"Yuck—!"
While dodging Naruto's clone attacks, Orochimaru suddenly gagged and vomited—but instead of food, a gleaming, sticky sword emerged from her throat.
She gripped the slime-covered hilt and started swinging the Kusanagi blade like a blender on full speed.
Even surrounded by a sea of clones, Orochimaru moved like a demon. Each swing turned a Naruto into a puff of white smoke, vanishing into the air like a bad dream.
"Water Style—Water Dragon Bullet!"
From the sidelines, the real Naruto had found a good position. His hands blurred into seals, and with the final one complete, he spat out a swirling mass of water.
It gathered fast—twisting and rising until it formed a massive, writhing dragon. The beast roared silently, then surged toward Orochimaru.
But Naruto wasn't done.
"Lightning Style—Thunder Dragon!"
Crackling thunder exploded in front of him. The air filled with static as a second dragon—a beast made of pure lightning—curled around him.
The Thunder Dragon followed its watery sibling into the fray like a vengeful tag-team partner.
"Is he—combining elements?" Sasuke thought, wide-eyed. "He's combining Water and Lightning Style? When did that happen?!"
He gritted his teeth. "Tch. I really am falling behind…"
The Water Dragon slammed into Orochimaru's position, sweeping up even Naruto's own clones like leaves in a flood. Orochimaru, entangled with the last of them, couldn't move fast enough to dodge.
Though the water didn't hit him dead-on, the torrent dragged him back, soaking the battlefield.
The Thunder Dragon struck next—diving into the water like an eel on a mission. The result? Total chaos.
Electricity surged through the water, lighting up the field like a thunderstorm at sea. Clones fizzled out with bursts of white smoke.
"AARGH—!!" Orochimaru shrieked as the lightning ripped through the soaked ground.
"Ha! Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin? More like Sanni-meh," Naruto smirked. "Didn't think he'd fold so easy."
But that grin didn't last.
Because the "Orochimaru" being electrocuted?
It melted into mud. A mud clone.
"Damn it—!"
A cold voice whispered from behind.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands."
Naruto didn't even have time to blink before snakes burst from Orochimaru's sleeve, snagging him like living ropes. The massive serpents coiled around him, squeezing tighter than a loan shark with overdue rent.
His ribs creaked. The pressure was unbearable.
"Naruto!!" Sasuke shouted, launching himself forward, eyes blazing with desperation.
He didn't care about winning anymore—he was going to save Naruto, even if it killed him.
"Ahh… the weak protecting each other. Touching," Orochimaru sneered.
With one hand, she formed seals. Then—snap—her neck stretched like a rubber band, launching her head toward Sasuke.
"CHOMP!"
She sank her fangs into his shoulder, and Sasuke screamed. His knees buckled. Something dark and burning surged into his bloodstream.
The Curse Mark.
Orochimaru retracted her head and turned her attention back to Naruto, still trapped in the snake's crushing grip.
"You're interesting... but it ends here."
The boa constrictor wrapped tighter. Naruto's lungs burned. His vision blurred.
Was this it?
"I fought so hard… finally started getting stronger…" Naruto thought bitterly. "And I'm gonna die in a creepy forest, crushed by a giant snake? Really?"
Everything went dark.
Tick. Tick.
The sound of water dripping echoed through his ears.
Naruto opened his eyes—and found himself in a weird, dark sewer.
A place like this should've been terrifying, but for some reason… it felt familiar.
He looked down. He was standing on water—but not sinking.
"Wait a second…"
He walked forward. As he moved, dim yellow lights flickered on along his path.
Before long, he reached a massive iron gate, sealed with a tag. Behind it?
An enormous red fox, coiled like a nightmare with glowing, hateful eyes.
Kurama.
Naruto stepped closer.
The fox opened one eye, and his deep voice rumbled like thunder.
"Hey, brat. Rip off the seal. I'll deal with that snake freak outside."
"…Really?" Naruto raised a brow. "You think I'm stupid? You break out, and the next thing I know, I'm your chew toy."
Kurama snarled. "Tch. Then what do you want, punk? I'm trying to save your life!"
"Save me? You mean like how my report card saves me from getting grounded?" Naruto crossed his arms. "Nah, I don't take orders from fuzzy rage monsters."
Kurama's eyes blazed.
[Nine-Tails Rage Level: +99]
"YOU LITTLE—!"
A powerful gust of wind from his roar blasted Naruto back a few steps. Kurama raised a massive paw and swiped at him.
The claw stopped inches from Naruto's face—trembling—but it didn't strike.
Naruto blinked, then scratched his head and gave a nervous laugh.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Chill! I was joking! You foxes really need to lighten up…"
Kurama growled lowly, eyes locked on him.
If looks could kill, Naruto would've been Rasengan'd into another dimension.
(End of Chapter 45)