"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Dozens of fireballs flew along the shuriken's trajectories, forming an inescapable net that cut off every route Orochimaru could take.
Orochimaru did not even look back. He simply extended an arm, and another giant snake shot out of his sleeve, easily swallowing all the flames and shuriken.
"The Sharingan... finally willing to use it, Sasuke-kun?" Orochimaru turned, his eyes fixed intently on Sasuke.
Now!
Sasuke seized the instant Orochimaru's attention wavered and used the Body Flicker Technique to rush to Naruto's side. He hoisted him over his shoulder, turned, and ran! He knew all too well that a chasm separated him from this monster. Fighting was pointless. Running was his only chance of survival.
Yet before he had covered even a hundred meters, a shadow descended from above and blocked his path.
Orochimaru!
He stood like an insurmountable wall, wearing the smile of a cat toying with a mouse. "Where do you think you're taking him?"
Sasuke's heart sank. He lowered Naruto and tried to gather chakra again, only to discover that Naruto's body was cold in his arms and his chakra flow was in utter disarray. Forget unleashing Wind Release on the scale he had earlier-he could barely even stand.
The Five Elements Seal... that powerful Sealing Jutsu Kakashi-sensei mentioned, capable of disrupting and sealing someone else's chakra!
"Damn it..." Sasuke gritted his teeth, cold sweat sliding down his temples.
What do I do?
I can't escape, and I can't beat him.
Am I really going to die here?
No! Never!
The pride of the Uchiha and my vow of revenge won't let me fall here!
Sasuke drew a deep breath, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes. He abruptly shoved Naruto behind him.
"Naruto, get out of here! Find someone to help!"