Then Hayashi charged with his blade trailing behind him. In three strides, he closed on Orochimaru, twisted at the waist, and swung-
A blade wreathed in blue light cleaved straight down toward Orochimaru's head!
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, letting the blade skim past the tip of his nose.
Though it never touched his body, the razor-sharp gale force still howled.
With a ripping hiss, a straight slit opened in the fabric over Orochimaru's shoulder. Several strands of his long hair were severed by the wind pressure and fell among the rotting leaves.
Orochimaru glanced down at his torn shoulder.
When he looked up again, some of the mockery in his golden, slit-pupiled eyes had quietly faded.
"...I see." He extended his tongue and lightly licked his lips. "So it really isn't just for show."
Hayashi's only "reply" was a second slash!
He flipped his wrist, wheeling the blade around in a horizontal sweep of blue light!
Orochimaru ducked, and a large snake shot from his sleeve, jaws snapping-without even looking, Hayashi struck back with the spine of his blade, smashing its head and half its body to pieces.
Then he braced his right hand firmly against the hilt-
"Everyone, listen up!!"
Without turning, Hayashi's voice thundered through the forest.
"Naruto! Use the Shadow Clone Technique and fill this whole area!"
"Yeah!!!" Naruto had already brought his palms together.
"Shino! Work with Naruto! Look for a chance to drain his chakra!"
"...Understood." Shino adjusted his sunglasses.
"Hinata! Watch his chakra flow and keep me updated!"
"O-okay!" Hinata clenched her fists, veins instantly bulging around her eyes.
"Sasuke, help me watch how he's changing positions!"
"...Hmph. Leave it to me." The three tomoe in Sasuke's eyes began to turn slowly.
"Shikamaru, I'll tell you when the time comes-use your shadow to