A Battle of Wits, Kabuto's Nemesis!

Ghostshade City, evening. After finishing his busy work, Naruto, the city lord, carried out his routine inspection of the streets.

Afraid of disturbing the townspeople's normal work, Naruto would alter his appearance beforehand with the Transformation Technique.

Naruto's Transformation Technique was nowhere near as refined as it had been in the original story; a Jōnin could probably see through it. Thus, whenever passing ninjas noticed something and gave him a sidelong glance, Naruto would make a silencing gesture. They would nod knowingly and pretend they had seen nothing.

"Mm, looks like there's no problem. That's enough for today..." Naruto stretched and prepared to head home.

Thud!

Suddenly... at an intersection not far away, an old woman fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Naruto hurried over and helped her up. "Ma'am, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, young man..."

"Young man?" Naruto froze and looked down at the slight rise on his chest. "Huh? That's strange. I clearly transformed into Xiaoxue! How did this old lady realize I'm a young man?"

Screech!

At that moment, a cold glint flashed deep within the old woman's murky eyes. Her fingernails lengthened, and while Naruto was completely off guard, she viciously stabbed him in the neck!

"!" The sudden pain startled Naruto awake. He staggered back. Bang! The Transformation Technique was undone, revealing Naruto's true appearance. He shouted, "Hey, just who are you...?"

Crack!

Suddenly, intense pain and numbness swept through his entire body. Naruto's face twisted. "Damn... poison? I actually got caught here..."

Thud!

Naruto collapsed to the ground...

"Heh heh heh, the Immortal Snake Venom of Ryuchi Cave. Even Naruto, as strong as he is now, will fall unconscious from a single drop." Whoosh! The old woman gave a sinister laugh, formed hand seals, and pressed both hands to the