"Gan! This is too far!"
Chinatsu, who had been continuously using the Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu) over long distances, finally dropped to the ground. It wasn't that her chakra was completely exhausted especially after mastering Sage Mode but she deliberately chose to conserve it. After all, she fully intended to crush Orochimaru the moment she arrived.
Chinatsu raised her head and looked at the sun hanging high in the sky, silently calculating the progress of the Chunin Exams.
Hmm… the second stage should have already started. There should still be time.
Maybe I should find some kind of transportation and recover my chakra gradually? But where would I even find that in the middle of nowhere? Should I keep using Body Flicker at intervals… Hmm? ???
Chinatsu suddenly narrowed her eyes.
From the bushes nearby, a horse slowly walked out, chewing lazily on grass. It lifted its head and froze the moment it locked eyes with her.
Chinatsu: A horse!!!
Horse: (°ー°〃)!
The horse instinctively sensed danger and turned to bolt, but it was far too late.
In a flash, Chinatsu appeared beside it, grabbing its reins and vaulting onto its back in one smooth motion. Her legs clamped down firmly while one hand pressed against the horse's neck.
Her expression… was nothing short of terrifying.
At that moment, language barriers between species no longer mattered.
The horse reared up violently, letting out a panicked neigh before sprinting forward at full speed straight toward Konoha.
"Move!"
A Kage-level shinobi… riding a terrified civilian horse.
Truly a terrifying sight!!!
...
Meanwhile, inside the Forest of Death, the second stage of the Chunin Exams was already underway.
Twenty-six teams had each been given either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll. The rule was simple: obtain both scrolls and reach the central tower within five days.
This stage… was exactly what Chinatsu feared most.
Because hidden within it
Was Orochimaru.
After failing to obtain Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan, Orochimaru had already shifted his target to Sasuke, the last surviving Uchiha.
And this time, unlike the original timeline, Sasuke was far stronger… but that only made him an even more attractive vessel.
At this very moment, Chinatsu was racing toward the battlefield.
...
"An Earth Scroll? Then all we need is a Heaven Scroll."
Sasuke glanced at the scroll in his hand and immediately lost interest.
"This stage is too easy."
Under normal circumstances, eliminating just one team would be enough. With five days available, this stage should have been straightforward even for average genin.
But for Team 7?
It was trivial.
"Hmph! How about we compete to see who gets the Heaven Scroll first?" Naruto grinned.
"Oh? Not bad, Naruto. That's actually a decent idea." Sasuke smirked.
The two exchanged looks, faintly smiling like predators spotting prey.
Sakura, standing beside them, instantly panicked.
Split up? Seriously?!
This is the Forest of Death, not a playground!
But after recalling their overwhelming strength, she forced herself to calm down.
"It's fine… I'm different now."
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and focused.
"Eight Gates… First Gate, Gate of Opening… Release!"
A surge of chakra burst through her body as the limiter on her brain was lifted.
Success!
Sakura's eyes lit up with excitement. She had managed to open the First Gate (Kaimon).
This was the result of her brutal training under Might Guy.
She quickly turned to Naruto and Sasuke, expecting at least a reaction
Only to find both of them completely ignoring her.
One looking east.
The other west.
Searching for enemies.
Sakura's excitement instantly cooled.
…So even opening the First Gate isn't enough?
She clenched her fists.
No… I still have more gates!
Second… Third… Fourth…
I'll catch up!
"Ahhh! Youth!!!"
In the end, the trio didn't split up.
Because before they could
They encountered another team.
The battle didn't even properly begin before the opposing team surrendered and handed over their scroll.
A Heaven Scroll.
Naruto pouted, hands behind his head.
"So boring… I wanted to show off…"
Sasuke crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly.
"The wind is a bit noisy today…"
Behind them, Sakura held both scrolls, feeling an unexpected weight in her hands.
"Enough already. Let's head to the tower. We can rest for the remaining four days."
Naruto and Sasuke nodded.
But just as they were about to move
A chilling killing intent erupted.
"Get out of the way!"
The three instantly leapt in different directions.
BOOM!
A massive white snake swept across the ground where they had stood moments ago, crushing trees in its path.
If they had reacted even a second slower
They would have been dead.
Standing atop the giant snake…
Was Orochimaru.
His golden, slit-like eyes locked directly onto Sasuke.
Filled with desire.
"This chakra… this talent…"
"Perfect…"
Sasuke frowned.
Naruto clenched his fists.
Sakura steadied her breathing.
Without hesitation
They attacked.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Sasuke formed hand seals and unleashed a massive fireball.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto created dozens of clones, several rushing forward while others prepared attacks.
Sakura, empowered by the First Gate, charged in with enhanced speed and strength.
Their coordination
Far surpassed their original timeline.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"…Interesting."
He deflected the attacks effortlessly, his expression turning amused.
"I only came to leave a little 'gift'… why is this becoming troublesome?"
Despite his words, he remained completely relaxed.
Because the gap between them…
Still existed.
"The game… is over."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile as he advanced.
Naruto still had chakra.
But Sasuke
Was running low.
"Tch…"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, refusing to step back.
He would not give up.
Not now.
Not ever.
That was something Chinatsu had drilled into him.
Orochimaru closed in.
Victory within reach.
Then
A loud, completely out-of-place sound echoed through the forest.
"NEIGHHHHH!!!"
Orochimaru paused.
Everyone turned.
From the distance
A black horse burst through the trees at full speed.
And on its back
Chinatsu.
Wild hair. Fierce eyes. One hand gripping the reins
The other raised high.
"Orochimaru!"
"If you've got any pride, fight me head-on!"
"What kind of coward sneaks around targeting my little brothers?!"
The horse skidded to a halt.
Chinatsu pointed directly at Orochimaru
Her middle finger raised without hesitation.
The battlefield… froze.
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