Neji's Fate, Ninjutsu Scrolls in Hand

Naruto staggered onto the battlefield, pretending to be badly wounded.

Shikamaru's group and Gaara's team were surrounding Sasuke, who had entered Cursed Seal State Two. The two sides were evenly matched.

But Sasuke's body clearly couldn't handle the seal's power yet. He was nearing his limit.

After all, Sasuke wasn't as strong as he would be three years later.

Naruto looked at Sasuke and couldn't help laughing.

Come to think of it, has Sasuke won a single fight since graduation in this life? He hadn't before, he wasn't winning now, and he probably wouldn't win later, either.

Poor guy. Naruto spared Sasuke three seconds of sympathy.

Sasuke seethed. The power surging through his body was intoxicating, but the people surrounding him kept coming like waves. Every time he drove one back, another attacked with a different trick.

Shadows, Gentle Fist, Strong Fist, sand, gales, Puppets!

Sasuke drew a deep breath, his face twisted and his teeth clenched. A black Chidori erupted from his right hand. His blood-red Sharingan widened as he charged straight at Gaara.

Gaara stood with his arms folded, calmly watching Sasuke approach. The sand before him had gathered, ready to stop the attack—then Sasuke vanished.

Boom!

Sasuke's real target was Neji!

Neji couldn't react in time. He barely managed to shift his heart out of the way before the Chidori pierced his abdomen!

Bang!

"Hmph. Let's see you keep tracking me now!" Sasuke snorted and fled even faster.

Shikamaru's face tightened with worry. Akamaru had been injured by Sakon and his brother earlier, so he couldn't pursue Sasuke either.

"Kiba, can you still track Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked urgently.

"Over short distances. I'm not as good as Akamaru over long ones," Kiba Inuzuka said with a bitter smile.

"Naruto, you're hurt too, so stay and look after Neji.