On the platform.
Everyone watched in alarm as Shinji began to "absorb" the monster.
The next second.
Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi both focused on the vortex that had suddenly appeared behind Orochimaru. A figure emerged from it!
They exchanged a glance, their pupils contracting.
"No!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Almost simultaneously, the two leaped from the platform and raced forward, using the stones as footholds.
Karin and the others were startled too. They had seen the unexpected visitor appear!
They had no idea who he was.
But if Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi had reacted so strongly, he had to be an enemy!
"Come on! Let's help Master!"
With that, the three little ones charged forward, determination in their eyes.
At the edge of the platform.
Only two pairs remained: Uchiha Hikari and Kurotsuchi, and Pakura and Gaara.
They looked at one another.
Pakura hesitated. "Um, aren't you going to help? You're... from the Uchiha Clan too, right?"
Uchiha Hikari froze.
Kurotsuchi waved a hand. "Nah! No need. That guy's so strong, Hikari doesn't have to step in!"
"Right?"
Uchiha Hikari hesitated, then shook her head. "I... can help from here too."
Whoosh!
Obito Uchiha glanced at Orochimaru and casually sidestepped Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. Then he vanished into a vortex.
He reappeared behind Orochimaru.
"Small fry shouldn't get in my way!"
Smack!
He laid a hand lightly on Orochimaru's back. His voice turned cold. "Wood Release: Hellish Rampage!"
Splurt!
Sharp, iron-hard wooden spikes erupted, turning Orochimaru's body into a pincushion!
Whoosh—
But...
To Obito Uchiha's surprise, the "Orochimaru" before him went limp like a liquid and slumped to the ground.
Then.
A snake slithered to a safe distance and transformed into a dripping-wet Orochimaru with a human head and a serpent's body. He flicked out his long tongue.
He stared