened.

With a crisp snap, a rope snare suddenly sprang up beneath his feet.

The noose instantly tightened around his ankle and hoisted His Entire Being into a tree.

Faced with this sudden situation, Orochimaru seemed to make no attempt to save himself.

He simply hung there in Mid-air, swaying back and forth.

Only then did a figure emerge from behind the Tree Shadow.

The Approacher was a Genin from Kirigakure.

He wore a set of traditional Ninja Garb. His long sleeves and trousers wrapped up his Whole Body, while his Hooded Garment concealed even his hair completely.

The only thing exposed was his ordinary-looking face. Yet it had to be said that such a face was the ideal choice for a Ninja.

Looking at Orochimaru, whom his trap had captured, he revealed a trace of disdain and said, "I thought the Companion traveling with that legendary 'Monster' would be something impressive.

Who would have thought he was such an Amateur? He got caught before he could even trigger the traps I set afterward.

What a disappointment."

Before he could finish lamenting, a cool voice came from behind him.

"Oh?

Then can you tell me what other traps you set?"

Upon hearing that voice, the Genin immediately felt a chill run down his back and turned around to Look Over.

Orochimaru was standing behind him, Looking at him with a smile.

Seeing this, he immediately Looked Over at the trap on The Other Side.

But Orochimaru was no longer there. Several arm-thick Snakes were now coiled around the snare.

Looking at his terrified enemy, Orochimaru's smile deepened. He still spoke in a gentle tone.

"Since you made up your mind to ambush me, you should have prepared yourself for my counterattack, shouldn't you?

As a Ninja, I'm sure you won't refuse to hand over your forehead protector, right?

Then..."

At this point, the smile on his face gradually turned into a sinister grin, and his eyes revealed a dangerous gleam that Kagura and the others had Never Before seen.

At this moment, he seemed to reveal his true nature, like a greedy Giant Snake staring at its prey.

After sizing up the person In Front of him, he continued, "Then you won't have any complaints if I kill you, will you?"

As Orochimaru slowly approached, the Genin felt as though he were facing a natural predator.

His biological instincts made him feel something called fear.

At that moment, he had lost all will to resist. The only thought in his mind was escape.

"Ah!!!!!!!"

After a brief scream, the forest fell quiet once more.

Orochimaru rubbed a forehead protector bearing the Kirigakure Symbol in his hand. A drop of blood still stained it.

As for that Genin, he lay on the ground covered in blood.

His face was pale, and his eyes were shut tight.

However, his steadily rising and falling chest showed that the owner of that body was still alive.

Orochimaru cast a disdainful glance at the enemy on the ground and Narrowed his eyes in confusion.

What puzzled him was that he had not killed the man in the end. Instead, he had subconsciously held back.

Judging by his former personality, this person should not have had any chance of surviving.

"Perhaps I've been with Kagura for too long and have unknowingly been changed by him."

Having figured out the reason in his heart, he no longer dwelled on it. He put away the forehead protector and continued toward his destination.

Not far from him, on a small Flat Ground in the forest.

A Kumogakure Examinee was pinned to the ground by a massive Toad, unable to move.

Jiraiya jumped down from the Toad's head and casually removed the Examinee's forehead protector amid the despair in his eyes.

Jiraiya looked at the forehead protector in his hand and laughed. "Done!"

Looking at the subdued Examinee Before his eyes, he hesitated for a moment before offering a few words of comfort.

"Well, just consider yourself unlucky to have run into me.

Try harder in the next exam."

After saying that, he raised his head and looked towards the Toad, reminding it, "Bunta, after I leave, remember to wait half an hour before releasing the summoning and going back.

Help me restrain this guy for a while first, so he doesn't come after me and cause trouble again."

Gamatatsu leisurely took a puff of smoke. Only after exhaling a large cloud of Thick Smoke did he slowly Responded, "Got it. Hurry up and leave.

I'm in a rush to get back for dinner.

You Guy never check the time before summoning me.

Summoned Beasts have lives of their own too, you know?"

Seeing that Gamatatsu was about to continue complaining, Jiraiya shrank back.

He did not waste any more words and turned to leave.

Thus, in the despairing gaze of that Genin, his figure gradually disappeared into the Dense Forest.

The scene shifted as Tsunade strolled through the forest in a rather good mood.

Whenever she Recalled that impulsive kiss from earlier, her cheeks could not help turning red.

Although she and Kagura had always maintained a fairly intimate relationship Over the Years, kissing truly was a first for her.

Oh no, was I too forward? Grandma said that if a girl is too proactive, boys won't know how to cherish her, right? But I already kissed him. What am I supposed to do now?

At that thought, she unconsciously pouted, looking troubled.

After agonizing over it for A long time, she hardened her heart. A dangerous glint flashed through her eyes as she declared resolutely, "Forget it, I don't care.

Since he kissed me, I'm his woman now.

If Kagura dares deny it...

I'll beat him up!"

Having thought of a solution, Tsunade finally recovered her mood, and a smile reappeared on her face.

However, just as she pushed aside the tall grass ahead, several familiar figures suddenly appeared Before her eyes.

Looking carefully, seven people stood ahead of her—seven people carrying strange blades.