Defeated

As Uzumaki Hane walked step by step towards the lava pit, Kabuto Yakushi sneaked up behind him, his right hand covered in Chakra, and thrust towards Uzumaki Hane's back.

Just as the stab was about to hit Uzumaki Hane, Uzumaki Hane seemed to know that Kabuto Yakushi was there. He turned to the side and avoided the stab, while at the same time grabbing out with his right hand and catching Kabuto Yakushi's attacking palm.

Kabuto Yakushi struggled fiercely, but found that Uzumaki Hane was as steady as a mountain and he couldn't pull his hand away at all.

A fierce glint flashed in Uzumaki Hane's eyes. His left hand quickly transformed into lava and instantly lashed out, piercing straight through Kabuto Yakushi's chest.

Kabuto Yakushi's expression remained unchanged, and with a bang, he instantly turned into smoke and disappeared.

Uzumaki Hane said, "Just a clone?" Then she turned to face the lava pit, where Kabuto Yakushi was already standing.

Uzumaki Hane said, "Is this your true form this time?"

Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses and said, "That's right, Uzumaki Hane, Lord Orochimaru to this extent. It seems we all underestimated you." He brandished more than a dozen Shuriken, which flew rapidly towards Uzumaki Hane.

A lava Kunai appeared in Uzumaki Hane's hand, and he swung it quickly, knocking away the incoming Shuriken.

Next, Uzumaki Hane looked at Kabuto Yakushi. He had disliked Kabuto Yakushi since reading the original work and had no interest in talking to him. With a smirk, he said, "You can die now." After saying that, he charged directly at Kabuto Yakushi. At the same time, his right hand quickly turned into lava, "Canine Red Lotus," transforming into a dog-shaped lava that rushed towards Kabuto Yakushi.

Kabuto Yakushi quickly Hand Seals, Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique," a stream of water rising and swirling around him, crashing towards Uzumaki Hane.

With a deafening roar, the two collided. The dog-shaped lava shattered like tofu and was submerged by the water. The water flow continued its momentum, sweeping towards the Uzumaki Hane and instantly engulfing it.

Kabuto Yakushi knew that his Ninjutsu was no match for Uzumaki Hane, and he didn't want to reveal too much of himself, so he decided to retreat. With a flash, he transformed into a series of afterimages and rushed into the lava pit, where he found Orochimaru. Orochimaru looked extremely disheveled, his entire body panting heavily.

Knowing that Orochimaru's body's rejection reaction had become more severe after today's battle, Kabuto Yakushi approached Orochimaru.

Orochimaru looked up at Kabuto Yakushi and calmly said, "You've come, Kabuto."

Kabuto Yakushi, his face full of respect, said, "Lord Orochimaru, are you alright?"

Orochimaru revealed a sinister smile and said, "Kabuto, I'm fine."

Kabuto Yakushi said, "Lord Orochimaru, let's leave first, otherwise your body won't be able to take it."

Orochimaru said, "Uzumaki Hane, I really underestimated him. I should have made my move sooner and captured him to use as a test subject." After saying that, Orochimaru gagged and struggled to get out of his mouth.

Orochimaru stood up, seemingly unharmed, and said to Kabuto Yakushi, "Let's go, Kabuto."

Kabuto Yakushi respectfully replied, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru." The two figures flashed and disappeared from the spot.

On the other side, Kabuto Yakushi's Ninjutsu created a lake. At this moment, Uzumaki Hane had returned to normal, stepping on the water's surface and quickly leaving the lake, plunging into the lava pit.

Uzumaki Hane stood in the deep pit, looking around. Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi were nowhere to be seen. Uzumaki Hane was somewhat disappointed and said, "They actually got away." However, Uzumaki Hane wasn't too disappointed, since he had no intention of killing Orochimaru at this moment; Orochimaru was still meant for Sasuke.

Uzumaki Hane said, "We still need to find Naruto and the others Sasuke Naruto?"

Uzumaki Hane walked away slowly, not caring at all about defeating a half -Uzumaki Hane crippled Orochimaru.

Meanwhile, Naruto persuaded Sai with his firm words and helped Sai recall past events, thus completing his art book.

Sai slowly closed the sketchbook in his hand, a genuine smile appearing on his face for the first time, and said, "This is what I've always wanted my brother to see: our shared dream."

Naruto happily exclaimed, "That's great, Sai!"

Sai carefully put the sketchbook away and said to Naruto, "Let's go, Naruto, I know where Sasuke is. Come with me."

Upon hearing this, Sakura immediately said, "Sai, is your mission this time really Sasuke?"

Sai said, "That's right, my mission this time is to assassinate Sasuke, so I already tampered with his body when I left the base."

Sakura stared intently at Sai and said, "Sai, are you still going to complete the mission?" Sakura felt she needed to understand this clearly.

Sai still wore that fake smile, but strangely, it made him seem a little more agreeable. He said, "Naruto, Sasuke is someone who respects you more than anyone else; he's your brother. I'll help you bring Sasuke back to the village."

Naruto looked at Sai and smiled, "Sai, let's go." There was no hesitation in his eyes; he had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Sai understood Naruto's determination to find Sasuke, nodded, and walked out first. Naruto and Sakura followed closely behind.

Kakashi and Yamato exchanged a glance. The scene before them reminded them of the past. Kakashi sighed and said, "Yamato, let's go over there too."

Yamato said, "Yes, Kakashi-senpai."

The group followed Sai back into the dilapidated base. Following the passage, they made several turns and finally arrived at another exit of the base, where they saw a light coming from the cave entrance.

Sai said, "We're almost there. Sasuke should be up ahead. Everyone be careful." Sai, who had no prior acquaintance with Sasuke, sensed Sasuke's coldness and hatred upon their first meeting and dared not let his guard down.

However, Naruto and Sakura, who considered Sasuke their comrade, didn't have any reason to be wary of Sasuke. Upon hearing Sai's words, Naruto excitedly exclaimed, "Sasuke, is he up ahead?" Then he shouted towards the cave entrance, "Sasuke, Sasuke..." Naruto shouted as he quickened his pace, rushing towards the cave entrance.

Sakura was also very excited. Seeing Naruto speed up, she called out, "Naruto, wait for me!" and quickened her pace to catch up.

Seeing this, Sai was worried about the two of them and could only quickly follow.

At the cave entrance, Sasuke sat on a huge rock, quietly watching the entrance, seemingly aware of Naruto and the others' arrival.