Let's Warm Up with a Big Move

Neji suddenly cried out, his face full of disbelief.

Might Guy looked at the somewhat terrified Neji.

"Neji, did you get a clear look? Was that really Orochimaru inside the base?"

"That's right. That dark, terrifying chakra matches Orochimaru in the files! I doubt anyone else would dare impersonate that man.

There was also a strange-looking guy beside him, whose entire body was brimming with chakra. His chakra was surprisingly no weaker than Orochimaru's!

They were both wearing the same clothes.

And there was another subordinate of Orochimaru's, but I didn't see him."

"I see. If they're staying in the same base as Orochimaru and wearing the same clothes, are they colleagues? I suppose their strength must be about the same, too?"

"Exactly. That strange guy's chakra is incredible. I couldn't even see through him with my Byakugan."

"In that case, we can't charge in recklessly. I can take on one of them, but not both.

"We'll have to go back and ask for reinforcements. Lee, you're the fastest. Go back and ask Lord Hokage for help while we keep watch here.

"Go, Lee!"

"Yes, sir!"

At Kimura Takuya's words, Lee grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. He didn't say anything, but his expression still seemed a little smug.

As if he were saying to Takuya,

"See? Teacher Guy says I'm the fastest!"

Kimura Takuya smiled slightly and gave Lee a thumbs-up, too.

Under Kimura Takuya's influence, Lee had become a little more mischievous than his original counterpart.

His strength had also improved considerably. Speed had always been one of Lee's strong points.

After Kimura Takuya's electrotherapy, Lee's speed had already reached the level it had been at during the Chunin Ninja Exams in the original story.

What's more, Lee had already mastered the Sound-Damping Technique.

He was even faster than Neji, who excelled at Gentle Fist. Gentle Fist was also a Nintaijutsu that released chakra throughout the body.

However, it relied on a sharp transformation in the chakra, and Neji had been practicing that same release for a long time.

As a result, Neji had developed a behavioral habit. He seemed to have the advantage, but who would have thought that his advantage would become an obstacle, leaving him less adept at the Sound-Damping Technique than Lee?

Neji watched Lee activate the Sound-Damping Technique and quickly disappear from sight. A hint of envy showed in his eyes.

But that envy vanished in an instant. He turned back to keep his eyes on the concealed base.

After a while.

The others began taking turns keeping watch. They didn't have the Byakugan, but they didn't need it to watch the people coming and going through the exit.

Kimura Takuya really wanted to charge in and hit them with a powerful attack, but Guy was the team leader and refused to take risks, especially with his two Genin there.

Guy could naturally sense that Kimura Takuya's presence was no weaker than his own—in fact, it might even be stronger.

But he couldn't take that chance. Even if he and Takuya could handle the two people in the laboratory,

there was still one of Orochimaru's subordinates, and no one knew where he had gone.

If they started fighting and that man suddenly appeared, Tenten and Neji might not be able to handle him.

Even with Lee there, the three Genin probably wouldn't be a match for Orochimaru's subordinate.

That man named Yakushi Kabuto had managed to infiltrate Konoha alongside Orochimaru.

He must have been someone Orochimaru trusted deeply. There was no way the three newly graduated Genin could handle him.

Suddenly, Kimura Takuya, who was keeping watch nearby, changed expression.

Then he quickly composed himself.

He sensed that Lee had suddenly been injured and knocked unconscious.

The information transmitted through Soul Energy told him immediately that Kabuto had hurt Lee.

As it turned out, Kabuto, who had gone off somewhere, had run into Lee on his way back to Orochimaru's base.

Lee was strong for a Genin, but he was still a rookie who had only just graduated.

On his way back to the village to ask for help, he hadn't tried to conceal himself at all.

He'd raced along the main road. Though he made no sound, anyone who wasn't blind could probably see the dust he kicked up.

Kabuto, who happened to be returning to the base, spotted something unusual from far away.

Startled by Lee's speed, he also noticed the Konoha Forehead Protector Lee wore.

He saw which direction Lee had come from—the secret base of Orochimaru—and that he was heading toward Konoha.

How could Kabuto not realize that their base had been discovered?

This green-clad, watermelon-haired little imp was on his way back to Konoha to report it, wasn't he?

His teammates weren't with him. They were probably lying in wait near the base, watching it.

That was close! He'd almost been ambushed. Thank goodness he'd run into this rookie first!

So Kabuto went straight for Lee.

Lee was suddenly attacked and managed to dodge the first strike.

But he hadn't expected Kabuto's first attack to be a feint, meant to force him into a trap that had been set in advance.

Rookie Lee had never dealt with anything like this.

He fell for it immediately. His ninja career had only just begun, and he'd nearly been sent straight to game over.

Fortunately, his good brother Takuya had prepared a backup plan in advance, and it saved him.

"Takuya, how are you talking inside my head?"

"Don't waste time. I'll put you into a fake coma, but you'll still be able to feel and hear.

"Pay attention. When I tell you you're back to normal, hit this guy with everything you've got! Got it?"

Lee, now Kabuto's captive, was slung over his shoulder.

Kabuto muttered to himself, looking relaxed.

"This green-clad little imp has quite the recovery ability. I didn't expect to get an unexpected bonus from taking care of a little nuisance. Lord Orochimaru should like him, shouldn't he?"

Kabuto summoned several snakes and had one of the summoning snakes contact Orochimaru, telling him that their base had been discovered.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, who received the call from the snake, was already frustrated that his research had made no progress over the past two days.

The news made him furious. He sent out several snakes to scout and found Team Guy watching outside.

"Heh, so it's him, and he's brought a few Genin along. They dare come after me? They must have a death wish!"

Orochimaru hadn't infiltrated Konoha for nothing. He naturally knew about the promising new generation of elite Jonin in the village.

Might Guy, a Jonin who relied entirely on Taijutsu.

Heh. That old Third Hokage was getting more and more senile. A ninja who couldn't use ninjutsu—was this some kind of joke?

And they could even be promoted to Jonin? Ridiculous!

The rest were all Genin, utterly ordinary and not worth mentioning.

Orochimaru immediately ordered Kabuto to return and attack the group of Konoha newcomers from behind, trapping them between the two of them!

Little did he know that Kimura Takuya had already learned of his entire plan.

Outside the base.

"Teacher Guy, Orochimaru has already found us. Those snakes just now were his summoning animals.

"The backup plan I left with Lee was triggered. Kabuto did it, and he's already coming from behind.

"Let's attack now!"

"What? How's Lee?"

"He's fine. Orochimaru's coming out. Everyone, get ready. I'll deal with Orochimaru!"

"Takuya, he's one of the Sannin. I'll handle him! You protect Tenten and Neji!"

Hearing that Lee was all right, Guy relaxed. Then he made up his mind.

He still wasn't confident in Takuya's strength against both people in the base.

"Don't underestimate me."

Because he'd usually pretended to be low-key, his actions were now restricted. Kimura Takuya couldn't help feeling a little speechless.

But luckily, he didn't have to pretend anymore.

"Then let's warm up with a big move!"

Kimura Takuya closed his eyes and dispelled a Sage Art Shadow Clone back at his home.

In an instant, the aura around Kimura Takuya surged. A tender green chakra glow began to surround his whole body.

The others nearly went blind from the light.

"Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan Ascension Cannon!"