The Sannin Clash, Naruto vs. Yakushi Kabuto (Happy Lunar New Year, Everyone)

An hour later, Naruto raised an eyebrow and glanced back instinctively. A smile tugged at his lips as he began to make plans.

Ten minutes later, a Double-headed Giant Snake appeared before them with a boom.

Orochimaru stood atop one of its heads, his arms hanging at his sides. He looked down at Naruto and the other three with a sinister smile and said in a rasping voice:

"Tsunade, the day we agreed on hasn't come yet. Are you leaving already?"

Tsunade and Jiraiya narrowed their eyes at their former comrade.

"Hmph. Orochimaru, I won't heal you!" Tsunade said coldly. She was already in a foul mood.

"So you're going back to Konoha to become the Fifth Hokage!" Orochimaru stared at Tsunade. A predatory chill gleamed in his snake-like eyes, and a bloodcurdling killing intent rolled off him.

"Orōchimaru, I haven't settled the score with you for killing our teacher!" Jiraiya stepped forward and met his gaze without flinching.

"Heh. Looks like I'll have to use force." Orochimaru spoke coldly as Chakra erupted from his body.

"Wait, Lord Orochimaru." Yakushi Kabuto suddenly stopped him and said urgently:

"The other two Sannin are over there! In your current condition..."

"Hmph." Orochimaru shot Kabuto a cold look. "Have you forgotten Tsunade's weakness?"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. His eyes flashed, and he could only nod.

"Fine. I'll keep Tsunade and her apprentice occupied as long as I can. As for Naruto... he's hardly a concern."

According to Kabuto's intelligence, Naruto was only at Chunin level. Kabuto, on the other hand, was an Elite Jōnin on par with Kakashi!

"Attack!"

The Double-headed Giant Snake lunged toward Naruto and the others.

Naruto vanished in a flash.

Jiraiya retreated at top speed, his hands forming seals. "Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

A swamp appeared beneath