Konoha's experts all entered the fray.
Seeing this, the experts from the other ninja villages no longer hesitated and joined them.
Apart from the Four Ninja of Hidden Jun Village, all the other experts lurking nearby revealed themselves one after another.
Even Naruto and Gaara, who had been fighting fiercely-or, more precisely, their "summons"-stopped fighting.
The source of all these changes was Orochimaru.
Without a word of explanation, Kakashi Hatake transformed into lightning and charged straight at Orochimaru.
Although the other Konoha experts did not understand Kakashi Hatake's intentions, they had to act to keep him safe.
Others had difficulty detecting Orochimaru's means of "concealment," but Kakashi Hatake was different.
He was all too familiar with Orochimaru's aura.
The moment Orochimaru revealed the talisman in his palm, Kakashi Hatake had become wary.
Orochimaru's strike had "missed," but it had also briefly exposed his aura.
Kakashi Hatake had keenly picked up on that.
With his strength, Orochimaru was undoubtedly the ultimate boss upon entering the Chunin Tournament arena.
Moreover, Orochimaru's target was very clear: he was going straight for Sasuke Uchiha.
As his mentor, Kakashi Hatake naturally would not allow his "prized pupil" to suffer an attack from a rogue ninja of Konoha.
He had no time to explain and dropped straight onto the battlefield.
The other Konoha experts might have questions, but Kakashi Hatake believed this.
As long as they had crossed paths with Orochimaru before, they would understand why he was in such a hurry.
Kakashi Hatake held nothing back, opening with S-rank ninjutsu.
Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!
Against a Kage-level expert, he had to go all out.
Kakashi Hatake transformed into a beam of lightning and charged straight at Orochimaru's back.
Yet Orochimaru seemed not to notice and continued rushing toward Sasuke Uchiha.
Crack!
The pillar of lightning