Orochimaru Attacks

Half a day passed. Orochimaru had eliminated fifteen people, leaving eighteen examinees still in the running. In theory, that was already within the Chunin Exam's acceptable pass rate.

However, one of Orochimaru's summoned snakes sent him a message: a team of six had been discovered in the northeastern part of the Forest of Death.

Orochimaru, who had been preparing to withdraw to the Central Tower for a rest, raised a brow upon receiving the intelligence. "Hm? A six-man team? They're quite arrogant. That Search Team is truly a bunch of useless fools! They failed to discover a team of six. The pass rate had already reached the target, but now I'll have to go teach them a lesson and see what they're capable of. If they can't satisfy me, they can all be eliminated and prepare for the next Chunin Exam!"

Orochimaru let out a sinister laugh, then headed toward the six-man team.

That team of six was naturally Jiogan, Might Duy, and the others. At this moment, Jiogan and his group had no idea that their numbers had made them Orochimaru's target.

When he was still two kilometers away from Jiogan and the others, Orochimaru reconfirmed their information. "There's a ninja from the Inuzuka Clan among them? No wonder they were able to evade the Search Team. Should I appear directly, or play with them for a while?" Orochimaru chuckled darkly.

"There's still plenty of time. I'll play with them for a bit. I hope they're interesting little ones!"

With that, Orochimaru directed several large and small snakes toward Jiogan's group.

Jiogan used the Qi Sensing Technique once more and sensed snakes heading toward their position. However, he did not think much of it. The Forest of Death was already full of wild beasts, including Ninja Beasts with Chakra. Over the past two days, they had encountered giant bears, giant boars, giant snakes, and other beasts.

But the group had hidden well and had not disturbed them.

Then Jiogan sensed that something was off. He expanded the range of his Qi Sensing Technique to a radius of five kilometers and discovered more than ten snakes of varying sizes moving toward their hiding place. Furthermore, he sensed someone both unfamiliar and familiar—Orochimaru! He immediately understood what these snakes were about. Orochimaru had found them and launched an attack!

Jiogan immediately stood and said to the others, "Something's happening. Someone has discovered our location and is controlling snakes to ambush us!"

"What? The Search Team's sensory abilities really are impressive! Luckily, we have an even stronger Sensor Ninja, or we would've been ambushed." Everyone immediately prepared themselves.

"This time, it isn't the Search Team. It's the chief examiner, Lord Orochimaru!" Jiogan said in a low voice.

"What?! Lord Orochimaru is personally making a move! Who can possibly withstand that?" Inuzuka Yoru said.

The others were also startled and clearly began to panic.

"Even if we can't withstand him, we have to try! I've already sensed the snakes' positions. Once we make a move, Lord Orochimaru will definitely realize he's been discovered and show himself. Brother Guy and I will hold him off! You four immediately flee southwest, where there are fewer snakes!" Jiogan said.

Inuzuka Yoru had now caught the scent of the snakes as well. "They're here!"

Everyone immediately threw Kunai, shuriken, and other weapons, prioritizing the small snakes to the southwest. There were no large snakes in that direction.

Sensing this, Orochimaru immediately realized his snakes had been discovered. "It seems the Sensor Ninja over there has some skill. No wonder the Search Team couldn't find them." After offering that praise, he immediately headed toward Jiogan's group.

Since the surprise attack with the snakes had failed, Orochimaru, the one behind it all, naturally had to reveal himself. Otherwise, the little ones would relocate and escape.

As Jiogan's group dealt with several thick-skinned giant snakes, Orochimaru appeared!

Seeing the real target emerge, Jiogan immediately said, "Follow the plan! Retreat now!"

"Retreat? Hehe, wouldn't I lose face if I let you succeed?" Orochimaru said.

Jiogan and the others did not hold back. They did not spare precious ninja tools like Explosive Tags. In an instant, thunderous explosions rang out, and thick smoke filled the forest.

Of the three giant snakes, one was killed. Two remained, their scales blasted off in patches, their combat strength greatly diminished!

"You're truly ruthless. But what will you do next?" Orochimaru tilted his head, revealing an amused smile.

Then, "Summoning Technique!" He summoned another three giant snakes!

Jiogan and the others knew things had gone badly. Following the earlier plan, Inuzuka Yoru and the others immediately retreated southwest, while Jiogan and Might Duy stepped forward to block Orochimaru and the summoned snakes.

As the summoned snakes launched their attack, Jiogan immediately used Water Release: Water Wave, blasting the giant snakes back! Might Duy also opened the Third Gate and completely finished off the two severely wounded giant snakes!

Jiogan used Water Palm Prison, trying to seize the summoned snakes and restrict their movements! But Orochimaru did not let him have his way. He controlled the snakes to evade the Water Palm and even used brute force to smash through it!

Jiogan could only curse at how shameless that was!

The summoned snakes escaped Jiogan's attack range and pursued the four retreating people! Might Duy hurried over, trying to stop them.

But Orochimaru's Shadow Snake Hand forced him back. "Leave the little mice to my giant snakes. As for you two, stay here and play with me properly!" Orochimaru said.

With that, he pinned down Jiogan as well when he tried to stop the giant snakes.

As expected of Orochimaru, one of the future Sannin. He's far too strong. I never expected to fight Orochimaru during the Chunin Exam! The previous—no, the next ones to fight Orochimaru during the Chunin Exam would be the young master and Uchiha Sasuke! Jiogan thought.

After exchanging a glance with Might Duy and seeing the determination in each other's eyes, Jiogan said, "Lord Orochimaru, we never expected to have the chance to fight you, the chief examiner. We both know we are far inferior to you, but as ninjas of civilian birth, we will still give it everything we have. Please teach us!"

Orochimaru naturally knew that Jiogan and Might Duy were civilians. As the chief examiner, he had reviewed the files of every examinee. "What a smooth-talking little brat. If you want me to go easy on you, that depends on your performance. If you can't satisfy me, I can only send you out of the exam!" Orochimaru said, shaking his head.

"Come on. Make this entertaining for me!"

"Lord Orochimaru, excuse us!" Jiogan said.

Jiogan and Might Duy immediately attacked Orochimaru. In an instant, they exchanged more than a dozen moves, and Orochimaru was quite surprised. He had not expected both of them to possess such high Taijutsu Skill.

When he had seen Might Duy open the Third Gate and kill the giant snake earlier, Orochimaru had already recognized the Eight Inner Gates Technique and knew that Might Duy's Taijutsu Skill was not low. But he had never expected Jiogan, a Ninjutsu ninja, to possess such impressive Taijutsu as well.

Orochimaru was, after all, the Third Hokage's disciple and an absolute genius. Though he had not yet reached his peak, he could still fight Jiogan and Might Duy in Taijutsu with ease!

Jiogan could not help but praise him from the bottom of his heart. "As expected of Orochimaru. During the anime era, Orochimaru dared to trade blows with Four-Tails Naruto. His Taijutsu Skill is truly solid!"