Orochimaru's Showdown, Naruto's Secret on the Brink (Thanks for the Generous Tip)

Just as everyone marveled at how easily Orochimaru had been killed, another Orochimaru emerged from his corpse, drenched from head to toe!

"That's pretty disgusting, but I like it!" Naruto said, looking at the newly emerged Orochimaru.

After the Female Avatar had wrung the Snake-Style Ninjutsu Scroll out of Orochimaru last time, she had learned this life-saving technique too.

Naruto decided that once this mission was over, he would make a contract with Ryūchi Cave and master the Ninjutsu himself.

"You're quite strong, Naruto. Did your mother teach you?" Orochimaru asked with interest.

Everyone else turned to Naruto in surprise.

They all knew Naruto had been an orphan since childhood. How could his mother have taught him Ninjutsu?

They assumed Orochimaru had received faulty information about Naruto. Only Kakashi looked at him thoughtfully.

She didn't die? How is that possible? But if she really is alive, that would explain a few things...

Naruto heard Orochimaru deliberately hinting at his secret, but his expression remained calm. No matter how closely Kakashi watched, he found nothing amiss.

Inside, though, Naruto's killing intent had stirred.

Looks like Orochimaru's snake skin is itching for another beating.

"Heh heh!" Orochimaru took in their expressions, a teasing smile curling his lips. "A Test Subject disappeared from my base. Do you know who took her, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

Hah. So that's why he attacked me.

But what he said aloud was, "I didn't see any Test Subject. I only saw a girl covered in wounds escape from there."

Remembering the terrible state Karin had been in, Naruto's voice grew cold.

"Only a beast like you could do something that vile, Orochimaru."

The Konoha group was startled. Something like that had happened earlier? Why hadn't Naruto told them?

Perhaps Naruto really did have a great secret.