Staring blankly at the kunai nearly pressed against his throat, Darui's mind momentarily went hazy.
"If you keep spacing out, you're gonna die!"
At that moment, a voice snapped him out of it.
Darui's spirit jolted. "Uchiha Shinji!"
No doubt about it.
At the critical moment, the one who grabbed the Second Hokage's arm, saving Darui's life, was none other than Shinji, who was also caught in the Darkness Travel Jutsu.
In fact, it wasn't just Darui's side.
Not far away, Ringo Yuyuri had also been in a life-or-death situation, about to be cut down by the Second Hokage. It was Shinji's shadow clone that rushed over and saved her.
"Thanks!"
Still shaken, Ringo Yuyuri thanked Shinji's shadow clone.
Shinji's shadow clone said coolly, "Don't panic. This jutsu covers a huge range, so the outside world must've noticed by now. As long as you hold on, you'll survive!"
Ringo Yuyuri pouted. "Easier said than done. The Second Hokage is way tougher than I expected!"
Heh. With a light chuckle, Shinji's shadow clone replied, "Don't get it twisted. The First and Second aren't even trying to kill you yet. This is just a warm-up!"
Swish.
At that moment, a burst of light dispelled all the darkness!
Caught in the dark, Darui and Ringo Yuyuri, unaccustomed to the sudden brightness, squinted and asked, "What's going on? What happened?"
Shinji grinned. "Looks like the outside's moving faster than I expected!"
Since he'd kept his eyes closed the whole time, Shinji adjusted to the light faster than Darui or Ringo Yuyuri.
In his field of vision, a team of elite shinobi led by Kakashi had joined the fray. The ones who likely dispelled the Darkness Travel Jutsu were probably them.
As Shinji assessed the elite shinobi team, the newly arrived group nervously surveyed the battlefield.
Once the darkness cleared, they saw that Shinji, Darui, and Ringo Yuyuri, who had been trapped in the jutsu, were still alive, and they couldn't help but feel relieved.
But then they noticed that Darui and Ringo Yuyuri looked heavily injured—especially Darui, whose body was covered in massive burns and blast wounds, making him look utterly miserable! Yet Shinji, who had faced what seemed to be Orochimaru, the First Hokage, and the Second Hokage head-on, didn't have a single scratch on him.
Landing on the field, Kakashi asked, "Shinji, you okay?"
While dispelling his shadow clone, Shinji replied, "I'm fine. But those two are badly hurt and need treatment."
Shizune hurriedly rushed over to check on Darui and Ringo Yuyuri's injuries.
Asuma, standing guard nearby, glared at the First and Second Hokages standing in front of Orochimaru, seething with rage. "To dare defile the First and Second— whoever you are, you're unforgivable!"
Orochimaru smirked. "Forgiveness? Sorry, I don't need that sort of thing!"
"You!"
Asuma's anger flared, and he started to step forward.
Kurenai stopped him, shaking her head. "They're strong. Don't be reckless!"
Kakashi, his expression grave, lifted his headband to reveal his Sharingan.
He was hesitant, caught in a bind. According to Hidden Leaf intelligence, Orochimaru had defected from the Akatsuki years ago.
He'd even been hunted by them.
So, for a moment, Kakashi couldn't tell if this attack on the village was an isolated act by Orochimaru or if it was tied to the Akatsuki.
If this was just Orochimaru acting alone, an overreaction from the village could tip off the Akatsuki, who might be planning their own attack, ruining the Five Kages' carefully laid plans.
Swish swish swish.
With a series of rushing wind sounds, Haku, Karin, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Ryuzetsu, and Chino arrived at the edge of the battlefield.
"That's… the First? The Second?"
Recognizing the First and Second Hokages, Sakura's face was full of disbelief.
Naruto scratched his head. "The First and Second from the Hokage Rock? But aren't they dead?"
Sasuke, being carried on Naruto's back, said, "Something's off about the First and Second's condition. It's gotta be that guy's jutsu!"
Karin and Haku exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
A jutsu that could summon the dead back to the living world and make them fight for you? This was the first they'd ever heard of such a thing.
Chino clicked her tongue. "What a terrifying jutsu!"
Ryuzetsu, quietly shaken, muttered, "Good thing we listened to Leader before and didn't mess with him, or we'd be in serious trouble!"
Seeing the students approach, Kurenai immediately shouted, "Don't come closer! It's dangerous here—get out now!"
Shizune's face darkened as she snapped, "Didn't we tell them to stay away?"
Sasuke said, "We might be able to help!"
Kakashi shook his head. "This isn't something you can handle. The Chunin Exams are on hold. Everyone except Shinji, evacuate now!"
"Since you're here, don't bother leaving!"
Orochimaru let out a cold hum and activated his jutsu again.
For him, whose plan was to kidnap Sasuke directly this time, the more chaotic the scene, the better it was for his scheme. Especially with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki on the scene—if he could make the Jinchuriki go berserk, he could easily escape Hidden Leaf in the chaos.
As Orochimaru activated his jutsu, the First Hokage, standing before him, raised both arms and began forming hand seals.
"Not good! Everyone, quick—"
Kakashi's eyes widened in alarm.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Before Kakashi could finish his warning, the ground shook violently, and countless vines burst from the earth, growing wildly and quickly forming a sea of trees!
"It's the First's Wood Release! Retreat!"
Kakashi, no longer holding onto any hope, flew backward while shouting for everyone to fall back.
The group fell into a panic. Facing the First Hokage's Wood Release, which had pacified the Warring States era, no Hidden Leaf elite shinobi could remain calm!
Whoosh.
At that moment, the Second Hokage charged forward alongside the surging sea of trees.
Orochimaru smirked, using the cover of the tree sea to rush toward Naruto, who was carrying Sasuke.
Unlike the retreating group, Shinji alone moved against the flow, weaving through the gaps in the trees at incredible speed. He first confronted the First Hokage, then intercepted the Second.
Almost single-handedly, he held off both the First and Second Hokages, buying time for the others to retreat.
Seeing the First and Second tied up by Shinji, Orochimaru's face darkened. He stopped paying attention to them and, using the tree sea as cover, charged straight at Naruto.
Because he was carrying Sasuke, Naruto's speed was slightly slower, lagging behind the group. When he felt the malicious wind approaching from behind, he had no time to react.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking the path between Orochimaru and Naruto with Sasuke.
Bang bang bang.
After a flurry of attacks, both sides leaped back.
Only then did Orochimaru realize that the one standing in his way was an unremarkable teammate of Uchiha Shinji.
Haku asked Naruto and Sasuke, "You guys okay?"
Naruto let out a relieved breath. "Haku, thank goodness you're here!"
Swish swish swish.
With a few more rushing wind sounds, Karin, Ryuzetsu, and Chino doubled back, landing beside Haku.
Seeing this, Orochimaru sneered coldly. "A bunch of reckless brats who don't know their place!"