Itachi Uchiha Stood Firm as a Mountain, Kimimaro Became Thorns and Encircled the Mountain with Spikes

At first, Naruto was merely imitating Orochimaru. Then he went even further, using the Transformation Technique to turn himself into Orochimaru.

"Kimimaro... I can't hold on much longer... I want Sasuke... Bring me Sasuke, quickly..." Orochimaru lay sprawled on the grass, his face twisted in pain as he stretched a long arm toward Kimimaro.

"..." Hinata stared blankly from the side.

Kimimaro's head was pounding. He knew the Orochimaru before him was fake, transformed by Naruto using the Transformation Technique.

But Kimimaro knew best that the real Orochimaru was indeed suffering at death's door, just as Naruto had acted out.

There was no Sasuke before him, only Itachi Uchiha. And after several rounds of battle with Itachi, he had discovered that Itachi's ocular power clearly surpassed Sasuke's.

"You would make Lord Orochimaru's finest vessel," Kimimaro said in his assessment of Itachi.

"Oh." Itachi Uchiha said coldly, "If you had the ability to make me your vessel, you wouldn't have gone after my foolish little brother."

Itachi Uchiha suddenly thought of Sasuke, who was still lying in the hospital, and could only let out a deep sigh.

Foolish little brother, Naruto, your own companion, had stabbed a kunai into your chest. Not only could you not take revenge on him, you even had to thank him.

This time, Itachi Uchiha made his move. His cold eyes fixed on Kimimaro as the orange-red Illusory War God swung an enormous fist at him.

Bone spikes erupted across Kimimaro's body. His hard bones took the blow from Susanoo's fist head-on, sending Kimimaro flying.

Kimimaro climbed back to his feet, staring at Itachi in fear, shocked by his strength.

"Kimimaro, keep going!" Naruto cheered him on. "That Susanoo is just a skeleton frame, and only half a body at that. Its physical defense is really