As the battle raged on, Suguru's mind reeled with the implications of Orochimaru's combination attack. The searing heat of the Fire Release jutsu, combined with the devastating wind…
Yeah.
That would be catastrophic.
Suguru's Sharingan flashed, analyzing the chakra flow and hand seals of the combatants.
He knew that if Orochimaru were to unleash his full power, the genin would be in grave danger, even with the support of the two jinchuriki.
Making his decision, Suguru flickered from his observation point, appearing in the midst of the chaos. His hands moved in a blur, weaving seals at a speed that rivalled even Orochimaru's.
'Water Release: Water Formation Wall!'
A massive wall of water erupted from the ground, dousing the flames and creating a momentary reprieve in the battle. Steam hissed as the scorching heat met the cool liquid, obscuring the battlefield in a thick mist.
"Enough," Suguru's voice cut through the haze, his tone commanding and authoritative. "This battle has gone on long enough."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, his serpentine features twisting into a calculating smile.
"Ah, the Ghost of the Land of Rivers. I've heard much about you, Suguru-kun."
With just those words, the teacher and student came to a tacit understanding. A lull occurred in the battle as they made their 'introductions.'
Suguru met Orochimaru's gaze unflinchingly, his Sharingan spinning with his questioning squint.
"And I have heard so much about you, Orochimaru-sama. Your reputation precedes you."
Naruto and Gaara tensed, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. Tatsuya, Mitsuko, and Sakura watched warily from their perch, uncertain of how this new development would unfold.
"As much as I would love to continue this little dance," Suguru continued, his voice smooth and confident, "I'm afraid I cannot allow you to harm my examinees."
Orochimaru chuckled, his laughter echoing through the mist-shrouded forest. "Your examinees? I am surprised that Konohagakure let you back into their embrace. Was your desertion perhaps a fake?"
Suguru's eyes gleamed with mischief along with his teasing smile, "What do you think, Orochimaru-sama? However, I don't doubt you can figure out the truth. You should be familiar with Lord Fifth."
For a moment, the two shinobi stared each other down, intensifying the tension palpable in the air. The surrounding genin watched with bated breath, unsure of what would happen next.
At the side, Gamabunta stood, feeling an instinctual terror from the silver eyes that gazed into Orochimaru.
Manda, who was holding the Sannin on his head, felt the brunt of what felt like prey being eyed by its predators.
For a moment, Manda questioned his existence. He was the boss of the snakes in Ryuuchi Cave. Why was he facing this unabated… hunger?
Finally, Orochimaru spoke up once more.
"Kukuku~" Orochimaru's laughter was a grating rasp. "Indeed, Danzo was someone who would do everything for his village. I wouldn't be surprised if you had been targeted. Your decisive desertion was a good move, my dear student."
Naruto's head whipped toward Suguru, confusion etched across his face. "Student? What's he talking about? You know this creep?"
Suguru returned to a state of impassivity, his Genjutsu-covered Sharingan spinning lazily as he maintained eye contact with Orochimaru.
His head lowered into a simple bow.
"Thank you for the praise. I simply did what I felt was necessary. On that note, I must reiterate— the Chuunin Exams will continue without interference," Suguru stated flatly. "Even from you, Orochimaru-sama."
Suguru swallowed back the saliva pooling in his mouth. The scent of the surrounding summons' chakras was tantalizing like freshly grilled meat.
—Gulp.
"…"
Manda shifted uncomfortably beneath Orochimaru, the massive snake's instincts screaming danger. Something about the silver-haired boy triggered a primal fear in the summon. It was a sensation Manda had rarely experienced in his long existence.
"…The boy smells wrong," Manda hissed to Orochimaru. "Like poisoned corpses. We need to kill him swiftly."
Orochimaru chuckled, placing a pale hand on Manda's scales. "Patience, old friend. Our business here is nearly concluded."
Hearing Manda's words, the other genin prepared themselves.
Gaara's sand swirled around him, responding to his agitation as he watched the exchange. The jinchuriki could sense the malevolent chakra emanating from both Orochimaru and Suguru.
Tatsuya activated his Sharingan, analyzing the situation from his position beside the unconscious Sasuke.
Mitsuko's Byakugan revealed the weight of chakra surrounding the two powerful shinobi and two jinchuriki, with quantities so great they made her dizzy.
Lastly, Anko primed herself at the edge of the clearing. Her hand instinctively went to her neck, where her own Cursed Seal pulsed in response to Orochimaru's presence.
"We need to get the genin out of here," she muttered, calculating their chances of escape.
* * *
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with amusement as he observed the tension rippling through the forest. His presence here had drawn the attention of every creature within range, silencing the usual cacophony of wildlife. Even the leaves seemed to hold their breath, suspended in the still air.
Orochimaru decided that his probing was enough and sighed in exasperation. "Very well, it seems that I am indeed unwelcome here. It's about time I take my leave."
Suguru nodded, seemingly in understanding. But his chakra fluctuated subtly — a reaction that didn't escape Orochimaru's notice.
Orochimaru raised a brow but did not comment. Instead, his gaze moved past Suguru, standing before him.
"I've done enough," Orochimaru said, his gaze drifting toward the unconscious Sasuke. "Goodbye, everyone. The next time I see you all, Konohagakure will be plunged into the flames of hell."
Naruto growled, his whisker marks darkening as Kurama's chakra leaked into his own. "You're not going anywhere!"
At the same time, Gaara's sand swirled menacingly around him, forming tendrils that reached toward Orochimaru. The cork on his gourd disintegrated as more sand poured forth, responding to his killing intent.
"Naruto, Gaara," Suguru's voice cut through their energy like a blade, "Stand down."
Both jinchuriki hesitated, surprised by the command in Suguru's tone.
Manda coiled beneath Orochimaru, scales glistening in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy. The massive serpent's tongue flicked out, tasting the air and the fear emanating from the genin.
"Orochimaru-sama," Manda hissed, "Shall we?"
A hint of bloodlust leaked out of the giant snake.
"Hm?"
Suguru did not let that hint escape his senses.
'I see,' He thought to himself, kneading his chakra and pouring it throughout his body. 'Old snakes, indeed.'
Suguru took a step forward, his movement fluid and deliberate.
—Swish!
No more words were needed, as Orochimaru clearly had no desire to leave without causing even more damage.
"Oho?" Orochimaru laughed as he tilted his head, narrowly dodging a flung kunai. "So you noticed,"
—Swish! Swish! Swish!
A volley of kunai flew from Suguru's fingers at a speed faster than anyone could blink, blurred by his sleight of hand. Seeing this, Anko moved closer to the genin, prepared to evacuate them at a moment's notice.
It was then.
—Crack.
Nobody realized it until they heard the world shatter.
"..?" Orochimaru instinctively glanced behind him, and a pair of kunai cut through his skin because of that.
But it was a good thing he did so, because another Suguru had appeared behind him, snapping his neck with a vicious grapple.
This other Suguru had not flickered, nor had he utilized extreme speed.
Instead… He simply appeared out of nowhere, manifesting into the world from nothingness.
"Genjutsu..?"
Tatsuya was shocked stiff by the sight before him.
What happened?
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