Ambush

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet Jutsu!" Naruto fired flames at Orochimaru, but Orochimaru still easily dodged them.

Naruto created a Shadow Clone, and he and his clone shouted together:

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

The result was a massive torrent of fire sweeping forward at Orochimaru, burning the surrounding area.

As the flames gradually died down, Naruto watched Orochimaru slowly crumble into ash before finally turning into a puff of smoke. It had been a substitute.

Naruto looked around and sensed Orochimaru's presence in time, dodging a hand that shot out from underground.

Orochimaru reappeared, and Naruto appeared behind him as well.

"Lightning Cutter!" Naruto leaped from the ground and shouted as he thrust toward Orochimaru's chest. Orochimaru had not expected a genin to use such a technique. He swiftly dodged, but he was still a step too slow, and the Lightning Cutter severed his right arm.

This brat is dangerous. If I hadn't dodged, he might have killed me, Orochimaru thought.

Orochimaru opened his mouth to a terrifying extent and spat out another Orochimaru, shedding his previous skin.

"I've had fun, but I have to go now. Until we meet again." As he spoke, Orochimaru sank into the ground. Sensing two ANBU squads approaching, he decided to leave.

Naruto turned to Anko.

"Are you okay, Anko?" he asked.

"Good heavens, kid, you're amazing!" Anko cried out, but suddenly recoiled in pain as the ANBU and the Third Hokage arrived at the scene.

"Naruto, what happened?" the Hokage asked.

"Orochimaru came. I think he activated Anko's cursed seal." Naruto spoke, and the Hokage's eyes widened.

"What did he come here for?"

"He's after Sasuke's Sharingan. I believe he also placed a cursed seal on Sasuke." Naruto explained, and the old man sighed.

"Take Anko to the hospital," the Hokage said, and the ANBU vanished.

"This is bad. I need to find Sasuke quickly. I heard Orochimaru sent people to assassinate him," Naruto said tensely.

"All right, but be careful," the Hokage replied.

Naruto hurriedly created Shadow Clones and scattered them throughout the forest, hoping to find Sasuke as soon as possible.

Naruto darted through the forest, searching every corner with all his might.

About an hour later, he finally sensed Sakura's chakra, but Sasuke's chakra felt different, as though it had grown much weaker.

Naruto arrived where Sakura was and found the place already in complete disarray.

Sakura lay on the ground, half her hair cut off, with several kunai wounds on her body.

Rock Lee was there too, bleeding from the ears and covered in bruises.

Kiba Inuzuka was also lying unconscious on the ground.

"How pathetic, you people." Dosu's voice was full of contempt. As he spoke, he picked up a kunai and walked toward Sasuke, who lay on the ground, as if no one could stop him.

But Naruto suddenly appeared in front of him and sent him flying with a fierce kick.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Naruto arrive.

"Another one. These guys just keep coming," Zaku said angrily.

"You should leave. You're no match for me," Naruto said with an arrogant smile.

"I'll wipe that smile off your face," Dosu snarled.

"Multi-Hole Armor." As he spoke, he poured chakra into his arms.

Naruto's Sharingan could see the sound waves filled with chakra.

This isn't good, Naruto thought. Kamui.

Dosu felt the sound waves pass through the air and strike Naruto, but Naruto was completely unharmed.

Everyone stopped and stared intently at him and Dosu.

What are you trying to do? Naruto thought.

"That arm guard of yours is fake, isn't it? Let me handle this." Zaku stepped forward, intending to end the fight in one blow.

"Cutting Wave!" As Zaku spoke, he channeled chakra through his arms and unleashed a whirlwind at Naruto.

Naruto activated Kamui again.

Zaku watched the dust swirl while Naruto remained standing where he was.

"What a refreshing breeze," Naruto said mockingly.

Zaku flew into a rage.

"Extreme Cutting Wave!" Zaku spoke as an even stronger blast of air rushed at Naruto.

When the attack ended and the dust settled, Zaku confidently smiled as he surveyed the area he had attacked, only to find nothing there.

"I turned him into pieces," Zaku said confidently.

"Lightning Cutter!"

Zaku turned around in time to see a lightning-wreathed hand pierce through his chest.

Zaku opened his mouth wide but could not make a sound before falling to the ground dead.

Dosu and Kin stared wide-eyed at their fallen teammate.

"If you hand over your scroll, you can leave safely," Naruto said expressionlessly.

Trembling, Dosu picked up the scroll from the ground and placed it down, then quickly fled with Kin.

Suddenly, everyone sensed a surge of chakra. They turned to see Sasuke slowly rising to his feet, surrounded by some kind of purple chakra. His body was covered in black markings.

"Yes... with this power, I can kill him." Sasuke shouted into the air. He could feel immense power surging through his body, a gift from Orochimaru. Sasuke looked around and quickly fixed his gaze on Naruto.

"Naruto, fight me. I want to test my new power," Sasuke ordered, rushing toward Naruto.

"Sasuke-kun, stop!" Sakura cried from where she sat on the ground.

I can't let him use that cursed seal again, Naruto thought. He quickly grabbed Sasuke from behind.

"Neji?" Naruto called out. Neji smiled faintly, walked over to Sasuke, activated his Byakugan, and swiftly sealed several crucial chakra points, knocking him unconscious.

Naruto sighed.

"Let's get out of here. Does everyone have their scrolls?" Naruto asked, and everyone nodded.

"Good. Everyone touch me. Let's go," Naruto said, and they all stared at him. He motioned for them to touch him.

"What do you mean, touch you?" Neji asked with a frown.

"Quit talking and just do it. Neji, carry Rock Lee on your back. Sakura, take Sasuke and Kiba," Naruto said. Everyone gathered around Naruto, ready.

They vanished in an instant, and before long, they appeared near the tower, where Hinata and Shino were sitting and waiting for Naruto.

"Naruto." Hinata rushed forward. "What happened?" she asked.

"Team Seven was ambushed by Orochimaru," he answered, and she gasped.

They entered the tower and found the room empty.

"I think we should open the scrolls," Hinata said, and Naruto opened them.

As he opened them, smoke rose from the scrolls.

"Quick, throw them on the ground!" Naruto shouted.

The two scrolls vanished in the thick smoke. When the smoke cleared, someone stood in the middle of the room.

"Congratulations on passing the second round." Anko stepped forward.

"Teacher!" everyone said at once.

"Come on, go inside. The Sand Village team is already here. You have four days to rest and recover your strength." Anko led her team into their respective rooms.