Ignoring Temari's feigned distress, Natsuki first recalled Greymon, then drifted towards the ground, preparing to lead Kiba and Hinata away.
"Hey, hey, watch out! Your beast wants to eat me!" Temari yelled, controlled by Natsuki's power and slowly descending past Greymon.
At that moment, Greymon was curiously examining her with its maw wide open. Its dagger-like teeth gleamed with a terrifying brilliance.
Temari had no doubt that if Natsuki wasn't watching, this terrifying beast could swallow her whole in one gulp, crushing her bones without a trace.
"Alright, go look after Gaara. Otherwise, he'll go berserk in a bit." Natsuki flicked his wrist, and gravity instantly flung Temari in Gaara and the medic's direction.
There was no need to fight tooth and nail with a Jinchuriki at this stage. If the fight continued, Shukaku, the One-Tail, would appear.
While Natsuki wasn't afraid of the One-Tail and was confident in his ability to win, even kill the Jinchuriki, it was clearly a thankless task.
Suna was still an ally. If he took this opportunity to attack...
With the Third Hokage's temperament, he would likely become the second Hizashi.
Since they had already obtained the scroll, heading to the central tower was the better option.
Ignoring Temari and the others amidst the dust cloud, Natsuki quickly led Hinata and Kiba away.
On the way, the newly evolved Greymon charged left and right through the forest, brimming with energy as if it had overeaten.
"Natsuki, you were amazing!" Kiba exclaimed, eyes shining.
While praising Natsuki, his gaze remained fixed on Greymon, practically drooling with envy.
He yearned for a beast that could evolve. "Teach me! You have to teach me how to make Akamaru evolve! You'll be my best friend forever!"
"Woof woof!" Sensing his owner's longing, Akamaru ran over and barked in agreement.
"It's that simple: Put your heart into it," Natsuki stated with a serious expression, expertly bluffing.
"When you and Akamaru are truly connected, that's when he'll evolve. At that moment, you must shout out loud, bravely shout the word, Evolve or digivolve!'"
He had no idea when the chuuni system would trigger, so he could only encourage Kiba to embrace his inner chuunibyou, increasing the chances.
"I see! So it was because I didn't shout loud enough!" Recalling Agumon's evolution, Kiba was convinced.
He grabbed Akamaru and declared resolutely, "I will use all my strength next time and let the entire Konoha hear my voice! Akamaru, do you have confidence?"
"Woof! Woof woof!!" Akamaru, slightly confused, barked in response.
While unsure of the situation, barking in agreement with his owner was never wrong.
Just as they were nearing the central tower.
From the shadows of the nearby woods, a woman wearing a Kusagakure headband emerged.
"This beast is interesting. Even I haven't seen anything like it. Did you summon it?"
The newcomer was Orochimaru.
After dealing with Sasuke and his team, he had been moving towards the central tower when Greymon's commotion drew him in.
Now, seeing Natsuki, Hinata, and Kiba, another thought struck him.
More outstanding Konoha ninjas. Truly worthy of being the number one Hidden Village, my former home. It always manages to surprise me.
"That's right! That's Natsuki's summoned beast! Soon, we'll be able to do it too! Akamaru, let's practice! Akamaru, go!" Kiba jumped out first, bringing Akamaru forward.
He hoped to trigger Akamaru's evolution through more battles.
"Kiba, don't be impulsive!" Natsuki shouted urgently.
Unlike the others who didn't know who this person was, Natsuki knew very well. This was Orochimaru, a current major threat, not someone Kiba could handle.
"Hehe, Konoha brats are always so naive and arrogant. Allow me to teach you a lesson."
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Orochimaru grinned, and several venomous snakes shot out from his sleeves.
An immense killing intent, carrying several shadows, assaulted them.
Kiba and Akamaru's fur stood on end, as if they had encountered an insurmountable terror.
The overwhelming killing intent paralyzed them.
Only then did they realize they had messed with the wrong person.
They hadn't expected to encounter so many terrifying examinees in a Chunin Exam.
"Universal Pull!"
Just as the venomous snakes were about to strike Kiba and Akamaru, Natsuki's voice rang out like a celestial melody in their moment of greatest danger.
An immense repulsive force erupted, instantly pulling Kiba and Akamaru back, narrowly avoiding Orochimaru's attack.
"Interesting! This trip to Konoha has been full of surprises." Seeing Natsuki's actions,
Orochimaru's interest piqued. To his knowledge, only one person in the entire ninja world could use this kind of hand-sign-less gravitational technique: Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki.
It was remarkably similar to his Shinra Tensei. Perhaps he could capture this kid and study him.
"Not yet! Greymon, use Nova Blast!" While Orochimaru was pondering, Natsuki commanded Greymon to attack from the side.
A massive flame roared towards Orochimaru.
"You call this summoned beast 'Greymon?' Fine, I'll take it back with me." Orochimaru used Body Flicker to dodge, staring at Greymon with keen interest.
He then bit his finger and slammed it onto the ground. "Summoning Technique!"
Boom!!
Several giant snakes rapidly emerged from the smoke, attempting to constrict Greymon.
"Roar!!" With a powerful tail swipe and a blast of fire, Greymon knocked back two giant snakes, but was then entangled by the remaining three.
In the next moment, Natsuki descended from the sky, landing directly on Greymon's massive head.
Almighty Push!
A tremendous repulsive force exploded, sending the giant snakes flying.
"Indeed, the same ability. You... what is your relationship with Pain?" Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed as he couldn't help but ask.
As a former member of the Akatsuki, he knew the organization's terrifying power, especially its leader, Pain. Even he had to live in hiding.
He was unaware that there existed another power rivaling the Rinnegan: the Tenseigan.
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